Mazda 626 Complaints (1997)

358 consumer complaints on file.

#755525December 11, 2001
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE VEHICLE STALLED AFTER A SCHEDULED OIL CHANGE. AFTER RETURNING TO THE SERVICE CENTER WHERE THE OIL CHANGE WAS PERFORMED, I WAS TOLD THAT I NEED TO HAVE MY VALVE COVER GASKETS CHANGED. I WANTED A SECOND OPINION AND SCHEDULED A CHECK WITH THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE CENTER. I HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH STALLING AFTER THE FIRST INITIAL INCIDENT. AFTER THE DEALERSHIP MECHANICS LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE UNLESS THE ENGINE WAS REVED. I WAS INFORMED AT THIS POINT THAT MY TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING AND THAT I NEEDED MY VALVE COVER GASKETS AND SPARK PLUGS CHANGED. THE TOTAL COST WOULD AMOUNT TO OVER $3200. AFTER GETTING A SECOND OPINION ON THE STATE OF THE TRANSMISSION I HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. I WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALERSHIP MECHANIC THAT THE 1997 MAZDA HAS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. I HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THE NEW TRANSMISSION IS EXTREMELY LOUD, THE CAR DOES NOT DRIVE THE SMOOTHLY; I CAN FEEL THE GEARS CHANGE, AND THE ODOMETER IS RUNNING RAMPANT. I WENT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT MAZDA TRANSIMISSION ARE GENERALLY LOUD AND THAT THE CAR WILL REV AND CAUSE ONE TO FEEL A SHIFT IN GEAR IF THE COMPUTER CANNOT DISTINGUISH A SPEED SETTING. I FEEL THAT AFTER RESEACH AND SPEAKING WITH THE DEALERSHIPS MECHANICS THAT MAZDA WAS AWARE THAT THE MADZA 626 V6 1997 YEAR WAS DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD NOT CONTINUE TO MAKE REVENUE FOR A COSTLY "REPAIR" THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED BY THE MANUFACTURE. WHEN MY VEHICLE STALLED IT WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC (45MPH ZONE) AND IT IS A BLESSING THAT I DID NOT CAUSE A WRECK OR HIT ANYONE. THANK YOU T. SIMPSON*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#754985November 27, 2001
AIR BAGS
RECEIVED SAFETY RECALL IN MAIL TO HAVE DEALER RE-PROGRAM AIRBAG SYSTEM DUE TO RISK OF PRE-MATURE DEPLOYMENT. UPON PRESENTING VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR RECALL SAFETY FIX, WAS ADVISED THAT AIRBAG SYSTEM WAS NO LONGER OPERATIVE AND MUST PAY $365 TO INSTALL NEW UNIT. CURRENTLY WITHOUT AIRBAG SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM DUE TO COMPLYING WITH MAZDA FACTORY SAFTEY RECALL ACTION.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#754850November 24, 2001
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
DEAR SIR/MADAM, AFTER I HAD MY TRANSMISSION PROBLEM I CONTACTED WITH TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP BUT THEY COULD NOT FIX THE TRANSMISSION. THE MAIN PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION IS OD LIGHT FLASHES AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILS TO WORK PROPERLY. I HAVE HEARD THAT THIS IS A GENERAL PROBLEM FOR MAZDA 626. EVEN ON THE INTERNET MANY MAZDA 626 OWNERS COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I KNOW THE MILEAGE OF MY CAR IS HIGH BUT EVEN FOR THE LOW MILEAGES PEOPLE ENCOUNTER WITH THE SIMILAR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS FOR MAZDA 626. IF THIS IS A GENERAL PROBLEM WHY DOESN`T THE MAZDA COMPANY RECALL AND FIX THE PROBLEM? THIS PROBLEM COSTS TOO MUCH MONEY FOR THE CUSTOMERS AND MAYBE SOME DANGEROUS SITUATIONS ON HIGHWAYS OR BUSY TRAFFIC. THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME CHANCE TO INFORM YOU ABOUT THIS. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#754829November 23, 2001
