“My car has a little less than 90,000 miles. Every time I drive this car for more than 30 miles or so, sometimes less if having to speed and slow often, my over drive light begins to flash which also makes the transmission shift erratically. If I pull over and restart the engine to stop the light from flashing and it begins to flash again shortly after my check engine light will also comes on.”
Owner complaint, filed Jul 9, 2006 at 77,000 miles
“Overdrive light flashes, engine light is on...all of it is linked to the transmission. It has already been rebuilt once and was told it will need rebuilt again. Also the car idles very rough.”
Owner complaint, filed Jul 9, 2005
Complaints and recalls over time
By year of filing
All complaintsAbout the transmissionRecall (red: the transmission)NHTSA investigation opened
Complaints about the 1996 626 peaked in 2002, with 60 filed that year. No recall on file covers the transmission, the subject of 63% of the complaints. In 2016 owners filed 3 so far.
Filed Oct 19, 20151,368,500 vehiclesMazda North American Operations
Defect. Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 1989-1998 MPV, 1990-1995 323, 1990-1998 Protege, 1992-1993 MX-3, 1993-1995 929, 1993-1997 MX-6, and 1993-1998 626 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, grease applied to the contact points inside the ignition switch may become conductive and overheat.
Risk. If the ignition switch overheats there would be an increased risk of a fire.
Remedy. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. The recall began on December 17, 2015. Owners may contact Mazda Customer Experience Center at 1-800-222-5500, option#6. Mazda's number for this recall is 8715J.
Defect. CERTAIN SPX FILTRAN FUEL FILTERS WITH A 45-DEGREE ANGLE INLET TUBE, MODEL 800F350-S1, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT FILTERS FOR 1993-1997 FORD PROBE,1993-2001 MAZDA 626 AND MX-6, AND 1983-1994 LOYAL, 3-DOOR COUPE, HATCHBACK, SEDAN, WAGON, BRAT, DL, GL, GL-10, RX, XT, AND XT6 PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH EFI OR TURBO ENGINES. THESE FILTERS ARE PACKAGED AS WIX, NAPA, AND CARQUEST BRAND FUEL FILTERS. CERTAIN SPX FILTRAN FUEL FILTERS WITH A 90-DEGREE ANGLE INLET TUBE, MODEL 800F300-S2, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT FILTERS FOR 19983-1994 SUBARU VEHICLES WITH EFI OR TURBO ENGINES. THESE FILTERS ARE PACKAGED AS WIX, NAPA, AND CARQUEST BRAND FUEL FILTERS. FUEL MAY LEAK FROM THE FILTER DUE TO NON-CONFORMING BRAZING WELDS WHERE THE INLET TUBE IS CONNECTED TO THE FILTER CAN.
Risk. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A VEHICLE FIRE CAN OCCUR.
Remedy. SPX WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND PROVIDE A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN SEPTEMBER 27, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MR. CHRIS GREESON AT 704-869-3733 OR CONTACT THE WIX INFORMATION HOTLINE AT 800-949-6698.
Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module-inactive98V249000
Filed Oct 8, 1998213,000 vehiclesMazda (north America),inc
Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE SAS SENSOR UNIT. THESE VEHICLES CAN EXPERIENCE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS IN MINOR UNDERCARRIAGE IMPACTS.
Risk. UNEXPECTED AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN RESULT IN OCCUPANT INJURY.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE SAS UNIT TO REDUCE THE PROBABILITY OF UNNECESSARY DEPLOYMENTS IN LOW SPEED UNDERCARRIAGE IMPACTS.
All 3 campaigns on file, newest first.
NHTSA investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
Before a recall there is often an investigation: NHTSA opens one when complaints or manufacturer data point to a safety defect. 4 name the 1996 626.
Opened Oct 29, 1998Closed Sep 10, 1999transmission
See resume for details.
OVERSENSITIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTEngineering analysis EA97012Closed
Opened May 23, 1997Closed Oct 9, 1998Led to recall 98V249000airbags
In may of 1997, odi upgraded to an engineering analysis with 51 complaints.odi is now aware of 88 complaints of alleged inappropriate airbag deployments.typical complaints allege that the airbags deployed after the vehicle hit a pot hole at between 20 and 45 MPH, or that the airbags deployed while driving at between 20 or 60 MPH for no apparent reason.approximately 25 drivers alleged that they did not hit anything in the roadway.mazda will conduct a safety recall ofall 1995 and 1996 models of the mazda 626 and mx-6, as well as a small number of 1997 mazda 626 models, equipped with the same …
INAPPROPRIATE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTPreliminary evaluation PE97006Closed
Opened Jan 30, 1997Closed May 23, 1997airbags
In january of 1997, odi opened a pe based on 9 odi complaints.odi is now aware of 51 complaints of alleged inappropriate air bag deployments.typical complaints include air bag deployments after the vehicle hit a pot hole while driving between 20 and 45 MPH and air bag deployments while driving at speeds between 20 and 60 MPH for no apparent reason.approximately 21 drivers alleged that they did not hit anything prior to the air bag deployment.in four of these incidents the driver claims to have lost control and hit a curb after the air bags deployed.in addition there are four incidents where …
Technical service bulletins
44 on file
Repair instructions the manufacturer sent its dealers for the 1996 626. Not recalls: the fix is usually free only while the car is under warranty.
