1994 Mazda 626 from North America - Comments

It all started on the day of my birthday. I got paid and saved for a Mazda 626 (big mistake). I drove the car for about a month and after that, down hill it went. First, the battery ($40) blew up in my engine, so I bought another one. Next it was the alternator ($160),not ready for the bill, but hey things happen right. Next it was the distributor, not the distributor cap, but the distributor ($500). Finally last, but not least, it was ready for the grand finale, the transmission ($2600). That was supposed to be fixed three weeks ago, but is it done no. And why is the question, because they can't find some problem in the engine connecting with the transmission. They told me it was a electrical problem and I needed to get a new computer module ($200), so I did. And do I have my car fixed yet, no.

From the day I bought this car it's been nothing but a hassle. If you want a car with crazy problems out the ying-yang buy a 626. When buying this car I strongly insist on telling you don't let the price of the car fool you. The money that you don't spend on the car is going to come out on just the maintenance. My birthday gift that I wanted so much became my worst nightmare, making me spend money some not even mine left and right.

Steven, it seems like I am running into the same problem with the transmission. Although, I can say that my 626 has taken on a token of high mileage since I have owned it. I have about 162 thousand miles on it and the transmission finally went out. I just had the trans. rebuilt just a few weeks ago and the symptoms that you had are very similar to mine. The specialist says it's an electrical problem that the engine has and that it may not be communicating well with the trans. I really am frustrated with this car, so I am going to get rid of it so that I can get rid of the problem. Another quick comment is that the "hold" light keeps flashing and the car jerks when it goes in second... this really bites... thanks for listening...becky.

Steven, I own a 96 626 with V6 and automatic transmission. The car has been wonderful until 100,000 miles. At that time my water pump started to leak, so it was replaced along with the timing belt. It is my understanding the belt should have been replaced at 60,000 miles, but it was not. Total bill 800.00 Approx 500 miles later, when making turns, I started hearing clunking noises and my car would vibrate above 60 MPH. I was told my CV joints were bad, remanufactured axles were installed, Total bill 600.00 My car now has 110,000 miles, the shift has become very hard into second and at times the "O/D OFF" and CHECK ENGINE light will illuminate. I have been informed that my trans is getting weak and about to self destruct. This is disappointing, as I planned to drive this car until the wheels fell off. (oh look, there about to!) I have mixed emotions as to a replacement vehicle as the 626 was problem free until 100,000 miles. However, I thought it would go a whole lot farther.

I have been reading all the comments on the 626's and I noticed that only automatics have serious problems.

I have a 1994 626 DX manual transmission, and the only problems I've encountered was that I had to replace the distributor and oil leaks around the spark plugs.

C'mon look at the mileage on that thing! You wouldn't get 100,000 miles out of a regular ford or chevy that isn't brand new..don't you think you were expecting a bit much? Mine has over 225000 and I didn't have to do any of those things. I did notice that the gripe seems to be with the automatic and mine is a manual, however I don't have all those issues, I guess I should feel lucky then!

It seems as though the problems are with the automatic transmission. I had three Mazdas and I had to replace the transmission in all three. The first time was around 65000 miles on my 95 626. On the 2001 626 it was replaced at around 61000 miles. Fortunately I had an extended warranty which still did not work as well for me as it should, but that was my fault for choosing a bad extended warranty company on the internet. This company would not allow the Mazda dealer to replace my transmission and I had to take it to a transmission company and ended up with a used transmission. This 2001 will be my last Mazda, just before I purchased this vehicle I asked the mazda dealer if Mazda had resolved their transmission problem and was told yes and I decided to take a third chance and I regret doing so. All of the problems mention previously by other 626 owners are all true. Hard to put the car in gear, electrical problems all occurred with my three Mazdas.

I'm sorry to say guy, but that sucks. Everyone should know to look up the history on a car to make sure that its not a total pile. Even though a Mazda sounds like it would be a good car because its foreign and all, its always best to find out what you can on the car before you buy the damn thing.

Unfortunately, buying any 12 year old vehicle with HIGH mileage on it is just rolling the dice.