Four problems related to transmission fluid leaking have been reported for the 1997 Mazda 626. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
In Feb. 2005 I purchased a 97 Mazda 626 with 74000 miles on it. About 2 months later the check engine light came on. It started idling at 500-2500 rpms and had trouble switching gears. Around 75 mph it would cut out and drop to 60 mph before jerking back into gear. Last month my o/d off light came on and my car starting leaking transmission fluid. I had that fixed, had a new O2 sensor put in, and my o/d off light is still coming on. Now my overdrive doesnt work at all and I have trouble switching it out of low gears. I have been told I need a new transmission, after already putting a great deal of money into repairs. I have 84000 miles on it right now, and after seeing hundreds of other similiar complaints online, am outraged that Mazda is doing nothing as far as a recall.
I just bought a 1997 Mazda 626 it has about 97,000 miles on it and my transmission is already failing. The over drive light turns on and the transmission skips. The mechanic says its a sensor but its not. It's also leaking transmission fluid.
Transmission fluid is leaking all the time. Had the transmission seal replaced, but it is still leaking. Leak is due to defective design of transmission (loose bearing), I was told. It sounds like I will have to get another transmission. This is unacceptable at 75k miles. This car is a lemon and is dangerous to drive when the transmission is likely to go out. The transmission needs to be recalled.
The vehicle began shifting very roughly, then the overdrive started blinking and the vehicle ceased to shift, I was stuck in 3rd gear. There was a small "bang" in the engine compartment, then check engine light illuminated. I pulled over to a fuel station and opened the hood. There was transmission fluid all over the interior of the engine compartment, 1+ quarts. I could find no obvious leaks, but purchased some additional fluid and refilled what was lost. Since then whenever it is warm out or the car is driven for over an hour in temperatures above ~50 f, it shifts very rough and the od light and check engine light come on. I have since learned that this is a very common problem among 2. 0l Mazda 626's with an automatic transmission. They apparently overheat very easily. I have been told I am lucky that the transmission has not failed on me. I've taken it apart and cleaned it out several times. I also change the transmission fluid frequently. These above average maintenance routines are likely what has kept the transmission from failing altogether. The vehicle is barely tolerable to drive when it is having these problems as it will slam into the next gear hard enough to jerk the occupants forward or backward.