Owners have filed 202 complaints
about the 1993 Mazda 626 with NHTSA between 1995 and 2016.
The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain.
Across this model's run it ranks 8 of 10 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 29
Against the median year of the Mazda 626. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 69
13.4% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 7
4% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
25,000 – 49,999 miles
28.3%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
312.5%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
520.8%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
1041.7%
150,000+ miles
416.7%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jan 1995peak 30Apr 2016
NHTSA investigations into the 1993 Mazda 626
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
RQ99022Opened 20 Dec 1999Closed 30 Aug 2000EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HEADLIGHT FAILURE
OBTAINED RECALL 99V-358
Recalls on the 1993 Mazda 626
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
15V674000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 1989-1998 MPV, 1990-1995 323, 1990-1998 Protege, 1992-1993 MX-3, 1993-1995 929, 1993-1997 MX-6, and 1993-1998 626 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, grease applied to the contact points inside the ignition switch may become conductive and overheat.
Risk: If the ignition switch overheats there would be an increased risk of a fire.
05E065000
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
CERTAIN SPX FILTRAN FUEL FILTERS WITH A 45-DEGREE ANGLE INLET TUBE, MODEL 800F350-S1, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT FILTERS FOR 1993-1997 FORD PROBE,1993-2001 MAZDA 626 AND MX-6, AND 1983-1994 LOYAL, 3-DOOR COUPE, HATCHBACK, SEDAN, WAGON, BRAT, DL, GL, GL-10, RX, XT, AND XT6 PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH EFI OR TURBO ENGINES. THESE FILTERS ARE PACKAGED AS WIX, NAPA, AND CARQUEST BRAND FUEL FILTERS. CERTAIN SPX FILTRAN FUEL FILTERS WITH A 90-DEGREE ANGLE INLET TUBE, MODEL 800F300-S2, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT FILTERS FOR 19983-1994 SUBARU VEHICLES WITH EFI OR TURBO ENGINES. THESE FILTERS ARE PACKAGED AS WIX, NAPA, AND CARQUEST BRAND FUEL FILTERS. FUEL MAY LEAK FROM THE FILTER DUE TO NON-CONFORMING BRAZING WELDS WHERE THE INLET TUBE IS CONNECTED TO THE FILTER CAN.
Risk: IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A VEHICLE FIRE CAN OCCUR.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 2015489232,227 units in Canada
Electrical
On certain vehicles, a defect in the ignition switch could cause an electrical short to develop over time. This could result in smoke and/or fire, increasing the risk of injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will replace the ignition switch.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 90,000 milesSunrise, FLFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1993 MAZDA 626. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, A DRIVER IN ANOTHER VEHICLE NOTIFIED THE CONTACT THAT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE, PULLED OVER, AND EXITED WITHOUT INJURIES. THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A POLICE LOT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
NHTSA complaint #10854819 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Colorado Spring, COCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DURING A FRONTAL IMPACT AT 30MPH AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #8010968 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Camden, NJ1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE APPLYING BRAKES IN A SUDDEN STOP FRONT DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND CAUSED CHEMICAL BURNS TO DRIVER FACE. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8009279 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lansing, MIFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #746853 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sierra Vista, AZCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
ANOTHER DRIVER HIT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE AT 75 MPH ON FRONT BUMPER WHILE CONSUMER WAS PULLING OUT OF A GAS STATION AT ABOUT 25 MPH. UPON IMPACT, DUAL FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #886872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bellflower, CA1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ANTI-LOCK BRAKES AND STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL, VEHICLE ROLLED ONTO SIDE CAUSING INJURY TO CONSUMER. MJS
NHTSA complaint #548301 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 90,000 milesSunrise, FLFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1993 MAZDA 626. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, A DRIVER IN ANOTHER VEHICLE NOTIFIED THE CONTACT THAT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE, PULLED OVER, AND EXITED WITHOUT INJURIES. THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A POLICE LOT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
NHTSA complaint #10854819 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 82,000 milesWaco, TX
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I OWN A 1993 MAZDA 626 LX WITH A 2.0 LITER ENGINE AND AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. I PURCHASED IT IN EARLY 1998. I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. IT IS A VERY LOW MILEAGE CAR FOR THE YEAR, WITH JUST MORE THAN 80,000 MILES ON IT. IT HAD JUST OVER 40,000 WHEN I PURCHASED IT USED FROM A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER. JUST TWO WEEKS AGO, THE TRANSMISSION BROKE AT THE TRANSAXLE AND BECAME COMPLETELY INOPERABLE. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO MY MECHANIC WHOM I'VE USED FOR ABOUT SIX YEARS NOW. THE TRANSAXLE SPLINES IN THE TRANSMISSION WERE GALLED AND FRACTURED WHEN THE MECHANIC TOOK IT APART. IT WAS BEHAVING FAIRLY WELL UNIT FAILED, BUT IT FAILED VERY QUICKLY, WITHIN A FEW MILES. THIS AUTOMOBILE IS, AND HAS BEEN, VERY WELL CARED FOR AND THE MECHANIC SAID THAT WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE TRANSMISSION, THE CAR IS IN OUTSTANDINGLY GOOD CONDITION. THE TRANSMISSION HAS NEVER BEEN ABUSED AND FREQUENTLY CHECKED SINCE I'VE OWNED IT.
