1995 Mazda 626: engine overheating

Filed Nov 28, 2008 · Engine · 113,000 miles · NE

I bought the car in 2007 and from the start there were problems. The over drive light pops on and off, keeps overheating even after had full fluid flush, replaced old battery with new one and car continues to shut off, takes 10 min to start. I got it fixed in march of 2008 for the problems stated above and again in sept 2008 for same problems but with a different company. They said its because 2 out of the 4 cylinders are really low. If that's the case why didn't the other company advise me of that same problem. Now the car won't start. I have talked with other people with the same car nd they are having the same problem. The last serious issue was the car shut off while I was driving on the interstate with my 4 year old and 1 year old. I was lucky enough that I was able to pull over to side of road and restart it and go home.

Filed May 24, 2007 · Transmission · 68,000 miles · ID

I have a '95 mazda 626 2.0l autotrans, it drives fine in town and for short periods but since I live in a rural area most shopping is done and hour from home. On such trips, my car will begin to shift hard and the o/d off light will start flashing. I've talked to the mazda dealership and they said its a typical mazda problem and to unhook the neg battery cable, wait 3 minutes then reconnect and the light will be off. This works but I shouldn't have to reset the computer every time I drive my car for an hour. I've also done lots of internet research and it appears this is a very common problem caused by the transmission overheating and eventually burning up. I've found mazda tsb #0500502 published may 21, 2002 that shows mazda is aware of the said problem and also knows how to correct this issue, so why is it the consumers responsibility to install the atf cooler kit when madza admits the transmission needs this part to run effectively for long term vehicle use?? Mazda should be picking up the tab by either replacing the tranny with one that works properly or install the cooler kit themselves!!

Filed Nov 2, 2006 · Transmission · 78,000 miles · WA

The transmission on my 1995 mazda 626 died after approx 75k miles. There are no replacements anywhere in the country. I will have to have the current transmission rebuilt for approx $3k or sell the vehicle for parts. That is ridiculous for such a low-mileage vehicle to be in such a situation. Researching the issue online I see this is a very common problem for the 1995 mazda 626. I see mention of the transmission possibly requiring a transmission cooler, suggesting that the failure occurs because the fluid overheats. Not sure if that is the case, but clearly something in the design has resulted in an unreasonably short lifespan for the tranny. It is not reasonable for the consumer to take this on the chin. Mazda needs to be held accountable and bear at least some of the pain their flawed design has caused. Please contact me for additional details as needed. Thank you for your consideration.

Filed Sep 12, 2006 · Transmission · 93,000 miles · MD

I own a 1995 mazda 626 - and every now and then the "od off" light will flash continuously for months....I have changed the belts, water pumps, fan belts, transmission fluid gaskets and even the battery three times. Recently the dealer advised me to change the transmission since it was leaking to the point of no repair. We changed the transmission and after two days of driving the car jerks when taking off, the od off light is flashing again, and the it appears to be overheating - but the dealer says there is no problem with the radiator. This has been going on forever with the mazda - how many times can one change parts about every six months?...mazda should have recalled this model years ago - there is a fault in its transmission or computer system.

Filed Jun 29, 2006 · Transmission · 86,000 miles · SC

My 1995 mazda 626 lx has had its overdrive off light blinking for a month now I have had it checked. It would only blink when the gas would get below a half of a tank. So I had the fuel filter replaced. Then it started to shift gears at random times. I had the usual done, flushed the transmission replaced filter etc. Its a week later my transmission has completely failed. Due to my transmission overheating. I did some research and found that I was not the only one with this same issue and that thousands of people have identical situations. The car has had regular maintenance and has a clear record. Its 11 years old with only 80,000 miles. The drive load has been minimal, no more that 10 miles a day. I shouldn't have to be putting in a new transmission and neither should all these other people.

Filed Jan 8, 2006 · Transmission · 151,000 miles · GA

Poor/erratic shifting, transmission overheating repairs too expensive to justify, no repairs made, swapped transmission from junkyard. New transmission exhibiting exact same issues.

Filed Aug 18, 2004 · Transmission · 105,300 miles · MD

Overheated transmission leading to the tedious and costly process of getting another transmission with a cooler kit.

Filed Aug 5, 2003 · Engine · PA

95 mazda 626 o/d light blinks off and on car overheats.first took my car there to have new sensor put in, it worked fine for a while. Now the problem has come back and they keep giving me the run around about whatis wrong.I have read reports that alot of people have been having the same problem with make and model. Please do something about this.

Filed Oct 7, 2002 · Transmission · PA

Transmission rebuilt 3 times due to overheating and torque converter failure. This is a well-known problem at transmission rebuild shops for the cd4e transmission built by ford. Mr

Filed Feb 8, 2002 · Transmission · FL

My o/d off light began flashing at 60k miles. I took it to a mazda dealer and they could find no codes. It began to happen more often, usually after driving 2 hrs at speeds over 60 MPH. Frequent checks for codes, changing transmission fluid gave us hope , but the problem returned each time. The lastest was the flashing o/d off lite and dropping out of o/d on its own. The mazda people said the fluid was overheated and had been over filled. They changed the fluid. When the problem came back, they found the codes 628 and 652. They say that the tourque converter was shreading and impeding the circulation the transmission fluid. The bottom line is according to the mazda dealer I need a new transmission and an add on cooler for the fluid. What a great design this transaxle must be. Many failures with original mileage under 80k, replacements fail, warranties don't last long, and ford/mazda don't seem to care that their products are failing without doing something about it.

Filed Apr 18, 2001 · Transmission · NC

I purchased this vehicle 5 weeks ago from a small car dealer and two weeks after the purchase the transmission began slipping. I took the car to tim marburger mazda in concord, nc to have them place it on the computer to be certain the problem was with the transmission, which it was. They said that the transmission had overheated and that I would need a new transmission at a cost of $2835.00. In doing research through telephone and the internet, I discovered that the transmission has been a problem for this make and model of car. In fact, while I was at the mazda dealership, a customer who was waiting told me she had to have a new transmission in the same make and model of vehicle. I pulled up the website, www.dustbury.com/626/trans.html and discovered that mazda had an informal recall on the '94 626's due to transmission problems. I have a car that I haven't even made the first payment on that needs major repair and I feel that with the multiple problems with this transmission, mazda should bear some of the responsibility.

Filed Jan 14, 2001 · Engine, Transmission · TN

Mazda corp. Denies knowledge of any problems with transmissions. Mazda dealership acknowledges 626's have transmission faults due to radiators being too small and causing transmission to overheat., but denies any responsibility. Advised external coolant should be attached after repair. Via this website, numerous complaints exist. Does mazda not read this website? Customer very dissatisfied with mazda . Went out on interstate. Independent mechanic also aware of 626's transmission's reputation. Mazda has been notified, but says nothing will be done to recall transmissions. To-date this is the 274th complaint filed on this website. When will action be taken; and not the consumer be taken!!!