1996 Mazda 626 Owner Complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MAZDA 626. WHILE DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE SENSOR LIGHT SUDDENLY ILLUMINATED AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WIRE HARNESS WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE WIRE HARNESS WAS REPLACED. APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS LATER, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE HEAD GASKET MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000.

NHTSA ID

10875499

Incident

Apr 1, 2015

Mileage

165,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MAZDA 626. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A PROGRESSING ELECTRICAL FAILURE AND UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VENT CONTROLS FAILED TO WORK FOR THE AIR CONDITIONER AND HEATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FOUR DIFFERENT INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOPS AND THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V674000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO RECEIVE THE PARTS FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER FOR MONTHS AND WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 05/10/16*LJ

NHTSA ID

10850053

Incident

Dec 10, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MAZDA 626. AFTER PLACING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED A FUEL ODOR UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF FOR A WHILE AND PROCEEDED TO TURN THE VEHICLE BACK ON WITH THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS ROLLED DOWN. THE CONTACT COULD NO LONGER SMELL THE FUEL ODOR AND A WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V674000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ID

10822014

Incident

Jan 25, 2016

Mileage

80,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MAZDA 626. AFTER REFUELING THE VEHICLE, A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL EMITTED OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO FUEL VISIBLE ON THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DISCOVERED THAT THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK EXHIBITED A THREE INCH CRACK. THE MECHANIC WOULD NEED TO FIND A NEW FUEL TANK FOR THE REPLACEMENT. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE AIR INTAKE VALVE AND RADIATOR WERE FAULTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,000.

NHTSA ID

10712043

Incident

Apr 9, 2010

Mileage

132,000 mi

THREE INCH CRACK IN TOP OF RULE TANK ,SEAT BELTS BROKE AND SLOW TO ROLE BACK UP AND PLASTIC PARTS USED IN DOOR OPENING MECHANISM BROKE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10712037

Incident

Apr 10, 2010

Mileage

100,000 mi

I SMELLED GAS WHENEVER I WOULD GET GAS FOR THE CAR OR SPEED UP THE CAR. SO I TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC AND HE SAID IT WAS SOME SORT OF A PROBLEM WITH THE GAS TANK. I NEED TO KNOW WHAT IT IS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10693732

Incident

Feb 8, 2012

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MAZDA 626. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE SHIFTER WAS IN THE PARK POSITION AND POWERED ON, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY EXPERIENCED AN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND CRASHED INTO A BRICK PILLAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED AN INJURED BACK THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 213,365.

NHTSA ID

10690214

Incident

Feb 8, 2015

Mileage

213,365 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MAZDA 626. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING FROM A DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS STATED THE TORQUE CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. *TR

NHTSA ID

10525635

Incident

Dec 15, 2010

Mileage

140,000 mi

1996 MAZDA 626 O/D LIGHT FLASHING AND TRANSMISSION NOT SHIFTING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10349519

Incident

Aug 15, 2010

Mileage

108,750 mi

AIRBAGS DEPLOYED IN MY 1996 MAZDA 626. WITHOUT ANY REASON, WHILE DRIVING. CAUSING SCRAPES AND BRUISING, AND THE WINDSHIELD TO CRACK. *TR

NHTSA ID

10340342

Incident

Jun 26, 2010

Mileage

196,500 mi

HI I HAVE A 1996 MAZDA 626 LX AND THE O/D LIGHT JUST WENT OFF AT 167,000 MILES. I READ SEVERAL FORUMS ONLINE AND THEY ALL SAID ITS MOST LIKELY A AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM IN THE TRANSMISSION. THIS CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS TO US DRIVERS AS WELL AS DRIVERS NEXT TO US ON THE ROAD. I ADVICE TO PLEASE HAVE MAZDA RECALL ALL MODELS WITH THIS PROBLEM AND REIMBURSE US OR FIX OUR TRANSMISSIONS AT NO COST. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR READING MY POST. *TR

