Automatic Transmission problems of the 1998 Mazda Protege

Automatic transmission problems. Vehicle downshifts for no reason. Intermittent times car will downshift to lower gear when foot removed from accelerator pedal whether on streets or freeway. Car is renderd unusable by wife.

Car will thrust forward, jerking car & passengers - manufacturer says detected in 1996-1998 models as normal.

The over drive light malfunctioned which caused the vehicle to drop into a lower gear, an the engine acted as though it would stall and then bucked erratically.

I have returned my car for repairs a total of six times since new purchase in July 1998. The converter was replaced, but the car still has an egg smell. It also hesitates when shifting at low speeds. I filed a lemon law complaint in may 1999.

Automatic transmission has not completely failed, car is still being driven due to fact that dealer is 90 miles away. Problem is most noticeable when car is still cold. When vehicle is slowed for an intersection or stop sign, if you don't come to a complete stop, there is a very hard "thump" felt upon acceleration. Has been getting noticeably worse with time. As far as the door handle is concerned, one day it just stopped working, the handle moves in and out, it just doesn't open the door.

Transmition hesitates and jerks when shifting,and shifts into passing gear at any time. It has serged ahead from stop nearly causing loss of control.

Mazda issued service bulletin 014/98 dated 12/9/98 regarding automatic transmission "shift shock" problem on the vehicle, most pronounced in 1st and 2nd gear shifting. Dealer (neil huffman Mazda in louisville, ky) attempted repair on 12/29/98, per bulletin, but problem arose again 500 miles later. Problem now worse than before repair. Took car back to dealer on 1/26/99, but they claim that hard shifting is normal. Dealer would not take further action. Plan to contact manufacturer within next 7 days regarding problem.

Automatic transmission hesitates and jerks when shifting from first to second gear.

I have had this car back to the dealer three times since June 1998 when I bought it "new" for hesitation in the transmission. Each time they have not been able to fix the problem and tell me it is a normal condition for it to hesitate. The car does it badly at low speeds but runs great at highway and interstate speeds. There is definately a problem that they said they were aware of, but there is nothing they can do about it. They contridict themselves by saying it is a normal condition, but then they also try to fix it? I have driven other Proteges off their lot, and they do not hesitate. Mine did not either when I bought it. I have wasted many days off of work, driving almost two hours one way, and many miles wasted off my warranty to solve this problem. Your assistance is greatly appreciated.