Overdrive Light On problems of the 1997 Mazda 626 - part 1

Mazda 626 1997 4 cylinder transmission problem once the o/d off light came on. When I shift into reverse, sometime it does not move. After driving for a few minutes the car jerks and struggles with erratic shifting of gears. This is accompanied by an increase in the engine rpm and noise. Car still drives but may not be safe. Check engine light shows fault with transmission range switch.

I drove my 1997 Mazda 626 for a day after I bought it from a used car salesman as is. All of a sudden the o/d off light came on and on, then parked it, and just 20 mins later I could not reverse it. When I shift into neutral it acts as if its in drive and neutral in reverse and drive is drive. I've read online about people with the same car having the exact same problems and was told to file a complaint here. Please bring Mazda to justice on their 626 trannys!!.

I purchased a 1997 Mazda 626 with 90,000 miles on it in January 2007. Recently, at 112k, the o/d light began flashing and the car jerked and struggled to shift gears. I took it to four different automotive mechanic shops and they all ran an estimate and told me the same thing - that the Ford cd4e transmission in it is failing and it's only a matter of time before it quits completely. They also all informed me that this is a typical problem with this type and year transmission. It is very devastating to me because I am on a very limited income and it had proven to be such a reliable car aside from the transmission problem, running gas at aprox. 30 mpg. As I used a popular search engine to find "Mazda 626 transmissions" hoping to purchase a new one, instead I was greeted with thousands of pages upon pages of complaints on the exact same problem I have encountered with the Ford cd4e transmission. Neither Ford nor Mazda has done anything to accept responsibility; this should be inexcusable!.

The contact stated while driving on the freeway at 55 mph the overdrive light blinked on and off. Then, the vehicle will not go over 40 mph, and the rpms increased to 6,000. Had to pull the vehicle over and wait for the rpms to go down. The vehicle was taken to the dealership, and they stated there was too much pressure in the transmission. He took the vehicle to a mechanic , who rebuilt the transmission, but the same problem recurred.

Viloent jerks and stalling of the transmission. O/d light flashes after driving for 45 minutes to an hour. The check engine light comes on also as a result.

I have a 1997 Mazda, that I baught from my friend in 2001. It had a transmission breakdown when at had around 30k miles on it. Transmission was replaced by Mazda as it was still under warrenty. Now it has 112k miles on it and the overdrive light blinks. I was searching on the web to get some clue on the problem and I found plenty of people complaining about the same problem and replacing their transmission with thousands of dollars. My beleif is that there is a manufacturing defect on this vehicle. It should be fixed by the company and not cost the owners thousands of dollars. So far nothing dangerous has happened but it should be fixed before some thing happens.

Mazda premature transmission failure at 90000. O/d light blinks and transmission overheats. Poor placement of transmission filter. This transmission is manufactured I believe from 95-2000 and many complaints have arose throughout all production years. All over the internet including a class action being filed in michigan. I think it should be nationally filed. Dealerships are non responsive.

Well first off I was driving and my speed started to drop so naturally I pressed the gas harder and harder and the rpms just kept shooting up and the car wouldn't go and my engine was roaring like a mustang trying to race someone. So my overdrive light in the dash starting blinking on and off and I knew something was screwy so I pulled off to the side and restarted my car. My car wouldn't go anywhere when I pushed the gas the rpm needle would just shoot up as if I had my car in park. After having it towed all over town, to find the best quality service on a new transmission I learned that 626s' have the worst transmissions ever!!! it cost me $2,000 for a new transmission. I think I deserve to be reimbursed, as well as the other people who have had the same problem.

Has an automatic transmission. When driven at high speeds (over 70 mph) the o/d light begins to blink and the engine revs an extra 400 rpms while maintaining the same speed. When driven at lower speeds, transmission shifts harshly. Took it to a dealer to have it checked and the dealer says that the transmission is ready to give up and replacing it will cost me $3400. Mazda needs to remedied this issue before this problem turns deadly.

This automobile was purchased for my out of state college student. Upon returning to school from thanksgiving break the o/d off light began flashing, followed by erratic transmission problems driving. He stopped the vehicle and called home. Once the vehicle comes to a stop, in gear, it ceases to be able to move again until the engine is stopped. After approximately 1 minute the vehicle can be restarted and the transmission placed into gear and movement occurs. I had it taken to a Mazda dealership and was told the transmission needed to be replaced at a cost of $3000. Absolutely ridiculous! I had the vehicle towed to my local mechanic who dropped the transmission pan, discovered a lot of metal shavings and also suggested replacing the transmission. After reviewing other compaints on this web site, it is obvious that their is an issue with this model of transmission that should be addressed by the manufacturer. I know this is a Ford transmission also found in the contour model but have not inquired about these complaints. This needs to be addressed and investigated. It has been a long time coming with no visible results. Somebody do something!!.

