(see complaint # 10149676) after having the right front cv joint replace just the day before, transmission failed again @ 72,650 mi. From a cold start, the car was allowed to warm up before being put into drive (approx 5 min.) the car was driven approximately 1/4 mile in 30 mph stop and go traffic when, after a complete stop, the car suddenly acted like it was in neutral. Even though the gear shift was still in drive. The same thing when put into reverse gear. I managed to get the car to the side of the road and turned off the ignition. Five minutes later I restarted the engine, put the gear shift in drive, and voila! I'm moving again. Another 500 feet further down the road? the same thing. Standing there idling with the gear shift in drive, no reverse, nothing. Had it towed to a transmission shop. Estimate: $1500 to fix this cd4E transmission again. I have decided to not have this transmission fixed this time and will trade the car in, at a substantially lower value (because the dealers all know the track record of this cd4E GEM), for a Honda Accord. Which I considered buying instead of the Mazda 626 back in late June of 2000. Mazda North american operations, in my opinion, should liable for monetary reimbursement to their customers for out-of-pocket expenses, lost time and wages, and aggravation on the basis that they have been fraudulent. Signed, former Mazda customer.

- Rochester, NY, USA

First incident: 9/2/04: Had to have transmission completely rebuilt after it failed on @ 61,360 miles. Replaced master O/H kit, torque converter, direct housing, shift kit, hub, chain, band, oil filter, oil. $ $2,062.70.

- Rochester, NY, USA

Car is driven under normal conditions highway/ city. After the transmission warms up the od off lamp blinks and the transmission shifts erratically, when starting from a light the transmission will shift out of first gear at about 4000 RPM and seems to go directly into 3rd. We have been told that the transmission must be replaced, now the car is just sitting until we can get it fixed, they just too much money at this time.

- Oakville, CT, USA

I noticed my car shaking at idle and when I put it in park. I also noticed a puddle under my car so I took it to get looked at right away. On the way to the service station it would not shift. All symptoms I have heard on this site, but no dealer ever told me of any problem. Now the car is not worth the price of a new transmission and I am without a vehicle. Would have been nice to know that there was a problem with it.

- La Crosse, WI, USA

I bought a Mazda 626 brand new from the dealer. After a yeah I took the car to a dealer 3 times because I felt shifting problem with the tranny. The dealer told me that there is nothing with the car. At 95K mile my tranny went and I called the Mazda, they told me im lucky to have it for that long. They will not do anything about it because its a problem that I caused. They didn't even look the record to the dealer or have it checked.

- Highland Mills, NY, USA

Car RPM's are high on start, car idles rough, over drive light blinks, car is very dangerous and when od light blinks car cannot change gears correctly and makes it dangerous on turns. Had close calls almost being hit, as transmission and engine does not work properly. I have had to change all spark plugs and wires, had a rebuilt engine out in as old one was destroyed due to a spring in the timing belt breaking. New 02 sensors, and maf. Current issues are with the od light blinking and causing the car to hesitate and stall. Turning car off and on seems to fix it for a while, then problem happens again after a few hours. Seems to be a computer problem or something, also there is a whining noise when RPM's are over 4000. This car is a lemon and I have read how Mazda refuses to admit the transmission problems they have.

- Upper Marlboro, MD, USA

97 Mazda 626 LX transmission failed for the third time completely (cd4E).

- Austin, TX, USA

I bought a new 1997 Mazda 626 in October of 1996. The transmission failed at 60,000 miles, so I spent $1800 on a new one. That transmission failed after only one year, so I had that repaired. Now, 2 years later, the transmission has failed again.

- Houston, TX, USA

The contact stated there was an ongoing problem with the automatic transmission. It will make a loud noise followed by a complete shutdown. The transmission has been rebuilt three times. Several mechanics attempted to repair the vehicle, but agreed that the problem was the automatic transmission overdrive. The manufacturer has been contacted, and would not cover this under warranty. No further repairs have been made.

- Vicksburg, MS, USA

Has an automatic transmission. When driven at high speeds (over 70 mph) the O/D light begins to blink and the engine revs an extra 400 rpms while maintaining the same speed. When driven at lower speeds, transmission shifts harshly. Took it to a dealer to have it checked and the dealer says that the transmission is ready to give up and replacing it will cost me $3400. Mazda needs to remedied this issue before this problem turns deadly.

