1996 Mazda 626 LX from North America - Comments

Well first of all, not one should ever think of buying this car. After about 1 month of driving it (in town) my over drive started blinking along with my check engine soon light coming on. I brought it to the dealer and it was a computer chip problem and so it went away for a bit. He also said that my transmission would most likely have to be replaced soon. The car only had 40k at the time! That to me is ridiculous. Then, of course, the check engine light came on again. It periodically turns on and off, for weeks or days. Another incident I have had is when I was driving about an hour on the highway. I was driving 80 and then my car started to slow down a lot, and I couldn't accelerate anymore. My RPM were climbing, but my speed was not. Brought it in again, but the dealer could not find the problem. So finally this week, I was driving home from work and my car began to shake violently, my check engine light started to BLINK (never happened before) and my overdrive went out again and shifted very hard. They have been working on it for 3 days already... they believe it will be terminal. I am honestly glad to get rid of that car. It has been nothing but problems to me. I strongly suggest to anyone that is thinking of buying this car, to not. It's not worth your time or your wallet.

Bad Transmission

Bad Computer Chips

Overdrive is not working.

About the speed climbing on the Interstate...I've had a 95 Taurus that had this same problem. The RPM's would climb, but the speed would not, usually I'd have to pull over and wait for the car to cool down. Turned out it was a bad oxygen sensor. If you get the check engine light to stay on have the shop look for that error code.

Thanks for the information. I have a 96 Mazda 626 with the same problem as the the guy above. My check engine light came on and the transmission is "slipping" also. I brought it to a mechanic and the code came out to be a bad O2 sensor. I will get a new O2 sensor and give that a try. Does any one know how the O2 sensor is related to the way the transmission works? Once I try this out I will give an update.

I can see where your frustration would get the best of you! However just because you had a bad experience with this vehicle, doesn't mean everyone else will have the same problems! I on the other hand I wouldn't drive anything but a 626!!! I have a 1996 LX 626 with the 2.0L automatic! Love it!! Sounds to me like your Mazda needs a good tune-up! A new O2 sensor, and some love!!

I have a 626 that also gets the check engine light on, and the overdrive light blinks after driving for a while. If I had known this car had a Ford transmission, I would never had bought it.