I have a 97 Mazda 626 with 88000 miles and the automatic transmission is failing. Strated out with a problem shifting to third gear, but now the o/d light is blinking. The mechanic says that it need a new transmission that will cost $2000. I have maintained this car pretty well and it shouldn't have problems, unless the producty is faulty. So many people have complained about this problem. Something should be done.

My 97 Mazda 626lx automatic has 59k miles, the transmission started slipping yesterday, and the rpm's rev up to 5000 or 6000 on normal acceleration. The o/d light is flashing, and at a steady speed of 55 mph, the rpms stay at 5000. It is having a hard time shifting from 1st to 2nd - by the time I'm at 25 mph, the rpm's are at 6000. I took it in, and bottom line, I need a new transmission - at $2,900. I looked online, and found dozens, maybe hundreds of similar complaints about the 97 Mazda 626. 59k miles is awfully low to need a new transmission. I have kept excellent upkeep and maintenance on this vehicle.

I bought a 1997 Mazda 626 and has been having nothing but problems out of it!! my o/d (over drive) light blinks constantly non stop and the transmission jerks real hard when changing gears. Today the transmission went out all the way! its obvious that Mazda knows about this problme because when I took it to the dealership he didn't even look at my car, I told him the problem I was having and he said you need a transmission because all Mazda do that. Well I have only had the car for a couple of months, so why is all the transmissions going bad in them? I receive no answer from the dealership, and now iam about to be all a bunch of money to fix this problem, money I don't have! and hard to get while you have no way back and forth to work to even get the money! well I really think Mazda needs to recall the transmission for their cars. The o/d light blinked for about 2 weeks everytime I took to a tranmission place it stopped blinking like a ghost! well its going to cost me 2,600 to fix it so Mazda needs to pay at least half of it considering I haven't even had the car long and the owner before me told me he just had to replace the radiator and timing belt. I had a 87 camry and it ran good for over 3 years never having to replace a transmission or motor! I will never buy another Mazda ever! they need to have immediate attention to this matter and at least contact there consumers and let them know they are concerned about this.

1997 Mazda 626 transmission gave up at around 85,000 miles. The o/d light blinks at speeds of 60+ mph and the car sometimes completely lose power making it a dangerous ride.

Defective transmission in my 1997 Mazda 626 lx sedan. I am only owner of my vehicle and purchased brand-new in August 1997. I took meticulous care of this car and have all receipts to prove so. A few weeks ago, the o/d light began to flash on and off and the engine light came on. Now the car does not accelerate properly and cannot travel above 60 miles per hour. I took the car to my mechanic, who recommended replacing the transmission for $2,000. I got a second opinion from the Mazda dealer, who suggested the same for $3,500-4,000. After researching this problem, I found that there are hundreds (or more) people who have experienced the same costly defect. I feel that Mazda should have issued a recall on this car. Please look into this matter, it is very upsetting.

Check engine light is activated and the o/d light is flashing. When starting from stopped the accelerator must be puched to the floor for the car to go anywhere, and it shifts very jerky. Have changed the transmission fluid and filter and the problem continues. The car only has 92 k miles and I'm afraid that the transmission needs to be replaced.

Immediately after used car purchase in June 2003 the 1997 Mazda 626 required transmission rebuild. Six months later at my expense over $3000 required to rebuild transmission. Since then has been in shop over six time with recurring overdrive light blinking, overheating and poor shifting. Two coolers have been installed. The engine thermostat replacement, battery replacement, oil change and tuneup have not prevented a recurrence. After 100 to 150 miles of hiway driving the o/d light blinks and transmission overheats.

Transmission failure had to be replaced, overdrive light constantly flashing, dealers stated was oxygen sensor replaced both sensors, problem not solved, replaced transmission replaced several days later with another, first replacement was defective.

Defective 1997 Mazda 626 transmission. Failure after only 65,000 miles. Overdrive off light starts blinking and transmission starts acting up. I've been surfing the internet and found that many people have encountered this problem. Many of them with even less miles. This transmission is clearly defective and something needs to be done, especially since the cost of fixing this problem is over $2000.

Consumer states overdrive light comes on intermittently, causing vehicle to jerk and stall. Dealer notified.

