I have a 1998 Mazda 626 and my transmission went out about 6 months ago. As I was researching, calling around and asking people about where I could find a transmission at a reasonable price, I came to realize that this has been a problem with several other people who owns or has owned a 626.

- Ashland, MS, USA

I have replaced the auto-transmission on my 1998 Mazda 626 twice, once at about 75,000 miles again at about 90,000 and now it is gone again at 113,000. Thomas.smith9@us.army.mil

- Demoresst, GA, USA

While driving 30 mph transmission exploded underneath the vehicle.

- Hamden, CT, USA

My transmission failed at 80,000. The O/D light started bilnking on I-59. I pulled over because the car was jerking and acting very strange. When I opened my hood, I noticed smoke. I then closed my hood and slowly drove to a car repair shop. They said they couldn't find anything wrong with the car and returned it to me. One week later a noise that sounds like two gears grinding started in my car and this caused my car to jerk into each gear. This jerking was severe enough that it would cause my head to bounce back and hit the head rest. I then took it back to the shop and they thought that it was my cv driveshaft. They replaced it and the clicking continued. When they placed it on the rack, they then realized that the clicking was coming from the transmission. Since they do not work on transmissions, I had it towed to a respected transmission shop. After inspection, they have informed me that it needs another transmission. The used one will cost me $1800 and a brand new one will cost me $2800. After looking online, I realize that this transmission problem is an on going one with Mazda 626's. I think that it is absolutely absurd that Mazda doesn't not recall this part since it is vital to the car's safety. The transmission going out in traffic could cause a serious accident.

- Poplarville, MS, USA

Transmission overdrive light appeared on the dashboard while driving on the highway. This caused the transmission to shift hard and loud.

- Orlando, FL, USA

I have to had my transmission fixed 3 times now and it is currently leaking transmission fluid even after all the work I have done to it. I own a '98 Mazda 626 - there is certainly no sense in having so much trouble out of this car!

- Hickory, NC, USA

Transmission problems for the second time within the past 5 years. It was replaced on 09/01 at 47,544 miles, my check engine light came on and when I took my car to the shop they said that, the transmission was going out; the invoice states that the fluid was burnt and the torque converter was slipping. The second incident occurred on 9/23/03, coming from out of town, the overdrive light started flashing and stayed on for about 45 minutes so I stopped at a gas station and turned the car off, when I restarted the car I noticed smoke coming from under the hood. I raised the hood of my car and noticed some fluid coming out on the driver's side near the windshield and when a gentlemen came over to help, he told me that it was the transmission fluid overflowing. When I took my car to a repair shop I was told that pressure was building up in the transmission, the torque converter was replaced and I had to pay $2178.

- Houston, TX, USA

My car, a 1998 Mazda 626 LX 4 cylinder automatic, has a dead transmission. This failure is due to defective Ford transmission.

- Rego Park, NY, USA

Transmission failure at approximately 73,000 miles without prior warning. O/D light began flashing on highway 3 hours into 7 hour highway trip. Vehicle well maintained. Concerned about having transmission repaired--will the engine fail next" what are statistics on how these cars fare after transmission repair"

- Chicago, IL, USA

Mazda 626 started having transmission problems at 71K. No warning, maintenance up to date, bought from dealer with 42K and only drove 2 years. I still have 2 years of payments!! I can not afford to buy another car with out selling this one, but how can you sell a car with a transmission defect?

- Holualoa, HI, USA

While driving on two occasions at no particular speed the servo unit of the transmission fell out onto the road. In the last two months transmission has been replaced twice, and vehicle is at dealer for repairs again.

- East Amherst, NY, USA

While driving the transmission indicator light flashed which resulted in the vehicle stalling.

- Grand Ledge, MI, USA

Transmission failed in year 5 of operation for 1998 Mazda 626. I am aware that I am not alone with my transmission problem regarding 1994-1998 Mazda 626S. This is too soon to be disposing of an automobile because of a big ticket item. Very disappointed. Won't ever buy Mazda again. Also, front, right axle joint was failing/loose a year ago, 3 repairs/axle replacement and $1000 later, the problem has not been fixed. Absolutely no faith in Mazda, or the service department located in burnsville, mn.

- Burnsville, MN, USA

While driving South on I75, I had noticed that my O/D light had started to flash. The car seemed okay, but the O/D continued to flash. I was in the process of passing a truck with an eighteen wheeler right behind me and all kinds of stuff started to happen. The speedometer quit working. Then the battery and oil light came on. Once that happen, the engine completely died. After calling stepps and having my car towed to my mechanic, he advised me that I had burned up the transmission. Something blew inside the transmission which caused a fuse to blow and this cause the motor to turn off. My mechanic advised me to look into this because he recalls this happening to another client. He has given me a couple of different costs rainging from $1800 on up. I am shocked to read all of the posts from different people who have had the same issue. I have 123,000 miles on my car and am surprised this different happen sooner. Something needs to be done about this.

- Wesley Chapel, FL, USA

Transmission failure. Transmission completed failed at 70,000 miles. The transmission in this car is the infamous cd4E - used on the Ford Contour, probe, Mercury Mystique, etc... from what I hear, there's been nothing but complaints on these failing prematurely, costing driver's many thousands of dollars. The dealer wanted $3,500 to replace the transmission with a new one. I instead went to another business, and had a used cd4E put in. (the used one had 17,000). Now, at 105,000, I'm starting to have transmission problems again. It's sluggish at times and O/D flashes now and then. The problem may not be the transmission's fault, but perhaps Mazda's implementation of it. Many people have complained to Mazda to issue some sort of recall on this transmission, only to be ignored. Add me to that list.

