Safety ratings
1997 Mazda 626 DX 4-DR.
- Lane departure warningNo
- Forward collision warningNo
- Electronic stability controlNo
Crash test videos & photos
Crash test #1NHTSA test 2510
Full test report (PDF) ↗Crash test #2NHTSA test 8673
Full test report (PDF) ↗Crash-test footage is converted for smooth playback the first time someone requests it — usually under a minute.
Recalls (4)
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCHCampaign 15V674000 · 19/10/2015
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 1989-1998 MPV, 1990-1995 323, 1990-1998 Protege, 1992-1993 MX-3, 1993-1995 929, 1993-1997 MX-6, and 1993-1998 626 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, grease applied to the contact points inside the ignition switch may become conductive and overheat.
Risk: If the ignition switch overheats there would be an increased risk of a fire.
Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. The recall began on December 17, 2015. Owners may contact Mazda Customer Experience Center at 1-800-222-5500, option#6. Mazda's number for this recall is 8715J.
- AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVECampaign 98V249000 · 08/10/1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE SAS SENSOR UNIT. THESE VEHICLES CAN EXPERIENCE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS IN MINOR UNDERCARRIAGE IMPACTS.
Risk: UNEXPECTED AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN RESULT IN OCCUPANT INJURY.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE SAS UNIT TO REDUCE THE PROBABILITY OF UNNECESSARY DEPLOYMENTS IN LOW SPEED UNDERCARRIAGE IMPACTS.
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINECampaign 98V206001 · 08/09/1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. AN EXTERNAL SPRING IN THE TIMING BELT TENSIONER CAN BREAK AND GET CAUGHT IN THE TIMING BELT.
Risk: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN POSSIBLE ENGINE STALLING.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TENSIONER AND REPLACE IT IF NECESSARY.
- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINECampaign 05E065000 · 05/10/2005
CERTAIN SPX FILTRAN FUEL FILTERS WITH A 45-DEGREE ANGLE INLET TUBE, MODEL 800F350-S1, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT FILTERS FOR 1993-1997 FORD PROBE,1993-2001 MAZDA 626 AND MX-6, AND 1983-1994 LOYAL, 3-DOOR COUPE, HATCHBACK, SEDAN, WAGON, BRAT, DL, GL, GL-10, RX, XT, AND XT6 PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH EFI OR TURBO ENGINES. THESE FILTERS ARE PACKAGED AS WIX, NAPA, AND CARQUEST BRAND FUEL FILTERS. CERTAIN SPX FILTRAN FUEL FILTERS WITH A 90-DEGREE ANGLE INLET TUBE, MODEL 800F300-S2, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT FILTERS FOR 19983-1994 SUBARU VEHICLES WITH EFI OR TURBO ENGINES. THESE FILTERS ARE PACKAGED AS WIX, NAPA, AND CARQUEST BRAND FUEL FILTERS. FUEL MAY LEAK FROM THE FILTER DUE TO NON-CONFORMING BRAZING WELDS WHERE THE INLET TUBE IS CONNECTED TO THE FILTER CAN.
Risk: IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A VEHICLE FIRE CAN OCCUR.
Fix: SPX WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND PROVIDE A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN SEPTEMBER 27, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MR. CHRIS GREESON AT 704-869-3733 OR CONTACT THE WIX INFORMATION HOTLINE AT 800-949-6698.
Owner complaints
Most-reported areas
- POWER TRAIN230
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING39
- AIR BAGS36
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM30
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER15
- EQUIPMENT14
- SERVICE BRAKES13
- HYDRAULIC13
Read individual complaints (50 most recent)
These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.
