Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1997 Mazda 626 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Left home to go to work made it about 3 miles from my home and my transmission quit working as I was in the middle of a hwy. I was turning onto from a side street. I was about hit as my Mazda would not go and quit working on a blind corner.
I have had numerous problems out of my transmission on my 1997 Mazda 626 v4 automatic. I have taken my car to a transmission mechanic shop 3 times now and one of the times it had to be towed, and they cannot find what the problem is. The overdrive light would come on and constantly flash and the car would start shifting hard and sometimes would not want to shift into passing gear at all. But once it sets for a few hours and cools down, the overdrive light doesn't come on anymore and the mechanic shop tells me that the car has reset it's self and they cannot detect the defect code by their computer diagnostics. It seems like the overdrive light only comes on when you have had the car on the road for a while, and it gets heated up. I have read several other transmission complaints from other Mazda 626 owners off the internet and in my local residence area. …
I bought a 1997 Mazda 626 and has been having nothing but problems out of it!! My o/d (over drive) light blinks constantly non stop and the transmission jerks real hard when changing gears. Today the transmission went out all the way! Its obvious that Mazda knows about this problme because when I took it to the dealership he didn't even look at my car, I told him the problem I was having and he said you need a transmission because all Mazda do that. Well I have only had the car for a couple of months, so why is all the transmissions going bad in them? I receive no answer from the dealership, and now iam about to be all a bunch of money to fix this problem, money I don't have! And hard to get while you have no way back and forth to work to even get the money! Well I really think Mazda needs to recall the transmission for their cars. …
I have had numerous transmission problems with my 1997 Mazda 626. I have reported it to Mazda corp. And no action has been taken. My transmission failed for the first time in aug. 2002, a ga Mazda dealer admitted that Mazda is aware that the this year make & model had transmission problems. Due to this admission my transmission was replaced and I split the cost 50/50 with the dealer. Now two plus years later, I am told today by a ca Mazda dealer that my transmission is going out again. The ca Mazda delaer also admits that this year make & model has a known transmission problem, but warrants that technically it is not the responsibility of the dealer to offer such information...but only to try to fix the problem at hand. …
Wife was driving 75 MPH on turnpike when she experienced a sudden transmission failure. There was no blinking lights, no noise, no anything to alert her that there was a potential problem. It just quit. Additionally, she was nearly involved in a high speed rear-end collision. Luckily, the individual behind her swerved and missed her car. She coasted to the shoulder where she was, again, nearly hit. Once stopped, she was unable to get the car to do anything in any gear. I had to travel over an hour to get her. It was 97 degrees and she was out in the middle of nowhere without any shelter except for her crippled vehicle. By the time I arrived, she had been in the heat long enough to start experience muscle cramps from electrolyte imbalance. What is it going to take to get someone to take responsibility for these issues? …
1)new car purchase aug 1997 - 5 miles;2)transmission replacement feb 1999~38,000 miles;3)transmission replacement dec 1999~57000 miles;4)informed at 130K miles that I needed another transmission ( with each transmission clearly having less than an average of 60,000 miles on it. In each case my o/d light flashed on the dashboard, immediately sending a signal to turn on the check engine light. I sent formal complaints to Mazda, the dealership and since have sent complaints to the attorney general's office. I have learned of TSB # 0500502 (which you do not show on your site). Yesterday (07/25/2005) I learned that there have been several consumer complaints and today I learned of NHTSA. Since there are no set number of complaints needed before a recall is issued and considering the severity of this issue, why was a recall not issued? …
1) purchased a used '97 Mazda 626 dx, with 115000+ miles on it, supposedly in decent condition. The vehicle required a new fuel pump, so wasn't in any kind of road use until replacement. After replacing, the car seemed to work fine, but had odd 'jumps' forward in low speeds and stops (making me believe I would run stop signs). The dealership refused this lemon back. 2) after having the car 8wks, & only testing it around the block until all tests completed on the fuel system, it began to steam & make popping noises driving <400 yards at <20mph. After time, the noises got louder, the steam more widespread, and when the gas was pressed there was noticable lack of power for long seconds. Radiator was suspected due to the steam and power issues. During 1 test while braking it jumped/lurched sideways into a weak brick wall. …
(see complaint # 10149676) after having the right front cv joint replace just the day before, transmission failed again @ 72,650 mi. From a cold start, the car was allowed to warm up before being put into drive (approx 5 min.) the car was driven approximately 1/4 mile in 30 MPH stop and go traffic when, after a complete stop, the car suddenly acted like it was in neutral. Even though the gear shift was still in drive. The same thing when put into reverse gear. I managed to get the car to the side of the road and turned off the ignition. Five minutes later I restarted the engine, put the gear shift in drive, and voila! I'm moving again. Another 500 feet further down the road? The same thing. Standing there idling with the gear shift in drive, no reverse, nothing. Had it towed to a transmission shop. Estimate: $1500.00 to fix this cd4e transmission again. …
The vehicle began shifting very roughly, then the overdrive started blinking and the vehicle ceased to shift, I was stuck in 3rd gear. There was a small "bang" in the engine compartment, then check engine light illuminated. I pulled over to a fuel station and opened the hood. There was transmission fluid all over the interior of the engine compartment, 1+ quarts. I could find no obvious leaks, but purchased some additional fluid and refilled what was lost. Since then whenever it is warm out or the car is driven for over an hour in temperatures above ~50 f, it shifts very rough and the od light and check engine light come on. I have since learned that this is a very common problem among 2.0l Mazda 626's with an automatic transmission. They apparently overheat very easily. I have been told I am lucky that the transmission has not failed on me. …
This automobile was purchased for my out of state college student. Upon returning to school from thanksgiving break the o/d off light began flashing, followed by erratic transmission problems driving. He stopped the vehicle and called home. Once the vehicle comes to a stop, in gear, it ceases to be able to move again until the engine is stopped. After approximately 1 minute the vehicle can be restarted and the transmission placed into gear and movement occurs. I had it taken to a Mazda dealership and was told the transmission needed to be replaced at a cost of $3000. Absolutely ridiculous! I had the vehicle towed to my local mechanic who dropped the transmission pan, discovered a lot of metal shavings and also suggested replacing the transmission. …
NHTSA investigations
Speedometer inoperative
See resume for details.
Transmission complaints in other 626 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 1997 Mazda 626?
NHTSA has 233 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1997 Mazda 626, 65% of the model year's 358 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (210 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Mazda 626 transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 1997 Mazda 626, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1997 Mazda 626 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 91,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 7 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.