engine 9equipment 6electrical system 6transmission 4fuel system 3airbags 2body and frame 2visibility 2
LA4A-EL TRANSAXLE FLUID LEAK AT TORQUE CONVERTER HUB SEAL. *SD
What owners reported
Newest filings
Electrical System
Filed Jun 21, 2016165,000 milesNC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MAZDA 626. WHILE DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE SENSOR LIGHT SUDDENLY ILLUMINATED AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WIRE HARNESS WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE WIRE HARNESS WAS REPLACED. APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS LATER, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE HEAD GASKET MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000.
Electrical System
Filed Mar 16, 2016OH
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MAZDA 626. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A PROGRESSING ELECTRICAL FAILURE AND UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VENT CONTROLS FAILED TO WORK FOR THE AIR CONDITIONER AND HEATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FOUR DIFFERENT INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOPS AND THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V674000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO RECEIVE THE PARTS FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER FOR MONTHS AND WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 05/10/16*LJ
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jan 25, 201680,000 milesSC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MAZDA 626. AFTER PLACING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED A FUEL ODOR UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF FOR A WHILE AND PROCEEDED TO TURN THE VEHICLE BACK ON WITH THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS ROLLED DOWN. THE CONTACT COULD NO LONGER SMELL THE FUEL ODOR AND A WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V674000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Apr 21, 2015132,000 milesKS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MAZDA 626. AFTER REFUELING THE VEHICLE, A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL EMITTED OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO FUEL VISIBLE ON THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DISCOVERED THAT THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK EXHIBITED A THREE INCH CRACK. THE MECHANIC WOULD NEED TO FIND A NEW FUEL TANK FOR THE REPLACEMENT. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE AIR INTAKE VALVE AND RADIATOR WERE FAULTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,000.
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Apr 21, 2015100,000 milesKS
THREE INCH CRACK IN TOP OF RULE TANK ,SEAT BELTS BROKE AND SLOW TO ROLE BACK UP AND PLASTIC PARTS USED IN DOOR OPENING MECHANISM BROKE. *TR
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Mar 11, 2015KS
I SMELLED GAS WHENEVER I WOULD GET GAS FOR THE CAR OR SPEED UP THE CAR. SO I TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC AND HE SAID IT WAS SOME SORT OF A PROBLEM WITH THE GAS TANK. I NEED TO KNOW WHAT IT IS. *TR
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash1 injured
Filed Feb 24, 2015213,365 milesVA
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MAZDA 626. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE SHIFTER WAS IN THE PARK POSITION AND POWERED ON, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY EXPERIENCED AN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND CRASHED INTO A BRICK PILLAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED AN INJURED BACK THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 213,365.