NHTSA complaint #10286015 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Naperville, IL
POWER TRAIN
MY CAR STARTED BLINKING "HOLD" IN RED ON THE DASH ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO. IT WOULD CONTINUE BLINKING, EVEN THOUGH I WASN'T USING THE 'HOLD BUTTON' ON THE SHIFTER. LAST MONTH, IT STARTED SPUTTERING AND MAKING ODD NOISES. IT NOW DOES NOT ACCELERATE VERY EASILY AT ALL. I HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL WHEN MAKING A RIGHT TURN, BECAUSE WHEN I FIRST DRIVE IT DURING THE DAY (EVERY DAY, WHEN I DRIVE IT FOR THE FIRST TIME) IT WON'T ACCELERATE PAST 25, EVEN WITH MY FOOT FULL ON THE GAS PEDAL. THE PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN INCREASINGLY WORSE AND I FEAR THAT IT WILL CAUSE IN ACCIDENT BY GETTING STUCK ON A TURN OR SOMETHING. ALSO, I'VE NOTICED SOMETIMES WHEN I'M DRIVING, THE RPM'S WILL GO UP AND DOWN RANDOMLY AND MY CAR WILL JERK.
NHTSA complaint #10284156 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesHonolulu, HI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
SPEEDOMETER QUIT WORKING AND I HAVE A "HOLD" LIGHT BLINKING. FROM THE STATEMENTS ON INTERNET THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM DUE TO DEFECTIVE DESIGN BY MAZDA.
NHTSA complaint #10226619 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 247,050 milesPasadena, MD
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
I HAVE A SET OF SIGMA SHADOW TIRES ON MY CAR MADE BY TBC CORPORATION. THE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND DAMAGED MY REAR BUMPER. I HAVE ORDERED AN NEW SET OF TIRES TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE SET OF TIRES THAT ARE NOW ON MY CAR. THE PROPER SIZE FOR MY CAR WAS NOT LISTED IN THE CHOICES SO I AM LISTING THE PROPER SIZE HERE. THE TIRE SIZE 195/65 R14 NOT 215/60 R16.
NHTSA complaint #10192812 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 118,000 milesOAK Park, MI
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE PROBLEM JUST OCCURRED ALL OF A SUDDEN. FROM A STOP LIGHT WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED, IT PUSHED THE CAR FORWARD TO WHICH I ALMOST HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. BROUGHT THE CAR TO A MECHANIC, TRIED TO FIX IT BUT STILL THE PROBLEM IS THERE.
NHTSA complaint #10167173 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pinellas Park, FL
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
MAZDA 626 LX SLIPING GEARS, JURKING, LEAKING TRANSMISSION,TRANSMISSION FAILER HAD TRANSMISSION REBUILT STILL NO GOOD.
