Three problems related to transmission gear slipping have been reported for the 2002 Mazda 626. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2002 Mazda 626 based on all problems reported for the 2002 626.
Transmission failure, 2002 Mazda 626 4cyl. Transmission began slipping and shifting hard between 2nd and 3rd gears. 97,000 miles but had regular "harsh conditions" maintenance as it was being operated in the az desert heat. Transmission was rebuilt but now shifts hard 1st to 2nd in addition to 2nd and 3rd despite being sent back. There are widespread failures of 626 transmissions but Mazda was never forced by the government to issue a recall. The transmission is too small for the weight of the vehicle per some reports. $2,500 for rebuilt transmission. I've never had a automatic transmission go out this soon and I have been driving for 35 years.
Purchased a used 2002 Mazda 626 and the transmission was slipping. The wrrranty company denied there was a problem , and this car was under warranty at the present time. Meanwhile the car has been sitting for a week and nothing has been done on the vehicle.
No crashes or injuries just yet, but I purchased a 2002 Mazda 626 brand new after I was talked into it by the dealership. I had a 2001 626 with a manual transmission that I brought in to be serviced by the dealership (five star Mazda). They told me that they could get me into a brand new 626 with an automatic transmission for less per month than I was paying at the time. Being young, and just purchased a home with one child and another on the way, I jumped at the idea of decreasing the amount of our bills. I also thought it would be easier to deal with two little ones if I didn't have to fool with a manual transmission. I sure wish I'd have kept that car now!! one year following the expiration of the warranty (2005), you guessed it, the transmission started to slip. When I took it into five star Mazda, they charged me $90 to run diagnostics on the car (even though according to numerous internet posts, they already new the problem!) at any rate, they contacted me later that day to let me know that it would be nearly $3000 to repair the transmission, and would I like to keep it there to have it done. Hello, let me just climb up my money tree and hand it right over!!! we recently filed a bankruptcy and are unable to just go get a loan or put it on a credit card, we would be in contempt of court. There is absolutely nothing we can do about this. I'm sorry, but Mazda has known of this problem since 1993? why hasn't something been done about this? the consumer should not have to pay for their mistake! especially given the fact that I still have to pay on the loan, I simply do not have the extra money to even save up for repair bills costing the amount of another car!! the car worsens daily, and given the fact that it takes an incredible amount of time to build up speed, if a car is even in sight range of mine, I cannot drive out in front of it.