Power Train
Filed Jul 18, 2013140,000 milesMA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MAZDA 626. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING FROM A DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS STATED THE TORQUE CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. *TR
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 16, 2010108,750 milesMN
1996 MAZDA 626 O/D LIGHT FLASHING AND TRANSMISSION NOT SHIFTING. *TR
Air Bags1 injured
Filed Jun 28, 2010196,500 milesIA
AIRBAGS DEPLOYED IN MY 1996 MAZDA 626. WITHOUT ANY REASON, WHILE DRIVING. CAUSING SCRAPES AND BRUISING, AND THE WINDSHIELD TO CRACK. *TR
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jan 7, 2010167,000 milesCA
HI I HAVE A 1996 MAZDA 626 LX AND THE O/D LIGHT JUST WENT OFF AT 176,000 MILES. I READ SEVERAL FORUMS ONLINE AND THEY ALL SAID ITS MOST LIKELY A AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM IN THE TRANSMISSION. THIS CAN B VERY DANGEROUS TO US DRIVERS AS WELL AS DRIVERS NEXT TO US ON THE ROAD. I ADVICE TO PLEASE HAVE MAZDA RECALL ALL MODELS WITH THIS PROBLEM AND REIMBURSE US OR FIX OUR TRANSMISSIONS AT NO COST. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR READING MY POST. *TR
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jan 7, 2010167,000 milesCA
HI I HAVE A 1996 MAZDA 626 LX AND THE O/D LIGHT JUST WENT OFF AT 167,000 MILES. I READ SEVERAL FORUMS ONLINE AND THEY ALL SAID ITS MOST LIKELY A AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM IN THE TRANSMISSION. THIS CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS TO US DRIVERS AS WELL AS DRIVERS NEXT TO US ON THE ROAD. I ADVICE TO PLEASE HAVE MAZDA RECALL ALL MODELS WITH THIS PROBLEM AND REIMBURSE US OR FIX OUR TRANSMISSIONS AT NO COST. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR READING MY POST. *TR
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Sep 2, 2009126,000 milesTN
THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN MY 1996 MAZDA 626 FAILED. AS I DID RESEARCH I FOUND THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED ONCE BEFORE WITH A PREVIOUS OWNER. FURTHER RESEARCH HAS SHOWN ME THAT THE "CD4E" TRANSMISSION IN MY CAR IS A "KNOWN" DEFECTIVE PART AMONG OWNERS OF THIS PARTICULAR CAR. I ONLY HAD ENOUGH MONEY TO HAVE IT REPLACED WITH A USED TRANSMISSION THAT WAS THE SAME "CD4E" AND CAN ONLY HOPE THAT THIS ONE WILL HOLD UP FOR AWHILE. THE TOTAL COST WAS ABOUT $1200 AND I STILL HAVE THE OLD TRANSMISSION JUST IN CASE I NEED TO HAVE IT REBUILT. THIS PARTICULAR TRANSMISSION IS VERY HARD TO FIND DUE TO ITS UNRELIABILITY, MEANING THEY ARE IN GREAT DEMAND BECAUSE THEY FAIL FREQUENTLY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 31, 2009MA
SECOND TIME AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED!!! *TR
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 25, 2009143,000 milesTX
THE O/D OFF LIGHT ON VEHICLE FLASHES. I NOW UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT IS KNOWN TO MAZDA. MAZDA SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND RECALL THE TRANSMISSION IN THESE VEHICLES. THIS VEHICLE IS USED BY MY KIDS FOR TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM SCHOOL. THEY ARE AT RISK. *TR
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 19, 200992,000 milesCA
MAZDA 626 1996, OD-OFF BLINKING, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. *TR
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed May 1, 2009176,000 milesNY
TRANSMISSION SEAL LEAKING. *TR
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Oct 16, 200875,000 milesSC
TRANSMISSION FAILED ON 1996 MAZDA 626. REPLACED WITH USED TRANSMISSION THAT ALSO FAILED WITHIN 3 MONTHS. *TR
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Sep 29, 2008170,000 milesIL
