2001 Mazda 626: jerking or lurching

Filed Mar 23, 2008 · Transmission · MI

I have a 2001 mazda 626 auto trans with 80,000 miles on it. For the most part my commutes would be an average 10 miles each way daily. Last six months the commute was about 25 miles each way with a combination of highway and city driving. On the days leading up to the incident, the car seemed to jerk into the higher gears - that was the first sign of trouble. On the day of the incident, it started up fine but would not move forward when gears are engaged in "drive" mode. It would move a little in the first gear if I pressed down the accelerator but never shifted into the higher gear. I did not want to burn out my engine - so I had the car towed to the repair shop. The mechanic checked it out and said that they would have to rebuild my transmission or replace it with a remanufactured piece. He also stated that it may be difficult to get a good working transmission from another car as this transmission (la4a-el by mazda or its equivalent cd4e by ford) have been known to have problems. So now I am looking at a high repair bill and since this is a one car family, an extended period of having to arrange alternative transportation. This is the third mazda (929, mx6 and now 626) in the family. Never had issues with the previous cars.

Filed Jul 22, 2007 · Transmission · 96,000 miles · WV

My 2001 mazda 626 lx would jerk extremely hard when starting off until speeds reached around 25+MPH this happened since the day the car was purchased even after taking the car to the dealer for repairs the car still jerked when increasing speeds. Just recently while going to work the car would not move in reverse and barley move in drive after getting half way to work I stopped at a stop sign and the car would not move only rev up that's when I called a towing service to drop my car off to a garage after the mechanics heard my problem they gave me some startling news that most of the 4cycle mazda 626s have had problems with transmissions part I had to get was a new transmission.

Filed Jul 9, 2007 · Transmission · 84,000 miles · OH

Mazda 626 year 2001 transmission failure, rpms went to 4000 by itself odometer light came on and flashed on dashboard instrument panel and car jerked badly. Had to have vehicle towed on 7/6/2007, and had the transmission fluid changed. Service technician found nothing wrong. Then on 7/9/2007 car wa s doing exactly the same thing. Had to have towed again to a different service institution awaiting results of estimate.

Filed Dec 22, 2005 · Transmission · MA

My 2001 mazda 626 was brought to the dealer while still under warranty due to a burning smell in the engine. The car also smelled musty as if water were leaking somewhere. The dealer adjusted the moonroof screws out in the parking lot and claims no burning smell was present. At approximately 50 miles over the warranty, the stereo display stopped illuminating and mazda would not cover the $300 repair. At around 70,000 miles, the overdrive light suddenly began to flash continuously. The car started to chug up hills and jerk when shifting into drive. I notified mazda immediately, thinking it was an electrical problem as stated in the owner's manual. The dealer said to drive it in. On the way, the car quickly got worse, would not accelerate over 40 MPH and stalled while merging onto the highway. The car was unable to go into reverse. The dealer said, "bad news, you need a new tranny". Unprofessional and ignorant words to me. I paid another transmission company for towing and a rebuilt transmission since mazda wanted over $3,000. He stated that many mazda 626 transmissions have been failing too early since they were built with a ford transmission, not capable for a car like the 626. Mazda must have had some good reason to offer 0 percent financing then suddenly stop making the long existing and once reliable 626. I strongly feel that the numerous and similar complaints should be investigated. There are probably several other owners of the 626 out there repairing their transmissions too early and unaware to file a complaint. Thank you for your time.

Filed Oct 15, 2005 · Transmission · 57,000 miles · VA

I have a 2001 mazda 626 that had a transmission failure at less than 60k miles. My problems began when I started noticing a jerking motion when I accelerated out of a full stop. Then, the transmission would sometimes delay engaging in reverse or drive. I had multiple mechanics look at the car, all of whom recommended a replacement transmission. I spoke with even more mechanics about the situation, including three at mazda dealerships, and all fully and openly acknowledged widespread problems with mazda transmissions. One service manager at a mazda dealership recommended I get rid of the car altogether. Another independent mechanic, a transmission specialist, refused to work on mazdas at all. To add insult to injury, mazda is also charging exorbitant prices for replacement transmissions (perhaps because they're in such demand?): just under $3000 for the part itself, not to mention labor. I paid over $3700 for the transmission to be replaced at a mazda dealership. Even then, I had to return the car twice to the mechanic because the transmission wasn't engaging properly when I shifted gears from park to drive, for example. Finally, the dealership determined that the transmission range sensor on my brand-new transmission needed to be replaced. I strongly urge the federal safety agency to take action to begin a recall of mazda transmissions. On this site, the 2001 mazda 626 has 10 times the transmission complaints than 2001 honda and nearly 12 times more than the 2001 camry.

