In June of 2002, the od warning light started to flash. I would stop the car and shut it off and then restart it and the od light would go off. On one occasion, the od light came on and stayed on and then the engine light came on. I lost power and the tachometer jumped from about 2500 RPM to over 4000 RPM at about 60 mph. I pulled over and shut the car off again and about an hour later restarted it with the od and engine warning lights still activated. There was not very much power going to the transmission. I took it to my mechanic and he told me that I should get the transmission fluid checked even though that type of maitenence was not scheduled until 60,000 miles and my car only had 57,000 mile on it. I agreed to have it checked out and change the fluid. He reset the warning lights and cleaned out the transmission and changed the fluid. About 2 weeks later, I am driving to Kansas City when I notice the od light coming on again. I pulled off of the freeway and turned off my car and restarted it. 4 times I did this with the the od light going off and then coming back on. Finally, the od light came on, the engine light came on and the car lost all power and the speedometer went from 65 to 0. smoke started to come from the engine compartment and transmission oil blew everwhere. I coasted to a gas station and let the car sit for about 3 hours. I started the car and no warning lights came on. I checked the transmission fluid and since it was low, I added enough to bring it back to full. I was told by my mechanic that I could probably expect to have to replace my transmission very soon since these problems I am having are very common for the 1997 Mazda 626. I think that Mazda should have to tell its customers that this problem exists and fix it before it costs people thousands of dollars in repair bills.

- Columbus, NE, USA

No summary listed for above vehicle.

- Kinf Of Prussia, PA, USA

Mazda has been aware of this problem and refuses to admit an unsafe product. $4000 into this car would only be a band-aid for this problem. I want Mazda to take their car back and wipe my credit record clean. No safety defect listed.

- Palm Coast, FL, USA

While drving overdrive light illuminates, indicating a malfunction. Shortly after vehicle shifts from drive into another gear, cause unknown.

- Arlington, VA, USA

Transmission hesitating when shifting, overdrive will suddenly kick out at any speed, overdrive light will flash.

- Valley Center, KS, USA

Transmission on my 1997 Mazda 626 went out in December of 2001. Mazda would not acknowledge the problem, but they were willing to let me pay $3,000 for a new transmission. I traded it in at a loss, just to be rid of it.

- Houston, TX, USA

While at a stop vehicle would jerk upon taking off. Took to mechanic, and they replaced transmission. At 67000 miles vehicle has had 4 transmissions.

- Las Cruces, NM, USA

Intermittently vehicle jerks/ sputters and jumps out of gear or gets stuck between gears. Gear is shifted to neutral first before going into drive. Service technician indicated that vehicle didn't fall within the guidelins of recall 98-V-206-001/ manufacturer's recall 76810. Vehicle has a preexisting timing belt problem.

- Oakland, CA, USA

While traveling noticed engine check light flashing, soon after vehicle started jerking. Dealer has been contacted, can't duplicate.

- Randalls Town, MD, USA

While driving at highway speed vehicle starts to jerk. Engine light and od light came on. Took to dealer, and dealer indicated vehicle needed new transmission. This was second transmission.

- Waterbury, CT, USA

I feel the need to do my civic duty by reporting this problem because a lot of 626 owners are having drive-train-transmission problems and eventually enough of us will get them to recall and pay for the problem. Flashing O/D off light started flashing periodical about 12 months ago. Took vehicle in concerning other problems to ingram park Mazda, 6990 nw loop 410 san antonio, tx (210) 406-0122, and the afternoon I picked up the car the O/D off light started flashing. I immediately called jeff varhoff, service consultant, and he told me that the clutch on those cars are really thin and that the transmission is probably fixing to 'go out'. he suggested that I either repair it now, let it go all the way out and then get it fixed or get rid of the car. It would be around $2500 to fix he told me. On the evening of Feb. 26, 2002 the transmission did finally go out and the car will crank but the engine spins. I have found a lot on the internet concerning this problem but most of the problems happened earlier in the cars life-span.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

O/D light starts blinking at highway speeds. When blinking the transmission shifts harshly in first and second gear. The problem can be corrected by turning of the engine. I took it to a Mazda dealer and they stated that the torque converter was sticking, and a new transmission is needed at a cost of approximately $2,800. This is a replacement transmission, the original was replaced at approx. 25,000. There appears to be something defective about this transmission or else it would not be failing so often.

- Spring Lake, MI, USA

O/D off : flashing occasionally.

- Asbury Park, NJ, USA

The vehicle stalled after a scheduled oil change. After returning to the service center where the oil change was performed, I was told that I need to have my valve cover gaskets changed. I wanted a second opinion and scheduled a check with the dealership service center. I had no problems with stalling after the first initial incident. After the dealership mechanics looked at the vehicle the car would not move unless the engine was reved. I was informed at this point that my transmission was slipping and that I needed my valve cover gaskets and spark plugs changed. The total cost would amount to over $3200. After getting a second opinion on the state of the transmission I had the transmission replaced. I was informed by the dealership mechanic that the 1997 Mazda has transmission problems. I had the transmission replaced by the dealership service department. The new transmission is extremely loud, the car does not drive the smoothly; I can feel the gears change, and the odometer is running rampant. I went back to the dealership and was told that Mazda transimission are generally loud and that the car will rev and cause one to feel a shift in gear if the computer cannot distinguish a speed setting. I feel that after reseach and speaking with the dealerships mechanics that Mazda was aware that the madza 626 V6 1997 year was defective and should not continue to make revenue for a costly "repair" that should have been fixed by the manufacture. When my vehicle stalled it was in heavy traffic (45mph zone) and it is a blessing that I did not cause a wreck or hit anyone. Thank you T. simpson