- Leominster, MA, USA

I'm am an unfortunate owner of a 1998 Mazda 626 LX. There's no need for me to tell you about my complaint because it's everybody's complaint, but I will tell you anyway. Transmission problems!! after regular maintenance, my transmission failed at such low mileage. This is unacceptable, we are paying a Japanese price for a Ford piece of crap. It's a shame when you go to a transmission shop and the dealer says something like "oh, we do a lot of those" or "that's a common problem in your model". when I was at the shop getting my transmission replaced, there were 2 other 626's being serviced at the same time. How can you create a car thats fairly decent in other aspects, then throw in a faulty transmission, a piece that is so vital to the automobile. Mazda knows that they have made a mistake and it would be a bad decision to leave a buyer stranded like this. This will definately lower the amount of repeat buyers from Mazda. You can compare this to a father having a child and not being there for him and not even paying child support. It's going to come back to haunt Mazda in sales. Now they're coming out with the Mazda 6 hoping to just brush all the 626 problems behind them, but they are brushing back people who work hard for their money. Fathers and mothers who have to leave their car parked in the driveway because they can't pay for the repairs while they're still making payments on the car. Families who have to make a decision whether to pay for repairs or put food on the table so their family can eat. Mazda definately needs to take care of their responsibilities. Admit that you made a mistake, fix it and make things better for your financial future. There is nothing professional about making a bad product and leaving the customers behind. James williamson.

- Durham, Nc, NC, USA

I'm am an unfortunate owner of a 1998 Mazda 626 LX. There's no need for me to tell you about my complaint because it's everybody's complaint, but I will tell you anyway. Transmission problems!! after regular maintenance, my transmission failed at such low mileage. This is unacceptable, we are paying a Japanese price for a Ford piece of crap. It's a shame when you go to a transmission shop and the dealer says something like "oh, we do a lot of those" or "that's a common problem in your model". when I was at the shop getting my transmission replaced, there were 2 other 626's being serviced at the same time. How can you create a car thats fairly decent in other aspects, then throw in a faulty transmission, a piece that is so vital to the automobile. Mazda knows that they have made a mistake and it would be a bad decision to leave a buyer stranded like this. This will definately lower the amount of repeat buyers from Mazda. You can compare this to a father having a child and not being there for him and not even paying child support. It's going to come back to haunt Mazda in sales. Now they're coming out with the Mazda 6 hoping to just brush all the 626 problems behind them, but they are brushing back people who work hard for their money. Fathers and mothers who have to leave their car parked in the driveway because they can't pay for the repairs while they're still making payments on the car. Families who have to make a decision whether to pay for repairs or put food on the table so their family can eat. Mazda definately needs to take care of their responsibilities. Admit that you made a mistake, fix it and make things better for your financial future. There is nothing professional about making a bad product and leaving the customers behind. James williamson.

- Durham, Nc, NC, USA

I'm am an unfortunate owner of a 1998 Mazda 626 LX. There's no need for me to tell you about my complaint because it's everybody's complaint, but I will tell you anyway. Transmission problems!! after regular maintenance, my transmission failed at such low mileage. This is unacceptable, we are paying a Japanese price for a Ford piece of crap. It's a shame when you go to a transmission shop and the dealer says something like "oh, we do a lot of those" or "that's a common problem in your model". when I was at the shop getting my transmission replaced, there were 2 other 626's being serviced at the same time. How can you create a car thats fairly decent in other aspects, then throw in a faulty transmission, a piece that is so vital to the automobile. Mazda knows that they have made a mistake and it would be a bad decision to leave a buyer stranded like this. This will definately lower the amount of repeat buyers from Mazda. You can compare this to a father having a child and not being there for him and not even paying child support. It's going to come back to haunt Mazda in sales. Now they're coming out with the Mazda 6 hoping to just brush all the 626 problems behind them, but they are brushing back people who work hard for their money. Fathers and mothers who have to leave their car parked in the driveway because they can't pay for the repairs while they're still making payments on the car. Families who have to make a decision whether to pay for repairs or put food on the table so their family can eat. Mazda definately needs to take care of their responsibilities. Admit that you made a mistake, fix it and make things better for your financial future. There is nothing professional about making a bad product and leaving the customers behind. James williamson.

- Durham, Nc, NC, USA

Transmission failure. I have been reading all types of posts from websites saying the same thing about the poor transmissions in the Mazda 626. How could you disregard the quality of a part thats so vital to a newly manufactured car" most people who are writing posts about the Mazda 626 transmission problem say that they will never buy Mazda again, and I feel the same way. Every post that I've seen has been about the faulty transmission. People having their transmissions die at 37K, 55K, 48K. What's going on" can we atleast get 150K. I'm still making payments on this car. If I have to get serious service like this, I would expect for it to be something way down the line after the car is paid for.

- Durham, NC, USA

1998 Mazda 626 transmission failure experienced on a freeway. The car lost power and I had to pull over immediately. It repeatedly slipped out of gear.

- Los Osos, CA, USA