30th Mar 2005, 11:32
I just bought a 1995 Mazda 626 LX about a week ago at a car auction. It had 116,000 miles on it. I found out yesterday that the transmission needs to be replaced. It won't even shift out of first gear. I have read from a lot of places that the Mazda 626 is the worst car as far as the transmission goes. I have been told it's going to cost me anywhere from
$500-2,000 to get it fixed.
4th Aug 2005, 15:13
I have a 2000 Mazda 626 LX, my driver side door lock motor does not work becuase it burned out. I have to lock the driver side door manually. This is my first and last Mazda.
17th Oct 2005, 15:55
I have owned 2 Mazda 626's, both purchased used, and BOTH had to have the transmission rebuilt... one at 72,000 the other at 102,000 (a month after I purchased it.) To be honest-- I love these cars to much I might just buy another. But I learned after the first one, to buy the extended warranty, because without fail-- the TRANSMISSION would need to be replaced.
I have taken both on extremely long car trips, given them minimum upkeep. Aside from the Tranny, I love this car!
23rd May 2006, 14:02
I own a 2000 Mazda 626 and am currently facing spending anywhere from $2000-$3000 for a new transmission. in the past I have had to repair the back passenger door because it would not open. I just replaced two motor mounts to the tune of $461. At present, my emergency brake is useless and cannot be lifted to engage the brake. I do not intend to ever purchase another Mazda of any kind. I would certainly think the company would stand behind it's product a little better than this.
24th Jul 2006, 20:37
The transmissions are fine, however they generate too much heat for the Automatic Transmission Cooling provisions incorporated into the original design. Is it HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that you invest in a low cost aux. transmission cooler (ask you mechanic / dealer) they run from 40-80bucks. Very sound investment if you would like years of service from your Mazda autobox!
4th Oct 2007, 13:08
I own a 2000 Mazda 626LX. Bought used in 2003 w/30,000 miles and one previous owner. Currently at 120,000 mostly highway miles. Have not had to spend much in repairs on this car and have taken very good care with regular maintenance.
Almost one month ago on the highway the o/d light started flashing and it couldn't decide which gear it wanted to be in. Had to continually pull over and park until the o/d light went off. It was not constantly in this state; it was pretty much randomly going from running great to freaking out! Noticed the situation was MUCH worse with the a.c. on and when going uphill.
Had the transmission serviced, tune-up, oil change. My wonderful (literally!) car guy said he put lubricant in the transmission and if this does not fix the problem in one week, we probably need to replace the transmission. Also said that he did not get a reading on his "meter" when he hooked the car up to see what it said about the o/d light flashing.
Has been 3 weeks since then. Car had a terrible fit once w/a.c. on and the check engine light came on, which is new up to this point. Been driving in town only and always w/a.c. off! Only have problems when going over 40 mph or uphill! Check engine light still on.
But today when I went home for lunch I noticed a fan was still running even though the car was off. I waited and listened a few minutes to be sure I was not crazy, then turned car on and back off again. Fan was still running. Went inside to eat lunch. 45 minutes later, upon returning to my car, it was still running!!! Car started fine and brought me to work where I sit now wondering if the fan is still running; (will check). Yep, still running. Will call my car man and this lawsuit number!
22nd Jul 2009, 15:56
We have a 2002 626 and the transmission just started to clack under acceleration. It won't even go at all unless you turn off the O/D. You can't even get one from a wrecking yard for under $1050.00 because the demand is so high. Rebuilt are $1500.00. The car runs great other than this.
Lesson learned.
7th Oct 2009, 19:03
I bought this very same car just a year ago used, and it gave me so many problems over the 12 months.
The motor mounts were falling apart.
Had to replace two CV joint axles.
Battery died.
Passenger window wouldn't come up, transmission was going bad.
The struts started leaking, coolant leaked from radiator, and the engine went shot while I was driving on a 2 hour vacation trip.
It just turned out to be too many costly repairs every month. This car isn't very reliable, and I wouldn't ever recommend this unless it was brand new or the buyer is a mechanic..
20th Nov 2009, 14:06
I have 2000 Mazda 626 and my transmission is doing the same thing.. pretty beat.
2nd Mar 2010, 08:38
I couldn't agree more with these comments. I have a 200 Mazda 626, and wouldn't you believe it, less than 6,000 miles after my warranty ran out, the transmission failed. The over drive light was blinking on and off, and I couldn't turn it off myself.
I got it repaired, and 10,000 miles later, it faulted again. Got it repaired again, and 2,000 miles later it went out again. The first time I put it on Mazda, but the other 2 have to fall on Mazda and the repairmen. Currently it sits collecting dust, because I refuse to pay for it again.
31st Mar 2010, 22:35
I have had all the same problems that everyone else has mentioned in their comments: O/D light, check engine light, CV joints, struts.
I've also had trouble with the water reservoir. I just replaced it a month ago, and it looks like I'll have to replace it again.
I have not had trouble with transmission yet, but it looks like I can look forward to that happening.
25th Jun 2010, 12:52
I have a 2000 626 where the tranny failed at 130k miles (got lucky I guess). Due to the hard shifting/inability to decide what gear to use over 40 mph. All the other classic symptoms (o/d off light on/blinking). Took the car home and it started doing the same thing again.
Took it back to the shop, and they ended up replacing a switching unit that determines when to shift. Apparently giving the wrong signals. Seemed to fix it for now. Getting rid of this car at the earliest opportunity. Hopefully will last a few more months through the summer.
3rd Jul 2010, 14:10
On the post made on June 25 2010, do you know exactly what they replaced to stop it from shifting up and down???
27th Aug 2010, 13:12
I purchased a used 2000 Mazda 626 in July 2001 with 26,000 miles. I currently have 154,000 miles, and 2 days ago experienced an issue with the O/D light and jerking of the transmission. I feel blessed not to have experienced major mechanical problems. However, last year I did replace the transmission mounts and struts. My mechanic will rebuild the Mazda's transmission for $1200 (including labor). I will invest in an external cooler for the transmission to prolong its life.
3rd Mar 2005, 17:48
I owned 94 Mazda 626 and I had the same problem that the transmission had to be replaced at around 122K miles. That's a whopping $1700 US dollars. I couldn't agree with you more about mazda's poor quality. Let me know about the class action lawsuit. It would be very interesting!