1994 Mazda 626: engine overheating

8 of the 281 complaints about the 1994 Mazda 626 describe engine overheating.

owner complaints: 8
of this car's complaints: 3%
typical mileage: 91,700
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 13 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Engine overheating by model year

2002
6
2001
8
2000
11
1999
32
1998
13
1997
12
1996
9
1995
12
1994
8
1993
2
1990
1

What owners say

Filed Jan 14, 2009 · Transmission · 146,545 miles · TX

I bought a 1994 used mazda 626 lx a little over a month ago for $1600.00. And I put another $500.00 in it getting 2 new front tires a complete tune up, and a complete brake job. I test drove it and it ran fine. I found out later after I bought the car in a few days while going up a steep hill here in austin, and put it in d2 a lower gear, and the transmission started slipping. So, at the top of the hill, I put it back in drive, and it worked ok. But sometimes is would take off very sluggishly after warming up. The hold light started flashing also. I fixed the hold light problem, but 2 weeks later, going on the highway, the transmission went completely our, right at a construction zone, with the concrete barrier walls on both sides. So fortunately, I managed to coast about another mile to the end of the construction zone and off the highway, onto the shoulder safely. I have just recently found out here online on these auto forums, that the 1994 mazda 626 lx automatic is a lemon. Lot's of people have complained about the cd4e ford transmission on the car. I honestly can't believe there hasn't been a re-call on them. I've only had the car a little over a month, and im out of around $2100.00 dollars on it. I having a hard time finding anyone around here that will work on it, at a fair price. I could repair it myself, with some help, but from what I've read, the whole car was a design flaw, in that the transmission was actually to small for the 626 body, and causes the transaxle to overheat after a while. And I didn't know you had to buy a extra cooling kit for the transaxle to keep it from overheating. I liked the car when I first bought it, but,man, I didn't expect all of these problems. That is about all I have.

Filed Apr 25, 2007 · Brakes, Engine · 103,696 miles · CA · crash · 1 injury

Tl*the contact owns a 1994 mazda 626. The vehicle was overheating and a noise was coming from the brakes. The mechanic didn't check the overheating failure. However, stated that the vehicle had a terrible vibration. The mechanic rebuilt the front end. After the repairs were performed the vehicle would pull from the left to the right, the vehicle would not drive straight , and the brakes were completely damaged. The second repair shop stated that they couldn't repair the vehicle due to the damages. The vehicle had not been repaired. The current and the failure mileage was 103696 ,and the current mileage was 104,000. *ak the consumer stated prior to the most recent repairs the following services were performed: new radiator, complete transmission service, engine tuned, and new tires. The dealer stated steering gear drifts during turns. Updated 06/26/07

Filed Feb 28, 2006 · Transmission · 80,000 miles · NC

Dt*: the contact stated the transmission overheats. The transmission fluid spills into a vent in the engine compartment. The dealer informed the contact there were no recalls on the vehicle. The contact found a technical service bulletin on the vehicle that addresses the transmission problems. The bulletin number was not available. No repairs have been made to the vehicle.

Filed May 14, 2005 · Transmission · 91,700 miles · NJ

(1)I bought a used 1994 mazda 626 with an automatic 4 cylinder cd4e transmission and 2.0 liter engine on 10/7/04. A month after I purchased, I had the car kept overheating so I had to replace the water pump, which costed $375. Then the transmission started slipping, but I didn't think it was a big problem at first. By the time christmas came, the transmission was totally shot. It would rev up to 4000 RPM in first gear, and it wouldn't shift from 2nd to third. Second gear would just rev between 3000-4000 RPM when I hit the accelerator. I finally got the trans rebuilt. It costed me $1270. This was on 1/17/05. The car was fine for the next 4 months. 2 days ago, I noticed 2nd gear reving high again between 3-4000 RPM. I thought maybe I hit the gas harder than normal , so I took it lightly. I was wrong. The transmission is revving high in low gears like it was previously bfore had it rebuilt. This is rediculous. There is no way you should have to rebuild or replace a transmission twice within 6 months. I think mazda should repay me for manufacturing such a faulty transmission. I'm going to have to replace it again, or I will have no car to drive to work. The machanic who rebuilt the transmission the first time gave me a 1 year arranty on it, but I should still be reimbursed for this inconvenient transmission. Am I going to have to replace it every 4 months?

Filed Oct 3, 2003 · Engine · 90,504 miles · MS

The alternator or water pump belt broke due to water pump pulley alignment causing the engine to overheat and require rebuilding process. Water pump pulley is positioned too close to the engine and not aligned with the alternator and harmonic balancer. V-belt shreds over time due to misalignment and lost of charging and cooling is instant. Water pump pulley alignment should be checked and adjusted if needed, during engine assembly.

Filed Jun 13, 2001 · Transmission · PA

Consumer has some problems with transmission, first hold light stays on, second transmission overheats, and third consumer has trouble shifting from first gear to second gear. Consumer has contacted dealer and the dealer cannot find the problem.

Filed Nov 15, 2000 · Brakes · NJ

The rear left brake caliper did not release properly after the car was started and driven. This caused the brakes to overheat while driving. I could manually release the calipers in order to drive, however this is unacceptable. The caliper was replaced twice, and although it no longer locks up, it still causes severe noise and wearing of the pads and disk. Replacement calipers have not resolved the problem. Replacement work was performed at non-dealer repair shops.

Filed Aug 13, 1999 · Transmission · TX

Mazda rep randy haynes informed me that transmission failure rate is extremely high on this model and also 1994 ford escorts (same transmission) due to inadequate transmission cooling unit. Tork converter overheats and damages transmission. Clearly this is a design flaw. Haynes states that failures have occurred at 25,000 miles. Also states that mazda spent $25,000,000 last year replacing transmissions alone. Dealer and manufacturer have no interest in correcting problem.