This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
I am the original owner of a 1996 Mazda 626. I have already replaced my transmission 3 times in 8 years and looking at replacing it again for a 4th time. The car only has 150K miles on it. The transmission only lasts anywhere from 30K-40K before it goes out. I have contacted Mazda and they basically turn their shoulders. I have already spent double what I originally paid for the car. I would be helpful if Mazda would acknowledge that they have a serious transmission issue.
Purchased the vehicle (1996 Mazda 626) at 27,000mi on odometer - transmission had gone bad. Because it was still in warrantee, the Mazda dealership replaced the transmission. I took it back a few times over the past few years because of leaking transmission fluid and engine light being on. Nothing was found or done. Last December, at 96,000mi, the transmission burned out again. I took it to the dealership who said the transmission would have to be replaced again. This would be the 3rd transmission in under 100,000 miles!! as Mazda would not assist in the cost of replacement, in July I had the car towed to a local mechanic who replaced the transmission with a rebuilt one. A few weeks ago (October 2004) the O/D light started blinking and I took it back to the mechanic who replaced the transmission. He searched deeper and found that the cupholder is placed directly over the car's computer, and had been leaking any spilled fluid onto it, shorting out the overdrive, causing the transmission solonoid to burn out. He cleaned the computer and replaced the tcc solenoid, Mazda takes no responsibility even though their technicians had the car several times without properly diagnosing the problem.
- Jamestown, NY, USA
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Transmission had big problems, even after using the car extremely carefully. Just had 57000 miles and had to get major repairs done to the transmission.
After buying the car (used) a year ago I first had to replace the 02 sensor, then while driving the O/D light would start flashing and the rpms went crazy between gears, after a restart it would go away only to do it again. This only lasted 2 days, so I thought it must not have been a big deal. Then this past weekend up in the mountains, it was driving fine until I came to a stop light, and the car would not go forward, I put it in the auto 1st gear then 2nd and it lurched forward only to go a mile before never moving again. It will cost $3,000 to replace.
Everytime I drive the overdrive light comes on and while driving it hesitste on freeyway I check to the mechenic he say its transmission problem and it is the problem with mazada 626 and never been corrected and they didnt buil T it correctly so I think mazada should bring them back
O/D light flashing on vehicle; indicative of a transmission problem. History of transmission problems on pre-98 626S. Hard shifting into drive/reverse during cold engine; slippage of engine.
Just bought a used 96 Mazda 626lx. Very well taken care of and had been checked out by a mechanic throughly. A day later it started to vibrate so we thought it was the motormount. We were wrong. So we just ignored the vibration. A few days the later it would't start up and we had to go and get the battery checked out. No problem with that. Then all of a sudden the mechanic told us to have the transmission specialist fix it B/C the fluids were black. Which they weren't when purchased. So after all this we are having to pay for a transmission. The car should be recalled and taken off the market. I think Mazda needs to do something about this because it is damaging their reputation. And have made me decied to never buy any kind of Mazda again.
While shifting vehicle failed to move on its own. A loud knocking noise was heard coming from the front. Consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the shaft solenoid needed to be replaced.
I bought a 1996 Mazda 626 with 85,000 miles on it. I had a transmission tune-up done within a month of the purchase. Now, at 94,000M the transmission had to be repaired at costs exceeding $1500! the problem was said to be overheating of the transmission. Also, the O/D lights continue to flash after 15-20 of driving around.
The overdrive light kept coming on indicating that the transmission malfunctioned. However, the warranty expired. Therefore, the consumertook the vehicle to an independent transmission dealer, who diagnosed the problem. The automatic transmission went out three times.
Transmission was slipping and fuel was leaking. Consumer took vehicle to the dealer, and dealer told him that transmission failed, and it needed to be repaired. Conumer stated that dealer told him it would cost approximately $3000. Consumer was concerned because he did not have that many miles on vehicle. Also, check engine light came on and stayed on.
I own a 1996 Mazda 626 the manufacutre refused to admit that there is a defect in the design of the transmisson. It failed while driving the vehicle at the posted city speed limit. Could have caused aserious crash.
At 120K miles on my highly maintained 1996 Mazda 626 my transmission failed. I did some research and many other customers have encountered the same situation with the same model car. Repairs will end up costing me $4000. As a college student it is going to be hard to come up with that type of money. I would suggest if there are as many failures as I have seen in the research a recall should be issued by Mazda Corp. Design flaws should be fixed by the designer or company, not by the consumer.
I have a 4 cyl 1996 Mazda 626 automatic. A few days ago my transmission went out. Every mechanic I have spoken to including aamco, the renowned transmission place tells me that this model always had a design flaw in transmission. All Mazda owner forums are full of complaints about transmission issue on that year car. I have contacted Mazda corporation with no avail. What is next??
I had the transmission replaced at 50000 miles and the Mazda dealership replaced it and charged me a labor charge of 700. Now, my transmission is out again at 108,00 miles. While I was driving on the expressway at 60 mph.
I bought a used 1996 Mazda 626lx from rierson motors in clovis, New Mexico and have had the car less than one month and the engine light stays on, it loses power on the interstate when I accelerate above 55 mph and lurches and goes in to next gear very hard. I think Mazda should be held liable for these defects in this paticular model. I hope the government will look into this matter and investigate why so many consumers are having the same problems and Mazda should step up to the plate and admit their failure and fix the problem are compensate the consumer for their expenditures.
I have a Mazda 1996 626 LX sedan 2.0 liter engine with automatic transmission, 4 cylinder, front wheel drive. I bought it from a private party about 3 months ago at 93400 miles. I now have only about 96000 mikes and my transmission failed today. I was not able to get it out of the overnight parking spot in my apartment complex. I had it towed to a mechanic(a very reliable one), who after an extensive checkup, determined that the transmission had "broken down" and that it had to be replaced. He informed that a new transmission replacement inclusive of installation charges would cost about $2500 to $3000, which is extremely expensive for a full-time graduate student like me. I performed my research on the advice of the mechanic and came across a lot of people who have had problems with the automatic transmissions of Mazda 626 manufactured between 93-97. This is frustrating because, Ford (Ford probe is the transmission used in the above said vehicles) and Mazda are aware of this matter and have never found it so much as being responsible to make their customers aware of these problems. I want justice to be done and I would very much love Ford and Mazda for being so askance in this matter. I also want all the owners of the Mazda vehicles involved in changing theor transmissions to be compensated adequately. But more than that, I want federal agencies to be aware of these evasive tactics of Mazda and Ford and punitive damages arising from federal case to be so inhibitive as to almost shut off their operations.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Mcallen, TX, USA