1997 Mazda 626: complete transmission failure

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 Jul 17, 2008 · Transmission · 129,481 miles · KY

Automatic transmission failure. Vehicle will not move in reverse gear.

Filed Mar 22, 2008 · Transmission · 150,000 miles · CA

Transmission failed on a mazda 626 '97 4cyl, hardly 9 years after manufacture. I had to replace the whole transmission on the vehicle.

Filed Mar 21, 2008 · Transmission · 124,000 miles · NV

97 mazda 626 2 liter engine, auto transmission failures. 1st transmission went out at 80,000, 2nd one went at 105,000, 3rd failure at 124,000.

Filed Nov 10, 2007 · Transmission · 93,000 miles · IL

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.

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 Sep 14, 2006 · Transmission · 110,000 miles · OK

Transmission failure...

Filed Aug 19, 2006 · Transmission · WA

My 1997 626 mazda started acting like it was having trouble shifting gears (it's an automatic) and soon afterwards, the transmission gave out. I am 51 years old and treat my cars with respect, getting regular checkups from my mechanic and driving with caution. I do not abuse my car at all. This failure came as a surprise to me. I had to have the car towed to my mechanic. He told me that the transmission needs to be replaced. Currently, we are searching for a used transmission.

Filed Aug 15, 2006 · Transmission · 91,000 miles · GA

Transmission failure on this automobile at 90,000, and again at 140,000 miles.

Filed Apr 23, 2006 · Transmission · 50,000 miles · MD

Transmission failure twice.

Filed Feb 10, 2006 · Transmission · 72,650 miles · NY

(see complaint # 10149676) after having the right front cv joint replace just the day before, transmission failed again @ 72,650 mi. From a cold start, the car was allowed to warm up before being put into drive (approx 5 min.) the car was driven approximately 1/4 mile in 30 MPH stop and go traffic when, after a complete stop, the car suddenly acted like it was in neutral. Even though the gear shift was still in drive. The same thing when put into reverse gear. I managed to get the car to the side of the road and turned off the ignition. Five minutes later I restarted the engine, put the gear shift in drive, and voila! I'm moving again. Another 500 feet further down the road? The same thing. Standing there idling with the gear shift in drive, no reverse, nothing. Had it towed to a transmission shop. Estimate: $1500.00 to fix this cd4e transmission again. I have decided to not have this transmission fixed this time and will trade the car in, at a substantially lower value (because the dealers all know the track record of this cd4e gem), for a honda accord. Which I considered buying instead of the mazda 626 back in late june of 2000. Mazda north american operations, in my opinion, should liable for monetary reimbursement to their customers for out-of-pocket expenses, lost time and wages, and aggravation on the basis that they have been fraudulent. Signed, former mazda customer.

Filed Jan 27, 2006 · Transmission · 108,000 miles · WI

I noticed my car shaking at idle and when I put it in park. I also noticed a puddle under my car so I took it to get looked at right away. On the way to the service station it would not shift. All symptoms I have heard on this site, but no dealer ever told me of any problem. Now the car is not worth the price of a new transmission and I am without a vehicle. Would have been nice to know that there was a problem with it.