10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 2 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 7 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 52,419 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
I just bought a 1997 Mazda 626 it has about 97,000 miles on it and my transmission is already failing. The over drive light turns on and the transmission skips. The mechanic says its a sensor but its not. It's also leaking transmission fluid.
- Miami, FL, USA
While driving 50 mph, the rpms shot up and the speedometer dropped due to transmission failing. Vehicle is being repaired.
- Powder Springs, GA, USA
Transmission fluid is leaking all the time. Had the transmission seal replaced, but it is still leaking. Leak is due to defective design of transmission (loose bearing), I was told. It sounds like I will have to get another transmission. This is unacceptable at 75K miles. This car is a lemon and is dangerous to drive when the transmission is likely to go out. The transmission needs to be recalled.
- Roswell, GA, USA
The transmission acts up switching from 1st to 2nd gear. It goes into high RPM and then jerks into 2nd gear. After driving for a little while, the O/D (overdrive) light begins to flash and it only turns off if the car is turned off. A mechanic has looked at it and says that it is the transmission acting inconsistently.
- Fontana, CA, USA
In June of 2000 I was visiting family in detroit. While on the highway, my transmission began to slip. I took it to a repair shop, and they told me that I needed another transmission. They got a rebuilt transmission from Mazda, which was supposed to address a problem they had with the original factory transmission. Two and a half years later my O/D light started flashing on and off, and the Mazda dealership said I needed yet another transmission. This is my third transmission, and I've only had the car since 1999.
- Augusta, GA, USA
This automobile was purchased for my out of state college student. Upon returning to school from thanksgiving break the O/D off light began flashing, followed by erratic transmission problems driving. He stopped the vehicle and called home. Once the vehicle comes to a stop, in gear, it ceases to be able to move again until the engine is stopped. After approximately 1 minute the vehicle can be restarted and the transmission placed into gear and movement occurs. I had it taken to a Mazda dealership and was told the transmission needed to be replaced at a cost of $3000. Absolutely ridiculous! I had the vehicle towed to my local mechanic who dropped the transmission pan, discovered a lot of metal shavings and also suggested replacing the transmission. After reviewing other compaints on this web site, it is obvious that their is an issue with this model of transmission that should be addressed by the manufacturer. I know this is a Ford transmission also found in the Contour model but have not inquired about these complaints. This needs to be addressed and investigated. It has been a long time coming with no visible results. Somebody do something!!
- Fredericksburg, VA, USA
Transmission failure of my 1997 Mazda 626 at just over 79K miles. The incident occurred while I was on a highway type road at a speed in excess of 55 mph, which could have resulted in damage or injury. This vehicle has been meticulously maintained according to Mazda warranty specifications. I have been informed by Mazda that I do not qualify for after warranty assistance, even though they have issued a tsb for the issue in question and I was never informed of same by no less than 3 Mazda authorized service stations.
- Doylestown, PA, USA
I own a 1997 Mazda 626, at 57,000 miles my 2nd transmission has failed. My first transmission failed over a year ago at under 50,000. Mazda dealers do little more than laugh about this problem and of course give me a bid for a new transmission. It is my understanding that Mazda knew of this problem and did nothing to correct it and allowed the warrenties to expire without informing owners of the defect.
- Houston, TX, USA
Flashing "O/D off" light indicates failing transmission.
- Harrison, OH, USA
1) normal daily use (20) miles to from work on highway roads 2) transmission won't work 3) complete transmission removal and rebuild required. I can't believe the amount of information and complaints all over the internet on this Mazda/Ford transmission problem. I also can't believe this government office has still not acted on it. Surely doesn't appear to be our tax dollars working for the tax payers here. There is a long history of worn out transmissions caused by faulty cooling design on this combined used Mazda/Ford transmissions model la4A-el. Mine is installed in a 1997 Mazda 626 4 cylinder. Will this Agency please acknowledge all these complaints. This is costing hard working people a lot of money to replace these transmissions.
- Cocoa, FL, USA
Transmission has failed at 55000 miles for no reason.
- Jacksonville, FL, USA
While driving, without warning the over drive light appeared on the dashboard and remained on. The vehicle start shifting erratic the driver was able to maintain control of the vehicle and drove it to the dealer. The mechanic placed the vehicle on a diagnostic. The mechanic informed the driver that the transmission needed replacement. Please fill in additional information.
- Riverton, UT, USA
I was driving my 1997 Mazda 626 when all of a sudden, the transmission started shifting hard and acting weird. This was the car's 2nd transmission it had replaced. I fixed the problem by buying a new radiator and an auxiliary cooler because the transmission had overheated.
- Riverton, UT, USA
When driving for approximately 2-4 hours the od off light started flashing. I've researched this incident and apparently the transmission gets too hot frequently resulting in costly repair! I had to drive back home after deciding not to continue my vacation and every 2 hours stopped to let the car cool because light ( od off) started to flash.
- Port Jervis, NY, USA
Immediately after used car purchase in June 2003 the 1997 Mazda 626 required transmission rebuild. Six months later at my expense over $3000 required to rebuild transmission. Since then has been in shop over six time with recurring overdrive light blinking, overheating and poor shifting. Two coolers have been installed. The engine thermostat replacement, battery replacement, oil change and tuneup have not prevented a recurrence. After 100 to 150 miles of hiway driving the O/D light blinks and transmission overheats.
- Overland Park, KS, USA
1194-2002 Mazda 626 4-cyl. Automatic transmissions are defective as noted in similar complaints (formal and informal; see, for example, the lengthy descriptions in 466 posts at www.cartrackers.com/forums/live/yourlemon/189.html, a forum dedicated specifically to this defect). I personally own a 1997 Mazda 626 dx which has been experiencing the described transmission problems, indicated by the flashing "O/D off" light on the dashboard and the "torque converter clutch mechanical failure" trouble code retrieved by odbii diagnostics performed on 8/27/2004. It is my understanding that Mazda has been made aware of this defect in their transmissions as early as 2002, and in May 2002, tsb# 0500502 "A/T - od off lamp flashing/dtc P1783/shift concerns" was issued.
- Alexandria, VA, USA
While driving at 45 mph over drive sensor light came on. As a result the vehicle lost complete power. No impact reported. Dealer stated transmission failed.
- Norwalk, CT, USA
I purchased a 1997 Mazda 626 in Jan of 2004. Took it on its first road trip in June. Went to pass another driver and the light started flashing, car started jerking. I limped back home without having to do a lot of major work. Consquences: Towing, cancelled trip, repair costs, time lost. I'm working on saving the money to have the transmission rebuilt. I went to research the issue & found literally hundreds of complaints dealing with Mazda 626 transmissions. But no response from Mazda.
- Fountain, CO, USA
I have a 97 Mazda 626 with 88000 miles and the automatic transmission is failing. Strated out with a problem shifting to third gear, but now the O/D light is blinking. The mechanic says that it need a new transmission that will cost $2000. I have maintained this car pretty well and it shouldn't have problems, unless the producty is faulty. So many people have complained about this problem. Something should be done.
- Houston, TX, USA
- Juno Beach , FL, USA