Without any warning the transmission started slipping out of forward gear while at a traffic light after releasing the brakes and gently pressing the accelerator pedal the vehicle didnt move. Manually shifting into 1st gear was the car able to move but causing a very harsh lurching forward causing a loud "clunking" noise. I was able to limp the car 3 miles to my home. I was involved in a rear end accident at the next traffic light. While the vehicle was in 1st gear and having the brakes applied the transmission caught in gear and lunged forward causing me to contact the car in front of me. Both myself and the occupant of the vehicle I hit sustained minor injuries and well as property damage to the front of my vehicle and the back of theirs.
The worst 2002 Mazda 626 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Transmission70
- Electrical4
- Engine4
- Suspension4
- Airbags3
- Seat belts3
- Body2
- Steering2
- Tires2
- Brakes1
- Fuel system1
- Visibility1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2002 Mazda 626
Recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Technical service bulletins for the 2002 Mazda 626 100
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below
- Product Quality Information (PQI) DESCRIPTION Service Information MT-041/12 is no longer valid
- This bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below
- This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA listed below: The changes are noted in Red....
- A musty/mildew type odor may come from the vents when the air conditioning (A/C) system is operating
- In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer
- Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems
- Speedometer replacement procedure
- Some customers may complain of signs of oil on the struts or shock absorbers
- Some customers may experience a squeaking noise may be heard from the exhaust manifold when the idle speed...
2002 Mazda 626 fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | FWD | 19-23 | 25-29 | 22-25 |
| 2.5L 6‑cyl | FWD | 18-19 | 24-25 | 20-21 |
What 2002 Mazda 626 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The transmission has been replaced twice now. Even after we get it fixed it stills jerks and sounds like the engine is going to fall out. It has a terrible time shifting from 1st to 2nd and sometimes when you put it in reverse it jumps and sounds like it is going to fall out. My dad is 94 years old and needs this car to work. He doesn't need to go out and buy another one or spend another $1800 or so to get this one fixed. I have read a lot of complaints about this car and the transmission and I feel mazda needs to make it right.
Tamara recall
My car was driving fine and then one day as I was leaving work my car started acting as though it wanted to shut off. I made it all the way home and was going to go to the store and my car would not shift into gear I tried to add transmission fluids but it sounds not move.
Transmission jerks-hard kicking from first to second gear automatic transmision/defective transmision on this model no matter what I do to try to fix the problem.(fluid filter speed sensor etc)still has the same problem...this problem is well known on all the mazda vehicles with this type of transmission
The car started to not want to crank it would crank sometimes then one day we went to the store then when we went to leave the store it finally just stopped trying to crank only making a clicking sound and while trying to crank it the steering column started smoking and almost caught on fire I believe it is the ignition switch
Transmission failed while on highway. Transmission failed at approximately 45,000 miles. Repair ended up costing approximately $3,000 for a rebuilt transmission. I had owned the car for about 2 years at time of transmission failure and had put less than 10,000 miles on it personally. Car was purchased used but in good condition.
My car will move fine until it warms up but then slips out of all gears and wont move until the next day.
Transmission making popping noises and lagging when making turns sounds horrible took to a mechanic he says he can fix it for 1700.00 the transmission is bad. At a little over a 100 thousand miles it shouldn't need replaced. Ford should have to fix it.
On acceleration from being stopped the transmission would make a series of popping sounds. I took it to a mechanic and it was diagnosed to be a stretched drive chain in the transmission. Instances of high torque would cause the chain to skip past teeth, causing the popping noise. Due to the significant amount if problems that plague the cd4e transmission the entire unit was replaced.
Compare the 2002 Mazda 626
Other model years
Questions about the 2002 Mazda 626
Is the 2002 Mazda 626 reliable?
Owners have filed 87 complaints about the 2002 Mazda 626, close to a typical 626 model year.
What is the 2002 Mazda 626 year score?
The 2002 Mazda 626 scores 75 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Mazda 626: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2002 Mazda 626?
Transmission and drivetrain, with 70 complaints, typically around 72,200 miles. Next is electrical (4).
How many recalls does the 2002 Mazda 626 have?
No recalls on record.
What gas mileage does the 2002 Mazda 626 get?
Official estimates for the 2002 Mazda 626 range from 20 to 25 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 19-23 city and 25-29 highway.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2002 Mazda 626?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history