- 12/30/2005· POWER TRAIN
I BOUGHT A NEW 1997 MAZDA 626 IN OCTOBER OF 1996. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 60,000 MILES, SO I SPENT $1800 ON A NEW ONE. THAT TRANSMISSION FAILED AFTER ONLY ONE YEAR, SO I HAD THAT REPAIRED. NOW, 2 YEARS LATER, THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED AGAIN. *JB
- 12/30/1998· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES WITH 38,000 MILES ON VEHICLE. BRAKES GET WET AND THEY SQUEAL. DEALER CONTACTED, AND STATED THE PROBLEM WAS NORMAL. SPEEDOMETER RPM WILL GO WAY UP WHEN DRIVING AND CAR IS WARM. DEALER STATED THIS PROBLEM WAS NORMAL. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *AK
- 12/29/2007· POWER TRAIN
1997 626 MAZDA TRANSMISSION! THIS TRANSMISSION WILL NOT HOLD UP! I'VE HAD IT REPLACED 2 TIMES (OVER $3400) AND THE PREVIOUS OWNER ONCE. IT WENT OUT WITH ME AT 66K. IT'S ACTING UP AGAIN AND I'M TOLD THE NEED $2500 MORE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE TRANSMISSION SHOPS HAVE TOLD ME THE TRANSMISSION IS A PIECE OF JUNK! IT'S BEEN PARKED FOR OVER A YEAR BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD THE REPAIR BILL AND ALSO I CAN'T IN CONSCIOUS SELL TO ANY OTHER POOR SOUL! *TR
- 12/29/2002· POWER TRAIN
I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS OUT OF MY TRANSMISSION ON MY 1997 MAZDA 626 V4 AUTOMATIC. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO A TRANSMISSION MECHANIC SHOP 3 TIMES NOW AND ONE OF THE TIMES IT HAD TO BE TOWED, AND THEY CANNOT FIND WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND CONSTANTLY FLASH AND THE CAR WOULD START SHIFTING HARD AND SOMETIMES WOULD NOT WANT TO SHIFT INTO PASSING GEAR AT ALL. BUT ONCE IT SETS FOR A FEW HOURS AND COOLS DOWN, THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT DOESN'T COME ON ANYMORE AND THE MECHANIC SHOP TELLS ME THAT THE CAR HAS RESET IT'S SELF AND THEY CANNOT DETECT THE DEFECT CODE BY THEIR COMPUTER DIAGNOSTICS. IT SEEMS LIKE THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT ONLY COMES ON WHEN YOU HAVE HAD THE CAR ON THE ROAD FOR A WHILE, AND IT GETS HEATED UP. I HAVE READ SEVERAL OTHER TRANSMISSION COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER MAZDA 626 OWNERS OFF THE INTERNET AND IN MY LOCAL RESIDENCE AREA. I'AM REQUESTING THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE SOMETHING DONE ABOUT THESE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS BY MAZDA. MAZDA NEEDS TO HAVE A RECALL ON THE MAZDA 626 V4 CARS, BY REQUESTING PEOPLE TO GO TO THEIR LOCAL MAZDA DEALERSHIP AND HAVE THEIR CAR CHECKED FOR THESE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. AND IF A PROBLEM IS DETECTED ON THE TRANSMISSION BY THE MAZDA SERVICE DEPARTMENT, THEN MAZDA SHOULD BE FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CHARGES. I WOULD LIKE FOR MAZDA TO CONTACT ME ABOUT MY COMPLAINT. THANK YOU.
- 12/28/1998· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WAS NOTIFIED FROM MAZDA ON A RECALL. THE RECALL WAS FOR A DEFECTIVE TENSION SPRING FOR THE TIMING BELT. TOOK IT TO DEALER AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE PART. NOW I HAVE STRANGE NOISE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES WITH NO RESULTS. THEY STATE THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG BUT I STILL HAVE AN ENGINE NOISE THAT WASN'T THERE BEFORE I TOOK IT IN FOR THE RECALL. I AM LOOKING FOR THE FACTORY REP. TO HELP SOLVE THIS PROBLEM.
