1997 Mazda 626 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 233about this part
- Share
- 65%of 358 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 90,650miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 233 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1997 Mazda 626, 65% of the 358 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 90,650 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10714440, filed 2015-05, 131,212 miles“When driving for approximately 2-4 hours the od off light started flashing. I've researched this incident and apparently the transmission gets too hot frequently resulting in costly repair! I had to drive back home after deciding not to continue my vacation and every 2 hours stopped to let the car cool because light ( od off) started to flash.”
NHTSA complaint #10091217, filed 2004-09, 85,000 miles“We recently bought or Mazda 626 from a dealer we were told that we were getting a quality car. We were fooled. With in the first week we had to buy part after part.change the trans fluid, change the distributor , spark plug wires, spark plugs, router motor, ignition coil, clean fuel injectors , replace fuel filter, still need to get a trans cooler as soon as I can. It took us a few years to save for a car. We trusted a dealer and got screwed! We have no money left and a car we can only use on a limited basis. …”
NHTSA complaint #10535068, filed 2013-08, 11,678 miles“The automatic transmission had to be replaced after only 57000 miles back in 2004. Since the warranty had expired I had to spend $2200 out of my pocket. I've been researching this problem for a while now and have noticed that 1000's of these 1997 Mazda 626 cars have had similar problems. Why hasn't the NHTSA forced Mazda to issue a recall or at least have them reimburse car owners?”
NHTSA complaint #10142479, filed 2005-11, 57,000 miles“December 2004-january 2005- 1. Car overheats constantly 2. The transmission overheated the car and caused complications with the water pump, computer 3. Replaced all items; transmission rebuilt cost to fix $3200.00 couldn't afford to just junk the car, as I had purchased it for $5200 the summer before. So I had to fix it. Within a week of getting the car back, it blew a radiator hose.”
NHTSA complaint #10139358, filed 2005-10, 98,000 milesTransmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 1 | 11% |
| 2002 | 70 | 80% |
| 2001 | 139 | 74% |
| 2000 | 160 | 74% |
| 1999 | 233 | 73% |
| 1998 | 313 | 72% |
| 1997 | 233 | 65% |
| 1996 | 239 | 67% |
| 1995 | 337 | 69% |
| 1994 | 177 | 63% |
| 1993 | 42 | 34% |
| 1992 | 5 | 26% |
| 1991 | 11 | 18% |
| 1990 | 4 | 9% |
| 1989 | 11 | 26% |
| 1988 | 4 | 9% |
| 1987 | 2 | 7% |
| 1986 | 1 | 6% |
| 1985 | 1 | 17% |
Other parts of the 1997 Mazda 626
39 complaintsAir bags
36 complaintsElectrical system
32 complaintsOther or unknown
16 complaintsBrakes
14 complaintsVehicle speed control
9 complaintsEquipment
8 complaintsSteering
8 complaintsTires
5 complaintsExterior lighting
4 complaintsSeats
4 complaintsSuspension
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Mazda 626
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology