Transmission problems occurring with 1998 Mazda 626. The car has 65K miles on it. The transmission has been shifting hard into second gear for quite some time (at least the last 25K miles). Had the transmission serviced (fluid/filter) at 38K and 50K miles. Now the over drive light is blinking and the car is shifting even harder than before. The problems I am having match what has been described on the web site www.cartrackers.com/forums/live/yourlemon/189.html#258 Mazda needs to be responsible for their faulty product and recall this car.

- Rowlett, TX, USA

I have a 98 626 Mazda LX with 54K miles. My transmission is going out on me. I took the car to a Mazda specialist. They told me it may cost a round $2800. This is not the first case of transmission failure on Mazda. I heard and read that there are thousands of transmission problems with Mazda. Something must be done about this problem and Mazda should pay for the transmission and labor. I am still paying for may car.

- Alexandria, VA, USA

The consumer reported to the dealer the vehicle jerked and kicked and the transmission fluid was very dirty, the symptoms remained, and the consumer was led to believe it was normal. The consumer was stopped at a red light when the transmission failed.

- West Hempstead, NY, USA

The transmission in my Mazda 626 has failed and needed to be completed replaced at 72,000 miles.

- Valrico, FL, USA

After paying for my 1998 Mazda for 9 months which I purchased from 5-star Mazda I had to get the transmission replaced. A great unexpected expense.

- Mcdonough, GA, USA

Transmission was slipping. The consumer noticed the problem about two weeks ago. Research showed it appeared to be many complaints about the transmission slipping on Mazda 626's.

- Wildwood, MO, USA

Transmission has gone out on my 1999 Mazda 626.

- Cartersville, GA, USA

When accelerating vehicle jerks and sputters due to transmission.

- Wiston Salem, NC, USA

My transmission failed at about 75,000. It was not under warranty, so I spent $2200 getting a rebuilt transmission, which also failed. The shop I took it to then replaced it again, and now this one is failing too. This will be the 8th time I've taken car back for the same problem.

- Westminster, CA, USA

Approximately every 55,000 miles the transmission had to be replaced.

- Milford, PA, USA

Owner of 1998 Mazda 626-car just turned 67K miles. With cruise control set on 75 on the interstate the O/D off light came on and started blinking. Turned car off for a few seconds and the light went away. Next day the transmission started slipping. The Mazda dealership says the O/D off light blinking means the transmission is over heating. (how in the blue hell am I supposed to know the overdrive off light blinking means a transmission problem?) dealers first response was to rebuild transmission, I pushed back and told him to try something else, they did a transmission flush for $130 and he says that seemed to stop the problem for now. Given all the other complaints for the same issue will be selling the vehicle: I cannot believe there is not a recall on this. It seems that everyone in the automotive industry knows this is a defective part that goes out.

- Clayton, NC, USA

Transmission failure. When stopping, transmission down-shifts so hard that all passengers feel as if they will be thrown through the windshield, like being rear-ended. Also, the transmission is very slow to shift. When it finally does, it "kicks" like having been hit by another car. Transmission takes itself out of cruise control and out of O/D. Mazda dealer service manager has driven the vehicle and has experienced these problems first hand, but because the car is not generating a "code", Mazda's official position is that there is no problem. This is extremely upsetting and unacceptable, since I complained of this problem (and others) Sept. 2002. The car would not accelerate at all but would sputter, then jolt forward into traffic. I made three separate trips to the dealership and the first two times was again told "there is no problem, since we can't find a code" - even though the engine light was on! finally, on the third trip, they were able to diagnose the problem - spark wires and plugs. Recently, when they weren't able to find the current problem, they suggested that it was an engine mount problem, so I paid nearly $700 (and had a rental car for nearly three weeks waiting for parts) to have that fixed. When I got the car back, the transmission problem was actually worse! further, the car seems to have some sort of electrical problem, as occasionally, all the dash lights will come on when I depress the brake pedal, and the left or right turn signal will remain on, static - not blinking. I have reported all the above on more than one occasion to the dealership and to Mazda corporation. This vehicle has only 63,000 miles and is just now paid off. I complained about this problem while the car was still under warranty and was told there is no problem. Now, the car is out of warranty, and since Mazda says there is no problem, I will have to pay all costs involved in transmission replacement. I intend to retain legal counsel.

- Las Vegas, UT, USA

Transmission failure and replacement on automatic transmission at 70,000 miles.

- Yuma, AZ, USA

While driving up I-75N, I noticed the O/D off light had started flashing and the engine sounded strange. After a few miles of this, I came upon a rest area and pulled off there. As soon as I stopped the car, the engine started smoking, and making a gurgling, sizzling noise. I had to call aaa to tow me back home, which was 3 hours away. After going back to tampa, had my car dropped off at aamco transmissions. I was advised that the transmission had to be replaced because it was completely burned up inside. So I had them replace the transmission. I spent alot of money between the transmission replacement, towing, and alternative transportation while my car was being repaired.

- Tampa, FL, USA

The automatic transmission failed while driving at 25 mph without warning.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

Transmission repair on a 1998 Mazda 626. Cost me $2936.32

- Simi Valley, CA, USA

I bought this car 1 year ago, it has 83,000 miles on it, the transmission needs to be replaced at the cost of $2,400. According to the shop repairing it, this is a very common occurrence with this year of car. All investigations into recalling this transmission have been closed. Ouch!!

- Rock Springs, WY, USA

Transmission. What was told to me by dealer, was that a piece came apart from the transmission, clogged up the transmission filter, while hitting moving parts and ruining parts of transmission.

- Albany, LA, USA

1998 Mazda 626 with 71,909 miles. Transmission failure. Will cost me $2100 to fix. Still paying a loan on this vehicle.

- Stamford, CT, USA

My 1998 Mazda 626 LX transmission is bad. Something that is not expected from this make and model and car this recent. Even after repairs, the transmission still fails shortly after, losing hydraulic pressure, rings and clutch are worn and must be replaced. The entire transmission must be replaced.

- Kennesaw, GA, USA