NHTSA complaint #10151361 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 89,380 milesCouncil Bluffs, IA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
1993 MAZDA 626-2.0 4CYL AUTO TRANS, 89000 MILES. BOUGHT CAR 9/28/05 FOR $2900.00, ON 11/15/05, ON HIGHWAY, CAR STARTS BUCKING AS THE ENGINE LIGHT FLASHED. I KNOW THAT THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF THE END FOR THE TRANSMISSION. MAZDA, FORD SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE. USED CAR DEALERS, NO DOUBT, KNOW ABOUT THESE CARS TRANNY PROBLEMS, AND SHOULD BE REQUIRED BY LAW TO INFORM A POTENTIAL BUYER OF THE PAST, PRESENT, AND FOR SURE, FUTURE PROBLEMS REGARDING THE TRANSMISSIONS IN THE MAZDA 626! THEY NEED TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE! THEY SHOULD BE FORCED TO BUILD A RELIABLE AUTO TRANS AND INSTALL THEM, FREE OF ANY CHARGES TO THE OWNERS OF 626 OWNERS WITH (BY NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN) AUTO TRANS PROBLEMS!
NHTSA complaint #10142990 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 270,000 milesBrisbane, Australia, 00
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OF MAZDA 626 1993 GE 2.0 HAS FAILED AND BEEN REPLACED TWICE IN THE LAST 2 MONTHS.
NHTSA complaint #10116594 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NHTSA complaint #10116269 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tempe, AZ
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I HAVE HAD A MAZDA 626 MODEL 1993 FOR 1.5 YEARS NOW. THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 83000 MILES AND WAS VERY WELL AKEN CARE OF BY ONE PREVOIOUS OWNER. I SERVICE THE CAR EVERY 3000 MILES REGULARLY. # WEEKS AGO THE TRANSMISSION DIED ON ME A LL OF A SUDDEN. I WAS LEFT TO COAST ON A MAIN STREET, ALMOST CAUSING A 3 CAR ACCIDENT TILL I COULD ENTER A PARKING SPOT ON THE RIGHT. CONSEQUENTLY I FLUSHED THE TRANSMISSION BUT GOT STUCK AGAIN IN A HEAVY JUNCTION PUSHING MY CAR TO SAFETY AND AGAIN TWICE AFTER FIXING (1837$!) IT COASTING TO SAFETY LUCKILY ON THE HIGHWAY! IT DOES NOT MAKE SENSE TO ME THAT A CARS TRANSMISSION SHOULD FAIL AFTER 83000 MILES AND THERE WERE MANY MORE PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM ON THE WEB. IS THERE ANY WAY THE MANUFACTURER CAN BE MADE TO PAY THE TAB.
NHTSA complaint #10114785 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 183,000 milesLondon, KY
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING ON O/D. IT HAS PROGRESSED TO THIRD GEAR NOW. A TRANSMISSION OVERHAUL IS NEEDED BUT WILL COST ABOUT $3,000.00.
NHTSA complaint #10114252 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesMorgantown, WV
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10088148 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesCharlotte, NC
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
I HAVE A 19"93 MAZDA BOUGHT IN '95. THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WHILE UNDER WARRANTY IN 19'96 AND AGAIN IN 19'97. NOW IT'S LEAKING AGAIN SINCE2003.
NHTSA complaint #10079000 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesCharlotte, NC
EQUIPMENT
I HAVE A 19"93 MAZDA BOUGHT IN '95. THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WHILE UNDER WARRANTY IN 19'96 AND AGAIN IN 19'97. NOW IT'S LEAKING AGAIN SINCE2003.
NHTSA complaint #10079000 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 139,056 milesReston, VA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
MY MAZDA 626 TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED SEVERAL TIMES AND I HAD TO REPLACE IT TWICE ALREADY AND ABOUT TO REPLACE ONE AGAIN. THE CONVERTER IS GOING OUT AND JUST PURCHASES ONE ABOUT 6MONTHS AGO IT IS GOING SO FAST. THE OLD PARTS WAS REPLACED BUT THIS STRAGEDY IS OCCURING ONCE MORE.
NHTSA complaint #10075102 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 139,056 milesReston, VA
EQUIPMENT
MY MAZDA 626 TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED SEVERAL TIMES AND I HAD TO REPLACE IT TWICE ALREADY AND ABOUT TO REPLACE ONE AGAIN. THE CONVERTER IS GOING OUT AND JUST PURCHASES ONE ABOUT 6MONTHS AGO IT IS GOING SO FAST. THE OLD PARTS WAS REPLACED BUT THIS STRAGEDY IS OCCURING ONCE MORE.
