5.2

fairly significant
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
18,750 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.

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problem #8

Dec 162004

626

  • Automatic transmission
  • 150,000 miles
When accelerating from a stop vehicle lurched forward. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

- Jonesboro, GA, USA

problem #7

Jul 252002

626

  • miles
Car would just rev and not catch gears.

- Alpharetta, GA, USA

problem #6

Mar 312002

626

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving at 45-50 mph engine started to rev up, and then without any notice, transmission just went out, and vehicle became inoperable. Contacted dealer, and dealer was checking vehicle.

- Saint Petersburg, FL, USA

problem #5

Aug 252001

626

  • miles
While the vehicle is idling engine will race at a very high rpms. Dealership has examined vehicle, and determined that "timing case" was causing this problem. Vehicle was not included in recall 00V134000. Please provide any additional information / attachments.

- Bronx, NY, USA

problem #4

Aug 032001

626

  • miles
Noise from engine, whining noise, RPM dial jumps up when accelerator push but no power. Car jerks upon coming to a full stop. RPM dial goes up and down to the point that engine will cut off. No dash board light ever came on to give warning. On 8-01-01, had car towed to montgomery madza in charlotte, nc (vacationing) dealer calls on Monday to state transmission had failed and to replace would cost $2700. Dealer called back with a new quote of $1700. Stated that territory rep, tom watkins was the only one that could authorize a different but because I was over 80,000 miles, he was sticking to his decision. I asked to speak with Mr. Watkin and was told he was unavailable and was given my phone number but he never returned the call. I called my dealer located in atlanta, ga, hennessy Mazda and spoke with steve andrews in the repair dept and told him of the situation and his only recommendation was that they add an additional transmission cooler and he was not surprised that the transmissions are not good. I gave authorization to have the car repaired at 4:30pm on 8-6-01. I also stated that I had some dealer (hennessy Mazda) coupons that would have helped with the cost of the repairs but montgomery Mazda would not honor the coupons. Did some research online and to my surprise that this model and make has so many problems. My faith in Mazda has gone out of the window.

- Morrow, GA, USA

problem #3

May 112001

626

  • miles
Vehicle is very sluggish when accelerating, e.g. from a full stop to 40 mph, esp. In 2nd, 3rd, and 4th gears. Occasionally, the car will "buck" or sputter, then spontaneously catch and accelerate rapidly. On two occasions, I have narrowly avoided collisions as a result of this defect. The problem occurs at least 20 times per day during my 35-mile commute to and from work, yet, when I brought the car to the dealer they reported that they could not replicate the failure. There is occasionally an audible popping sound eminating from the engine compartment on the driver's side just beyond the firewall when the problem occurs. I am afraid that sooner or later my luck will run out. I am aware of a recall covering the PCM unit on the 98 626, but was told by Mazda usa that my vehicle was not covered by this recall. Please advise.

- Waltham, MA, USA

problem #2

Apr 012001

626

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Engine check light had been coming on intermittently. Took vehicle to dealer, who found no problem. Then, while driving about 60 mph transmission would not engage, vehicle dropped to 30 mph quickly while engine revved. Transmission needed to be replaced.

- Santa Maria, CA, USA

problem #1

Oct 112000

(reported on)

626

  • miles
While stopped the engine races up to about 3000 rpms on the tackometer, when the vehicle is in drive it accelerates ahead, resulting in an accident, dealer has been unable to duplicate the problem.

- Boynton Beach, FL, USA