- 12/26/2000· POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION FAILED. *SLC
- 12/25/2003· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire
AFTER RUNNING THE CAR FOR A SHORT PERIOD (DROVE A FEW MILES). UPON TURNING OFF THE IGNITION, A FIRE STARTED FROM BEHIND THE STEERING COLUMN INSIDE OF THE CAB. MY MOTHER (87 YEARS OLD) WAS DRIVING THIS CAR AND BARELY ESCAPED BEFORE THE ENTIRE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS. THIS CAR HAD 19000 ORIGINAL MILES AND I WAS THE ONLY OWNER. THE CAR NEVER HAD BEEN WORKED ON FOR ANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND WAS NEVER IN ANY ACCIDENT. *LA
- 12/22/2000· POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I HAVE HAD THE CAR LESS THAN 3 MONTHS AND ALREADY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON CONSTANTLY. ALSO, EVERYTIME I TRY TO CHANGE GEARS THE TRANSMISSION STALLS AND IT SEEMS AS IF I AM IN NEUTRAL. IT HAS A HARD TIME AFTER I CHANGE GEARS IN EITHER GOING FOWARD AND REVERSE. IT STALLS THAN JUMPS AND MOVES. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL CARS WITH MORE MILEAGE THAN THIS AND I NEVER HAD SUCH PROBLEMS. I SHOULD NOT BE PAYING AS MUCH AS I AM FOR A CAR THAT IS FAULTY. I WOULD SUGGEST TO MAZDA TO RECALL ALL THESE CARS VERY SOON.
- 12/22/2000· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. CAR OVERHEATED. CAR BROKEDOWN ON THE WAY TO THE DEALER'S SERVICE SHOP. HAD TO PUSH CAR THREE BLOCKS THE REST OF THE WAY. WAS TOLD THAT THE RADIATOR LEAKED INTO ENGINE. ENGINE IS DAMAGED MUST BE REPLACED. HAVE TO BUY NEW ENGINE AND NEW RADIATOR. NO OTHER WARNINGS BEFORE THAT.
- 12/17/2003· VISIBILITY
WHEN AT A STOP WITH THE HEAT ON FRONT WINDSHIELD FOGGED UP, AND CONSUMER SMELLED SMOKE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED.*AK
- 12/16/2008· POWER TRAIN
MY TRANSMISSION IS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. *TR
- 12/14/2005· POWER TRAIN
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. IT WILL MAKE A LOUD NOISE FOLLOWED BY A COMPLETE SHUTDOWN. THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REBUILT THREE TIMES. SEVERAL MECHANICS ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE, BUT AGREED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OVERDRIVE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, AND WOULD NOT COVER THIS UNDER WARRANTY. NO FURTHER REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. *AK
- 12/12/2001· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHILE TRAVELING AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION VEHICLE STARTED IDLING AND STOPPED TRAVELING. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
- 12/11/2001· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN
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*AK
- 12/08/2018· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE
THE VEHICLE IS STALLING DURING ACCELERATION AND AFTER. SOMETIMES IT'S STOPS AND CLEAR ITSELF UP AND THEN THROWS ITSELF INTO OVERDRIVE (O/D OFF LIGHTS STARTS FLASHING) ALL WHILE DRIVING IT IN THE STREET(CITY AND INTERSTATE). WHEN YOU LET THE CAR SIT AND NOT RUN IT WILL NOT FLASH BUT AFTER DRIVING AMD NOT GETTING ANY SPEED IT DOES IT AGAIN.
- 12/08/2005· POWER TRAIN
HAS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. WHEN DRIVEN AT HIGH SPEEDS (OVER 70 MPH) THE O/D LIGHT BEGINS TO BLINK AND THE ENGINE REVS AN EXTRA 400 RPMS WHILE MAINTAINING THE SAME SPEED. WHEN DRIVEN AT LOWER SPEEDS, TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARSHLY. TOOK IT TO A DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED AND THE DEALER SAYS THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS READY TO GIVE UP AND REPLACING IT WILL COST ME $3400. MAZDA NEEDS TO REMEDIED THIS ISSUE BEFORE THIS PROBLEM TURNS DEADLY. *JB
- 12/07/2004· POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION FAILURE OF MY 1997 MAZDA 626 AT JUST OVER 79K MILES. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE I WAS ON A HIGHWAY TYPE ROAD AT A SPEED IN EXCESS OF 55 MPH, WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN DAMAGE OR INJURY.*AK THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED ACCORDING TO MAZDA WARRANTY SPECIFICATIONS. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY MAZDA THAT I DO NOT QUALIFY FOR AFTER WARRANTY ASSISTANCE, EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE ISSUED A TSB FOR THE ISSUE IN QUESTION AND I WAS NEVER INFORMED OF SAME BY NO LESS THAN 3 MAZDA AUTHORIZED SERVICE STATIONS.