I PURCHASED MY 626 IN 2003. I WISH I WOULD HAVE DONE RESEARCH BEFOREHAND. I INSTALLED A TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER THE SAME WEEK. I'M ALSO RELIGIOUS ABOUT CHANGING THE FLUID. I ONLY DRIVE IN TOWN, LESS THAN 10 MILES PER DAY. MY O/D LIGHT STARTED BLINKING AS I WAS DRIVING AT 25 MPH. I STOPPED AT A LIGHT TO MAKE A TURN AND MY CAR WOULD NOT DRIVE. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT ALLOW THE CAR TO MOVE FORWARD. I SHUT THE CAR OFF HOPING THAT WHEN I STARTED IT AGAIN THAT IT WOULD GO. THANKFULLY IT WENT THIS TIME AND I MADE IT HOME. THE LIGHT HAS BLINKED BEFORE BUT ALWAYS TURNED OFF, NOW ITS ON STEADILY. I HAVE BEEN FEELING THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING VERY FREQUENTLY OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS. WITH ALL THE PROBLEMS, WHY IS THERE NOT A RECALL? *TR
Power Train
Filed Sep 24, 2008165,822 milesMO
THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 96 MAZDA 626 JUST STARTED ACTING UP ONE DAY IT WILL WORK FINE UNTIL IT WARMS UP THEN IT STARTS SLIPPING BADLY EVENTUALLY ACTING LIKE ITS IN NEUTRAL. I HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING BUT CHANGED THE FLUID YET BUT IM SURE ILL HAVE TO. THE PERSON I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND HE HAD IT REBUILT NOW ITS DOING IT AGAIN. I GOOGLED MY PROBLEM AND IT SEEMS LIKE ITS VERY COMMON. THANK YOU WILLIAM EHORN. *TR
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jun 4, 2008120,000 milesOH
TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS IN 1996 MAZDA 626 . *TR
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed May 17, 2008150,000 milesCO
I HAVE A 96 MAZDA 626 THAT IS HAVING CONSTANT PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. I HAD IT CHECKED OUT AND AM BEING TOLD THAT IT WAS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER THAT WOULD COST WELL OVER $400 BECAUSE I NEEDED THE MAZDA BRANDED ONE FROM A DEALERSHIP. ALSO THE TRANSMISSION SWITCH IS FAULTY. WHICH THE GUY I HAD LOOKING AT THE CAR, HAD NO IDEA WHAT THAT WAS AND HAD NEVER HEARD OF IT. WHEN YOU START DRIVING IT'S FINE THEN ABOUT 15 MINUTES IN TO IT STARTS JUMPING LIKE AS IF I AM PRESSING ON THE GAS TO GO 50 FROM 15. IT HAS DONE THIS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND EVERY TIME I TRY TO FIX IT SOMETHING ELSE COMES UP. I WAS TOLD BY ANOTHER PERSON THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS FAILING AND THAT MAZDA 626'S HAVE A FAULTY TRANSMISSION FROM YEARS 95-00. *TR
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 28, 2008GA
OVER DRIVE LIGHT KEEPS BLINKING, REPLACED TRANSMISSION TWO TIME AND CAR O/D LIGHT STILL BLINKS, TRANSMISSION ABOUT TO GO OUT AGAIN!!!! *TR
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 6, 2008108,500 milesFL
ON MY 1996 MY MAZDA 626 I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND MY OVERDRIVE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM ONLINE AND THERE WAS THOUSANDS OF THE SAME COMPLAINT I THINK IS WAS A OVER DRIVE SOLENOID OR A SENSOR THAT CONTROL GEAR SHIFTING. APPARENTLY THIS HAPPENS TO ALOT OF MAZDA 626'S AND I THINK MAZDA NEED TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Oct 17, 200782,000 milesTN
I BOUGHT A 1996 MAZDA 626 LX AT APPROXIMATELY 82,000 MILES THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED. I HAD REBUILT AND NOW IT IS FAILING AGAIN. I CANNOT AFFORD TO KEEP FIXING THIS PROBLEM THAT SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN A PROBLEM TO START WITH. THE CAR HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED UNDER NORMAL DRIVING. I UNDERSTAND THINGS WILL WEAR OUT BUT I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH ANOTHER CAR. I LOOK ON THE INTERNET FOR ANSWERS AND FIND THERE ARE ALOT OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT. MAZDA NEEDS TO OFFER SOME RESPONSIBILITY TO THIS. PEOPLE WORK HARD FOR THEIR MONEY. NO ONE CAN AFFORD TO KEEP FIXING THIS PROBLEM. MAZDA SHOULD HAVE NEVER PUT A FORD TRANSMISSION IN THIS CAR THAT COULDN'T LAST. *TR
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Sep 29, 2007157,000 milesOH
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE - DRIVING MY CAR ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE TRANSMISSION STARTS BUCKING AND ALMOST CAUSED ME TO BE HIT IN THE BACK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. *JB
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 23, 2007LA
THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. WENT BACK TO VEHICLE CRANKED IT UP, AND WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE. THE SHIFTER WOULD MOVE BUT TRANNY DID NOTHING LIKE IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. TRANNY WORKED FINE BEFORE IT WAS PARKED. *TR
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jul 10, 2007GA
LET ME BEGIN BY SAYING THAT I WISH I HAD PULLED UP THIS WEB SITE BEFORE I PURCHASED THIS AUTOMOBILE. APPARENTLY, OTHER CONSUMERS HAVE VOICED THEIR MANY COMPLAINTS TO NO AVAIL, SO PLEASE FORGIVE ME IF I SOUND A BIT LET DOWN AND DISAPPOINTED BY THIS GREAT DEPARTMENT OF OUR AMERICAN GOVERNMENT. MAINLY, YOUR JUST WANTING ME TO STATE THE PROBLEM, AND I SAY, THE PROBLEM HAS ALREADY BEEN STATED, OVER AND OVER AGAIN. BUT, IF I MUST KEEP UP THIS RIDICULOUS GAME OF PLAY FOR MANY MORE YEARS OR UNTIL A PERSON IS KILLED, I WILL. THE #### TRANSMISSIONS ####IN THIS ##### ### MAZDA 626, YOU HAVE BEEN TOLD, THE MANUFACTURE KNOWS, THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN ######OVER BY THE CORPORATION OF ####### GREEDY ### ##### MEN KNOW IT, SO LETS JUST SAY WE HOLD YOUR PAY CHECK UNTIL YOU CAN GET OFF YOUR ###### ### AND GET USE SOME RELIEF WITH THIS MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR CORP THAT IS NOT STEPPING UP TO THE PLATE AND TAKING CARE OF THE ####### LEMONS THEY SOLD ON AMERICAN SOIL. I BELIEVE THIS WILL BE RESOLVED, I HAVE A 16 YEAR OLD THAT I PURCHASED THIS CAR FOR AND I AM NOT GOING TO KEEP QUITE ABOUT THIS. YOU CAN SEE THIS IS CLEARLY A PROBLEM THAT SHOULD HAVE ALREADY BEEN FIXED, AND NOT AT THE CONSUMERS EXPENSE. I AM A DIVORCED-SINGLE MOM THAT HAS NOT RECEIVED CHILD SUPPORT IN SIX YEARS, I MANAGE ON MY OWN AND WILL NOT LET BIG CORPS TAKE MY HARD EARNED MONEY TO REPAIR SOMETHING THAT IS CRYSTAL CLEAR A DEFECT ON THE MAKERS PART....THAT BEING MAZDA CORPORATION. IF MY CHILD'S SAFETY IS AS IMPORTANT TO YOU AS YOU
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Torque Converter
Filed Jul 2, 200789,000 milesMO
I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN MY MAZDA 626 LX 1996 MODEL. I BOUGHT THIS USED CAR ON JAN 2006 AND IT STARTED TO GIVE PROBLEMS BY SHOWING O/D LIGHTS OFF. THEN CHECK SIGN POPPED UP AND I FIXED THAT ONE. AGAIN POPPED UP AND FOUND TORQUE CONVERTER FAILURE. I TOOK IT TO TRANSMISSION SHOP AND THEY QUOTED $1700 TO CHANGE THE TRANSMISSION. IN ONLINE, I READ MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT TRANSMISSION AND IT ADVISED TO USE THIS SITE TO FILE A COMPLAINT AGAINST MAZDA COMPANY. MANY PEOPLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM LIKE ME AND THIS RAISES SAFETY ASPECT OF THIS VEHICLE, WHICH IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THOUGH I HAVEN'T INVESTED ANY MONEY NOW TO CHANGE TRANSMISSION BUT I AM SEEKING WHETHER MAZDA COMPANY IS PROVIDING ANY ALTERNATIVE CHANGE OR OFFER TO THEIR CUSTOMER RELATED TO TRANSMISSION. *TR
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Apr 3, 200796,450 milesNY
4TH TIME IN 6 YEARS, OD LIGHT STARTS FLASHING AFTER DRIVING FOR APPROX 1 HOUR ON HIGHWAY. SHIFTING IS NOT WITH MOTOR, TEMP REMEDY IS TO MANUAL SHIFT. IF HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF IN APPROX 2,000 MILES I WILL LOSE 1ST GEAR IF I CONTINUE TO DRIVE IT THAT WAY IN ABOUT 500 MILES TRANS GOES BYE BYE ALONG WITH 1500-2000 GEORGE WASHINGTON'S. I LOVE THE WAY SHE HANDLES BUT THIS IS BULLSPIT LOOKING FOR A 99-01 LEXUS LE ANYTHING. *JB
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 30, 2007144,800 milesGA
I BROUGHT A 1996 MAZDA 626 USED FROM A CAR LOT SATURDAY MARCH 24,2007 AND THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT THE NEXT DAY . I FOUND THIS FORUM THAT TALKED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. I JUST FEEL LIKE SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM.*JB
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 5, 200792,000 milesAZ
2ND TRANSMISSION FAILURE OF CAR. HAPPENS AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. IN THIS CASE IN TRAFFIC. *JB
Air Bags › Frontal1 injured
Filed Mar 4, 2007126,109 milesMI
