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 1998 Mazda 626 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Transmission slipping, od light blinking, transmission fluid boiling out of dip stick area, covering motor which then started burning with lots of smoke. Took it to transmission repair shop they changed the filter and fluid, now it doing the same thing. I'm scared to drive it!
While driving my 98 Mazda 626, I noticed slippage of gears (in the transmission). I would step on my accelerator, and nothing would happen. I spoke with Mazda, and was told that since my mileage is approximately 100,000, this is not under warranty. I replaced the transmission, at another ase-certified facility, for $3018.00. The mechanic advised me that this problem was "typical" with the 98 Mazda's. Apparently, Mazda had a joint-venture with Ford. The transmission used for the 98 Mazda 626 was the same transmission used on the Ford probe. (funny, you don't see any of those around now). I was given a 12-month, 12,000 mile warranty. It is one year later, and again the transmission is inoperable. Due to the numerous other complaints of Mazda transmissions, I asked the Mazda dealer if the transmission is under recall. The Mazda dealership stated that the transmission is not under recall. …
My transmission failed at 80,000. The o/d light started bilnking on I-59. I pulled over because the car was jerking and acting very strange. When I opened my hood, I noticed smoke. I then closed my hood and slowly drove to a car repair shop. They said they couldn't find anything wrong with the car and returned it to me. One week later a noise that sounds like two gears grinding started in my car and this caused my car to jerk into each gear. This jerking was severe enough that it would cause my head to bounce back and hit the head rest. I then took it back to the shop and they thought that it was my cv driveshaft. They replaced it and the clicking continued. When they placed it on the rack, they then realized that the clicking was coming from the transmission. Since they do not work on transmissions, I had it towed to a respected transmission shop. …
My 1998 Mazda 626 4cl 2.0 engine has approx. 71K miles on it. The transmission starting having problems in August 2003, at which point we had the transmission fluid flushed,& the spark plugs changed. The mechanic told us to drive it a little while and let the conditioners take effect, but the car shows no difference in driving. The o/d light flashes now on occasion, and the RPM goes up to 4 or 5 before it shifts to a higher gear. We are not driving it now..its been sitting in our driveway for a week & a half. I called the Mazda dealership and before seeing the car they said it needed a new transmission. I have a extended warranty thats good thru 90K, but they May or May not honor it, I can't afford to take the chance if the warranty company dosent reimburse me. This is our only car, and I still have 2 years of payments left. …
I purchased a 1998 Mazda 626 lx sedan in November 1998. At some point in the year 2002 the vehicle began to hesitate when shifting from first to second gear and then the overdrive off light began to flash. Ocean Mazda in miami, florida told me there was an incorrect gear ratio between first and second gear. When I told them to fix the problem they stated that they did not repair transmissions, they only replaced them. I was told the cost of that with parts and labor would be $4,000.00 which I did not have at that time. I continued to drive my Mazda until the transmission went out on me on March 28, 2003 while I was traveling from tallahassee, florida back to miami. I had to leave the car in orlando, florida at a friend's house for two months and then could not afford to have it repaired until March 4, 2004. …
On April 15th, 2004 I was driving to work in my 1998 Mazda 626 lx and the automatic transmission began to slip then failed completely. I had to drive off the highway in first gear. I then took my 626 to a local transmission shop and they informed me Mazda transmissions had a faulty drum. He informed me the transmission would have to be replaced. I picked up my vehicle from the transmission shop on April 23rd, 2004 and on April 24th, 2004 I was driving on the freeway and the overdrive light began flashing and the the car began to decelerate and also began smoking. I had the vehicle towed to the transmission shop and they informed me the transmission had blown once again. They replaced the transmission a second time and on Sunday, May 2nd, 2004 I was driving on the freeway and the overdrive light began to flash once again. …
(1)transmission occasionally shifted with a hard jolt from 1st to 2nd and from 2nd to 3rd, then began to emit a loud whizzing/squeaking type of sound in all gears(including park and neutral). The sound was very similar to that of a loose belt, but was clearly coming for within the transmission. (2)within a week of making that sound, the transmission, although apparently shifting in the correct sequence, started slipping. Obviously this resulted in the vehicle being extremely unsafe to drive. (3)at this point I have: a - received estimates ranging from $1800-$2700 for a complete transmission rebuild with installation, as well as estimates ranging from $650-$1750+shipping for a used transmission without installation. …
I have a 1998 Mazda 626 lx 4 cylinder, automatic transmission. I am sure you are aware of the transmission problems with these vehicles from 92-02. During long drives (over 30 miles), I began experiencing problems with the o/d (overdrive) light flashing. Accompanying this phenomenon, was erratic shifting at high speeds between third and fourth gears. When pulling over and stopping the car, black smoke can be seen coming from the left side under the hood. This only seems to occur at high speeds, above 50 MPH. This occurred on long drives as soon as I purchased the car. Multiple mechanics were unable to diagnose the o/d light problem. I had the o2 sensors replaced. I found out later through internet chat rooms for the Mazda 626(aka: support group for automatic transmission 626 owners), that this problem is the first sign that the transmission is burning up. …
Transmission problems with the year of 98's transmissions made by Ford. Transmissions have had multiple issues starting from shifting issues, transmission fluid overheating requiring more and more Mazda 626's to have aftermarket transmission coolers installed, transmission overheating. This year that Ford made this transmission has caused many people to often replace transmissions for this vehicle. You will see many people have replaced their transmissions 2 or 3 times within putting 150K on the vehicle. Please look into as I have had my transmission slip and completely not work, to getting rebuilt and now my o/d is now flashing, which requires me to install an aftermarket oil cooler for my transmissions, which does not come with the vehicle already. Transmission rebuild is costing over 2,000 dollars due to the unavailability of parts from the dealer and aftermarket suppliers. …
I purchased a car in April 2001 (a used car) and have an extended warranty for it. Car started giving me problems in 2002 so I decided to use my extended warranty to get the car fixed once it broke down on me on the highway; I found out that the warranty company never heard of me and that my warranty never existed. The place that I brought the car from went out of business because of fraudulent activities, but they did have one other car place that was still operating, so I called that place and explain the problem to them. They assured me that they would take care of me. They tried twice too fix the problem and supposedly fixed the problem, the car is still the same way it was when I brought it to them. They are giving me the run around. My extended warranty is suppose to last 60 months or 100,000 meters which ever comes first. …
NHTSA investigations
Speedometer inoperative
See resume for details.
Transmission complaints in other 626 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 1998 Mazda 626?
NHTSA has 313 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1998 Mazda 626, 72% of the model year's 434 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (278 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Mazda 626 transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 1998 Mazda 626, though it has 4 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 1998 Mazda 626 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles, and 1% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 2 fires and 1 injury and 5 deaths 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.