- 12/07/1998· SEATS
GAP BETWEEN SEAT BACK AND CUSHION ON PASSENGER SIDE.
- 12/07/1998· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
RECALL REPAIR WORK ON THE TIMING BELT TENSIONER DENIED DUE TO LACK OF PARTS.
- 12/06/2004· POWER TRAIN
I OWN A 1997 MAZDA 626, AT 57,000 MILES MY 2ND TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED. MY FIRST TRANSMISSION FAILED OVER A YEAR AGO AT UNDER 50,000. MAZDA DEALERS DO LITTLE MORE THAN LAUGH ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND OF COURSE GIVE ME A BID FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT MAZDA KNEW OF THIS PROBLEM AND DID NOTHING TO CORRECT IT AND ALLOWED THE WARRENTIES TO EXPIRE WITHOUT INFORMING OWNERS OF THE DEFECT.*AK
- 12/06/2000· POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
O/D OFF LIGHT BEGAN BLINKING AFTER 30 MIN OF DRIVING, DEALERSHIP REPLACED CPU, NEXT WEEK SAME PROBLEM--WHEN BLINKING BEGINS THE CAR JERKS FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR AND RESETS AFTER CAR TURNED OFF--AFTER SEVERAL TIMES IT BEGINS DRIVING ROUGHER AND ROUGHER IN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR. *AK( DOT NUMBER: )
- 12/05/2005· POWER TRAIN
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 55 MPH THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT BLINKED ON AND OFF. THEN, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT GO OVER 40 MPH, AND THE RPMS INCREASED TO 6,000. HAD TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER AND WAIT FOR THE RPMS TO GO DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY STATED THERE WAS TOO MUCH PRESSURE IN THE TRANSMISSION. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC , WHO REBUILT THE TRANSMISSION, BUT THE SAME PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK
- 12/04/2003· POWER TRAIN
1997 MAZDA 626. THE TRANSMISSION WAS COMPLETELY REBUILD AT 70,000 MILES. *NLM
- 12/03/2002· POWER TRAIN
THERE HAVE BEEN AN OVERWHELMING NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS FROM MAZDA 626 OWNERS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. MY TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED TWICE AND IS ABOUT TO GO INTO ITS 3RD REBUILD IN 18 MONTHS. PLEASE, PLEASE JUST READ THIS PAGE OF THIS MESSAGE BOARD AND YOU WILL FIND AN INCREDIBLY HIGH NUMBER OF OWNERS REPORTING THE SAME PROBLEM. IF THIS MANY PEOPLE REPORTED THE PROBLEM, IMAGINE HOW MANY OTHERS THERE ARE THAT HAVEN'T DONE SO. I WHOLE HEARTEDLY BELIEVE THAT THESE TRANSMISSIONS SHOULD BE RECALLED. PLEASE SEE: HTTP://WWW.CARTRACKERS.COM/FORUMS/LIVE/YOURLEMON/189.HTML DT
- 12/02/2008· POWER TRAIN
I DROVE MY 1997 MAZDA 626 FOR A DAY AFTER I BOUGHT IT FROM A USED CAR SALESMAN AS IS. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE O/D OFF LIGHT CAME ON AND ON, THEN PARKED IT, AND JUST 20 MINS LATER I COULD NOT REVERSE IT. WHEN I SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL IT ACTS AS IF ITS IN DRIVE AND NEUTRAL IN REVERSE AND DRIVE IS DRIVE. I'VE READ ONLINE ABOUT PEOPLE WITH THE SAME CAR HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS AND WAS TOLD TO FILE A COMPLAINT HERE. PLEASE BRING MAZDA TO JUSTICE ON THEIR 626 TRANNYS!! *TR
- 12/01/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1997 MAZDA 626 LX - TRANSMISSION, CATALYTIC CONVERTER, OXYGEN SENSOR, AND COMPUTER HAVE ALL BEEN REPAIRED IN A SPAN OF 11 MONTHS. THE CAR DOES NOT HAVE 80,000 MILES ON IT!*AK
- 11/30/2005· POWER TRAIN
1997 MAZDA 626 LX 4 DR AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. *NM
- 11/29/2004· POWER TRAIN
FLASHING "O/D OFF" LIGHT INDICATES FAILING TRANSMISSION. *AK
- 11/27/2001· AIR BAGS
RECEIVED SAFETY RECALL IN MAIL TO HAVE DEALER RE-PROGRAM AIRBAG SYSTEM DUE TO RISK OF PRE-MATURE DEPLOYMENT. UPON PRESENTING VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR RECALL SAFETY FIX, WAS ADVISED THAT AIRBAG SYSTEM WAS NO LONGER OPERATIVE AND MUST PAY $365 TO INSTALL NEW UNIT. CURRENTLY WITHOUT AIRBAG SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM DUE TO COMPLYING WITH MAZDA FACTORY SAFTEY RECALL ACTION.
