2001 Mazda 626 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 139about this part
- Share
- 74%of 188 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 80,200miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 139 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2001 Mazda 626, 74% of the 188 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 80,200 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My Mazda 626, year 2001 has a problem with the transmission. At first the car would not go into reverse, then the entire transmission failed. I spoke with a co-worker that had the same problem with her Mazda 626. Is there a recall on the Mazda. Please help me with the repairs, I can't afford to get the vehicle fixed.”
NHTSA complaint #10229378, filed 2008-05, 96,000 miles“I have had my 2001 Mazda 626 for 3 years. There is only 69,000 miles on this car, and now my transmission needs to be replaced. There is an obvious problem here. Mazda should have this problem with these vehicles recalled. I do not feel that consumers should be held responsible with the expense of replacing the transmission after a car being only 4 years old.”
NHTSA complaint #10118517, filed 2005-04, 69,395 miles“I bought this car used a year ago this month when my daughters car engine locked up. She was out of state so it was a hurry up thing over the phone. She didn't realize the transmission was slipping in first gear, thought it was cv joint. Shop diagnosed the transmission. This really makes me sooo mad as this is a nice car. I think ford should pay to replace all the transmissions in these cars. Now I have to either dump it at a loss or pay out alot to get transmission repaired .”
NHTSA complaint #10449529, filed 2012-02, 158,000 miles“My transmission had to be replaced on my 2001 Mazda 626 this week. I had a previous problem with the internal coolant in 2003 which also cost me money. Last week I had to replace the catalytic converter. This car has given me nothing but problems since I've owned it. I do not feel the problems I've been having should occur in a 2001 automobile when regular maintenance is kept up.”
NHTSA complaint #10107601, filed 2005-01, 81,759 miles“I have a 2001 Mazda 626. I am being told by the dealer I should not drive the car due to the potential transmission failure could lead to an accident or death and property damage. My research shows that this vehicle has a history of transaxles failure and I want to notify the NHTSA of this issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10110182, filed 2005-02, 65,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10251387Feb 12, 2024Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as…
- 10222564Sep 26, 2022Some customers may experience a squeaking noise may be heard from the exhaust manifold when the idle speed drops from fast idle to normal idle speed during cold start. This is…
- 10208556Feb 23, 2022Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as…
- 10206002Dec 8, 2021Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Cooler and Lines Flushing Procedure: Automatic Transaxle/Transmission (A/T) oil cooler and lines must be power flushed completely before an…
- 10186693Jan 21, 2021Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as…
- 10173097Mar 12, 2020Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as…
- 10013965Jun 1, 2004Programmable module installation. ( 2004 mazda b series)
Transmission 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 2001 Mazda 626
20 complaintsAir bags
11 complaintsEquipment
9 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsElectrical system
6 complaintsSeat belts
5 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsTires
4 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 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