NHTSA complaint #10075102 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesGastonia, NC
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
626 MAZDA TRANSMISSION FAILURE. ONCE AGAIN A CAR COMPANY IS COMPLETELY IGNORING MANY THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE EARLY AND PREMATURE PROBLEMS WITH A PRODUCT. AND NHTSA DOES NOTHING. 30 MINUTES SPENT ON THE NET WOULD CLEARLY SHOW ANY ONE RELATED TO THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY THAT MAZDA HAS BEEN GIVEN A FREE PASS ON ITS RESPONSIBILITY. HOW MANY COMPLAINTS DO YOU NEED? *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10023541 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,050 milesPalm Harbor, FL
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AFTER OWNING MY 1993 MAZDA 626 LX FOR OVER TWO YEARS I FIND OUT THAT THE CAR IS DESTINED TO BAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. I HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPAIRED DUE TO THE ELECTRICAL TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS CAUSING THE CAR TO GET WORSE. I STARTED HAVING THE NOTORIOUS FLASHING HOLD LIGHT THUS CAUSING MY TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. BEING SOMEONE OF AVERAGE INCOME IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO KEEP REPAIRING MAZDA'S INEVITABLE PROBLEMS. I NOW FEEL INSECURE OF MY LIFE, THE LIFE OF MY WIFE AND OUR NEWBORN BABY. AFTER REPAIRING THE TRANSMISSION THE PROBLEM AROUSED A FEW MONTHS LATER. UNFORTUNATELY, THE WARRANTY ON THE TRANSMISSION REPAIR IS OVER. I WISH AND HOPE TO REPLACE THE MAZDA 626 UNFORTUNATELY I BUDGETED TO HAVE THE MAZDA 626 FOR YEARS TO COME. IT WAS STUPENDOUS WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED THE MAZDA 626. HOWEVER, IF I WOULD HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THE COMMON TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS THE MAZDA 626 LX HAS I WOULD HAVE PASSED ON PURCHASING THE CAR. OWNING THIS CAR HAS EVEN PUT ME IN A FINANCIAL DOWN SPIRAL. I PUT MONEY INTO THIS MAZDA 626 THAT I SHOULDN'T BE PAYING FOR. IF THE MAZDA 626 LX HAS MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WHY THEN ARE THEY SOLD AND PUT OUT ON THE ROAD TO EVENTUALLY SUBJECT MOTORISTS TO ACCIDENTS DUE TO FAULTY CRAFTSMANSHIP OF THE CAR. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH, UNFORTUNATELY TOO LATE, ABOUT THE MAZDA 626'S AND HAVE READ REPORTS AND FORUMS FROM CONSUMERS AND EXPERT MECHANICS AND PASSED MAZDA EMPLOYEES ABOUT THE INEVITABLE DECLINE OF THE MAZDA 626 TRANSMISSION. I TRUSTED THE MAZDA NAME AND WAS HORRIFIED TO FIND OUT THAT THEY ALLOW A AUTOMOBILE AS SUCH TO BE STANDARD DRIVING VEHICLES. PLEASE HELP ME AND FUTURE VICTIMS ON CORRECTING THIS WRONGFUL DECISION. IF MAZDA KNOWS THAT THEY HAVE A FAULTY CAR IN PRODUCTION AND PUT THEM OUT ON THE ROAD, THEN WHY ARE WE PAYING MORE MONEY TO OWN AND KEEP THE MAZDA 626 LX? IT IS A MONEY PIT, AN UNPREDICTABLE FUTURE ROAD HAZARD AND A CONSUMERS WORST NIGHTMARE. ANY HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. RAUL SANCHEZ.
