1997 Mazda 626 LX 2.0 4 cylinder

Summary:

Not worth the money as a used car

Faults:

The transmission has needed to be rebuilt one three months after purchase.

The speed sensor has to be replaced.

General Comments:

This cars interior and exterior are both sporty yet classy.

However even with poor maintenance the transmission problems at 60,000 miles are ridiculous.

I wish I had purchased this car new, I am sure it would be fun to drive when you're not worried about mechanical problems.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 16th May, 2003

1997 Mazda 626 LX 4 Cylinder

Summary:

Not so good

Faults:

Flashing O/D light on transmission and overflow of transmission fluid out the vent cap.

Had transmission rebuilt, same problem.

Only happened when car was hot after funning for a long time, then blinking O/D.

Save your money and tell your mechanic to install a "Transgo SK CD4E-Jr" Shift Kit. Even the instructions say it corrects the blinking light code on the CD4E transmission! Get it installed professionally.

General Comments:

I wouldn't buy this car used.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 5th May, 2003

21st May 2004, 09:12

I am currently having problems with the O/D light, and was curious of how much it will cost.

31st Dec 2006, 05:17

If your experiencing Flashing O/D light-then loss of power-then sudden jerk of car it's the Mass Air Flow sensor.

If your just in the flashing O/D stage I promise you.. it's will change to "I'm scared for my life because my car is outta control" stage. get it checked.

15th Oct 2008, 19:35

I purchased a 2000 Mazda 626 LX 2.0 four cylinder in January of '04. Within a short period the 0/D light started blinking - major transmission problems. I installed a re-manufactured transmission. It went out again in '07. I installed another remanufactured tranny. I now have major problems once again - October, '08. The only major part on this car made by Ford is the transmission - model CD4E - one that is rife with problems. The rest of the car has been excellent but the cost of just one bad transmission makes this model completely unworthy of the purchase price - and I bought mine at wholesale with my dealers license.

The only way I would purchase this model again is if I got it cheaply enough, knowing in advance that it would need a transmission rebuild AND I installed a TransGo CD4E-Jr shift kit in the rebuild process AND added an additional transmission fluid cooler.

If you can't do this yourself or the price isn't cheap enough to justify having this done when you purchase it, my advice is to stay clear of this model.

It's a shame really. This could have been a good car. But the CD4E model transmission that comes with the 2.0 four cylinder engine just ruins it. Ford knew this design to be an extremely poor one but kept producing it for many years anyway. And they wonder why they keep losing market share to Honda, Toyota and Nissan and may even go out of business in the US. If Henry Ford could see this, I think he'd turn over in his grave.

1997 Mazda 626 LX 2.0

Summary:

A Big Piece Of Crap!

Faults:

This car is by far the worst car that I have ever driven!!

Since I bought it I have replaced

- both belts on the car

- air pump (x2)

- air sensor

- the battery

- alternator.

I know though that my battle with this car is not over yet, because since yesterday there has been a ticking/clunking noise when I drive. This only happens when you begin to accelerate, but the noise decreases as you keep on driving. I don't know what it is, its on the passenger side and near the tire.

Also these cars are known to have the engine light turn on and off, and that is exactly what mine does, one day on one day off, sometimes though it stays on for 2 weeks at a time, nothing is wrong at that moment though.

General Comments:

I recommend that anyone who wants to buy a car please stay away from this Mazda.

This car is a waste of money because you will have to end up adding a lot more money into it also.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 6th April, 2003

16th Jun 2003, 21:17

Wow! I am amazed I have the same Mazda 626 LX and mine does exactly what you said yours does. I mean exactly! how weird is that. You'd think if all of these Mazda's did that, they would have some kind of recall and fix everything.

15th Mar 2004, 18:38

I Have This same model and mine does similar to what you said. Mine has a tapping noise I think it comes from the lifters, but yes your right this is a piece of crap. I've had mine for 2 years and I have already gone through a transmission. Save your money and buy a Nissan.

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