Transmission Failure problems of the 1998 Mazda 626 - part 1

Transmission failed in 98 Mazda 626 with 149k miles.

This is the second Mazda I have had since I ever started driving. I am 23 years old and have had my license for 4 years. My first car was a 92 Mazda mx-3, I loved the car I then started to have issues with the transmission, which pissed me off because I was very aware with the maintenance done on my car. As time passed me and the mx-3 had to part ways. I then got a 98 Mazda 626. I continued to support the Mazda movement only because I thought you had to know how to drive a car in order to own a Mazda. I'm about to have two years with this car, continuing to be aware of the maintenance and the transmission has failed. I am kind of upset. A month ago the censor in the brake pedal to switch gear had locked, when I got the part fixed the mechanic said everything was fine he made it a point to check the transmission fluid, only because I am pretty adamant about that particular fluid especially knowing the history. April 1, 2008 the car was struggling to reverse, it would jump if I would accelerate, other than that it wouldn't move. I was hesitant to believe that it was the transmission. I checked the fluid and it was super low. I bought about 4 bottles and the problem was still existent. I even started struggling to drive the car. My father thought maybe it was the cable that was loose, but no. I couldn't believe that this car hasn't complete its second year with me and its of no use. I brought it to the mechanic and he himself confirmed that it was a transmission failure. Once again the Mazda and I will soon have to part ways, which is sad I always believed that Mazdas were good vehicles. I am now discouraged about purchasing a Mazda in the future. I am not sure what this scenario will do but hopefully they get this problem fixed. I understand it's not a brand new car but if its well kept it is a bit agitating. I don't see myself being a loyal customer to Mazda, when Mazda has yet to be loyal to me.

Transmission failure. I know of a lot of people with 626's that has transmission problems, and the bad thing about it is Mazda knew about it. We are hoping to get Mazda to do something about it, it's pathetic. I was hoping I wouldn't have any problems out of mine, but I have. We need to have something done about this, I can't afford to replace this transmission, and Mazda knows about it. Why don't they do a recall? it could pose as a hazard. My car erratically changes gears, and rpms, it could just stop in the middle of the road and cause a serious wreck. Why wait until accidents happen, why not go ahead and do a recall????.

I have a 1998 Mazda 626 with 120,000 miles on it. I have had the original tranny rebuilt once then replaced with a new transmission and now it has been sitting for 6 months with another transmission failure. This time the transmission malfunctioning has cost me a very good job. This is insane and it is my understanding that this is a very common problem.

Transmission failure.

My Mazda 626 transmission fail 3 times in 18 months.

The contact owns a 1998 Mazda 626. When the gear was shifted into drive, the vehicle would not accelerate. The vehicle would not drive in reverse or drive unless the gear was placed in neutral. The repair shop stated that the transmission failed. No repairs were made. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 110,000 and current mileage was 135,000.

I had my first Mazda 626 transmission fail at 65,000 miles and I got it replaced, and then at 120,000 my transmission needed to be reaplced again. Therewas obviously something wrong with the Mazda 626 transmission, and there should be a recall and some financial compensation to all those who have had problems.

Transmission failure, repaired recurring problem.

We are complaining about our 1998 Mazda 626 because the transmission failed with only 76,691 miles on the car. We are the original owners, so that mileage is correct. The total cost to have it rebuilt was $2,222. 87. Had this happened on the highway in heavy traffic, there certainly would have been a horrible accident with serious, if not fatal injuries. When we looked on the internet, we found many other people complaining of transmission problems. The problem, which Mazda is aware of is, it that they put a Ford transmission in the Mazda 626, but this transmission was meant for a smaller, lighter car, which is the reason for the overheating and eventual transmission failure. Their bulletin TSB# 0500502. Addresses this problem. Mazda has refused to replace these transmissions or compensate owners for this problem. Since this transmission failure happens very suddenly, it is only a matter of time before someone is gravely injured or killed in an accident on a busy highway. Please make Mazda do the right thing!.

1998 Mazda 626 transmission failure.

Mazda dealer diagnosis po732 and po734 internal transmission failure of 1998 Mazda 626.

Transmission failure. . . Almost got into an accident on the freeway when my cars transmission failed. Luckily there was some traffic on the freeway. It has been doing that for the past month.

The transmission on my 1998 Mazda 626 with 89,000 miles just failed. According to my mechanic, a pump failed, and now my car has "no forward gears. " I have since learned that transmission failures are very common with this model, due to a design flaw of which Mazda is aware. I am currently having the transmission rebuilt, but I believe that Mazda should be held responsible for not recalling this model and correcting this problem.

I own a 1998 Mazda 626 4 cylinder automatic transmission, the transmission has failed twice now, 1st repair was over $2,000 second repair will be just as much or more. After checking message boards on the internet and talking to transmission mechanics this is a huge problem with all these Ford/Mazda vehicles. With a failure rate this high and continual problems with these vehicles over several years some sort of recall needs to be made. There is also a danger factor with these transmissions, they have a huge tendency to over heat causing transmission fluid to boil over through the dipstick causing oil slicks on streets and highways.

Transmission failure on Mazda 626 ( again) second time.

: the contact stated the vehicle jerked when the accelerator pedal was depressed. At 50,000 miles the transmission was flushed and the fluid was black. The repair shop determined the seals on the gaskets were worn and the transmission needed to be replaced within 30,000 miles. Then, while traveling 40 mph, the transmission failed. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop who determined a rebuilt transmission needed to be installed.