- 11/25/1998· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGCrash
COLLISION WAS CAUSE BY LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO ENGINE STALLING. CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM THE MFR. CONCERNING MAZDA/TIMING BELT # 98V-206.001. CONSUMER BELIEVED THAT WAS THE CAUSE OF VEHICLE STALLING AND THEN BEING OUT OF CONTROL. *AK
- 11/24/2003· POWER TRAIN
I OWN A 1997 MAZDA 626 LX, WHICH I BOUGHT USED WITH 36,000 MILES. AT APPROXIMATELY 60,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION SEIZED UP, STRANDING MY WIFE AND I. HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, WHERE THEY INFORMED US WE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THEIR EXACT WORDS WERE: "WE HAVE GOOD NEWS AND BAD NEWS. THE BAD NEWS IS THAT YOUR WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT WE HAVE A NEW TRANSMISSION IN STOCK." WE THEN SHOPPED AROUND AND FOUND A LESS EXPENSIVE TRANSMISSION SHOP THAT GAVE US A ONE YEAR GUARANTEE, AND CAME RECOMMENDED BY A MECHANIC FRIEND OF OURS. ONE YEAR AND TWO WEEKS LATER, THE TRANSMISSION IS OVERHEATING ON LONG DRIVES, SPEWING TRANSMISSION FLUID OUT THE VENT CAP. MECHANICS TELL US WE NEED A NEW TORQUE CONVERTER, THEY THINK. IN ANY CASE, WE'LL PROBABLY NEED ANOTHER TRANSMISSION SOON. WE'RE DUMPING THE HEAP AND BUYING A TOYOTA CAMRY. I'M APPALLED TO SEE PAGE AFTER PAGE OF NEARLY IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE 1994 - 1998 626S. MAZDA DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM. HOW DARE MAZDA/FORD DO THIS TO HARD WORKING FOLKS WHO JUST WANT TO DRIVE A DEPENDABLE VEHICLE? *LA
- 11/24/2001· POWER TRAIN
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. *AK
- 11/24/1999· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
VEHICLE EXPERIENCES PREMATURE BRAKE WEAR. *AK
- 11/24/1998· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
FRONT BRAKE PADS ARE PREMATURELY WEARING, CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER CANNOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. *AK THE ROTORS HAS BEEN TURNED. THREE PAIR OF BRAKE SHOES REPLACED WITHIN MONTHS OF EACH OTHER. *YH
- 11/23/2003· POWER TRAIN
CD4E TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *LA
- 11/23/2001· POWER TRAIN
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 $100.00 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!*AK
- 11/21/2004· POWER TRAIN
