1997 Mazda 626: engine overheating

Filed Jul 2, 2007 · Transmission · 107,649 miles · FL

My wife and I own a 1997 mazda 626. In 2006, seemingly out of nowhere, the transmission started shifting rough. I checked fluid levels but they were fine. Then while driving on the interstate one morning, my o/d kicked off (with warning light) and the entire drive home was extremely rough. Brought the car to a reputable local transmission shop and as soon as I told them what kind of car I had, they knew right away what the problem was. I ended up paying $2000 to have a new transmission installed due to the extent of damage in the original. Seems to me that if all of the transmission shops and (as I found out later) owner forums know about the problems with these transmissions, mazda/ford probably knows as well. It's irresponsible to know that a $50 repair could correct the problem but they do nothing to even inform their buyers of the problems. $50 would have been a lot easier to come up with than $2000. Summed up: transmission overheated due to insufficient cooling causing severe transmission failure. Transmission had to be completely replaced.

Filed Feb 13, 2007 · Transmission · 10,100 miles · ID

The vehicle began shifting very roughly, then the overdrive started blinking and the vehicle ceased to shift, I was stuck in 3rd gear. There was a small "bang" in the engine compartment, then check engine light illuminated. I pulled over to a fuel station and opened the hood. There was transmission fluid all over the interior of the engine compartment, 1+ quarts. I could find no obvious leaks, but purchased some additional fluid and refilled what was lost. Since then whenever it is warm out or the car is driven for over an hour in temperatures above ~50 f, it shifts very rough and the od light and check engine light come on. I have since learned that this is a very common problem among 2.0l mazda 626's with an automatic transmission. They apparently overheat very easily. I have been told I am lucky that the transmission has not failed on me. I've taken it apart and cleaned it out several times. I also change the transmission fluid frequently. These above average maintenance routines are likely what has kept the transmission from failing altogether. The vehicle is barely tolerable to drive when it is having these problems as it will slam into the next gear hard enough to jerk the occupants forward or backward.

Filed Oct 11, 2005 · Engine, Transmission · 98,000 miles · IL

December 2004-january 2005- 1. Car overheats constantly 2. The transmission overheated the car and caused complications with the water pump, computer 3. Replaced all items; transmission rebuilt cost to fix $3200.00 couldn't afford to just junk the car, as I had purchased it for $5200 the summer before. So I had to fix it. Within a week of getting the car back, it blew a radiator hose.

Filed Apr 13, 2005 · Transmission · TX

Mazda premature transmission failure at 90000. O/d light blinks and transmission overheats. Poor placement of transmission filter. This transmission is manufactured I believe from 95-2000 and many complaints have arose throughout all production years. All over the internet including a class action being filed in michigan. I think it should be nationally filed. Dealerships are non responsive.

Filed Mar 24, 2005 · Transmission · 63,100 miles · TX

Transmission failure,motor mount failures,overheating problems. Brake line failure. Ever since I purchased my mazda 626 used from a dealership I have had one problem after another. When I purchased the car it only had 63,000 miles. Mazda should be ashamed of the kind of cars they put out on the road.

Filed Mar 18, 2005 · Transmission · PA

The transmission is slipping either by overheating or bad transmission by mazda, and my car only has 119,000 miles on it. I'd like to know when are they recall all the 626's and fix the problem, or I'll sue the company. This is so unfair that they stop making 626's, for what reason.

Filed Mar 11, 2005 · Transmission · NY

O/d light flashing, automatic transmission overheating, very hard shifting when in o/d on mode for more than 20 minutes at highway speeds.

Filed Oct 6, 2004 · Transmission · 109,000 miles · UT

I was driving my 1997 mazda 626 when all of a sudden, the transmission started shifting hard and acting weird. This was the car's 2nd transmission it had replaced. I fixed the problem by buying a new radiator and an auxiliary cooler because the transmission had overheated.

Filed Sep 7, 2004 · Transmission · 67,606 miles · KS

Immediately after used car purchase in june 2003 the 1997 mazda 626 required transmission rebuild. Six months later at my expense over $3000 required to rebuild transmission. Since then has been in shop over six time with recurring overdrive light blinking, overheating and poor shifting. Two coolers have been installed. The engine thermostat replacement, battery replacement, oil change and tuneup have not prevented a recurrence. After 100 to 150 miles of hiway driving the o/d light blinks and transmission overheats.

Filed Nov 24, 2003 · Transmission · 60,000 miles · GA

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?

Filed Nov 23, 2001 · Transmission · LA

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!

Filed Dec 22, 2000 · Engine · MD

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.