NHTSA — Power Train: Automatic Transmission Problems

1996 Mazda 626 (Page 1 of 12)

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
99 / 99
Average Mileage:
43,998 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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.

1996 Mazda 626 transmission problems

transmission problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1996 Mazda 626:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

1996 Mazda 626 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 12)

problem #222

Aug 152010

626

  • 108,750 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

1996 Mazda 626 O/D light flashing and transmission not shifting.

- Waconia, MN, USA

problem #221

Jan 072010

626

  • 167,000 miles
Hi I have a 1996 Mazda 626 LX and the O/D light just went off at 167,000 miles. I read several forums online and they all said its most likely a an electrical problem in the transmission. This can be very dangerous to us drivers as well as drivers next to us on the road. I advice to please have Mazda recall all models with this problem and reimburse us or fix our transmissions at no cost. Thank you very much for reading my post.

- La Puente, CA, USA

problem #220

Jan 072010

626

  • 167,000 miles
Hi I have a 1996 Mazda 626 LX and the O/D light just went off at 176,000 miles. I read several forums online and they all said its most likely a an electrical problem in the transmission. This can B very dangerous to us drivers as well as drivers next to us on the road. I advice to please have Mazda recall all models with this problem and reimburse us or fix our transmissions at no cost. Thank you very much for reading my post.

- La Puente, CA, USA

problem #219

Aug 152009

626

  • 126,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The automatic transmission in my 1996 Mazda 626 failed. As I did research I found that the transmission had failed once before with a previous owner. Further research has shown me that the "cd4E" transmission in my car is a "known" defective part among owners of this particular car. I only had enough money to have it replaced with a used transmission that was the same "cd4E" and can only hope that this one will hold up for awhile. The total cost was about $1200 and I still have the old transmission just in case I need to have it rebuilt. This particular transmission is very hard to find due to its unreliability, meaning they are in great demand because they fail frequently. Thank you for your time.

- Chattanooga , TN, USA

problem #218

Aug 282009

626

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Second time automatic transmission failed!!!

- Wellesley, MA, USA

problem #217

Aug 212009

626

  • 143,000 miles
The O/D off light on vehicle flashes. I now understand that this is a common problem that is known to Mazda. Mazda should take responsibility and recall the transmission in these vehicles. This vehicle is used by my kids for transportation to and from school. They are at risk.

- Montgomery, TX, USA

problem #216

Aug 142009

626

  • 92,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Mazda 626 1996, od-off blinking, check engine light on.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #215

Dec 242008

626

  • 176,000 miles
Transmission seal leaking.

- Queens, NY, USA

problem #214

Oct 162008

626

  • 75,000 miles
Transmission failed on 1996 Mazda 626. Replaced with used transmission that also failed within 3 months.

- Marion, SC, USA

problem #213

Sep 292008

626

  • 170,000 miles
I purchased my 626 in 2003. I wish I would have done research beforehand. I installed a transmission oil cooler the same week. I'm also religious about changing the fluid. I only drive in town, less than 10 miles per day. My O/D light started blinking as I was driving at 25 mph. I stopped at a light to make a turn and my car would not drive. The transmission would not allow the car to move forward. I shut the car off hoping that when I started it again that it would go. Thankfully it went this time and I made it home. The light has blinked before but always turned off, now its on steadily. I have been feeling the transmission slipping very frequently over the past few months. With all the problems, why is there not a recall?

- Edwardsville, IL, USA

problem #212

Jun 012008

626

  • 120,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Transmission problems in 1996 Mazda 626.