I WAS DRIVING ON 131 NORTH ABOUT 75-80 MPH AND MY AIRBAGS (BOTH SIDES) DEPLOYED. THERE IS NO DAMAGE AND I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING. I RECEIVED BURNS ON MY NOSE, ON MY LIPS, SPRAINED JAW, BLOODY NOSE, BURNS ON MY WRIST, AND FACIAL SCRAPES AND CONTUSIONS. THE PASSENGER SIDE STARTED TO SMOKE, AND WOULDN'T STOP UNTIL THE AIRBAG WAS REMOVED. *JB
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 17, 200786,459 milesMA
1996 MAZDA 626. *NM
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jan 30, 2007125,000 milesTN
AFTER ALREADY REPLACING MY TRANSMISSION ONCE, I HAVE TO AGAIN DUE TO ANOTHER FAILURE. THE CAR HAS 125,000 MILES AND SO FAR I HAVE BEEN OUT $2,900 JUST ON PRIOR REPAIRS AND AM FACING ANOTHER $2,500. *JB
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Dec 12, 200652,000 milesTX
TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REBUILT. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AND THE O/D LIGHT FLASHED. *NM
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Oct 16, 2006150,000 milesNY
TRANSMISSION BEGINNING TO FAIL. BROKE DOWN NUMEROUS TIMES ON A LONG DRIVE LATE AT NIGHT. *NM
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Oct 13, 200696,000 milesGA
1996 MAZDA 626 OVERDRIVE LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING AND TRANSMISSION BEGAN SHIFTING VERY ROUGH. TURNING CAR OFF AND RESTARTING CLEARED THE PROBLEM TEMPORARILY, BUT IT KEEPS RECURRING. A WEB SEARCH REVEALS THIS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM THAT LEADS SHORTLY TO COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. **NM
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Sep 5, 200686,000 milesFL
MY 1996 MAZDA 626 LX HAS 86K MILES ON IT. I NOTICED A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, IT WAS LEAKING FLUID (I THOUGHT IT WAS OIL), BUT IT TURNED OUT TO BE TRANSMISSION FLUID, SO I MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE IT FIXED. MY CAR WAS FINALLY FIXED AFTER ALMOST 2-WEEKS IN THE SHOP AND WITHOUT A VEHICLE TO DRIVE. A COUPLE WEEKS AFTER HAVING IT REPAIRED, AND COSTING ME $2,000 - I NOTICED THAT IT IS STILL LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID. MY CAR GAVE ME NO WARNING (NO LIGHTS EVER CAME ON SAYING THERE WAS A PROBLEM). NOW, I AM READING ABOUT THOUSANDS OF OTHER MAZDA 626 OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *JB
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jul 19, 2006108,000 milesMO
DROVE THE VEHICLE UNDER NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS FOR 108,000 MILE. CHANGED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AT 100,000 MILES. TRANSMISSION CAME APART AT 108,000 MILES. HAD TRANSMISSION REBUILT AT A COST OF $2600.00. *NM
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jul 15, 2006199,700 milesCA
I BROUGHT MY 1996 MAZDA 626 INTO HOEHN MAZDA OF CARLSBAD, CA FOR A SPECIFIC CODE (P0441-EVAP EMISSIONS CONTROL-INCORRECT PURGE FLOW). THE DEALERSHIP MECHANIC PULLED A CODE OF P0741- SLIPPING TORQUE CONVERTER. THEY SAID I WOULD NEED A TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT (WHICH WOULD BE THE THIRD OR FOURTH FOR THIS VEHICLE). I STATED THAT MAY BE A PROBLEM SINCE THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT HAD BEEN BLINKING AND ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THESE PARTICULAR TRANSMISSIONS. SOON AFTER I CHECKED MY CAR'S VIN NUMBER ON CARFAX AND NOTICED A NOTE PLACED BY MAZDA THAT THIS CAR HAD NO RECALLS ON IT. HOEHN MAZDA TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS A GOOD THING AS IT MEANT THAT MY PARTICULAR TYPE CAR WAS OK. I INTERPRETED IT TO MEAN THAT THIS WAS A WARNING TO DEALERSHIPS NOT TO DO ANY "FREE WORK" ON MY MAZDA. THESE FORD TRANSMISSIONS (CD4E) REALLY DO NEED A RECALL. I BELIEVE THE FIX IS A BETTER PUMP (SONNAX) AND HAVE SEEN MANY, MANY COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS PARTICULAR TRANSMISSION OVER THE YEARS. I JUST WANT TO ADD MY OWN COMPLAINT AND DISSATISFACTION WITH THIS PARTICULAR DEALERSHIPS TREATMENT OF A CUSTOMER. THEY NEVER DIAGNOSED THE ORIGINAL P0441 COMPLAINT AND CHARGED ME $88 FOR THE ADVICE ON REPLACING MY TRANSMISSION. HOW WAS THIS TRANSMISSION TREATED? FLUID CHANGE ANNUALLY OR EVEN MORE OFTEN; DRIVEN EXTREMELY GENTLY, AND FAILED LIKE CLOCKWORK. *JB