NHTSA complaint #10023265 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 56,000 milesTampa, FL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1993 MAZDA 626. *PH *NLM **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS**768119
NHTSA complaint #10007459 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 161,000 milesGoodlettsville, TN
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED AND DIDN'T RESEARCH ON IT FIRST. BIG MISTAKE. HAD PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION NOISE, SLIPPAGE AND/OR GEAR SHIFT HESITATION, AND ENGAGING FROM PARK. MOST MECHANICS WON'T EVEN WORK ON THESE BECAUSE OF FREQUENT PROBLEMS. HAD TO TRACK ON DOWN, SAYS TRANSMISSION MUST BE REBUILT, APPROX. REPAIR COST = $1500.00, WONDERING WHERE I'M GOING TO COME UP WITH THAT KIND OF MONEY. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10016174 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Uknown, DC
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS ARE PRONE TO PREMATURE FAILURE, AND IF REBUILT, IT WILL LAST FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPAIRS. MR SCC
NHTSA complaint #10014872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 112,000 milesErie, PA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE EVENTUAL FAILURE - REPLACED $1500.00 - CORRECTED PROBLEM TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING WHILE ON HIGHWAY IN FRONT OF TWO 18-WHEELERS - I ALMOST CAUSED A FATALITY WITH MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER ON BOARD - THANK GOD FOR MY DRIVING EXPERIENCE - IF MY WIFE WAS DRIVING WE WOULD NOT BE HERE. * TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP EXPLAINED HE HAS 3 SHELVES SET ASIDE FOR THESE TRANSMISSIONS (GF4A-EL) WHERE THE OLD ONES SIT UNTIL THE NEW ONES COME IN - THAT SHELVE WAS 1/2 FULL OF NEW AND OLD TRANSMISSIONS. THESE TRANSMISSIONS ARE ALSO USED IN THE FORD PROBE'S. NOW AFTER TWO YEARS THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #10013981 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 43,800 milesNorth Plainfield, NJ
PARKING BRAKE
THE 626, MX6 AND FORD PROBE (ALL RELATED DESIGNS) APPEAR TO HAVE A DEFECT THAT CAUSED THE REAR CALIPERS AND PARKING BRAKE TO SEIZE. THE PARKING BRAKE ARM THAT THE CABLE PULLS BACK SEIZES ??ON??. THIS MIGHT BE DUE TO POOR DESIGN WHERE THE SPRING CAN NOT PULL THE ARM BACK DUE TO THE MATERIALS USED AND THE RUST. THE ARM AND PIVOT MATERIAL SHOULD BE CHANGED AND THE SPRING SHOULD BE STRONGER. ONCE THE PARKING BRAKE SEIZES THE ROTOR, CALIPERS AND THE WHOLE WHEEL RIM GETS *EXTREMELY* HOT. DRAG, HEAT AND BURNING SMELLS MAY BE NOTICED. IF NOT NOTICED THE ROTOR AND PADS WEAR AWAY UNTIL THE BRAKE DOES NOT FUNCTION. THE DAMAGE TO THE ROTORS AND CALIPERS REQUIRES REPLACEMENT HOWEVER THE ROOT CAUSE APPEARS TO BE THE POOR PARKING BRAKE DESIGN. BEFORE I STARTED TO TRY TO UNDERSTAND THIS MYSELF I HAD 3 DIFFERENT SERVICE CENTERS REPAIR THE PROBLEM ON 3 OCCASIONS. EACH TIME THEY DID NOT DO ANYTHING TO THE PARKING BRAKE AND JUST REPLACED ALL THE CALIPERS, ROTORS, PADS, ETC. THE SERVICE CENTERS DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE ROOT CAUSE AND THEY DO NOT FIX IT. I FOUND OUT A BIT FROM INTERNET SEARCHES AND THE REPAIR MANUAL. (THE REPAIR MANUAL IS COMMON TO THE FORD PROBE WITH MANY OWNERS COMPLAINING ABOUT SEIZED BRAKES.) I TOOK A LOOK AT THE PARKING BRAKE ARM WHEN I NEXT PULLED OVER WITH DRAG, HEAT AND BURNING SMELLS. THE ARM WAS SEIZED AND I FORCED IT FREE WITH MY HAND WHICH TEMPORARILY SOLVED THE PROBLEM. FROM WORKING THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE IT APPEARS THAT THE CABLE IS FINE AND THAT THE PROBLEM IS FROM THE RUSTED ARM & PIVOT. THE MATERIAL OF THE ARM & PIVOT RUSTS AND SEIZES. THESE SHOULD BE REPLACED WITH A MORE SUITABLE MATERIAL. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR MANY REASONS. OWNERS ARE DRIVING AROUND WITH FLAMING HOT ROTORS, DEFECTIVE BRAKES AND STRANGE DRAG AND VIBRATION ON A REGULAR BASIS. MAZDA AND FORD SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO MAKE AVAILABLE PROPERLY DESIGNED REPLACEMENT PARTS AND TO COMPENSATE THE OWNERS FOR THE REPAIR BILLS.
NHTSA complaint #10013757 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Long Beach, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKED OIL FROM THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10012341 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.