1999 Mazda 626: harsh or hard shifting

7 of the 318 complaints about the 1999 Mazda 626 describe harsh or hard shifting.

owner complaints: 7
of this car's complaints: 2%
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 4 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Harsh or hard shifting by model year

2002
4
2001
2
2000
9
1999
7
1998
5
1997
3
1996
3
1995
4
1994
1

What owners say

Filed Apr 14, 2010 · Transmission · 50,000 miles · SC

Rough shifting, slipping ,rough idle, overheating transmission.

Filed Aug 1, 2007 · Transmission · 89,150 miles · MA

'99 mazda 626-lx, 4-cyl. Transmission problem: day 1, stuck in traffic, moving very slowly for 30 minutes, 80 degrees outside, the transmission started feeling "clunky". Day 2, driving 72-78 MPH on the highway for 3 hours, the "o/d off" light started to blink. Got home fine. Day 3: significant transmission slippage.

Filed Jul 15, 2007 · Transmission · CA

I have a 1999 mazda 626 lx 4 cylinder and for a few years have noticed harsh shifting that has only gotten worse. The other day the odometer light started flashing, and I took vehicle to a transmission shop, and they scanned and codes, and told me that I had an overheating problem with the transmission ,and that it had to be replaced. This seemed so wrong because the car only had 111,000 miles on it, and it was wrong because I knew this problem started a lot earlier when I got this car at 64,000 miles. If mazda knew about this cooling issue because they have released a service bulletin about it , and if they knew they will ultimately fail why didn't they issue a recall? If they knew they had inadequate cooling they should have installed a cooler at their expense not t at he owners , and they should also replace the transmission at their expense.

Filed Dec 12, 2004 · Engine · 78,000 miles · NC

Continuous 3 cylinder misfire, resulting in the replacement of the plug wires and spark plugs 4 times since I have purchased the car in sep 2003. The check engine light sporadically comes on and does not throw code. When the check engine light comes on the transmission "hard shifts" and I lose significant gas mileage.

Filed Dec 2, 2004 · Transmission · 117,000 miles · NE

Upon starting the vehicle, if it was not allowed to idle for at least 5 - 10 minutes, it would slam into drive. It would also down shift at 60 on the highway and when at a stop it would jerk/stutter as you push the accelerator.*ak transmission has to be replaced.

Filed Feb 24, 2003 · Transmission · TN

1999 mazda 626...just over 70k miles...o/d light flashing...transmission stuck in 2nd gear...hard shifting...research revealed many more drivers with similar experience.

Filed Aug 2, 2002 · Acceleration · GA

Was about 2 miles from home, accelerating from a turn. Transmission went "clunk" then noticible hesitation when applying gas. When car was parked, smoke coming from underneath the hood. Checked and noticed "burned" trannie fluid covering components. Had car towed to japanese auto. Repair service. Told needed new trannie. Had towed to mazda dealership. Dealership provided new trannie, radiator and coolant switch b/c common knowledge that radiator was not sufficient to help cool trannie. Mazda covered parts, but in order for them to do that I need to pay labor and get timing belt, gaskets and seals changed. Overall I am pleased with mazda's action, but I think it should be known that there are problems with this transmission/radiator combo. Fyi. Tom naso's staff was extremely courteous and helpful. I appreciated all their work.