- Jackson, OH, USA

problem #211

May 162008

626 4-cyl

  • 150,000 miles
I have a 96 Mazda 626 that is having constant problems with the transmission. I had it checked out and am being told that it was the catalytic converter that would cost well over $400 because I needed the Mazda branded one from a dealership. Also the transmission switch is faulty. Which the guy I had looking at the car, had no idea what that was and had never heard of it. When you start driving it's fine then about 15 minutes in to it starts jumping like as if I am pressing on the gas to go 50 from 15. It has done this on several occasions and every time I try to fix it something else comes up. I was told by another person that the transmission is failing and that Mazda 626's have a faulty transmission from years 95-00.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #210

Mar 082008

626 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Over drive light keeps blinking, replaced transmission two time and car O/D light still blinks, transmission about to go out again!!!!

- Dekalb, GA, USA

problem #209

Mar 042008

626 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 108,500 miles
On my 1996 my Mazda 626 I was driving on the highway and my overdrive light started flashing. I researched the problem online and there was thousands of the same complaint I think is was a over drive solenoid or a sensor that control gear shifting. Apparently this happens to alot of Mazda 626's and I think Mazda need to be held accountable for this problem.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #208

Mar 242007

626 4-cyl

  • 82,000 miles
I bought a 1996 Mazda 626 LX at approximately 82,000 miles the automatic transmission failed. I had rebuilt and now it is failing again. I cannot afford to keep fixing this problem that should have never been a problem to start with. The car has been well maintained under normal driving. I understand things will wear out but I have never had this problem with another car. I look on the internet for answers and find there are alot of people with the same complaint. Mazda needs to offer some responsibility to this. People work hard for their money. No one can afford to keep fixing this problem. Mazda should have never put a Ford transmission in this car that couldn't last.

- Winfield, TN, USA

problem #207

Sep 252007

626 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 157,000 miles
Automatic transmission failure - driving my car on the highway and the transmission starts bucking and almost caused me to be hit in the back by another vehicle.

- Euclid, OH, USA

problem #206

Aug 232007

626 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The vehicle was parked. Went back to vehicle cranked it up, and would not go into reverse or drive. The shifter would move but tranny did nothing like it was in neutral. Tranny worked fine before it was parked.

- Vidalia, LA, USA

problem #205

Jul 102007

626 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Let me begin by saying that I wish I had pulled up this web site before I purchased this automobile. Apparently, other consumers have voiced their many complaints to no avail, so please forgive me if I sound a bit let down and disappointed by this great department of our american government. Mainly, your just wanting me to state the problem, and I say, the problem has already been stated, over and over again. But, if I must keep up this ridiculous game of play for many more years or until a person is killed, I will. The #### transmissions ####in this ##### ### Mazda 626, you have been told, the manufacture knows, the people that have been ######over by the corporation of ####### greedy ### ##### men know it, so lets just say we hold your pay check until you can get off your ###### ### and get use some relief with this multi-million dollar Corp that is not stepping up to the plate and taking care of the ####### lemons they sold on american soil. I believe this will be resolved, I have a 16 year old that I purchased this car for and I am not going to keep quite about this. You can see this is clearly a problem that should have already been fixed, and not at the consumers expense. I am a divorced-single mom that has not received child support in six years, I manage on my own and will not let big corps take my hard earned money to repair something that is crystal clear a defect on the makers part....that being Mazda corporation. If my child's safety is as important to you as you want me to believe it is, then do the #### recall already. Time to make things right.

- Loganville, GA, USA

problem #204

Mar 232007

626 4-cyl

  • 96,450 miles
4th time in 6 years, od light starts flashing after driving for approx 1 hour on highway. Shifting is not with motor, temp remedy is to manual shift. If history repeats itself in approx 2,000 miles I will lose 1st gear if I continue to drive it that way in about 500 miles trans goes bye bye along with 1500-2000 george Washington's. I love the way she handles but this is bullspit looking for a 99-01 Lexus le anything.

- Levittown, NY, USA

problem #203

Mar 242007

626 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 144,800 miles
I brought a 1996 Mazda 626 used from a car lot Saturday March 24,2007 and the transmission went out the next day. I found this forum that talked about this problem after I purchased the vehicle. I just feel like something should be done about this problem.

- Forest Park, GA, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?