Transmission rebuilt 1 year ago, and has been into the shop to be fixed 6 times since that. The overdrive light flashes on and off, which means there is still more trouble with the transmission.

I have had numerous problems out of my transmission on my 1997 Mazda 626 v4 automatic. I have taken my car to a transmission mechanic shop 3 times now and one of the times it had to be towed, and they cannot find what the problem is. The overdrive light would come on and constantly flash and the car would start shifting hard and sometimes would not want to shift into passing gear at all. But once it sets for a few hours and cools down, the overdrive light doesn't come on anymore and the mechanic shop tells me that the car has reset it's self and they cannot detect the defect code by their computer diagnostics. It seems like the overdrive light only comes on when you have had the car on the road for a while, and it gets heated up. I have read several other transmission complaints from other Mazda 626 owners off the internet and in my local residence area. I'am requesting that there needs to be something done about these transmission problems by Mazda. Mazda needs to have a recall on the Mazda 626 v4 cars, by requesting people to go to their local Mazda dealership and have their car checked for these transmission problems. And if a problem is detected on the transmission by the Mazda service department, then Mazda should be financially responsible for the charges. I would like for Mazda to contact me about my complaint. Thank you.

I have a 1997 Mazda 626. The transmission has been rebuilt since I bought the car (2002). I have since had to have the motor replaced and the transmission is acting up again. The o/d light is flashing off and on again as well as the check engine light. It also shifts roughly.

1)new car purchase Aug 1997 - 5 miles;2)transmission replacement Feb 1999~38,000 miles;3)transmission replacement Dec 1999~57000 miles;4)informed at 130k miles that I needed another transmission ( with each transmission clearly having less than an average of 60,000 miles on it. In each case my o/d light flashed on the dashboard, immediately sending a signal to turn on the check engine light. I sent formal complaints to Mazda, the dealership and since have sent complaints to the attorney general's office. I have learned of TSB # 0500502 (which you do not show on your site). Yesterday (07/25/2005) I learned that there have been several consumer complaints and today I learned of NHTSA. Since there are no set number of complaints needed before a recall is issued and considering the severity of this issue, why was a recall not issued? I sent a complaint letter to town north Mazda (dealership where I purchased my vehicle) while looking for transmission repair facilities, I ran across this article and am out done by the blatant disloyalty and failure on the part of Mazda/Ford motors to stand behind its products via recall or some other means. . Read more...

My husband and I had bought our 1997 Mazda 626 lx used that we had for 40 months now and our 1st transmission failure happened at about 68,000 miles in April 2002, and now our transmission is failing again this will mark the 2nd time that we have to fix this transmission the first time it cost us $2,160. 53. Also our o/d light has been flashing off and on since our transmission first messed up just last year. Its really messed up that it has just been a little over a year and it is time to fix this transmission again. If there is any class action lawsuits that is going to be filed against this situation we are going to make sure that we join in. There are cars that run for years that never need transmissions fixed, if we knew this car had this many complaints and problems we would have never got it!!.

I feel the need to do my civic duty by reporting this problem because a lot of 626 owners are having drive-train-transmission problems and eventually enough of us will get them to recall and pay for the problem. Flashing o/d off light started flashing periodical about 12 months ago. Took vehicle in concerning other problems to ingram park Mazda, 6990 NW loop 410 san antonio, TX (210) 406-0122, and the afternoon I picked up the car the o/d off light started flashing. I immediately called jeff varhoff, service consultant, and he told me that the clutch on those cars are really thin and that the transmission is probably fixing to 'go out'. He suggested that I either repair it now, let it go all the way out and then get it fixed or get rid of the car. It would be around $2500 to fix he told me. On the evening of Feb. 26, 2002 the transmission did finally go out and the car will crank but the engine spins. I have found a lot on the internet concerning this problem but most of the problems happened earlier in the cars life-span.

While driving from sarasota to wpb going approx 65-70 mph the o/d off light started blinking although it wasnt off. The check engine light came on and the next day I took it to the dealer and I was told the transmission was failing and suggested I have the transmission serviced and watch and see since the trans wasnt slipping. Well 1 month later while traveling again from sarasota to wpb not only did the o/d off light come on while trying to pass the trans did slip. I was told the trans would need to be replaced and since I had complained to Mazda that there was absolutely no reason a 57k trans should be failing they offered to pay for the trans but I would be responsible for labor. At this time I have yet to have it done and will insist that Mazda pay for the labor also. I have done a lot of research and this apparently is a major problem with these certain trans. I had mentioned to stephanie at Mazda customer service that I found it funny that Mazda will recall gas caps, but yet with such a defective transmission, not a thing is mentioned. I absolutely can not believe that these transmissions have not been recalled. Is it because not enough people have complained? or is it that no one has died? how does this work. I am very upset with this and it needs to be taken c are of. Mazda will not do anything unless they are made to. Please investigate this. I have seen hundreds of complaints on this exact problem on sites such as complaintcenter. Com, complaincenter. Com, yahoo forums,dustbury. Com/626/trans. Html etc. Etc.