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I RECENTLY EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 1997 MAZDA 626 AFTER ONLY 61,406 MILES. LUCKILY I PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AT THE TIME OF THE ORIGINAL PURCHASE OF THE CAR. HOWEVER, UPON REPLACING MY TRANSMISSION WITH A "REMANUFACTURED" ONE I HAVE AGAIN EXPERIENCED TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THERE ARE SOME SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINEERING OF THE TRANSMISSIONS THAT WENT INTO THIS MODEL YEAR CAR. I HAVE READ SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON CONSUMER COMPLAINT BOARDS ON THE INTERNET. WHAT HAS EXASPERATED THIS SITUATION EVEN MORE IS WHEN I BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR REPAIRS THE DEALERSHIP (ACTUALLY TWO DIFFERENT ONES) RECOMMENDED THAT I PURCHASE A TRANSMISSION COOLING KIT FOR ABOUT $100.00 AS THEY STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION JUST COULDN'T TAKE THE HEAT OF THE DEEP SOUTH (I LIVE IN THE NEW ORLEANS AREA). THIS REALLY IRKED ME. I COULDN'T BELIEVE THAT THESE TWO DEALERSHIPS WERE TRYING TO GET ME TO PAY FOR THIS KIT WHEN IT IS OBVIOUSLY A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINEERING OF THE TRANSMISSIONS OR ASSOCIATED ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. I CALLED MAZDA USA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY SAID THAT THEY WOULD NOT PAY FOR THIS KIT INSTALLATION AND THEY DID NOT THINK IT WAS AT ALL NEEDED. IN OTHER WORDS THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION OVERHEATING EVEN IN THE SOUTH ACCORDING TO MAZDA MOTORS NORTH AMERICA. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW MANY OTHER MAZDA OWNERS (ESPECIALLY THOSE IN THE SOUTH) HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THEIR DEALERSHIPS THAT THEIR TRANSMISSION WOES CAN BE SOLVED BY PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF THIS COOLING KIT. I WOULD HOPE THAT NO ONE HAS BEEN PERSUADED INTO PURCHASING ONE OF THESE KITS WHEN ITS NOT THEIR PROBLEM TO PAY FOR- IT IS THE DEALERSHIP'S OR MAZDA MOTORS RESPONSIBILITY TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM!*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#898487October 30, 2001
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ONGOING PROBLEM WITH ENGINE STALLING WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. VEHICLE BEEN IN DEALER SHOP ON THREE OCCASIONS, AND PROBLEM STILL REOCCURRING. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#898199October 25, 2001
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE TRAVELING AT 40-45 MPH LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE WHILE TRAVELING OVER GRAVEL, AS A RESULT RAN INTO GAURDRAIL AND TWO STREET SIGNS. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT ANY TIME. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#898201October 25, 2001
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEEDS 50 MPH + VEHICLE IS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AND "FEELS AS IF IT IS FLOATING". DEALERSHIP HAS EXAMINED VEHICLE, AND DETERMINED THAT WERE FRAME RELATED PROBLEMS THAT CAUSED THIS TO OCCUR. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / ATTACHMENTS. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#897301October 3, 2001
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE TRAVELING VEHICLE WOULD NOT CHANGE GEARS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#752235September 16, 2001
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST
BRAKES NEED REPAIR AROUND 7000 MILES EVERY TIME. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#751983September 10, 2001
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WHILE DRIVING FROM SARASOTA TO WPB GOING APPROX 65-70 MPH THE O/D OFF LIGHT STARTED BLINKING ALTHOUGH IT WASNT OFF. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE NEXT DAY I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND I WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAILING AND SUGGESTED I HAVE THE TRANSMISSION SERVICED AND WATCH AND SEE SINCE THE TRANS WASNT SLIPPING. WELL 1 MONTH LATER WHILE TRAVELING AGAIN FROM SARASOTA TO WPB NOT ONLY DID THE O/D OFF LIGHT COME ON WHILE TRYING TO PASS THE TRANS DID SLIP. I WAS TOLD THE TRANS WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AND SINCE I HAD COMPLAINED TO MAZDA THAT THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO REASON A 57K TRANS SHOULD BE