1999 Mazda 626: stuck in gear or won't shift

Filed Nov 1, 2007 · Transmission · 160,000 miles · FL

While driving home, automatic transmission wouldn't shift into 2nd or 4th. Transmission was rebuilt at approx. 98,000 miles. At a cost of $2,800.00. Car now has approx. 160,000 miles and transmission needs rebuilt again. Have heard alot of complaints about this problem. Car is otherwise in great shape, can't afford a new car so I guess I'm stuck again paying to have a transmission repaired that mazda knows is a major problem and they refuse to do anything about it. Can we all get a little help with this problem??

Filed Aug 21, 2007 · Transmission · 76,000 miles · AR

Tl*the contact owns a 1999 mazda 626. The contact has experienced transmission failure twice. She only had the vehicle for approximately six months when the first failure occurred. While driving 45 MPH, the engine light illuminated. She took the vehicle to a repair shop and the mechanic stated that the transmission failed. The transmission was rebuilt and a year and a half later, the vehicle would not shift into reverse and the contact felt as if the gears were jumping when driving. She returned to the repair shop and was informed that the transmission failed again. She does not believe that a vehicle should go through two transmissions within two years. The vehicle is currently parked in her driveway. The current mileage was 87,000 and failure mileage was 76,000.

Filed Sep 18, 2006 · Transmission · 90,300 miles · FL

A 1999 mazda 626 was purchased in june 2006 from carmax in tampa, fl. We traded in our 2004 ford explorer for this 626 to save on gas. The mazda has been in the shop 4 times for transmission problems, none of which have been clearly explained to us; nor are they explained on the receipts. The first problem we experienced was an overheated transmission which caused it to get stuck in second gear. The mazda dealer recommended a transmission cooler once the transmission was dissected to be sure there was no internal damage. Carmax towed the vehicle from the dealer and had aamco do the repair work. New parts were ordered though carmax said aamco didn't know what was wrong with the car. Upon driving my 1 year old son home after this first repair, the transmission began to leak and make grinding sounds, none of which did it do before being repaired mind you. The second time we simply experience the stuck in gear issue again, however, this time belts were also squealing and our fuel efficiency has dropped. The third time seemed do be the charm, or so we thought. This morning driving the car to work, we experienced the same stuck in second gear problem we had originally! After calling the local store they said to take it to aamco. I never dealt with aamco before why should I take it there now. I also called the carmax corporate help line and they said they would call the local store we originally purchased the car from. I have yet to receive any phone calls or get the service or guarantee that carmax promised when I purchased this car.

Filed Feb 20, 2006 · Transmission · 87,000 miles · IN

Refer to odi 10150361. Want to clarify that purchased vehicle new 6-28-99. Trans went out at 87000 miles. Had rebuilt. Never shifted correctly when new. Even worse after rebuild. Reverse shifted very roughly after very apparent pause. Called mazda dealership purchased from, they didn't care. Said nothing was wrong with it. Had rebuilt 23 months ago. Already went out at christmas 2005. Had rebuilt. Lasted two days - returned to trans shop. Went back to the shop today for the 5th time since was "rebuilt" again at christmas. No one drove the car/sat in driveway after picked up the last time. Decided to take through car wash today, and didn't make it out of the driveway - so no car wash. Wanted to get it ready to trade off, and trans started slipping and jerking again. O/d light flashing, check engine light on again. Won't shift into reverse. Same thing again. I certainly wish I was a millionaire and I would pursue a lawsuit against ford and mazda for their "expensive junk" cars! My car has always had regular maintenance, oil changes, tune-ups, etc. It has never been abused and still looks like brand new inside and out. Too bad it's not reliable. Just like everyone else has said here, word of mouth, saying they will never purchase another mazda or ford again. The same definitely goes for me. So, in the last two years I've spent over $4000 for transmission repairs, and it still won't run correctly! I'm just fed up!

Filed Apr 25, 2005 · Transmission · 68,000 miles · NC

1999 mazda 626 with 68,000 - according to dealer transmission is failing and requires replacement. Vehicle will not shift out of overdrive and several times od light has begun flashing while driving. Dealer claims code 736 - "improper gear ratio." dealer explained that she had seen this exact problem "many" times and requires $2900 replacement of transmission.

Filed Mar 29, 2005 · Transmission · 50,000 miles · CA

I have had consistant transmission problems after around 50,000 mile. I have spent thousands of dollars taking the advice of mazda transmission experts and other techs. I have experienced tranny leaks that would make the car look like it was floating on a cloud caused by the fluid falling on a hot exaust. Now at 104,000 miles right after having my seals changed the transmission apears to heat up within a few minutes and leaves me stuck in first gear hoping I can make it home. This transmission is garbage and has given me nothing but problems. Who ever let this engineering disaster be sold should pay for all the problems they have caused.

Filed Nov 15, 2004 · Transmission · 85,000 miles · NH

My1999 mazda 626 does not shift correctly and the garages all tell me this is normal for this car. They tell me this starts as the car gets older and it is not an easy fix as mazda is having a problem fixing this.

Filed Nov 5, 2004 · Transmission · 78,000 miles · NC

I own a 1999 mazda 626 es with an automatic trans axle. The vehicle has been serviced regularly, and has 78,000 miles on the odometer. Last week the transaxle failed as it dropped down a gear, to go up a slight hill, at approximately 70 MPH on the interstate. As a result, the transaxle will not shift out of second gear. The resulting rebuild of the transaxle will cost $2100, half the current trade-in value of the vehicle. My concerns are two-fold. First, the transaxle should not have failed at 78,000 miles; this is not a normal situation for a well-maintained vehicle of this age and mileage. Second, after a search through internet discussion sites, and discussing the issue with a co-worker who had the same thing happen with a 1995 mazda 626, it has become evident to me that mazda 626 transaxle failures are a fairly common, seemingly systemic problem.

Filed Jun 22, 2004 · Transmission · 150,787 miles · NC

Dashboard lights went completely out. Brakes began to fail, had to replace and 3months went out again and had to have more work dome.. This happened 3 times in 1year time..$400. 00 worth of work .. Transmission started to act up.. 1st day car automatic transmission wouldnt go into 2nd gear the next day it wouldnt go into reverse and finally the 3rd day went to take it to the dealer and couldnt make it b/c the transmission had gone completely out.

Filed Jun 6, 2004 · Transmission · 97,000 miles · MI

At 97,000 miles my transmission failed. The o/d light blinks continuously and the car is stuck in 2nd or 3rd gear.

Filed Oct 27, 2003 · Transmission · 77,000 miles · TX

The time lapse between the automatic transmission gears shifting was increasing, and vehicle won't shift into first gear. Dealer recommendd to consumer to replace the transmission.

Filed Sep 12, 2003 · Transmission · 37,600 miles · MA

1999 mazda 626, with 39022 miles is having transmission problems. Od/ light came on transmission fluid spewing all over engine. Vehicle will not shift into gear, stalls and sputters.