Faulty automatic transmission in Mazda 626. This will be my second transmission failure. Both transmissions began slipping and overheating many miles before failure. The dealer never informed me of any bulletins or problems with the transmissions.

- Orangeburg, SC, USA

My wife was enroute from work to home when the 626 started losing speed. It wouldn't pull-off from stop light. Uneventfully it would move for the distance of a football field and quit in high speed traffic. I took it out for a drive and barely made it back home. The transmission will disengage and engage from time to time.

- Liberty, MO, USA

I purchased a Mazda 626 (1999 model). The transmission is now overheating. This is such a prevalent problem that Mazda needs to pay for it. Putting a Ford transmission in a big Mazda was a huge mistake and then need to make restitution for the thousands of dollars those of us who got duped must pay. Bottom line: They manufactured ticking time bombs and all transmission rebuilds do is add a few seconds to the bomb counter.

- West Liberty, IA, USA

Transmission went out; failure to engage and overheating when running; had to have transmission completely rebuilt at 85K miles.

- Lakewood, CO, USA

1999 Mazda 626 -complete transmission failure in March,2003. Replaced with rebuilt transmission for $2048 - Jan-2006 - complete transmission failure again. I have also replaced catalytic converter twice, within one years time.

- Bluefield, WV, USA

Refer to ODI 10150361. Want to clarify that purchased vehicle new 6-28-99. Trans went out at 87000 miles. Had rebuilt. Never shifted correctly when new. Even worse after rebuild. Reverse shifted very roughly after very apparent pause. Called Mazda dealership purchased from, they didn't care. Said nothing was wrong with it. Had rebuilt 23 months ago. Already went out at christmas 2005. Had rebuilt. Lasted two days - returned to trans shop. Went back to the shop today for the 5th time since was "rebuilt" again at christmas. No one drove the car/sat in driveway after picked up the last time. Decided to take through car wash today, and didn't make it out of the driveway - so no car wash. Wanted to get it ready to trade off, and trans started slipping and jerking again. O/D light flashing, check engine light on again. Won't shift into reverse. Same thing again. I certainly wish I was a millionaire and I would pursue a lawsuit against Ford and Mazda for their "expensive junk" cars! my car has always had regular maintenance, oil changes, tune-ups, etc. It has never been abused and still looks like brand new inside and out. Too bad it's not reliable. Just like everyone else has said here, word of mouth, saying they will never purchase another Mazda or Ford again. The same definitely goes for me. So, in the last two years I've spent over $4000 for transmission repairs, and it still won't run correctly! I'm just fed up!

- Rockport, IN, USA

: the contact stated the vehicle began jerking, and then the reverse would not engage. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop, were the transmission was rebuilt. Less than two years later, the overdrive light illuminated intermittently and the reverse failed again. The transmission was rebuilt a second time. The overdrive light illuminated and the vehicle began jerking less than a week later.

- Rockport, IN, USA

I purchased this 1999 Mazda 626 used in November 2002. I had the dealer check the car to make sure all was okay; they said yes. A few months later, with 3 people in the car and some luggage for the weekend, we embarked on a trip. Two hours into the trip at speeds no higher than 75 mph, the transmission blew. I had the car towed to a Mazda dealer where I was informed that driving at such high speeds (70 to 80 mph) for 2 hours with 3 people in the car was too much for the Mazda 626. I did have them put in a transmission and a transmission cooler which we found out was not standard for the 1999 626. It was quite difficult to do, but Mazda agreed to pay part of the cost. Interestingly, when I called to speak to the mechanic who informed us of the missing transmission cooler about 1 week after the car broke down, he no longer worked there. Anyhow, to note I did put this information in at the time, but I noticed today my complaint was not in the system. Moving on, it is one thing after the other on this car. I really want to get rid of it, but I do not even want to imagine putting somebody else through this. I have put more money into repairs in a couple years, than I ever did with the Saturn. This is my third car and the one with the most problems. My first was a used Dodge K, and my second, a wonderful Saturn SL1. I thought I was moving up in the auto world when purchasing the Mazda. Sorry to say, I do not have good reports about the company. It is their responsibility to pay for parts they know are faulty. It appears from other reports they were/are aware of this. If anyone from Mazda is reading this, consider the kind of press unhappy consumers are giving your company. I am sure others agree, when Mazda is ready to make this right, we will be quite happy to also give positive reports of the company. When a company cares about their product and the consumer, they do all they can to assure quality product and service. Thank you.

- Clarkdale, GA, USA

If only I did more research on the 626! wife drove 30 miles with no problem. Had previously replaced cable linkage for the transmission. Wife tries to put car in reverse, but couldn't. O/D light flickering on and off, fluid coming out of dip stick onto motor. Mechanic says the trans is completely gone or some electrical problem.

