1995 Mazda 626 LX from North America - Comments

I own a 96 Mazda 626, bought it with 80,035 miles on it. The o/d light started flashing. I was told by a mechanic it was the torque converter. I also had that repaired. Without the warranty it would have cost $2300. The car was working for another 20000 miles then the O2 sensors went out. The cost was unreasonable at $129( thank God for universal sensors- $59). The O2 sensors were changed then the engine began having multiple misfires. I fixed that problem then the o/d light once again started flashing. While accelerating from low speeds, the tranny pops into gear.. my advice to people.. leave the Mazda in the garbage.

I have a 96 Mazda 626. At 80K miles the spring that keeps tension on the timing belt broke. It is a very thin spring that is far too undersized for the job. It worked its way about a quarter inch into the tension arm it attaches to.

No I have an intermittent problem with the transmission shuttering while at any speed. At the same time the OD light will flash. I always buy Japanese cars. Little did I know this was really a FORD.

I own a MAZDA 626 4C Engine, 185,000. The previous owner said he had the transmission replaced. I took the car in a few weeks ago to a mechanic and had him check out everything for me. He said it only looked like I needed a tune up and to have my brake fluid flushed. I thought this was cool, that there was nothing major wrong with it.

A week later I started having problems with the car. For some reason the wire that goes from the distributor to some kind of black box kept coming off when I would drive the car, I had to use a pair of pliers to squeeze it tight enough to make it stay on. Then a week later my 0/D light started to flash and my car would seem to have trouble changing gears. Now it's to the point where the O/D light just flashes and the car does not shift into any gear at all. The engine sounds fine, and everything else seems to be working OK, but my transmission seems to have gone bye bye. So now I have two choices, pay to get it looked at and possibly pay a high price for a new transmission or trade it in as is and get myself a different car.

If you have any comments, please post them.

Ben.

I have a 95 Mazda 626 with a 2.5 automatic. I had the transmission replaced at 100,000mi. After I drove the car 5,000mi the transmission overdrive light began to turn off and on, and the speedometer needle bounced from 0-140mph. I had the transmission rebuilt and also found out the speed sensor was bad. That cost $80. I have put 30,000mi on it, and haven't had a problem with the transmission since, but on the other hand the valves on the engine have started to rattle.

Hello everyone, I just bought a '97 Mazda 626 and everything was working fine for the first day. I have since put about 100 miles on the car and notice there's a puddle of transmission fluid on my driveway this morning.

Last night, while out driving in my 626, I noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment. I immediately pulled over and noticed transmission fluid dripping down onto the pavement at an alarming rate. When I got home, I raised the car and noticed fluid leaking from the two black rubber plugs (between the transmission mount). That's the only visual confirmation I can see. Anyone got any idea what's wrong with my car? Thanks in advance.

Yeah, it's broken.

Hi,

I bought a used 1995 Mazda 626 the beginning May 2003. I thought I was buying a good car, as it only had 78,000 miles on it. When I ran a Carfax report on it, I discovered the previous owner had not sold the car, but the car had been repossessed. I also had a mechanic do a basic diagnostic check of the car before buying it and the only thing he could find wrong was that the brakes would have to be replaced.

So, everything went well with the car for a month, and then I started noticing when I put the key in the ignition it would hesitate to start. Then one day I tried to start the car and found out the head gasket had blown, which cost almost $1000 to repair. A month after that, the car started to jump and seemed to shift gears erratically. I was told that I had a transmission leak, and to add tranny fluid which I did. Soon after my car began to shake and basically would not move. The car had to be towed and I was told the tranny was shot and I would need a new one which would run me $1800. After the tranny was put in, the mechanic said the car still wasn't working and now he doesn't know what's wrong. So, he said he would take it to an expert.

I'm just mad that I ever bought this car and I wish I had found this site before buying that car. I'm just so mad, this being my first car and having to deal with all these problems. Even when the car does get fixed, I'm scared to even take it on the highway, because I don't know what else might happen. I just don't see how an automaker company can knowingly make defective cars that are not really safe to drive and be able to sleep at night. This is definitely my last time ever buying anything to do with Mazda.

Hi Everyone.

I've just finished reading through all the comments concerning Mazda 626's. For what it's worth, I have a 1988 with over 130,000 miles. The tranny just died - not too bad for all those miles. I bought the car new in 1988 and rarely had any trouble with it. It was the best money I ever spent on a car.

I also have a 1994 Ford Probe. Can you say money pit? I've put more into the Probe than I ever did with the Mazda. I replaced the transmission in the Probe at just under 100,000 miles and now can feel that other things are going on it. It's sluggish, slow starts, etc. Since Mazda and Ford share so many engine parts, I think the best advice is to avoid the Fords of the 90's and stick to the classics from the 80's.

I just brought my car 2 days ago. When I test drove it, it worked great, couldn't find anything wrong with it. Now after having and driving for 2 days my engine light is on and the O/D button is flashing. It is very rough changing gears and when I'm sitting still it shakes. Now I'm stuck with the car. Wish I found this site before I bought it.

First, I feel all your pains!

Yes, IT is a 95 Mazda 626.

IT's transmission was replaced at 65,000 miles when the O/D light wouldn't go off.

I had a chance to trade IT in for a Toyota in 2002. The dealer offered $1,800 and I decided to keep IT. I bought the Toyota anyway.

I gave IT to my dad who needed a car so badly.

Around 110,000 miles, my poor father had the O/D light come on to stay, and he had to replace the transmission.

My dad moved out of state (from CA to NH) and couldn't take IT along so he gave IT back to me 2 months ago.

IT now has 136,000 miles and the O/D light is back!

I should have traded IT in for $1,800.

Anybody knows a good non-profit organization that wants a donation?

I own a 96 Mazda 626, bought it in January of 97 with 20K miles on it. Now I have 151K on the odometer.

When the car had ~70K miles, the O/D Lights blinked and I had to change the transmission. Luckily I had Extended Warranty and I only paid $50.

Now my check engine light is on. I took it to the shop, I had to change the Thermal Reactor. Now the Engine light is still on, and I need to change the O2 Sensor. Is it easy/difficult to change the O2 Sensor that connects to the Manifold?

I'm facing new problem with my 95 mazda 626lx, the symbol besides the high beam light symbol starts glowing at the initial pick up of the car, and also the car pick up is not good, need advice to correct my problem about the glowing of tank (pipe) like symbol and improvement of pickup.

I have a 2000 Mazda 626 with 64,000 miles. The transmission is now being replaced. It also has gone through two sway bars.

I own a 1997 Mazda 626, I recently bought the car 1 month ago. I had warranty, but the warranty is 2 months and 2,000 miles. I went to the dealership to see if they could fix my car and they said it was fine, and that it had no problems. Well except for little problems! I went to a transmission specialist and they told me that the whole transmission needed to be repaired. My warranty will not cover it! I am a college student who supports herself and cannot afford to buy a new transmission. If you know anyone who can help me! Please e-mail me at jackiecavazo_20 @yahoo.com ,Thank you.

I owe 1996 Mazda 626 LX with 120,000 km (75,000 miles). The automatic transmission needs to be replaced (nothing new) at the cost of $2000 (minimum) for the rebuilt one and twice as much for the new one. I decided not to do it. I know that I'll get only few bucks for my Mazda in "as is" condition, but I don't want to put my money into the "bottomless pit". Anyway, I was thinking about a new car, but guess what, it won't' be Mazda nor Ford. Thank you!

I'm thinking about Subaru or Mitsubishi.