When shifting gears, the transmission would slip gears. The dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. The cause was not determined.

- Crawfordville, FL, USA

My daughter was driving out family's 1999 Mazda 626 when she called me frightened as the car transmission was surging. With 68000 miles one would think that a car shouldn't have a trnasmission problem. The transmission shop (reprtable) is now replacing same for $2700.

- Apple Valley, MN, USA

Stalled out it first had to get the rpms up to get it to shift, od light flashed on and off. Now the car wont pull at all. Have only had the car two and half years. Had it towed to coleman-taylor transmission. Thet want $3,000 to rebuild the transmission. All this happened in a matter of two days. I don't have $3,000 to correct the problem. Single parent trying to put my only child through college. I honestly can't believe there hasn't been some kind of recall with all the problems that have been reported. Had to have the car towed back to my house. Please, please help!

- Nashville, TN, USA

While driving 40 mph transmission failed. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

- Kearney, NE, USA

I purchased my 1999 Mazda 626 in December 2000. Since that time, there exists an obvious problem with the transmission, which downshifts roughly and has threatened to fail on numerous occasions. Recently, a friend who has the same model told me that Mazda installed Ford transmissions in their 626 models and that these particular transmissions were not sufficient to operate in a 626. Her transmission failed completely and she had to replace it. She told me that the Mazda dealerships are well aware of this particular problem and that there is a hundred-dollar "fix" that can stop the transmission from failing. I looked through your database online. The problem with Mazda transmissions is well-known and well-documented and yet: 1. there is no recall. 2. Mazda has never informed me of a potential problem or potential "fix." I suppose I will either have to take my chances with the "fix" and spend more money on a defective transmission that never should have been installed or pay approximately $2,000 when my transmission finally fails. If this is a documented condition which everyone seems to know about, what is NHTSA's position and why isn't Mazda being called to bear responsibility for this obvious defect? thank you for your time. I await your response.

- Austin, TX, USA

Transmission on my 99 Mazda 626 LX is giving me plenty of problems. Car warranty is almost gone. I have talked to several people who have the same car and all have had the same problem. I believe that Mazda should recall the transmissions as they are faulty!

- Hyattsville, MD, USA

Transmission continued to overheat. As a result the part failed.

- Barnwell, SC, USA

Check engine light on, revealed transmission was slipping. Transmission had to be replaced. O/D light flashes after driving on the highway for an extended period of time.

- Richmond, VA, USA

We bought a used 1999 Mazda 626 ex from a Mazda dealership in November 2000. It was a "gold check certified" car. While we were buying the car, the dealership was sold to capital Mazda of cary. We never received any recall notifications about the car, though we did receive solicitations for service and repair work, warranties, or to buy a new car. In April 2004, we drove the car from raleigh nc to charleston SC, and the transmission went out. We had our 3 year old and 1 month old in the car, in the heat, walking to get help. The aamco dealer told us it was a manufacturing defect of the Ford transmission. There was a crack inside the transmission which he said was an "inherent defect." We had no choice but to repair it so we could get home. We are very upset that we had to pay $2000 to fix it when it is clearly a manufacturing problem - we feel that Mazda sold us a defective product. Now, less than three months later our car broke down while my sister was taking it to get the "check engine" light looked at. She was stranded. We have had to spend another $275 on transmission work and the problem is not resolved. We are still paying for this vehicle and cannot afford to sell it, nor can we afford to keep repairing it. We are interested in joining any class actions being developed against Mazda regarding this problem. It is my understanding that it is widely known that Ford transmissions are no good, yet Mazda has not taken any steps to recall these.

- Tulsa, OK, USA

1) transmission slipped/ spurratic shifting/hesitation in all the gears. ) transmisson failed at 74,000 miles. 3 )mechanic says overhaul / still trying to located a working transmission to fit.

- West Plains, MO, USA

1999 Mazda 626 with 86,512 miles started to smoke from the underneath car. Upon inspection of the problem, transmission fluid was seen dripping from underneath the car at a moderate rate. Transmission problem due to a rear crankshaft seal failure. Total repair bill was $742.89.

- Sandersville, GA, USA

Nar 07-15-2003 the consumer experienced problem with transmission failure a little after 60,000 miles. Dealer notified.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

In may of 2004 we were returning from albuqurque, nm and suffered a transmission failure in our 1999 Mazda 626. We had the transmission replaced and on 7/13/2004 while returning from phoeniz, AZ we suffered another transmission failure.

- Altadena, CA, USA

1999 Mazda 626 with 50,900 miles.transmission stuck in reverse. All gear shift positions resulted in reverse. After the vehicle was turned off, it would not restart. Mechanic states that the gear interchange cable or the rod is broken. Inspection of the transmission fluid indicates that the fluid is severely burned with quite a bit of clutch debri. My current choices are to purchase a new transmission at $3000 plus the gear interchange, or have the transmission disassembled and repaired at a cost between $1.5000 to $2.7000. The tranmission has not given any sign of problems until this current malfunction. Previous Mazda have been excellent cars. This appears to be a prime example of Ford's excellent engineering designed to fail as soon as warranty expired.

- Alpharetta, GA, USA

I was driving on interstate 95 North about 4pm last September. All the sudden out of the blue my overdrive light comes on. My speed drops from 70mph to 40mph cars on my bumper. Smoke coming from the engine. Luckily there was a rest stop less than one mile ahead. I barely made it into the roadside area. I had it checked out by someone there in that town. After much decision, I decided to have the car towed back to charleston, SC about 120 miles from where the problem happened. Months prior to this event, my check engine light keep coming on. We kept taking it to Mazda but they couldn't tell me what was wrong. So I continue to make my car payments. I can only drive my car locally.

- Charleston, SC, USA

Transmission failure.

- Tyrone, GA, USA

I own a 1999 Mazda 626 with the 4 cylinder engine and automatic transmission. The car has 44,000 miles on it and is on it's second transmission. The first transmission was replaced in 12/15/99. I am now facing replacing the transmission again. The car is well maintained and after reviewing data I find that I am not alone in my situation as this transmission is a problem with many other consumers as well.

- Spartanburg, SC, USA

While driving over 70 mph, the consumer noticed the over drive light flashing. The consumer inspected the engine and noticed transmission fluid was all over the wheel wells. The mechanic noticed the transmission was cracked.

- Saint Louis, MO, USA

Check engine light came on Nov. 2003, code said transmission slippage; result: Rebuild transmission($2600) any highway driving since then has resulted in 0/D light flashing on and off, transmission fluid coming out of vent hose. 1st time back: Replace sensor, 2nd time back: Replace burnt bushing. In shop (aamco) again today for third time since rebuild. Incident only happens when driving at highway speeds, then shifting becomes hard jerks untill tranny cools down (automatic).

- Lakeville, MN, USA

Dashboard lights went completely out. Brakes began to fail, had to replace and 3months went out again and had to have more work dome.. this happened 3 times in 1year time..$400. 00 worth of work.. transmission started to act up.. 1st day car automatic transmission wouldnt go into 2nd gear the next day it wouldnt go into reverse and finally the 3rd day went to take it to the dealer and couldnt make it B/C the transmission had gone completely out.

- Enfield, NC, USA