Transmission was replaced at 37,000 or 38,000 miles. Was still under warranty. Replaced spark plugs twice before 50,000 miles.1st at dealership(80.00) 2nd by my husband 3,000 miles after the 1st time. 2 mths. Later same problem not plugs but replaced spark plug wires. Replaced front rotors(should not be replaced that early) before original brake pads were worn down completely. Put in shop Dec. 01-computer said bad O2 sensor replaced both sensors(90.00) still same problem. Called Mazda, filed a complaint with Mazda. They did nothing. They said not enough files had been issued to warrant a recall. I think that is a lie. All over the internet you find complaints of this particular car Mazda 626 transmission problems. These cars are notorious for that. It is a shame that Mazda makes a product as this and does not stand behind what it produces. They are just lazy and do not care to help the public. You would think they would care about their reputation. They have a very bad reputation with the Mazda 626 transmissions and they don't even seem to care. This vehicle needs to be recalled and everyone that still has paperwork needs to be reimbursed by Mazda for all the money people have paid to get their cars fixed. Thank goodness we got rid of ours a few months ago. I tell eveyone I know that is looking into buying a car not to get a Mazda.

- Clanton, AL, USA

No summary listed for above vehicle.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

While driving at any speed on flat surface and no warning transmission will stall, making it hard for consumer to control vehicle. Dealer notified.

- Dermott, AR, USA

This is in followup to my previous vehicle owner's questionnaire NHTSA ODI number 763482. I took my Mazda 626 back to the dealer from whom I purchased the vehicle. I explained my research to the service manager who admitted that he had seen this problem before and that some vehicles experience this problem again after a rebuilt transmission has been installed to correct the initial problem. The service manager stated he contacted the regional Mazda organization and described our case and our low mileage of just over 32,000. Mazda offered to pay for the rebuilt transmission if I would be responsible for the labor. Having read other owner's complaints that it cost them between $2,200 and $2,900 to get their car on the road, I accepted the offer. I am still hopeful that the NHTSA will investigate the Mazda transmission problem. If recalled, I am hopeful of getting my money refunded, which I believe is reasonable given the pervasiveness of this vehicle defect. Thank you for your consideration. Jjb

- East Windsor, NJ, USA

While traveling on highway consumer heard a loud clinking noise coming from underneath hood area, vehicle shut down, and would not restart. Dealership is aware of problem. Consumer stated the vehicle did start back up, but would not foward or backward, consumer stated the transmission was replaced about a year ago.

- Brinkley, AK, USA

When pulling out of parking lot transmission failed, with gears not responding to acceleration. Rpms were very high from attempting to get vehicle in motion.

- Flanders, NJ, USA

Though this is a Canadian vehicle, it was manufactured in the us. I am hoping that it will help others to force the manufacturer to deal with this problem. The la4A-el transmission is a flawed design.

- Orleans, NC, USA

No summary listed for above vehicle.

- Baton Rouge, LA, USA

I had started to notice rough shifting at around 90,000 miles. I travel with my work and am gone every week mon-fri and put about 1000 miles a week on my car. Some weeks more than that, all highway miles. I thought the rough shifting was due to the transmission fluid and filter and had the transmission fluid changed. You cannot get to the filter in the CD4 without taking the whole thing apart. I went another 10,000 miles and now the transmission will allow me to travel about 10 miles then quits. After sitting for a few minutes, I can travel another 5-10 minutes then it quits again. I have contacted Mazda's customer service department and a lady I spoke with was no help at all. She told me to go to a dealer and the closest is 125 miles away. I asked if they had a tech department I could talk to and she said none existed. I have been told that this Ford transmission is nothing but trouble. I cannot complain about the first 100000 miles on this little car. The only repairs were brakes and a battery plus the normal maintenance. I cannot see why my transmission is acting so wierd though. I had one go out years ago and it never would shift again. This runs, then quits, then runs, then quits again. Oh well, I wanted to vent and I have. If there is a recall out there on this I would love to know about it. Thanks for listening. Fred martino.

- Girard, KS, USA

No summary listed for above vehicle.

- Conway, AR, USA

Transmission failure at relatively low mileage, dealer suggests reman. Transmission at a cost of $2700. Transmission repair shop reports internal failure of some sort, complete removal and disassembly required to determine exact nature of the problem - $700 labor, plus parts. There seem to be quite a few complaints of this nature with this year and model. Please investigate. How many complaints must be filed before a recall is warranted?

- Sheridan, IN, USA

Consumer states the transmission had to be replaced at 70,000, and believes there should be an investigation regarding the transmission.

- Wake Forest, NC, USA

This 5 year young car has been garage kept and used as a third vehicle for weekend driving. Over the last few hundred miles, the tranmission began jolting into first gear when stopped at traffic lights, etc. On June 19th, I decided to take the vehicle to my mechanic to check for what might be an emerging transmission problem. The vehicle would barely back out of the driveway. It seemed to jump out of gear, and seemed to shift gears randomly and without warning. I had to stop several times on my two mile journey to place the transmission in neutral and ease it back into drive. These extreme symptons have manifested themselves intermittently since June 19th, prompting the internet searches that lead us to NHTSA's website. I will be taking the vehicle to Mazda in the near future and will report my experience back to you. Is there anything that you can tell me in dealing with Mazda so that this can be fixed with minimal expense and aggravation" many of the Mazda transmission reports to NHTSA relate stories of computer failure but in most cases the transmission is replaced. What has NHTSA learned of this matter relative to the mechanical versus computer problem? how do I keep from being taken? frankly, it is clear from the complaints lodged on your site and on other sites detailing Mazda transmission problems, that Mazda/Ford has a serious problem with this transmission that they are passing on to the public at large. I think that transmission failure at only 32150 miles is not reasonable service and I have never had such a failure with any other vehicle. Looking at the NHTSA website, apparently, you have no investigations of Mazda to report. The NHTSA Mazda 626 transmission complaints are dated starting 1997. The problem seems longstanding enough to warrent investigation. What has been the experience with other Mazda and comparable competitors" I am writing to you in advance in hope you can offer some advice in resolving this. Regards, joe bachalis.

- East Windsor, NJ, USA

I had a complete transmission rebuild/replace fro $2800 on a 4 year old Mazda that I bought new. Mazda only covers 3 years. Poor design.

- Huntington Beach, CA, USA

When vehicle is in overdrive it will not move. Vehicle has had 3 transmissions put in.

- District Hieghts, MD, USA

The following complaint is very common in the mazada 626 someone needs to help the consumer. No safety defect listed.

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

My transmission went out at 45,000! the mechanic at tustin transmission (calif) told me that he sees this problem all the time on this transmission. In doing research online, I have found many others have had the same problem too! this is not right!!!!! I am frustrated and angry that this defective part has not been recalled. Please help!!!!!!

- Walnut, CA, USA

Automatic transmission failed at 65000 miles. Mazda dealer tech said there are lots of problems with 98 model transmission. When transmission is hot, it completely failed. Work a bit better when it cool down. It needs to be replaced.

- Calgary, AZ, USA

Transmission failed at just over 62000 miles after regularly scheduled maintenance.

- Hattiesburg, MS, USA

My transmission has gone out with 70,000 miles. I am forced to purchase a new transmission. I know of many other Mazda 626's with the same low mileage transmission problems.

- Wake Forest, NC, USA