- Guntersville, AL, USA

Several month back, after 2 hours of a 3 hour trip on I-77, the O/D off light began flashing on my 1999 Mazda 626. It remained in the od (4th) gear, but I slowed down anyway as I thought this may have something to do w/ overheating. After checking with my neighbor (has his own transmission shop) he noted inherent problems with this model transmission, and that it was likely due to overheating. This was at around 96,000 miles. Now, at 104,000 miles, the transmission has failed completely. At first, it was slipping on the highway. Then it would only go forward if shifted into 1, 2, or drive, but not overdrive. Lastly, it lost all forward power while almost at the top of a hill at a red light. Fortunately, I was able to coast in reverse down the hill and into a parking lot, let the tranny cool, and get a police escort to my apartment 4 blocks away (in reverse), up a one way street. Replacement costs per my transmission guy (for a used tranny) around $1000 + labor.

- Lugoff, SC, USA

I own a 99 Mazda 626 w/ 120K miles on it. On new years day I was driving home on a highway and the check engine light came on. About 20 minutes later the car started revving up persistently. It seemed like the transmission was slipping. Quickly the car acted like it was in neutral in all the gears. There was enough momentum to get the car to a side road. Luckily I was nearly home. I had the car towed to a local transmission place to get looked at. The final quote was about $3000 dollars. Supposedly the transmission pump went out and the tranny burned up. The torque converter, solenoid block, 4 gears, and all the bushings need to be replaced. I thought this was just bad luck but after checking online I found that transmission failures were common for 93-2001 Mazda 626's. apparently there have not been enough complaints or publicity for Mazda to issue a recall, yet they stopped producing the vehicle due to problems with the transmission.

- San Luis Obispo, CA, USA

(1) the transmission started slipping at 120000 miles when accelerating hard (2) I had the car checked out prior to departing for my cross-country trip from fl to ca, only to find out that I did not have the time nor money to replace the transmission; I had to take my chances and barely made it. The car now cannot be driven, it cannot make it up a hill, and I'm stuck with no transportation. (3) nothing has yet been done; I'll be dropping the car off either at a mechanic to get it fixed (if I can get a credit card) or at a dealer as a trade-in for another car.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

Replaced 1999 Mazda 626 transmission three times in 100,000 miles.

- Mcdonough, GA, USA

The contact stated the vehicle jerked while driving. He took the vehicle to a mechanic, and they were unable to diagnose the problem. Also, noticed the check engine light and the odometer light flickered on and off. At one point, the vehicle would barely move while attempting to accelerate. In addition, the contact smelled something burning. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic. After the diagnostic test they found that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact traded the vehicle in and no longer owned it. Updated 03/28/06.

- Paris, TN, USA

At approximately 65,000 miles, the transmission failed, with fluid spraying the interior of the car with fluid, shorting several fuses. The family (one baby, one toddler and 2 parents) were stranded 300 miles away from home and needed an expensive tow and repair. The transmission was replaced with a re-build.

- Evanston, WY, USA

Have a 1999 626 with 72000 miles on it and transmission has failed. I understand that this is not an isolated incident with 626 owners.

- San Angelo, TX, USA

It has come to my attention, that many other Mazda 626 owners have had transmission problems. My 1999 Mazda 626 started to run very roughly on the way home. When my wife parked the vehicle in the garage, it could not be moved after parking. The car was towed to a transmission shop, where it was found to have a defective transmission. It was rebuilt at a cost of $2800. The car had 73,693 miles on it, and had the transmission fluid flushed at 51280 miles.

- Eagan, MN, USA

I own a Mazda 626lx (4cyl) year 1999. The car has never been in any kind of accidents or any harsh conditions. It currently has 102,000 miles on it. I just had a major transmission failure right on the state highway while driving in the right lane. The transmission failed and would not even pick-up a first gear. I had to call a towing truck and now I am facing a major repair bill. I filed an official complaint with Mazda customer service, however that is all they could do for me. I would like to point out, that Honda has a first tune-up at 100,000 miles, not a major repair! I think this is unacceptable.

- Middletown, CT, USA

The consumer stated while accelerating the transmission slipped. There was a slight chattering noise. Once the vehicle was in gear it worked correctly. A local mechanic changed the spark plugs and the wires. Also, checked the cv joints and they were fine. The mechanic had not looked at the transmission. He eliminated all of the other things first. This has been happening for about three or four months. (11/17/05) the mechanic suggested that the automatic transmission was the problem.

- Ashtabula, OH, USA

The contact complained about vehicle problems on February 27, 2001, when driving at 60 mph the vehicle shook. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and they stated there was nothing wrong with the vehicle. The contact stated transmission needed to be replaced and the dealer replaced it. The contact stated on March 15, 2005 the engine had to be replaced because it was running hot, the engine was replaced by a local mechanic. There was no warning and no noise. The head gasket and alternator failed. Updated 11/16/05.

- Alpine, AL, USA