2001 Mazda 626: stuck in gear or won't shift

Filed Feb 8, 2010 · Transmission · 80,800 miles · CA

My 2001 626 (4 cylinder) transmission needs to be replaced at under 81,000 miles!!!! The only warning sign was it wouldn't shift into reverse one day, then boom, it barely moved forward again. I have never had a problem with this car and I have mostly owned mazda's so imagine my surprise and disappointment that it happened just after I lost my job. Now I have no job, no transportation and no means to get a job without it. Mazda apparently knew there were problems with the transmissions and chose to do nothing about it. I will never purchase or recommend a mazda ever again! As a result of your blatant failure to inform your customers you have lost at least one good customer forever.

Filed Aug 29, 2009 · Transmission · 144,000 miles · ID

The transmission on my 01 mazda 626 is broken. It won't shift from third to fourth gear. I know this is a problem with almost every 626 that has a cd4e transmission. So the transmission is obviously defective.

Filed Aug 18, 2009 · Transmission · 94,000 miles · NJ

I own a 2001 mazda 626 4 cyl. My car's transmission usually runs in third gear on long trips and doesn't shift to the over drive. Also, there is a delay when shifting from second to third and from third to overdrive. It works fine shifting from first to second gear. This is a really annoying thing coming from this car. I already did a transmission flush to solve the issue but it worked fine for just a couple of days and it is just as it was at the beginning. I hope someone takes care of this because there is a lot of disappointed customers due to this common issue in this vehicle.

Filed Apr 7, 2009 · Transmission · 98,000 miles · IL

Transmission failure occurred the first time in early spring of 2003. My 626 had just turned over 53,000 miles when the transmission went. Called for a tow, transmission place said that it was likely to have to be a full rebuild. I called dealership, they called mazda and mazda paid for new transmission and tow, even though the car was out of warranty. This weekend, driving car, no sign of any issue, just had a fluid flush done on the car 6,000 miles ago so I know that is fine. Come home after a weekend of city driving and go to get in the car the next morning when the car will not shift. Stays in park no matter what gear I move shifter to. Taking it in again with only 45,000 miles on the ~new~ transmission that mazda paid for the first time round. Car only had 98,000 miles on it and has suffered 2 different transmission failures.

Filed May 31, 2008 · Transmission · 96,000 miles · FL

My mazda 626, year 2001 has a problem with the transmission. At first the car would not go into reverse, then the entire transmission failed. I spoke with a co-worker that had the same problem with her mazda 626. Is there a recall on the mazda. Please help me with the repairs, I can't afford to get the vehicle fixed.

Filed Nov 1, 2007 · Transmission · MD

Automatic trans. Will not go into gear,or will engage park. Trans. Rebuilt. After 18 months same problem returned!

Filed Sep 10, 2007 · Transmission · 101,450 miles · TX

Hard shifting for a couple of weeks. Had a blow out same night transmission messed up. Won't go into gear until it past 2.5 RPM's. Took to transmission spec. Said it was over heating also need a new torque converter, need to install transmission cooler.

Filed Sep 7, 2007 · Transmission · 149,000 miles · AR

2001 mazda 626, wouldn't shift into gear, had the linkage cable repaired twice. Now at 149,000 miles the car won't shift into reverse and the od light keeps flashing on and off. We are having it towed (this is the 2nd tow bill) to a transmission shop tomorrow and having the transmission repaired. It will cost between 1500 & 1700 to repair. *jb updated 12-12-07. *kb updated

Filed Oct 6, 2006 · Transmission · 104,000 miles · CA

My 2001 mazda 626 has had two transmissions installed and now installing the third one @104000 miles first time the overdrive light flashed and would not shift into the proper gear at 53000 miles we had to fight with mazda north america for several weeks to take care of it. Also wheeler mazda in yuba city did not help or care witch the car was purchased at new. I have had the car serviced at the dealer for all recommended service. Now the second one just went out @ 104000 miles and the mazda rep for mazda north america will not help at all. The cost to repair this one is2,900 dollars. I have 3 children and one on the way. This is not what I expect from a new car that has been well taken care of. The axles went out @ 70000 miles the stereo went out 2 times in the first month. The 2nd transmission started squeaking for about 10 minutes then the transmission just quit. Thanks.

Filed Aug 1, 2005 · Transmission · 47,100 miles · NE

1) car overheating, o/d light blinking, car not shifting out of 1st gear 2) car eventually would not shift at all, had repairs done = $1900 3) transmission shop replaced tranny. Mazda dealer quoted $3500 to do same repairs.

Filed Aug 7, 2004 · Transmission · 34,000 miles · MS

A year ago the shifter cable on my 2001 mazda 626 broke (car under warranty at the time). I telephoned the local dealer and the cable was on backorder indicating many others were having the same problem a local mechanic put a bushing where the cable was attached to the shifter arm at transmission to replace the failed part. That worked fine until yesterday (8-6-04). I put the car in reverse to exit a parking lot and could not shift into drive. At present, a cable tie is on the cable to hold it in place. I telephoned the dealer again this morning, he said mazda is aware of the problem and the dealer has also talked to mazda but has not issued a recall. The cable is now available now that our warranty has expired. This is a safety issue. The first failure, we had our grandson in his safety seat, our car cranked, backed into the street, stopped and would not shift. Cars turning into the intersection could not see us because of buildings. We pushed the car out of the street. It appears the bushing that connects cable onto shifter is made out of nylon/plastic and forced onto pin. This apparently fails due to heat or being split when mounted.

Filed May 1, 2003 · Transmission · FL

The transmission burn out and the vehicle would not shift at all.