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 2000 Mazda 626 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
My 2000 Mazda 626 began having problems a week after purchasing April 10, 2008! The car started having electrical problems which resulted in 3 batteries, 2 alternators, no ac or defrost could be run. Then the brakes were replaced twice within a 2 month period! All these problems resulted in me almost being killed from an automobile accident! This happened June 8, 2009 which was a Monday approx. 4 pm. The airbags never deployed, and my head hit the steering wheel. Windshield shattered all over my hand resulting in severe lacerations! This car needs looked at asap!!!! Please help
Od off light on our 2000 Mazda 626 lx started flashing. Took the car to a local dealer (berge Mazda in mesa az) and they diagnosed a code p1718- transmission overheating. They recommend to install a transmission cooler kit and perform a transmission service to correct the problem(estimate given -$1014.00-way too expensive!!!). Went to another dealership (earnhardt's Ford/Mazda in chandler az) to get a second opinion and they made the same recommendations. Both dealers stated that Mazda issued a technical service bulletin about this problem (cd4e transmission) and addressed this issue with a transmission cooling kit install. We decided to have the work done at earnhardt's (total cost $344.00-more reasonable estimate). We purchased this vehicle at hertz car sales in nov 2001 with about 30,000 miles on it. …
Was driving nearly 70mph on the interstate when the car began attempting to shift into the next gear. It wouldn't shift and the vehicle began sputtering uncontrollably, and it nearly made me hit an 18-wheeler. The front end seemed like it jumped several times, and I was finally able to get it in control and pull over. Once on the side of the interstate, I placed it on park, and then back to drive, and continued my journey, only to have that happen again before I hit 60mph. That time, the car kept attempting to change gears even after letting go of the gas pedal, and again, "jumped" several times uncontrollably. I seriously thought I would get into an accident on the interstate, but I pulled over again and left it on park for several minutes. After that, I started back on drive to at least reach the next exit off the interstate, when I only reached about 35-40mph when it did it again. …
This is actually the second failure of the transmission. The first failure occurred in early 2003 while the car was still under the 3 year/36,000 mile warranty (it had about 33,000 miles on it). The problem was the one outlined in the Mazda TSB # 0500502. I had the fluid cooler installed at that time as well as a replacement factory refurbished Ford/Mazda transmission (the dealership solution). I was told at that time that there shouldn't be any more problems for the life of the (new) transmission, which I took to mean that it would last about 100-120,000 miles. Well, here I am, less than 50,000 miles later and the transmission had a major failure. Without warning, the car began to make a sound I can only liken to tin cans in a tumbler. I immediately pulled over and within a few minutes, there was a puddle of transmission fluid on the ground. A good mechanic will rebuild it for $2800. …
We recently bought this 2000 Mazda 626 used for our twin boys, as their first car. We had it checked out by our local mechanic and he found a few normal things wrong with it and I was okay with those things. The problem I am having now is this; the o.d. Warning light now comes on and flashes. It had never occurred before. This began while driving on the highway for the first time (we never had a reason to go onto the highway) on this day we did and all of a sudden the car begins to de accelerate and the tach needle start bouncing around and the car does not want to accelerate. The o.d. Light came on and now comes on very often at all times and roads. The next day I took it to my local Mazda dealer to have it checked out. They found two codes wrong with it ( p1746 and p1783 ). …
Mine car is an eight years old nice little car. It runs pretty well despite the fact that the transmission fluid get very dirty every 10,000 to 12,000 miles despite old two-year/30,000-mile interval that used to be considered the norm for transmission service is good for the 626; I have to do a full transmission flush to keep it running. Yes, it's expensive for the tranny. Recently, the real problem has appeared. My idle RPM is around 700, when I shift the gear in to reverse, it didn't shift properly. I feel nothing at all. I mean when a car sitting on a flat surface, it doesn't move even a little bit. If I gently step on the gas pedal till the RPM hit around 1000, there is a huge pumping on my transmission and the car inconsistently move backward. If I let the pedal go and hit and then release the brake, it stand till again. I brought it to the shop and have them run the diagnose test. …
I have a concern with the transmission's on the Mazda 626 transmission style cd4e. There are thousands of people (internet searched) who have these vehicles and have been placed in dire straits as I am. I was traveling down the freeway at 65 MPH and from out of nowhere, my od stopped functioning and left the car's tranny slipping out of 4th gear searching for a lower gear as it threw the flashing "od light off" indicator light. I had a woman swerve behind me as I had total loss of power and trying to get my car to grasp any gear. Once I pulled to the side of the road and stopped, the od light stopped flashing and my vehicle was left in a "limp home" mode where I could not get over 45mph. I had the tranny rebuilt to the tune of 1500.00 and guess what? I got into the car to do highway travel one week later, and it happened again. …
On March 29, 2005, med center Mazda replaced both axles at 52, 248 miles. I asked them to check the transmission then because the car would jolt when put in the "drive" gear from reverse and then hestitate before moving forward. On January 11, 2006, the car would not move in the "drive" gear at all; almost leaving me stranded at the entrance of a major highway. I have not been able to use my car for work and I only live 10 miles from home and am not a "rough" driver. The dealership's attitude is "things happen"; that is not satisfactory! These complaints should be addressed by NHTSA; it is a safty hazard. I was almost hit by a tracker trailer because I could not get my car off to the side of the road quickly! The dealership representative admits that the Ford transmission in the Mazda car has had defects some of which were exactly like mine. …
2000 Mazda 626 experienced transmission failure around 70,000 miles. While driving on vacation I noticed some oil on the trunk after arriving at our destination. Before departing I had the car checked at a lube and tune center. Was informed that the transmission fluid was leaking and the likely cause was a loose drain plug. Plug was tightened and fluid was topped off. On the trip home smoke was visible from the rear of the vehicle. Other drivers brought this to my attention. After pulling over and discussing the matter with my mechanic on the phone, I elected to have the car towed to a transmission repair shop in the closest large city. I was told the transmission needed to be rebuilt. Apparently the seal between the two halves of the transmission ruptured. A small leak suddenly grew to a large leak on the trip and ruined the transmission. …
Car all of a sudden quit accelerating in the drive gear. I previously posted a complaint regarding a symtom of transmission failure but, it now failed. Car was taken to local shop where it was diagnosed with transmission failure a $2500 cost. I have done extensive reasearch on the transmission model and come to find out that it is a Ford transmission model# cd4e which is notourious for failing. This transmision is not only in Mazda models but Ford cars as well. The years vary from approx 1994 to 2002, please don't only consider the amount of complaints for this year and model of car, but do put into consideration the various cars this transmission was installed into. …
Transmission complaints in other 626 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2000 Mazda 626?
NHTSA has 160 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2000 Mazda 626, 74% of the model year's 217 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (143 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Mazda 626 transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2000 Mazda 626, though it has 1 recall 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 2000 Mazda 626 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 86,000 miles, and 2% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 3 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.