NHTSA ID

10298666

Incident

Jan 7, 2010

Mileage

167,000 mi

HI I HAVE A 1996 MAZDA 626 LX AND THE O/D LIGHT JUST WENT OFF AT 176,000 MILES. I READ SEVERAL FORUMS ONLINE AND THEY ALL SAID ITS MOST LIKELY A AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM IN THE TRANSMISSION. THIS CAN B VERY DANGEROUS TO US DRIVERS AS WELL AS DRIVERS NEXT TO US ON THE ROAD. I ADVICE TO PLEASE HAVE MAZDA RECALL ALL MODELS WITH THIS PROBLEM AND REIMBURSE US OR FIX OUR TRANSMISSIONS AT NO COST. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR READING MY POST. *TR

NHTSA ID

10298665

Incident

Jan 7, 2010

Mileage

167,000 mi

THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN MY 1996 MAZDA 626 FAILED. AS I DID RESEARCH I FOUND THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED ONCE BEFORE WITH A PREVIOUS OWNER. FURTHER RESEARCH HAS SHOWN ME THAT THE "CD4E" TRANSMISSION IN MY CAR IS A "KNOWN" DEFECTIVE PART AMONG OWNERS OF THIS PARTICULAR CAR. I ONLY HAD ENOUGH MONEY TO HAVE IT REPLACED WITH A USED TRANSMISSION THAT WAS THE SAME "CD4E" AND CAN ONLY HOPE THAT THIS ONE WILL HOLD UP FOR AWHILE. THE TOTAL COST WAS ABOUT $1200 AND I STILL HAVE THE OLD TRANSMISSION JUST IN CASE I NEED TO HAVE IT REBUILT. THIS PARTICULAR TRANSMISSION IS VERY HARD TO FIND DUE TO ITS UNRELIABILITY, MEANING THEY ARE IN GREAT DEMAND BECAUSE THEY FAIL FREQUENTLY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR

NHTSA ID

10282678

Incident

Aug 15, 2009

Mileage

126,000 mi

SECOND TIME AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED!!! *TR

NHTSA ID

10282403

Incident

Aug 28, 2009

THE O/D OFF LIGHT ON VEHICLE FLASHES. I NOW UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT IS KNOWN TO MAZDA. MAZDA SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND RECALL THE TRANSMISSION IN THESE VEHICLES. THIS VEHICLE IS USED BY MY KIDS FOR TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM SCHOOL. THEY ARE AT RISK. *TR

NHTSA ID

10281777

Incident

Aug 21, 2009

Mileage

143,000 mi

MAZDA 626 1996, OD-OFF BLINKING, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. *TR

NHTSA ID

10281135

Incident

Aug 14, 2009

Mileage

92,000 mi

TRANSMISSION SEAL LEAKING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10267451

Incident

Dec 24, 2008

Mileage

176,000 mi

TRANSMISSION FAILED ON 1996 MAZDA 626. REPLACED WITH USED TRANSMISSION THAT ALSO FAILED WITHIN 3 MONTHS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10245676

Incident

Oct 16, 2008

Mileage

75,000 mi

I PURCHASED MY 626 IN 2003. I WISH I WOULD HAVE DONE RESEARCH BEFOREHAND. I INSTALLED A TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER THE SAME WEEK. I'M ALSO RELIGIOUS ABOUT CHANGING THE FLUID. I ONLY DRIVE IN TOWN, LESS THAN 10 MILES PER DAY. MY O/D LIGHT STARTED BLINKING AS I WAS DRIVING AT 25 MPH. I STOPPED AT A LIGHT TO MAKE A TURN AND MY CAR WOULD NOT DRIVE. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT ALLOW THE CAR TO MOVE FORWARD. I SHUT THE CAR OFF HOPING THAT WHEN I STARTED IT AGAIN THAT IT WOULD GO. THANKFULLY IT WENT THIS TIME AND I MADE IT HOME. THE LIGHT HAS BLINKED BEFORE BUT ALWAYS TURNED OFF, NOW ITS ON STEADILY. I HAVE BEEN FEELING THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING VERY FREQUENTLY OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS. WITH ALL THE PROBLEMS, WHY IS THERE NOT A RECALL? *TR