While driving 200 miles across state on sr 70 my o/d off light began to blink and my check engine light came on. I took it to the Mazda dealer that week and was told that I was having transmission failure and was told that codes p1744, p0741 & p1783 came up during a diagnostics test. I was told that I should have a transmission service and "wait and see" since my gears weren't slipping at the time. Last week during the same drive across state my o/d off light started blinking again, and this time while trying to pass a car on sr 70 (a 2 lane hwy) the transmission slipped as I was in the oncoming lane. Fortunately it kicked back in and I didnt have the problem again. (havent traveled since then) I took it back to Mazda and was told that they would pay for the transmission, (since I had called last month to complain that there was absolutely no reason why a car w/ 57k miles should have a failing transmission, unless ofcourse it was defective. They offered to pay for the trans, but I am still responsible for the labor and was offered no warranty. I have done a lot of research and have found that these 626 transmission chronically have this problem and I have found hundreds of complaints about it online. I can not believe it has not been recalled. Have not enough people complained, would it cost Mazda too much money or do they really believe that this is not a problem? well as a single mother who relys on her car and still owes $12k on it, it is a problem. A big problem and I hope that corrective measures are taken.

I own a 1997 Mazda 626 ES v6. The first transmission failed at about 68000 miles, and now, at almost 200k miles, another is having problems. This is apparently a common problem, as I have found a number of websites with literally hundreds of complaints regarding the cars equipped with the cd4e automatic transmission. The first transmission I was told due to excessive heat. According to each of these websites discussed above, this is one of the common problems with this transmission. The problem we are having now is another apparently common issue. The o/d light will blink on and off continuously, and the car will shift from 3rd to 4th repeatedly while driving. My wife drives this car with three of our children daily, therefore, the problems deeply concern me, since some of the complaints on these sites involve the transmission locking up at freeway speeds. After speaking with the NHTSA, the rep informed me 335 complaints have been filed regarding this vehicle, with many of them for the same reason. All people who have complained on the above mentioned sites have been told by Mazda these problems are not Mazda's, but the consumers. According to most of my research, all 626 models from 1994 to 2000 are equipped with the faulty transmission, and being this is a Ford transmission, the Ford probes of corresponding years are affected as well. The first transmission was replaced, the old transmission is not available. The consequences of this failure were as follows: I missed four days of work due to this being our only vehicle at the time. My wife was the one driving, and was stranded on the side of state highway 101 with my son and infant daughter after the transmission stopped working altogether while driving at roughly 65 mph.

Transmission hesitating when shifting, overdrive will suddenly kick out at any speed, overdrive light will flash.

While driving consumer had stopped at a red light, and trying to make a turn vehicle was hesitating to go, then continued to drive. Overdrive light came on, and they took vehicle over to dealership.

1997 Mazda 626 his car continues to have transmission problems. All of the problems are intermittent. Occasionally the car will not accelerate even when the rpm's climb. The automatic transmission shifts hard, it slams from gear to gear especially when shifting up a gear. Overdrive slips in and out, the overdrive light flashes when the overdrive slips. There is one isolated incident on a long highway trip where the car would not go above 45. It started to smoke and so I pulled over and shut off the car. I still have not figured out where the transmission fluid came from but when I looked under the hood there was fluid everywhere, as if about a quart of fluid had been sprayed or burst.

Transmission went out and needed to be replaced. Overdrive light came out, and gears started coming out.

In June of 2000 I was visiting family in detroit. While on the highway, my transmission began to slip. I took it to a repair shop, and they told me that I needed another transmission. They got a rebuilt transmission from Mazda, which was supposed to address a problem they had with the original factory transmission. Two and a half years later my o/d light started flashing on and off, and the Mazda dealership said I needed yet another transmission. This is my third transmission, and I've only had the car since 1999.

Vehicle was in repair shop. Computer chip and sensor had to be replaced. Also, overdrive light kept blinking, and transmission malfunctioned and has to be rebuilt.