FAILING THEY OFFERED TO PAY FOR THE TRANS BUT I WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR LABOR. AT THIS TIME I HAVE YET TO HAVE IT DONE AND WILL INSIST THAT MAZDA PAY FOR THE LABOR ALSO. I HAVE DONE A LOT OF RESEARCH AND THIS APPARENTLY IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THESE CERTAIN TRANS. I HAD MENTIONED TO STEPHANIE AT MAZDA CUSTOMER SERVICE THAT I FOUND IT FUNNY THAT MAZDA WILL RECALL GAS CAPS, BUT YET WITH SUCH A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION, NOT A THING IS MENTIONED. I ABSOLUTELY CAN NOT BELIEVE THAT THESE TRANSMISSIONS HAVE NOT BEEN RECALLED. IS IT BECAUSE NOT ENOUGH PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED? OR IS IT THAT NO ONE HAS DIED? HOW DOES THIS WORK. I AM VERY UPSET WITH THIS AND IT NEEDS TO BE TAKEN C ARE OF. MAZDA WILL NOT DO ANYTHING UNLESS THEY ARE MADE TO. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS. I HAVE SEEN HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS EXACT PROBLEM ON SITES SUCH AS COMPLAINTCENTER.COM, COMPLAINCENTER.COM, YAHOO FORUMS,DUSTBURY.COM/626/TRANS.HTML ETC. ETC.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#751990September 10, 2001
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE DRIVING 200 MILES ACROSS STATE ON SR 70 MY O/D OFF LIGHT BEGAN TO BLINK AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO THE MAZDA DEALER THAT WEEK AND WAS TOLD THAT I WAS HAVING TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND WAS TOLD THAT CODES P1744, P0741 & P1783 CAME UP DURING A DIAGNOSTICS TEST. I WAS TOLD THAT I SHOULD HAVE A TRANSMISSION SERVICE AND "WAIT AND SEE" SINCE MY GEARS WEREN'T SLIPPING AT THE TIME. LAST WEEK DURING THE SAME DRIVE ACROSS STATE MY O/D OFF LIGHT STARTED BLINKING AGAIN, AND THIS TIME WHILE TRYING TO PASS A CAR ON SR 70 (A 2 LANE HWY) THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED AS I WAS IN THE ONCOMING LANE. FORTUNATELY IT KICKED BACK IN AND I DIDNT HAVE THE PROBLEM AGAIN. (HAVENT TRAVELED SINCE THEN) I TOOK IT BACK TO MAZDA AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY WOULD PAY FOR THE TRANSMISSION, (SINCE I HAD CALLED LAST MONTH TO COMPLAIN THAT THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO REASON WHY A CAR W/ 57K MILES SHOULD HAVE A FAILING TRANSMISSION, UNLESS OFCOURSE IT WAS DEFECTIVE. THEY OFFERED TO PAY FOR THE TRANS, BUT I AM STILL RESPONSIBLE FOR THE LABOR AND WAS OFFERED NO WARRANTY. I HAVE DONE A LOT OF RESEARCH AND HAVE FOUND THAT THESE 626 TRANSMISSION CHRONICALLY HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND I HAVE FOUND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT IT ONLINE. I CAN NOT BELIEVE IT HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. HAVE NOT ENOUGH PEOPLE COMPLAINED, WOULD IT COST MAZDA TOO MUCH MONEY OR DO THEY REALLY BELIEVE THAT THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM? WELL AS A SINGLE MOTHER WHO RELYS ON HER CAR AND STILL OWES $12K ON IT, IT IS A PROBLEM. A BIG PROBLEM AND I HOPE THAT CORRECTIVE MEASURES ARE TAKEN. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#751679September 5, 2001
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
SUDDEN ACCLERATION, BRAKES FAILED. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#751545September 2, 2001
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I STARTED HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AT 45000 MILES TRANSMISSION WAS SUPPOSEDLY REPLACED AT 48OOO MILES. NOW ABOUT TWO YEARS LATER I'M HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AGAIN, BUT MY WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED.( O/D + ENGINE LIGHTS COME ON, TRANS STALLS WHILE ACCERLERATING, TRANS SLIPPING, BANGING SOUND WHEN PUT IN REVERSE)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#751007August 23, 2001
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I CAN GET STATEMENTS FROM TWO DIFFERENT TRANSMISSION SHOPS SAYING THAT MAZDA 626 TRANSMISSIONS ARE WORKED ON MORE THAN ANY OTHER AUTOMOBILE.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#748780July 19, 2001