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jul 13, 2006112,000 milesIL
TRANSMISSION ON A USED MAZDA 626 4 CYLINDER. (1996) FAILED AT 112K MILES. BOUGHT CAR USED AT 108K MILES, GOD KNOWS HOW MANY TIMES IT WAS REPLACED BEFORE WE BOUGHT IT. *JB
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jul 9, 200677,000 milesVA
MY CAR HAS A LITTLE LESS THAN 90,000 MILES. EVERY TIME I DRIVE THIS CAR FOR MORE THAN 30 MILES OR SO, SOMETIMES LESS IF HAVING TO SPEED AND SLOW OFTEN, MY OVER DRIVE LIGHT BEGINS TO FLASH WHICH ALSO MAKES THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT ERRATICALLY. IF I PULL OVER AND RESTART THE ENGINE TO STOP THE LIGHT FROM FLASHING AND IT BEGINS TO FLASH AGAIN SHORTLY AFTER MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL ALSO COMES ON. NORMALLY AFTER A WEEK OR SO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL TURN OFF BY ITSELF. MY HUSBAND AND I HAD THE THROTTLE BODY CLEANED ABOUT A YEAR AGO THINKING THAT WAS THE PROBLEM WHEN ONE DAY MY CAR DECIDED WHILE SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT THAT I COULD NOT KEEP AN IDLE STRONG ENOUGH TO KEEP THE MOTOR RUNNING AND I THEN HAVE HAD TO START PLACING MY CAR IN NEUTRAL FOR STOP LIGHTS AND REV THE ENGINE WHILE THE LIGHT WAS RED TO KEEP FROM STALLING. WE HAVE NOT REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION, THOUGH I AM AWARE IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE LONG BEFORE NOW. WE SIMPLY DO NOT DRIVE THE CAR FOR MORE THAN 20 MILES AT A TIME. IF WE ARE GOING 30 MILES OR MORE, I HAVE TO STOP HALF WAY TO TURN THE ENGINE OFF FOR SEVERAL MINUTES TO LET THE TRANSMISSION REST. I FEEL THAT MAZDA HAS BEEN COMPLETELY IRRESPONSIBLE, UNETHICAL, AND RECKLESS IN ALLOWING LOYAL CUSTOMERS TO CONTINUE TO LOOSE FAITH IN MAZDA'S QUALITY OF STANDARDS. I WOULD ASSUME THAT THE LOSS IN AMOUNT OF PROFITS AND BUSINESS FOR YEARS OF PAST AND YEARS TO COME WOULD EASILY OUTWEIGH THE DAMPER TO PROFITS THAT WOULD HAVE RESULTED FROM DOING THE RIGHT THING AND COMPENSATI
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jul 5, 2006OH
TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 98K MILES. NEEDE TO BE REPLACED. *NM
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jun 27, 2006102,000 milesCA
I HAVE 1996 MAZDA 626 LX, 4 CYLINDER. AT 100,000 (IN 2004) TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. I GOT NEW ONE WITH 30,000 MILES ON IT. IT LASTED ONLY 10,000 MILES MORE. MY FRIEND WITH A MAZDA 626 FROM 1996 HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED AFTER ONLY 50,000 MILES. *JB
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jun 21, 2006109,000 milesGA
TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WITH A AUTOMATIC 1996 MAZDA 626 2.0 LITER 4 CYL. WE BOUGHT THE CAR WITH SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION BUT WE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT EXACTLY WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. SO WE BRING IT HOME AND IT WOULDN'T GO INTO GEAR SO WE DECIDE WE HAVE TO REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION. WE GET ON THE INTERNET AND SEARCH FOR ANY RECALLS ON THE TRANNY OR THE CAR AND ON SOME WEBSITES WE FOUND THAT THE TRANNY IS TOO SMALL FOR THAT PARTICULAR MAKE OF CAR AND IT TENDS TO OVERHEAT AND FOUND A TSB THAT SAID THE CAR NEEDED A TRANNY COOLING SYSTEM B/C WHEN IT WOULD OVERHEAT IT WOULD JUST CRASH, AND WE ALSO SAW THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM AND THAT THEY HAVE HAD THEIR TRANNY REPLACED 2 OR 3 TIMES B/C OF THE OVERHEATING, AND I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW THAT MAZDA WOULD STAND BY THEIR PRODUCT AND HELP EVERYONE OUT THAT IS HAVING THIS PROBLEM B/C WE THINK THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE RIGHT THE FIRST TIME. *NM
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jun 13, 2006113,000 milesNC
FAULTY COMPONENT CAUSES LOW PUMP VOLUME IN TRANSMISSION, WHICH ULTIMATELY LEADS TO OVERHEATING AND TRANSMISSION FAILURE. VEHICLE HAS LITERALLY COME TO A STOP ON THE INTERSTATE, CAUSING DRIVERS TO EVADE HITTING MY CAR. *NM