Filed Aug 1, 2005 · Transmission · 91,000 miles · FL

First my car started jerking, I was told by the mazda dealer that it's okay. Then my check engine light and my o/d started blinking... Next thing I knew my car stopped. It will go into reverse but not drive. I now need a new transmission. I have since found that mazda should have told me about a transmission coolant system that was needed for my car, but not installed when the car was purchased. Several people have this concern.. I am so disappointed.

Filed Jul 28, 2005 · Transmission · AZ

Started with overdrive light flashing on/off. Car hesitates and chugs when you step on the gas from a stopped position. Jerks while shifting and transmission is failing. I have had all the recommended services done including tune up, oil change and transmission fluid flush. The car has 73,000 miles on it.

Filed Feb 10, 2005 · Transmission · 33,000 miles · DC

I just bought a used 2001 mazda 626 from carmax in sterling, va in november of 2005. The vehicle had 29,400 miles on it on the date of purchase. Now it has 33, 000 miles, and the car began to frequently jerk, the "o/d off" light came on...then the car would not move. I've since read about others with similar issues with this vehicle, and find that there is nothing being done by mazda to rectify the situation. So, I want to document my problem with the vehicle in the hopes that something will be done in the near future.

Filed Oct 22, 2004 · Transmission · 58,000 miles · MD

1)car was jerking,transmission was reving on my 2001 mazda 2)took it took the dealer after I broke down,said the transmission was bad & needed to be replaced. 3)transmission was replaced twice,but still having transmission problems.

Filed Oct 4, 2004 · Transmission · 24,000 miles · DC

I have 24,000 miles on my mazda 626 4cyclinder. This is the second transmission I had put in the car. After purchasing the car, I drove the car home and it was jerking a little. I thought it was me just getting use to driving the car. The next day I drove to church and the car started going in reverse while the gear was in drive. When I got to church, I called the dealer and they told me to have the car towed. Mazda people said it was the transmission. They put a new transmission in. Two years later on 10/2/04 I was returning from a funeral and the car started to slow down (no warnings). I turned it off. The car would start, but would not move in drive or reverse. I called the mazda dealer and they told me to call for towing. The car was towed to mazda dealer again. Once again, its the transmission. They are going to replace the transmission again because its still under the warranty. I was surfing the internet regarding mazda transmissions came across some very important information. 626 mazda 1994 - 2002 have a ford model cd4e transmission. The transmission has an over heating problem. Mazda knows about this problem but they are noting fixing it. They issued a technical service bulletin telling how to correct the problem but they are not telling the customer about it unless the customer mentions something about it. The transmission needs a transmission cooling kit. My car is at the mazda dealer now. When I called about this cooling kit they told me that it would cost $280.00, only because they have to put in a transmission. If they do not have to put a transmission in it would cost more. I should not have to pay for the cooling kit. I have only had the car a little over two years. Mazda should be made reponsible to pay for all repairs and or replacements that are covered under the warranty.

Filed Jan 13, 2004 · Transmission · 35,000 miles · NC

2001 mazda 626 esv6 transmission problems slips and jerks. The trans has been replaced in the early 30k range. It is now in the 63k range and starting again. Please help. We are being told it will cost us 2800 for repairs.

Filed Sep 13, 2003 · Transmission · 5,512 miles · CA

2001 mazda 626 lx transmission. Transmission problems: shift hunting, lurching, inability to select gears, vibration, noise, harsh starts, slow starts, chugging, slipping. Second transmission in vehicle (dealer/warranty rebuilt transmission installed by dealer).