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 1997 MAZDA 626 FAILED AT JUST OVER 65,000. I TOOK THE CAR TO AN AUTHORIZED MAZDA DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. THE MAZDA MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT I NEEDED TO COMPLETELY REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. TO SAVE ON THE FINAL COST, I TOOK THE CAR TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST, WHO REBUILT THE TRANSMISSION. I AM WRITING TODAY BECAUSE I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT MINE NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM. IF FACT, THE RESEARCH THAT I HAVE DONE (CONSUMER REPORTS, INTERENET, ETC.) INDICATES THAT THERE ARE SEVERE PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION ON 1993-1998 MAZDA 626'S (SOME TRANSMISSIONS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AT ONLY 30,000 MILES). AND WHILE CERTAINLY NOT CONCLUSIVE EVIDENCE, I WAS TOLD BY THE TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST WHO WORKED ON MY CAR THEY "WORK ON MAZDA 626'S ALL THE TIME". IN FACT THERE WERE TWO OTHER MAZDA 626'S AT THE SHOP ON THE SAME DAY. ONE WAS A 1997 AND THE OTHER A 1996. MY SINCERE HOPE IS THAT THIS PROBLEM CAN BE RESOLVED.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#747409June 26, 2001
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
ANOTHER MAZDA W/ TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. HAVING TO HAVE REBUILT FOR $2K. OWNER'S MANUAL REFERENCES NOTHING ABOUT BEING REQUIRED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AT 60,000 MILES USE. I WAS VERY LUCKY THAT MYSELF AND PREGNANT WIFE WEREN'T ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN IT WENT OUT. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#890718June 19, 2001
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING PASSENGER'S AIR BAG INTERMITTENTLY DEPLOYED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#746754June 12, 2001
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ABOUT A YEAR AGO MY ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO THE MAZDA DEALER AND THEY SAID THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS BAD. IT WAS REPLACE BECAUSE IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. TWO MONTHS AGO MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. I WAS AGAIN TOLD THAT MY CATALYTIC CONVER WAS BAD AND IT WAS AGAIN REPLACED. TODAY I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 75 MILES PER HOUR WHEN MY O/D LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH ON AND OFF. FIVE MINUTES LATER MY CAR STARTED TO LOSE POWER. AFTER PULLING OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD MY CAR WOULD NOT CHANGE GEARS. IT WOULD NOT GO FORWARD OR IN REVERSE. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE MAZDA DEALER AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS BAD AND THAT IT WOULD TAKE $2500.00 TO BE REPLACED.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#890048June 8, 2001
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
AFTER AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTCHEMICAL FROM THE AIR BAG CAUSES CONSUMER UPPER RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS, SUCH AS SHORTNESS OF BREATH, DIZZINESS AND RAPID HEART BEAT. SEEKING HELP FROM NHTSA TO LOCATE TYPE OF CHEMICAL USED IN THAT AIR BAG. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER . *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#744473April 24, 2001
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I HAVE CONTACTED MAZDA DIRECTLY. THEY REFUSE TO ADMIT THAT THEY HAVE A DEFECT IN THE CD4E TRANSMISSIONS ON THESE CARS EVEN THOUGH ALL REPAIR SHOPS CONTACTED WARN NOT ONLY OF 70+% FAILURE RATE, BUT WARN NOT TO BUY MAZDA REBUILT BECAUSE THEY ARE STILL NOT REPAIRING THE DEFECTS IN THE TRANNY. SAME FAILURE RATE CAN BE FOUND IN THE POST 1995 AND UP FORD CONTOUR WHICH SHARES THE SAME TRANSMISSION. MFR REFUSES TO BE OF ANY HELP. PLEASE LET ME KNOW HOW I CAN PROCEED.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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