1999 Mazda 626 LX from North America - Comments

I have a 1998 Mazda 626 LX 85,000.00 miles, I've had all the problems in all the e-mails I just read. What's the problem with the check engine light? can anyone tell us? I must have taken that car back to the dealership approximately 10 times in the last 3 years for the check engine light, and no one can tell me what the problem is, it's Feb 17th, the dead of winter, 25 inches of snow, and my car will not start. I just hope it's not a transmission or an engine problem. Can we as consumers do anything about this? will Mazda look into the problems when it comes to this car? all I know is, I will not recommend this car to anyone, and I will not buy another Mazda. Thank you for your time.

Just to supply some data for you, I have a 1993 Mazda 626. The transmission is okay -- a leak developed and I almost waited too long to address it, but at 140,000 miles I don't blame Mazda.

The check engine light just started coming on. I'm going to ignore it for now. Based on what I'm reading here, I'm glad it waited 10 years to happen.

1999 626...auto transmission... same issues experienced with flashing o/d and check engine light, hard shifting, now it won't leave 2nd gear. Has anyone successfully solved this problem with Mazda?

My sister-in-law had a 626 Mazda, circa 1996. The transmission failed on her Mazda around 60K to 70K miles. I had always thought that Japanese auto quality was better than American, so I was very puzzled by such a huge quality problem.

My brother-in-law discovered that the transmission was made by FORD, not Mazda!! My family had owned a Mercury Sable (virtually the same as the Ford Taurus) several years earlier... the transmission also gave up on that car before 100K miles.

So, I would say, if you're buying another Mazda today, try to find out who makes the transmission. If it's FORD, I think you're taking your chances. Or, if you can, get an extended warranty on the power-train.

I ran across these accounts from Mazda owners while searching for some information regarding the constant problems I have with my 1999 Mazda 626, which currently has 70,000 miles on it. Just yesterday I brought my car into the dealer because of the check engine light; they have since called back saying I need to replace a circuit and "maybe think about" replacing the timing belt. I know belt replacements are standard, but I am still frustrated that this was not brought to my attention during my 60,000-mile tune up (also at a Mazda dealer). In addition to the normal car maintenance, I, too, was forced to replace the transmission early on. To top off my disappointment with Mazda, the customer service has been terrible; I am a young female college student who has continuously been patronized by Mazda reps when I ask questions regarding my car, and find it particularly offensive because my father is treated with the utmost respect and professionalism when he interacts with Mazda to clarify and resolve the (numerous) problems for me. Mazda has lost out on a major future client.

I own a 98 Mazda 626 LX 4 cyl with CD4E transmission. I replaced it last year. I cost me a bundle plus three days under the car in my driveway as I hauled out the old one and put in a used one with 1000 miles on it (1600 kms).This transmission is in fact made by Ford in Ohio. It has a design failure that has yet to be recognized by Ford (CD4E is also in the Ford Probe & Mercury Mystiques. In short my advice is to install a transmission cooler as soon as possible. Have you transmission flushed once per year with a high quality transmission fluid. Then get rid of this car as soon as possible. In short this engine/transmission combination is going to yield you nothing but grief. Now then, to the part about engine service lights. If you are having poor performance, stalling and rough idling after the engine is warm then it is likely the O2 sensor. Mine showed up as an error code indicating spark plug wires. It is a pricey item, but likely the first place you should check if you are having the above symptoms.

I also have a '98 Mazda 626. I have a problem with the idleing on my car. I've been looking all over the internet and am discovering that many people have the same problem with the car as I do. When I am stopped with the car running, it sputters like its going to die out on me for a couple of seconds, and then its fine again. I noticed this mostly happens when I have the A/C on, which is almost all of the time (I live in Phoenix).

I've been doing a lot of reading on websites like this and on one of them I saw a suggestion from one of the vehicle owners that seemed to work for him and a lot of other people.

This guy says to remove the spring from the solenoid in the air control valve and clean all the carbon out of it. He said he did this and hasn't had any more problems with it. He also said he talked to a mechanic that says that he should do this every 40,000 miles or so.

I don't know how hard or easy this is to do. This guy said it was pretty easy, that he just did it himself. I'm going to have a mechanic friend try it on my car this weekend to see if it helps with mine.

I have purchased a 1996 Mazda 626 and have been experiencing the same types of problems. My engine light stays on all the time and my overdrive off button blinks on and off after driving for a period of time. I don't know what the problem is with these Mazda's. I am sorry that I ever purchased one.

I have a 1995 Mazda 626 LX with 90K miles that has had the blinking OD light and engine warning light issues described here by many. The problem started last July when the car had just hit 80K miles. I took the car to the dealership and they quoted me 3200.00 for a new trans. A transmission shop quoted me 2200.00. That was almost 10 months ago and I have continued to drive the car. I don't take the car on long trips. I just drive locally. To show how confident I am about this car, I have the number for AAA tow service on my speed dial. I am currently looking to purchase another car probably a Toyota or Nissan. I am finished with Mazda period.

I regret not looking into these problems before I bought the car. Had I known that Mazda was using Ford transmissions, I would have never bought the car. Now I'm looking at selling for thousands less than blue book or donating the car to charity for a write-off. I wish I would have walked away from the car a year ago!

Be forewarned! Trans problems with Mazda vehicles are common and costly.