- Oak Grove, KY, USA

Dear sir/madam, after I had my transmission problem I contacted with transmission repair shop but they could not fix the transmission. The main problem with the transmission is od light flashes and the transmission fails to work properly. I have heard that this is a general problem for Mazda 626. Even on the internet many Mazda 626 owners complain about this problem. I know the mileage of my car is high but even for the low mileages people encounter with the similar transmission problems for Mazda 626. If this is a general problem why doesn`T the Mazda company recall and fix the problem? this problem costs too much money for the customers and maybe some dangerous situations on highways or busy traffic. Thank you for giving me chance to inform you about this.

- Houston, TX, USA

I recently experienced problems with the transmission on my 1997 Mazda 626 after only 61,406 miles. Luckily I purchased an extended warranty at the time of the original purchase of the car. However, upon replacing my transmission with a "remanufactured" one I have again experienced transmission problems. It is obvious that there are some serious problems with the engineering of the transmissions that went into this model year car. I have read similar complaints on consumer complaint boards on the internet. What has exasperated this situation even more is when I brought my car in for repairs the dealership (actually two different ones) recommended that I purchase a transmission cooling kit for about $100 as they stated that the transmission just couldn't take the heat of the deep South (I live in the new orleans area). This really irked me. I couldn't believe that these two dealerships were trying to get me to pay for this kit when it is obviously a problem with the engineering of the transmissions or associated electrical components. I called Mazda usa customer service and they said that they would not pay for this kit installation and they did not think it was at all needed. In other words there is no problem with transmission overheating even in the South according to Mazda motors North America. I would like to know how many other Mazda owners (especially those in the South) have been told by their dealerships that their transmission woes can be solved by purchase and installation of this cooling kit. I would hope that no one has been persuaded into purchasing one of these kits when its not their problem to pay for- it is the dealership's or Mazda motors responsibility to repair this problem!

- Covington, LA, USA

While traveling vehicle would not change gears.

- Columbia, MD, USA

While driving 200 miles across state on sr 70 my O/D off light began to blink and my check engine light came on. I took it to the Mazda dealer that week and was told that I was having transmission failure and was told that codes P1744, P0741 & P1783 came up during a diagnostics test. I was told that I should have a transmission service and "wait and see" since my gears weren't slipping at the time. Last week during the same drive across state my O/D off light started blinking again, and this time while trying to pass a car on sr 70 (a 2 lane hwy) the transmission slipped as I was in the oncoming lane. Fortunately it kicked back in and I didnt have the problem again. (havent traveled since then) I took it back to Mazda and was told that they would pay for the transmission, (since I had called last month to complain that there was absolutely no reason why a car w/ 57K miles should have a failing transmission, unless ofcourse it was defective. They offered to pay for the trans, but I am still responsible for the labor and was offered no warranty. I have done a lot of research and have found that these 626 transmission chronically have this problem and I have found hundreds of complaints about it online. I can not believe it has not been recalled. Have not enough people complained, would it cost Mazda too much money or do they really believe that this is not a problem? well as a single mother who relys on her car and still owes $12K on it, it is a problem. A big problem and I hope that corrective measures are taken.

- West Palm Bch, FL, USA

While driving from sarasota to wpb going approx 65-70 mph the O/D off light started blinking although it wasnt off. The check engine light came on and the next day I took it to the dealer and I was told the transmission was failing and suggested I have the transmission serviced and watch and see since the trans wasnt slipping. Well 1 month later while traveling again from sarasota to wpb not only did the O/D off light come on while trying to pass the trans did slip. I was told the trans would need to be replaced and since I had complained to Mazda that there was absolutely no reason a 57K trans should be failing they offered to pay for the trans but I would be responsible for labor. At this time I have yet to have it done and will insist that Mazda pay for the labor also. I have done a lot of research and this apparently is a major problem with these certain trans. I had mentioned to stephanie at Mazda customer service that I found it funny that Mazda will recall gas caps, but yet with such a defective transmission, not a thing is mentioned. I absolutely can not believe that these transmissions have not been recalled. Is it because not enough people have complained" or is it that no one has died" how does this work. I am very upset with this and it needs to be taken C are of. Mazda will not do anything unless they are made to. Please investigate this. I have seen hundreds of complaints on this exact problem on sites such as complaintcenter.com, complaincenter.com, yahoo forums, dustbury.com/626/trans.html etc. Etc.

- West Palm Beach, FL, USA

I started having transmission problems at 45000 miles transmission was supposedly replaced at 48ooo miles. Now about two years later I'm having the same problems again, but my warranty has expired.( O/D + engine lights come on, trans stalls while accerlerating, trans slipping, banging sound when put in reverse)

- Woodlyn, PA, USA