NHTSA ID

10243932

Incident

Sep 29, 2008

Mileage

170,000 mi

THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 96 MAZDA 626 JUST STARTED ACTING UP ONE DAY IT WILL WORK FINE UNTIL IT WARMS UP THEN IT STARTS SLIPPING BADLY EVENTUALLY ACTING LIKE ITS IN NEUTRAL. I HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING BUT CHANGED THE FLUID YET BUT IM SURE ILL HAVE TO. THE PERSON I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND HE HAD IT REBUILT NOW ITS DOING IT AGAIN. I GOOGLED MY PROBLEM AND IT SEEMS LIKE ITS VERY COMMON. THANK YOU WILLIAM EHORN. *TR

NHTSA ID

10243305

Incident

May 10, 2008

Mileage

165,822 mi

TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS IN 1996 MAZDA 626 . *TR

NHTSA ID

10229866

Incident

Jun 1, 2008

Mileage

120,000 mi

I HAVE A 96 MAZDA 626 THAT IS HAVING CONSTANT PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. I HAD IT CHECKED OUT AND AM BEING TOLD THAT IT WAS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER THAT WOULD COST WELL OVER $400 BECAUSE I NEEDED THE MAZDA BRANDED ONE FROM A DEALERSHIP. ALSO THE TRANSMISSION SWITCH IS FAULTY. WHICH THE GUY I HAD LOOKING AT THE CAR, HAD NO IDEA WHAT THAT WAS AND HAD NEVER HEARD OF IT. WHEN YOU START DRIVING IT'S FINE THEN ABOUT 15 MINUTES IN TO IT STARTS JUMPING LIKE AS IF I AM PRESSING ON THE GAS TO GO 50 FROM 15. IT HAS DONE THIS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND EVERY TIME I TRY TO FIX IT SOMETHING ELSE COMES UP. I WAS TOLD BY ANOTHER PERSON THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS FAILING AND THAT MAZDA 626'S HAVE A FAULTY TRANSMISSION FROM YEARS 95-00. *TR

NHTSA ID

10228075

Incident

May 16, 2008

Mileage

150,000 mi

OVER DRIVE LIGHT KEEPS BLINKING, REPLACED TRANSMISSION TWO TIME AND CAR O/D LIGHT STILL BLINKS, TRANSMISSION ABOUT TO GO OUT AGAIN!!!! *TR

NHTSA ID

10222579

Incident

Mar 8, 2008

ON MY 1996 MY MAZDA 626 I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND MY OVERDRIVE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM ONLINE AND THERE WAS THOUSANDS OF THE SAME COMPLAINT I THINK IS WAS A OVER DRIVE SOLENOID OR A SENSOR THAT CONTROL GEAR SHIFTING. APPARENTLY THIS HAPPENS TO ALOT OF MAZDA 626'S AND I THINK MAZDA NEED TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10220206

Incident

Mar 4, 2008

Mileage

108,500 mi

I BOUGHT A 1996 MAZDA 626 LX AT APPROXIMATELY 82,000 MILES THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED. I HAD REBUILT AND NOW IT IS FAILING AGAIN. I CANNOT AFFORD TO KEEP FIXING THIS PROBLEM THAT SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN A PROBLEM TO START WITH. THE CAR HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED UNDER NORMAL DRIVING. I UNDERSTAND THINGS WILL WEAR OUT BUT I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH ANOTHER CAR. I LOOK ON THE INTERNET FOR ANSWERS AND FIND THERE ARE ALOT OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT. MAZDA NEEDS TO OFFER SOME RESPONSIBILITY TO THIS. PEOPLE WORK HARD FOR THEIR MONEY. NO ONE CAN AFFORD TO KEEP FIXING THIS PROBLEM. MAZDA SHOULD HAVE NEVER PUT A FORD TRANSMISSION IN THIS CAR THAT COULDN'T LAST. *TR

NHTSA ID

10205989

Incident

Mar 24, 2007

Mileage

82,000 mi