Www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov is the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's website and you can file your complaints there. I just filed one for our 1999 Mazda 626 because the transmission failed 2 weeks ago at 67,000 miles. There are many other similar complaints and you can read them all for any make and model. Cost to replace the transmission was $2,600.00 with a one year warranty - goody. The mechanic says he replaces a lot of these in the Mazda's and the dealer says they sell a lot of transmissions - really?. Guess it's a good deal for them. Now we have another problem. When the headlights are turned, they along with the taillights, interior lights, and dash lights start flashing. While this going on, there is a whining in the engine compartment which I found was coming from the headlight relay under the hood. I replaced the relay - and of course it made zero difference. In addition to the "strobe lights", just the left turn signal flashes very fast while the headlights are on. I guess I could drive the car in a parade to entertain people and throw candy to the kids.

Looking forward to taking the car back to my mechanic. Dealership service and parts department people have been rude and short. Once this is fixed the car is being sold and we will buy something reliable - but never another Mazda. I suggest all Mazda Victims get together and begin creating ads, commercials, billboards, etc., whatever it takes to tell Mazda and other car manufacturers we have had enough. You know, I work for a company that makes automotive components and our customers expect zero defects. We should expect the same from them. If any of you have had this headlight problem please contact me with your experience at js083101@yahoo.com.

This Too Shall Pass - The sooner the better.

After reading 20+ comments on the poor quality of Mazdas, I am shocked, but slightly disbelieving. I have own two 626s a 98 and a 99. I have had no problems with either one, and only purchased the second after my first was totaled in an accident. I have no complaints other than the air has a funny smell just after I turn the AC off.

My first 626 had 50,000 on it when I bought it, and I drove it for at least 25,000 more miles with no problems.

My second now has 60,000 on it, and I drive a lot, to college which is 100 miles away, at least once a week.

I am starting to doubt my own confidence in mazda, but only a little. Time will tell if the confidence I have left in mazda is going to stay.

I purchased a 97 Mazda 626 3 yrs ago. The transmission went at 87,000 and cost us 3,000.00 plus rental car. Since than its been in the shop for cracked radiator and minor other problems, but too many to count. Eight weeks ago my engine light came on and I was told we needed to replace the O2 sensor, another 389.00. Guess what my engine light came back on again this week and took it into Mazda. Just received a call, seems there are 2 - O2 sensors and now the second has gone bad. I originally owned a Toyota and will never again make the mistake of switching.

Wow, its bad when so many people run into similar problems and not hearing a solution from the Manufacture.

I am on my second Mazda 626, the first being a 1995, 4 cylinder and the latest a 1999, LX 6 cylinder. Both of them had very similar problems. The 1995 had intermittent transmission problems so I traded back to the dealership for the 1999. My 1999 had the most disappointing and frustrating problems. First with the engine light continued to stay on even after it was serviced, but the problem grew worst. When I turned on my air condition/heat the car accelerated or revved up. I was told that the car need a $400 valve in the engine, but the labor cost for them to pull the engine apart and replace it would be an estimated $1,00.00 in labor fees. Oh! I forgot to mention that my car's warranty is up.

Mazda doesn't seem to be working on their engine and transmission problems. I would not recommend Mazda to anyone.

Sad to hear Mazda products are giving so many people problems. I had a 95 626 that was great until it was totaled with 120K miles on it. My current 99 626 had the steering rack die under warranty and still suffers occasional throttle hesitation when shifting under hard acceleration. The clutch also doesn't want to disengage on very hot days, but over the past two summers this has diminished and since I don't want to put a clutch in have lived with it. Both of these cars have manual transmissions. I love manuals, but am familiar with the automatic transmission problems since I have a friend in the tranny biz. The main thing here is most vehicles have trouble spots and automatic transmissions are a big one. You want to see a nightmare take a look at the forums on Ford Explorers. I beat the hell out of my cars, but maintain them well and use only the best fluids like synthetic oil and premium filters. With Mazda's V6 I strongly recommend this since the valves are not hydraulic and must be adjusted periodically. I have 75,000 miles and checked the front bank myself and fortunately they are still in spec. Didn't check the back bank since you would have to pull the intake manifold to check the back valves. If the valves are out of spec you have to pull the cams and buy shims. Mazda charges about $1,500 for this. By the way when I pulled the valve cover the inside of the engine looked like the day it was built, no sludge, carbon, or other deposits. Mazda is no longer a true Japanese car company since getting into bed with Ford. Sad to say, but I'm not likely to buy another Mazda.

This is totally incredible!! I bought a 1999 Mazda 626, with just at 59,000 almost 60,000 miles on it, this summer. And now this winter a few months later with almost 68,000 miles... I am having most of the problems that everyone else is having. Flashing OD light and horrible transmission problems. Transmission has to be warm to run smooth... other wise it hesitates when shifting into gear and even then it shifts hard when running down the road... so bad that I sound like I am peeling out. This mainly happens when the car has only been running a little while. After being warm and driving a while transmission is OK except for at stop lights. Then transmission seems to shift (feels like I am being "tapped" by another car from behind). I will never buy another Mazda or a Ford product for that matter! I am a single mother and work part time while attending college full time. I don't have another car to use while mine is in the shop nor the money to deal with this issue!! I can't believe that either one won't do a thing about this for the consumer. If you are having similar problems please email me : futrcop@sbcglobal.net.