1998 Mazda 626 Sedan

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Weak transmissions

by Fenderroads on Oct 18, 2008
Vehicle: 1998 Mazda 626 DX 4dr Sedan

I bought the car for my daughter in 1998 for her to finish high school and go off to college in. The car has never left her stranded, but the automatic transmission has greatly increased the cost of a higher education. I've had the transmission replaced twice, once at 55K miles, and again at 120K. The clutch packs appear to be the weak link in the transmission. I had to change the heater coil in 2000. I made the repairs myself one week end. I'll never do that again.

Mazda 626 problems

by Michael on Sep 2, 2008
Vehicle: 1998 Mazda 626 DX 4dr Sedan

New 1998 Mazda 626 replaced a 626 that was totaled. Been nothing but problems. I'm an engineer, change oil religiously, chk tires etc. Auto transmission failure at 66K miles. Seems there was a design flaw in the tranny Mazda never fixed. After discovering this I didn't want Mazda parts used so I went to guaranteed for life tranny shop. Rebuilt transmission still running strong. Mazda refused to help with the costs as I used non-Mazda parts. Nothing but electrical problems. Factory car alarm goes off without any reason, windshield wipers slow. Turn sig. blinkers are fast then slow. Engine runs good but rest of car is a mess. After owning 4 Mazdas I've not bought another and will not.

Decent buy

by ray on Apr 5, 2007
Vehicle: 1998 Mazda 626 DX 4dr Sedan

I fount this car to be an excellent choice for my first one. I had to put a new engine in it when I received it. Drove it for approximately three months, then got into an accident and the car was totaled. All in all it was an extremely fun car to drive. It handled exceptionally well. When we received it, it had over 140,000 miles on it but we put an engine in it with only 50,000 miles on it. It ran perfectly flawless with the exception of a squeaky belt. I give mazda credit for building an excellent gas miser. I got close to 30 mpg. That is excellent considering how hard it was used and it was close to 10 years old. It isn't a real head turner, but if you are looking for an every day driver, it is a steal.

Transmission issue

by denn_2003 on Nov 7, 2005
Vehicle: 1998 Mazda 626 DX 4dr Sedan

I have rated this car with extreme leniency. I bought it at 70,000 miles. Transmission went out at around 86,000 miles. I spent $2500 on it and couldn't believe that it happened to me. Mazda is a Japanese car and everything in the engine is supposed to be top notch. That assumption went down the hole when the mechanic told me, "Yeah it's got a Ford Transmission in it and it's out of stock." These type of Ford transmissions were being used so much at that time that they were out of stock. I don't need to say anything else about the Ford company and its transmission. I can see how someone a little short can have problem looking back. The way the car's back side is, it's hard to get a complete back view.

Avoid automatics at all costs

by HankMcStanky on Mar 8, 2004
Vehicle: 1998 Mazda 626 DX 4dr Sedan

This was my second 626. The engine has been mostly fine, blew a head gasket at 85,000 but that feels like a fluke. The door seals, mentioned by many others, are annoying but no big deal. The trouble, as you've guessed, is the automatic transmission, made by Ford, which completely fell apart at 90,000 miles, took $2500 to fix, and has been back in the shop 3 more times in the next 12,000 miles. Some apparently break as early as 60,000. It's sad, because I really liked the car up until the fateful day it was towed to the shop. Look for a manual, which is what I'll be in the market for as soon as this one breaks again.

Don't do it!

by never again!!! on Oct 11, 2002
Vehicle: 1998 Mazda 626 DX 4dr Sedan

I bought this car used about two years ago as a commuter car. It had about 36000 when I bought it. Now it has 78000 and the transmission is beginning to slip. After reading other reviews it appears as though my opinion of FORD quality has been reaffirmed, Fixed Or Repaired Daily. I am also geting a grinding noise from the driver side from tire. I had an older Mazda previous to this with no problems, but this car is awful. The Mitsubishi that I replaced had 170000 miles on it without ever getting the problems I am having with this car.