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1997 Mazda 626 transmission problems

233 complaints (65% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 92,000. 2 crashes reported.

owner complaints
233
of this car's complaints
65%
typical mileage
92,000
crashes
2
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Automatic transmission
    209
  • Manual transmission
    7
  • Automatic transmission: torque converter
    6
  • Automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines
    5
  • Automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift
    3
  • Axle assembly: axle shaft
    2
  • Clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)
    1
  • Axle assembly
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Mazda 626 transmission problems in other years

1990199520002003

Specific symptoms reported on the 1997 Mazda 626 transmission

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Transmission failure 79Jerking 28Slipping 13Won't shift 7Hesitation 6

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Related investigations

Speedometer inoperativeOpened October 29, 1998, closed September 10, 1999

See resume for details.

SQ98024

What 1997 Mazda 626 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed May 4, 2015 · Transmission · 131,212 miles · WA

Left home to go to work made it about 3 miles from my home and my transmission quit working as I was in the middle of a hwy. I was turning onto from a side street. I was about hit as my mazda would not go and quit working on a blind corner.

Filed Aug 13, 2013 · Acceleration, Fuel system · 11,678 miles · TX

We recently bought or mazda 626 from a dealer we were told that we were getting a quality car. We were fooled. With in the first week we had to buy part after part.change the trans fluid, change the distributor , spark plug wires, spark plugs, router motor, ignition coil, clean fuel injectors , replace fuel filter, still need to get a trans cooler as soon as I can. It took us a few years to save for a car. We trusted a dealer and got screwed! We have no money left and a car we can only use on a limited basis. We thought after loosing our income then our former car to repossession with only $50.00 left on it, then our home gets foreclosed on, and the loss of a father, and sister in a two year time frame was enough. Nope we buy a car with so many defects it crazy, I can believe these cars a even aloud to be sold to anyone. Face it they are death traps and anyone who owns one should get them replaced at manufacture cost.

Filed Jun 13, 2012 · Engine, Transmission · OH

Cpsc#i1190531a. 1997 mazda 626. Consumer stated when she brought the car it had severe transmission issues, and began smoking severely once taken the speed limit. She also stated it resulted in being towed on the 6th day of having the vehicle purchased.

Filed Sep 9, 2009 · Transmission · 95,000 miles · WA

1997 mazda 626 tranny went out at 95k miles in 2005 and at 146795 miles the tranny has gone out again. It's not worth fixing at this point.

Filed Jun 18, 2009 · Transmission · 100,000 miles · NJ

Mazda 626 1997 4 cylinder transmission problem once the o/d off light came on. When I shift into reverse, sometime it does not move. After driving for a few minutes the car jerks and struggles with erratic shifting of gears. This is accompanied by an increase in the engine RPM and noise. Car still drives but may not be safe. Check engine light shows fault with transmission range switch.

Filed May 17, 2009 · Transmission · 177,000 miles · GA

Transmission light keeps blinking once RPM reaches of 3.

Filed Feb 11, 2009 · Transmission · 94,000 miles · UT · 1 injury

I have a 1997 mazda 626 with a ford cd4e transmission. I have read numerous stories of early transmission failure with this transmission. I am experiencing it myself. I have filed numerous complaints and the only thing I have accomplished it put wear and tear on my keyboard. I also have a 1998 buick lesabre with a plastic intake manifold. It has 124,000 miles on it and the engine sounds like a diesel. This defect has been known to cause premature engine failure in numerous cases. What is going on? I would vote to fire all the ford and general motor engineers. I am a disabled man stuck with two pieces of engineering stupidity. All I can do is every once in a while is to beat on this keyboard and feel like there is nothing I can do about this. Is there? The injury is to my trust as well as my wallet.

Filed Dec 16, 2008 · Transmission · 60,000 miles · PA

My transmission is not functioning properly.

Filed Dec 2, 2008 · Transmission · 205,000 miles · IL

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!!

Filed Nov 18, 2008 · Transmission · 96,000 miles · UT

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.

Questions about the 1997 Mazda 626 transmission

Does the 1997 Mazda 626 have transmission problems?

Owners have filed 233 complaints about the transmission of the 1997 Mazda 626, 65% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.

At what mileage do 1997 Mazda 626 transmission problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 92,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 1997 Mazda 626 transmission?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Mazda 626 have bad transmission?

The Mazda 626 model years with the most transmission complaints are 1995 (337 complaints), 1998 (313 complaints) and 1996 (240 complaints).

Other 1997 Mazda 626 problems

Engine 41Airbags 36Electrical 32Brakes 14Acceleration 9Steering 8Tires 5Lights 4Seats 4Suspension 4Visibility 4Fuel system 3Seat belts 3Body 2Locks 1Wheels 1

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