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
1997 Mazda 626 LX - transmission, catalytic converter, oxygen sensor, and computer have all been repaired in a span of 11 months. The car does not have 80,000 miles on it!
- Atlanta, GA, USA
I own a 1997 Mazda 626 LX, which I bought used with 36,000 miles. At approximately 60,000 miles the transmission seized up, stranding my wife and I. had car towed to dealership, where they informed us we needed a new transmission. Their exact words were: "we have good news and bad news. The bad news is that your warranty has expired. The good news is that we have a new transmission in stock." We then shopped around and found a less expensive transmission shop that gave us a one year guarantee, and came recommended by a mechanic friend of ours. One year and two weeks later, the transmission is overheating on long drives, spewing transmission fluid out the vent cap. Mechanics tell us we need a new torque converter, they think. In any case, we'll probably need another transmission soon. We're dumping the heap and buying a Toyota Camry. I'm appalled to see page after page of nearly identical complaints about the 1994 - 1998 626S. Mazda does not acknowledge the problem. How dare Mazda/Ford do this to hard working folks who just want to drive a dependable vehicle?
- Lawrenceville, GA, USA
Cd4E transmission failure.
- Baxter, MN, USA
Transmission failure had to be replaced, overdrive light constantly flashing, dealers stated was oxygen sensor replaced both sensors, problem not solved, replaced transmission replaced several days later with another, first replacement was defective.
- Sherrill, NY, USA
!997 Mazda 626 auto transmission failing... with only 38,000 miles!
- Port Matilda, PA, USA
Transmission failure for 1997 Mazda 626 LX with 58,000 miles cost over $2500 to repair.
- New Albany, OH, USA
Automatic transmission failure 1997 Mazda 626.
- Ponchatoula, LA, USA
I have a 1997 Mazda 626 LX. The transmission failed right at 70,000 miles. It cost me $2,600 to get it fixed. It was not under warranty so I had to pay for it. I checked around and have found numerous others who have also had transmission failures under 70,000 miles. The transmission repair shop said they get a ton of these cars with transmission problems. I feel Mazda should compensate us for these repairs because of their faulty transmission.
- Round Rock, TX, USA
1997 Mazda 626 transmission going out and the dealers would not agree to replace or acknowledge the problem with a car.
- Anaheim, CA, USA
Transmission is failing on out "97 Mazda 626. Loud clicks and jumps on accelerations. Not the cv joints.
- St Cloud, MN, USA
1997 Mazda 626 transmission failure. The car has 100,000 mile and the transmission is a tost. It looks like there are tons of other Mazda with the same problem. It should be recalled.
- Burnsvill, MN, USA
Automatic transmission has to be rebuilt due to it not shifting gears.
- Warwick, RI, USA
I have a 1997 Mazda 626 and with any warning the transmission has failed and the dealer is asking $2,400 to fix it and I think it is wrong that they haven't came forth to tell anyone about the cooling system that is soppose to fix it.
- Lauderdale, MS, USA
Consumer states overdrive light comes on intermittently, causing vehicle to jerk and stall. Dealer notified.
- Mauldin, SC, USA
Overdrive light continually flashes after car's engine becomes hot which is approximatley 20-30 minutes. Caris extremely jerky when shifting into lower gears while this light is on. Mechanics say to fix this problem entire transmission must be replaced.
- Jonesboro, GA, USA
Transmission keeps failing, with only regular daily driving. Failed at 6000.ad to pay 2000K for T to be fixed. This is a very bad transmission for the car!
- Brooklyn, NY, USA
Defective transmission in my 1997 Mazda 626 LX sedan. I am only owner of my vehicle and purchased brand-new in August 1997. I took meticulous care of this car and have all receipts to prove so. A few weeks ago, the O/D light began to flash on and off and the engine light came on. Now the car does not accelerate properly and cannot travel above 60 miles per hour. I took the car to my mechanic, who recommended replacing the transmission for $2,000. I got a second opinion from the Mazda dealer, who suggested the same for $3,500-4,000. After researching this problem, I found that there are hundreds (or more) people who have experienced the same costly defect. I feel that Mazda should have issued a recall on this car. Please look into this matter, it is very upsetting.
- Trenton, NJ, USA
Automatic transmission failing; blinking lights; rough shifting. (note: I have two 97 Mazda 626 2.0 ltr cars. One auto trans has failed totally, and this is my second one that is starting to fail.)
- San Antonio, TX, USA
1997 Mazda 626 his car continues to have transmission problems. All of the problems are intermittent. Occasionally the car will not accelerate even when the RPM's climb. The automatic transmission shifts hard, it slams from gear to gear especially when shifting up a gear. Overdrive slips in and out, the overdrive light flashes when the overdrive slips. There is one isolated incident on a long highway trip where the car would not go above 45. It started to smoke and so I pulled over and shut off the car. I still have not figured out where the transmission fluid came from but when I looked under the hood there was fluid everywhere, as if about a quart of fluid had been sprayed or burst.
- Usaf Academy, CO, USA
- Houston, TX, USA