1) NORMAL DAILY USE (20) MILES TO FROM WORK ON HIGHWAY ROADS 2) TRANSMISSION WON'T WORK 3) COMPLETE TRANSMISSION REMOVAL AND REBUILD REQUIRED. I CAN'T BELIEVE THE AMOUNT OF INFORMATION AND COMPLAINTS ALL OVER THE INTERNET ON THIS MAZDA/FORD TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. I ALSO CAN'T BELIEVE THIS GOVERNMENT OFFICE HAS STILL NOT ACTED ON IT. SURELY DOESN'T APPEAR TO BE OUR TAX DOLLARS WORKING FOR THE TAX PAYERS HERE. THERE IS A LONG HISTORY OF WORN OUT TRANSMISSIONS CAUSED BY FAULTY COOLING DESIGN ON THIS COMBINED USED MAZDA/FORD TRANSMISSIONS MODEL LA4A-EL. MINE IS INSTALLED IN A 1997 MAZDA 626 4 CYLINDER. WILL THIS AGENCY PLEASE ACKNOWLEDGE ALL THESE COMPLAINTS. THIS IS COSTING HARD WORKING PEOPLE A LOT OF MONEY TO REPLACE THESE TRANSMISSIONS.*AK
- 11/18/2008· POWER TRAIN
THE MAZDA I OWN IS A 1997 MAZDA 625 WITH A CD-4E FORD AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. IT HAS 96,000 MILES ON IT AND THE TRANSMISSION IS FAILING. I HAVE READ WHERE NUMEROUS PEOPLE HAVE REPLACED THIS TRANSMISSION MULTIPLE TIMES ONLY TO HAVE IT FAIL AGAIN AND AGAIN. I HAVE FILED THIS COMPLAINT WITH SEVERAL AGENCIES AND I HAVE NEVER BEEN OFFERED A SOLUTION OR EVEN A RESPONSE. NUMEROUS PEOPLE ARE IN THE SAME BOAT AND DESPERATELY LOOKING FOR SOME RECOURSE. I REALLY WONDER IF ANYONE OUT THERE REALLY CARES THAT WE ARE BEING FORCED TO DEAL WITH A TOTALLY DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED YEARS AGO. THIS IS TOTAL HIGHWAY ROBBERY. *TR
- 11/18/2002· POWER TRAIN
AUTO TRANS IS NOT WORKING RIGHT SLIPING WHILE SHIFTS.
- 11/17/2005· POWER TRAIN
OD LIGHT BLINKING ON 1997 MAZDA 626 LX. TOLD NEED NEW TRANSMISSION? *JB
- 11/16/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,EQUIPMENT
TRANSMISSION FAILURE HAD TO BE REPLACED, OVERDRIVE LIGHT CONSTANTLY FLASHING, DEALERS STATED WAS OXYGEN SENSOR REPLACED BOTH SENSORS, PROBLEM NOT SOLVED, REPLACED TRANSMISSION REPLACED SEVERAL DAYS LATER WITH ANOTHER, FIRST REPLACEMENT WAS DEFECTIVE. *LA
- 11/15/2007· POWER TRAIN
I HAVE A 1997 MAZDA 626 THAT THE O/D LIGHT HAS BEGUN FLASHING AND THE ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON. AFTER THE O/D LIGHT COMES ON THE TRANSMISSION BEGINS GETTING JERKY. THE ERROR CODES INDICATE A TORQUE CONVERTER PROBLEM IN THE TRANSMISSION. I HAVE 99,500 MILES ON THE CAR AND HAD THE TRANSMISSION OIL CHANGED AT 75,000 MILES BECAUSE I READ THAT THESE CARS HAVE A HISTORY OF BAD TRANSMISSIONS. I CALLED TWO MAZDA DEALERS AND THEY TOLD ME THESE CARS HAVE BAD TRANSMISSIONS AND IT WILL COST AROUND $3,000 TO REPLACE. *TR
- 11/13/1998· STEERING
STEERING FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE COLLISION.