Hello, we have a 2. 0l engine and automatic transmission in our Mazda 626 which was purchased new in 1998. The car has always been serviced on a regular basis. We have just experienced a major transmission failure at 99,000 miles after driving the car about 250 miles on a 95 degree day. A TSB was issued by Mazda in 2002 but current owners were not sent any notification regarding this issue. We are looking at a fairly substantial ($2500) repair bill on an issue that should not have occurred on a vehicle with this low of miles that has been properly maintained, and never abused. Mazda has known of this issue and there are hundreds, if not thousands of documented failures on this issue, yet they have refused to do anything to correct this issue.

Purchased car used one week ago and immediately transmission failure at ~155k probably earlier. . . Awaiting repairs costing 3k dollars.

Mazda 626 4 cylinder, 4 door, automatic; 93k mi; transmission failed due to internal overheating (ã‚o/d offã‚쳜 light flashes). I never used this car to tow anything; driving pattern is very light. Approximately 40 miles daily to work on highway at 40-60 m/h speed (traffic). My research shows that Mazda was clearly aware of this problem - sb0500502/NHTSA 634465. Sb details a very simple and relatively inexpensive fix - external trans oil cooler. Dealer clearly states the car is not safe to drive. If it was not safe to drive my family uses this car routinely why would Mazda be so negligent and not advice owners of this potential risk and the alternative repairs, which would save thousands of dollars in property damage? it is now in the thousands to fix the car.

: the contact stated the vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop for an oil change at 40,000 miles. During the oil change the mechanic discovered the transmission fluid was discolored and recommended further diagnostic testing of the transmission. The diagnostic testing was not completed and the vehicle was driven until the transmission failed at 58,000 miles. While attempting to pulling from a parking space the vehicle stalled and it was pushed back into the parking space. A local mechanic came to the scene, inspected the vehicle and determined the transmission failed.

Transmission failure - would not go into d.

Transmission failure car 120,000 miles and has been diagnosed by a technician to need transmission replacement (technical service bulletin #05-00502).

Automatic transmission failure.

I own a Mazda 626 1998, 4 cylinder. The automatic transmission just failed on me at 79000 miles. I was jammed on the highway until I got towed to the dealer who sold me the car. This car was bought new and was driven by my wife from 1998 to 2004. It was never abused. It started slipping at drive position when I got out of my driveway the day before it broke I had to remove o/d to engage and move forward. Then, put o/d on at approximately 50 m/h to drive on the highway. I had also a first failure on Jan 04,2003 at 46500 miles. Lost transmission parts directly in the street ! it was repaired under warranty and dealer said the transmission was a-1 like a new one. Now warranty is over and my dealer is asking for $3726 to fix !! no deal to do! not even split costs half and half. This transmission had a defect for sure. So got the car towed elsewhere for lower repair cost ($1900 ).

1998 madza 626 transmission failure while entering interstate with vehicles traveling at 60+ mph. Before purchasing this vehicle, I did my research. I found that transmission failure was a know problem in Mazdas but the car salesman assured me that the transmission problem existed only in the model previous to the 1998 which I was interested in. She stated that after the design of the emblem was changed, this problem as well had been corrected. This was a lie. I was entering interstate ongoing a ramp when all of a sudden my car stopped pulling and all I could see was car rushing towards my rear end and steering to avoid hitting my rapidly slowing vehicle. I called the lot where I purchased the vehicle but nothing could be done.

I have a 1998 Mazda 626 lx 4 cylinder automatic. The transmission failed and is giving jerky movements while driving especially after a extended driving. Estimated cost is 3375 plus taxes. I read about similar problems on the web and did not know if anyone else complained to you.

Major transmission failure after 91000 miles on a 626 Mazda 2. 0l automatic. While driving on a highway transmission would just give out making engine just rev with no power. Forcing me to drive off road to preventing an incident.

My transmission has failed, #cd4e, and as I understand there have been several complaints about it. I would like to know if a recall will be/has been issued. If not can I purchase anywhere at discount??.

Transmission failed. Problem appears to be common to all 626's manufactured in the late 90's.

1) from early on, the transmission was always jerking and shifting late. We took it to a transmission shop and also to a Mazda dealer, who told us that it would need to be replaced. After doing web research, we found that these were Ford transmissions that would ultimately fail due to overheating and that even with a replacement the problem would recur. 2) on 2/22/05 the transmission finally failed for good (at 130,000 miles). In spite of Mazda's knowledge of this problem, and their lack of public acknowledgement, they have done nothing to accomodate us. The engine runs well and the body is in great shape, but the vehicle is now undrivable. ) we will probably junk the car, since it is well-known that even if replaced, the transmission will have a high probability of failure.

The transmission in my Mazda 626 failed in 2003 at 83,000 miles, and I had a rebuilt Mazda transmission used to replace it at a cost of $2,500. Now, two years later at 103,000 miles the automatic transmission has failed again, and the repair estimate is again approximately $2,500. In the first instance, the car became suddenly undrivable in trafffic, causing me to need assistance from other drivers to remove the car from the busy roadway. With this latest failure, I discerned the problem before total failure resulted in the car's undrivability--though my mechanic says failure is imminent. I believe it goes without saying that the transmission in this car is defective in some way (information from my mechanic and anecdotal evidence would seem to back this up) and should be recalled and my expenses with this car reimbursed by Mazda.

Transmission failure at 82,000 miles (on an already rebuilt transmission).

Ijust bought my 626 about 6 months ago and it is having major problems that it did not have when I bought it. The transmission is failling, it jerks, it smokes, and sometimes it will not even go. To get it fixed I will have to pay about $3000 unless they find more problems in the car. I see many people have the same problem as me and I do not understand why they don't fix it.

Another Mazda 626 transmission failure sob story. Just spent $2100 for a new transmission. I have no confidence the problems are solved. Shifts often feel rough, speedometer bounces. Lousy gas mileage. "mechanics" have replaced speed sensor three times. . . No help. Hope I can sell this position.