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Apr 13, 200675,000 milesTX
THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 1996 MAZDA 626 FAILED AT 75,000 MILES. MAZDA DEALERS SAID THEY ARE NOT AWARE OF ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE 1996 MODEL 626. I REPLACED TRANSMISSION AT MY OWN COST. *NM
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 27, 2006168,000 milesOK
TRANSMISSION HAS NOW WENT OUT TWICE IN MY 1996 MAZDA 626 WITHIN A YEAR. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS. IT JUST HAPPENED! CAME TO A LIGHT, STOPPED, LIGHT TURNED GREEN STARTED TO ACCELERATE AND IT ACTED LIKE IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. ENGINE JUST REVVED UP NOT GOING ANYWHERE. IN A PANIC, I PUSHED THE O/D BUTTON OFF AND IT FINALLY WENT INTO GEAR. THE ONLY TIME I COULD DRIVE IT WITH O/D ON WAS IF I WAS GOING OVER 50 MPH. IN THE MEANTIME. DRIVING WITH IT OFF AROUND TOWN. WHEN YOU STARTED SLOW DOWN ALMOST BEFORE YOU CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP THE CAR WOULD JUMP LIKE IT WAS DOWN SHIFTING REALLY HARD. WHEN DRIVING IT ON THE HIGHWAY WITH O/D ON...IT WAS FINE UNTIL YOU TRIED TO PASS SOMEONE OR TRIED GETTING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE PASSING GEAR WOULDN'T WORK AND ACTED AS IF IT WAS IN NEUTRAL AGAIN. SCARED ME TO DEATH! I WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. AFRAID SOMEONE WOULD HIT ME. HUSBAND CHECKED THE TRANS. FLUID,,LOOKED FINE..SO WE TOOK IT IN, TO COTTMANS, BTW..DON'T EVER USE THEM. ENDED UP COSTING US $2800 FOR A REBUILT TRANNY. NOW ITS A YEAR LATER, SPRING BREAK, ME AND MY FAMILY OUT SHOPPING AND WENT TO PASS A CAR ON THE HIGHWAY AND IT STARTED DOING THE SAME THING AGAIN!! NEEDLESS TO SAY, WE CUT OUR OUTING SHORT AND WENT HOME. CALLED COTTMANS OF COURSE WOULDN'T HOLD UP TO THE WARRANTY. IT WENT OUT A MONTH TO THE DAY!!! WE ARE NOT GOING TO SHELL OUT MONEY ON THE CAR AGAIN! I HAVE DONE RESEARCH, AND IT LOOKS LIKE THERE ARE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND HAVE HAD THEM REBUILT SEVERAL TIMES ONLY FOR IT
Power Train › Automatic TransmissionCrash
Filed Mar 20, 200653,000 milesNC
MAZDA 626 TRANSMISSION CD4E IS FAULTY. WHY SHOULD MAZDA BE ALLOWED TO GET OFF SCOTT FREE WHILE THOUSANDS OF CONSUMERS ARE SUFFERING BECAUSE OF THIS? BECAUSE IT'S NOT VIEWED AS A SAFETY ISSUE? ISSUE A RECALL ON THE CD4E TRANSMISSION. THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A MORE CLEAR CASE IN NEED OF A RECALL. *NM
Complaints 1-50 of 359, newest first, reproduced as filed.
It is not among the 626 years to avoid. Owners filed 359 complaints, against about 250 for a typical 626 year. The most common complaint is about the transmission (63%).
What is the most common problem with the 1996 Mazda 626?
The transmission: 227 of the 359 complaints (63%) are about it. Owners most often say it turns on the check engine light (7%), sets off warning lights on the dash (6%) and slips or will not engage a gear (5%). The typical report comes at 95,000 miles.
How many recalls does the 1996 Mazda 626 have?
3 safety recalls on file with NHTSA, the most recent filed Oct 19, 2015. The largest, 15V674000, covered 1,368,500 vehicles. Recall repairs are free at a dealer; whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.
At what mileage do 1996 Mazda 626 problems start?
Half of the complaints that record an odometer reading came in before 95,000 miles.
Has NHTSA investigated the 1996 Mazda 626?
Yes, 4 times. The latest, RQ99022 ("HEADLIGHT FAILURE"), was opened Dec 20, 1999 and closed Aug 30, 2000.
Are there service bulletins for the 1996 Mazda 626?
The manufacturer filed 44 technical service bulletins and other notices for it with NHTSA, most of them about the engine (9), the electrical system (6) and the transmission (4). A bulletin is a repair instruction to dealers, not a recall: the fix is usually free only under warranty.
Reading this record
Complaint volume is well above typical for a single model year.
Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.
Most recent recall on file: Oct 19, 2015. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.