- Huntsville, AL, USA

The contact stated while driving on the freeway at 55 mph the overdrive light blinked on and off. Then, the vehicle will not go over 40 mph, and the rpms increased to 6,000. Had to pull the vehicle over and wait for the rpms to go down. The vehicle was taken to the dealership, and they stated there was too much pressure in the transmission. He took the vehicle to a mechanic, who rebuilt the transmission, but the same problem recurred.

- Foster City, CA, USA

1997 Mazda 626 LX 4 dr automatic transmission.

- Huntsville, AL, USA

Od light blinking on 1997 Mazda 626 LX. Told need new transmission?

- Greensboro, NC, USA

The automatic transmission had to be replaced after only 57000 miles back in 2004. Since the warranty had expired I had to spend $2200 out of my pocket. I've been researching this problem for a while now and have noticed that 1000's of these 1997 Mazda 626 cars have had similar problems. Why hasn't the NHTSA forced Mazda to issue a recall or at least have them reimburse car owners?

- Carmel, NY, USA

Transmission failure O/D on light flashing, car fails to shift out of 1st gear, 2nd failure of this nature trans was rebuilt.

- Saline, MI, USA

1997 Mazda 626 transmission failure.

- Burlington, WV, USA

December 2004-January 2005- 1. car overheats constantly 2. the transmission overheated the car and caused complications with the water pump, computer 3. replaced all items; transmission rebuilt cost to fix $3200 couldn't afford to just junk the car, as I had purchased it for $5200 the summer before. So I had to fix it. Within a week of getting the car back, it blew a radiator hose.

- Rock Island, IL, USA

Well first off I was driving and my speed started to drop so naturally I pressed the gas harder and harder and the rpms just kept shooting up and the car wouldn't go and my engine was roaring like a mustang trying to race someone. So my overdrive light in the dash starting blinking on and off and I knew something was screwy so I pulled off to the side and restarted my car. My car wouldn't go anywhere when I pushed the gas the RPM needle would just shoot up as if I had my car in park. After having it towed all over town, to find the best quality service on a new transmission I learned that 626S' have the worst transmissions ever!!! it cost me $2,000 for a new transmission. I think I deserve to be reimbursed, as well as the other people who have had the same problem.

- Powder Springs, GA, USA

1) purchased a used '97 Mazda 626 dx, with 115000+ miles on it, supposedly in decent condition. The vehicle required a new fuel pump, so wasn't in any kind of road use until replacement. After replacing, the car seemed to work fine, but had odd 'jumps' forward in low speeds and stops (making me believe I would run stop signs). The dealership refused this lemon back. 2) after having the car 8wks, & only testing it around the block until all tests completed on the fuel system, it began to steam & make popping noises driving <400 yards at <20mph. After time, the noises got louder, the steam more widespread, and when the gas was pressed there was noticable lack of power for long seconds. Radiator was suspected due to the steam and power issues. During 1 test while braking it jumped/lurched sideways into a weak brick wall. 3) we are military mechanics, & we went through the entire fuel/transmission/oil systems by Mazda's own book. We even removed the engine, completely cleaned the old gunk out, & refilled fluid with only the finest fluids & cleansers, replacing entire sections of the engine with new parts, & still had the same problems. Per Mazda, they kept diagnosing anything from sensors/computer/regulators/hoses/fuel system issues. Extensive searches on-line turned up a horrifying list of 100's of websites that all blasted Ford's buying of Mazda & resultant lowering of quality. All sites reported transmission issues, similar 'diagnosis' from bad Mazda dealerships, & the end result being years of transmission replacements. Tranny's would break down at early mileages. Few reports of satisfaction from Mazda in replacing what had to be known as deffective trannys. The Mazda 626 (all versions '94 to '00) have seriously none-safe transmissions. When we fully eliminated the last of the possibilities, it was the transmission!!! Mazda refused to deal with this, nor issue a valid safety recall of 626's! spent over $2000 on new parts. This is a safety issue!!

- Harker Heights, TX, USA

Lemon - this car has had problems since I bought it. Everything from transmission to computer to timing belts to power steering problems. At about 70,000 miles I had it fixed again under warranty and since then I've had to pay for all repairs. Last year it was the radiator I guess things wear out but it took Mazda 2 tries to fix it. This year I got a check engine light for something called the idol air control valve and the power steering something or other. This sounds familiar and the symptoms are something I've experienced before. After replacing the idol air control valve it the problem didn't go away and I was told it would cost 3500 for a new transmission. I made the mistake of trying to fix it. I took it to aamco and I feel really bad now because after 3 tries they still haven't been able to fix the problem. They still have the car and I have no idea when it will be fixed not to mention it's cost a lot more than I expected to fix.

- San Gabriel, CA, USA