- 11/12/2008· POWER TRAIN
1997 MAZDA 626, TRANSMISSION REPLACED BY MAZDA DUE TO EXTENDED WARRANTY AT APPROXIMATELY 100,000 MILES. VEHICLE NOW HAS 183,000 MILES AND THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING AGAIN. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR GARAGED FOR 2 YEARS AS THE COST OF REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION AGAIN IS PROHIBITIVE. REPLACED TRANS FLUID WITH SYNTHETIC AND IT RUNS BETTER HOWEVER IF I HAD KNOW THEIR WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION FOR THIS CAR I WOULD HAVE SOLD IT A LONG TIME AGO AND WOULD HAVE INSTALLED A TRANSMISSION COOLER WHEN IT WAS REPLACED. THE STATE SHOULD ORDER A RECALL OR YOU WOULD THINK THERE WOULD BE A GROUP OF ATTORNEY'S WHO WOULD LIKE TO FILE A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST MAZDA!!! *TR
- 11/12/2004· POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED AT 55000 MILES FOR NO REASON. *JB
- 11/11/2005· POWER TRAIN
THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED AFTER ONLY 57000 MILES BACK IN 2004. SINCE THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED I HAD TO SPEND $2200 OUT OF MY POCKET. I'VE BEEN RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM FOR A WHILE NOW AND HAVE NOTICED THAT 1000'S OF THESE 1997 MAZDA 626 CARS HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS. WHY HASN'T THE NHTSA FORCED MAZDA TO ISSUE A RECALL OR AT LEAST HAVE THEM REIMBURSE CAR OWNERS? *NM
- 11/10/2007· POWER TRAIN
DRIVING TO WORK ONE DAY IN NORMAL TRAFFIC WHEN WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE PAST 55 TO PASS OTHER CARS IN TRAFFIC. THEN WHEN I STOPPED AT LIGHT I WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE AT ALL LEADING TO THE CAR NOT BEING ABLE TO MORE IN ANY DIRECTION OTHER THAN REVERSE. CAR REQUIRED A NEW TORQUE CONVERTER, PRESSURE PLATE, FORWARD DRUM, AND THE ASSEMBLY KIT. TOTAL COST FROM AAMCO WAS 1830 BEFORE I HAD THEM REPLACE TRANSMISSION MOUNT AND DRIVERS SIDE TRANS AXLE. *TR
- 11/08/2006· POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. *NM
- 11/08/2005· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CAR CANNOT PASS SMOG TEST - #10 TEST BOX DOES NOT EXIST. AFTER SPENDING $1300, IT'S BEEN FOUND REPEATED THAT 1997 CAR CONTAINS 1998 PARTS. #10 TIMING/GROUND DOESN'T EXIST ON 1998 BUT NO PROCEDURE TO SMOG WITHOUT IT. ALL OTHER SYSTEMS PASSED. SMOG REFEREE BELIEVES CAR WAS MANUFACTURED THIS WAY BUT POSSIBLE DEALERSHIP ALTERED BUT THEY, OF COURSE, DENY THIS AND STATE THEY WERE ABLE TO SMOG CAR WHEN THEY SOLD TO US (SINCE IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SMOG THE CAR, IT OBVIOUSLY WAS PASSED ILLEGALLY BY THEM). NOW WE ARE OUT $1300 REPAIRS, $12,000 FOR COST OF CAR, $75 FOR REGISTRATION THAT THE STATE WON'T GIVE US A STICKER FOR, AND NO USE OF A CAR THAT SITS ON THE STREET. ONLY WAY TO SMOG IS TO SPEND $2500 TO REPLACE ALL THE PARTS TO MAKE IT ALL 1997. CAR ISN'T EVEN WORTH THAT ON TOP OF WHAT WAS ALREADY SPENT. SOMEONE NEEDS TO COME FORWARD TO TAKE CARE OF THIS MESS. IT'S BAD ENOUGH THE CAR CONSTANTLY STALLS. (AND YES, THE MOTOR LIGHT IS ALWAYS FLASHING. IT DOESN'T MEAN ANYTHING, JUST A BEZERK SENSOR-AFTER PAYING $120 4-TIMES TO HAVE IT TURNED OFF, WE JUST PUT MASKING TAPE OVER THE ANNOYING SPOT). *NM
- 11/07/2003· POWER TRAIN
!997 MAZDA 626 AUTO TRANSMISSION FAILING ... WITH ONLY 38,000 MILES! *LA