Mazda transmission problems

Owners have filed 4,353 complaints with NHTSA about the transmission on Mazda vehicles — 15% of everything reported about the brand, across 37 models. The model that accounts for most of them is the Mazda 626, worst in 1995.

These are raw counts. A model that sold in millions appears near the top for that reason alone — the grade never compares one model with another.

4,353

Complaints

15%

Share of all Mazda complaints

Crashes

Fires

Which Mazda models have the most transmission problems

626 2,056 47.2%

Worst in 1995

CX-5 278 6.4%

Worst in 2016

MAZDA3 251 5.8%

Worst in 2010

RX-8 238 5.5%

Worst in 2004

Tribute 231 5.3%

Worst in 2001

MPV 204 4.7%

Worst in 2002

MAZDA6 202 4.6%

Worst in 2003

Protege 170 3.9%

Worst in 2000

CX-9 162 3.7%

Worst in 2008

CX-7 84 1.9%

Worst in 2007

B-Series Truck 70 1.6%

Worst in 2000

Millenia 49 1.1%

Worst in 1995

MAZDASPEED3 46 1.1%

Worst in 2008

MX-6 36 0.8%

Worst in 1994

CX-90 33 0.8%

Worst in 2024

MX-5 Miata 32 0.7%

Worst in 1999

MX-5 31 0.7%

Worst in 2016

Worst Mazda model years for transmission problems

Vehicle	Complaints	Share of that year	Median miles	Grade
1995 Mazda 626	349	59%	100,250	F
1998 Mazda 626	320	64%	89,400	F
1996 Mazda 626	247	58%	95,000	F
1997 Mazda 626	244	54%	92,000	F
1999 Mazda 626	238	64%	80,000	F
1994 Mazda 626	191	54%	109,999	F
2000 Mazda 626	164	59%	86,000	F
2004 Mazda RX-8	156	25%	69,600	C
2001 Mazda 626	145	62%	80,000	F
2001 Mazda Tribute	73	10%	44,730	A
2002 Mazda 626	70	71%	72,100	F
2002 Mazda MPV	66	46%	66,000	F
2005 Mazda RX-8	55	26%	68,131	C
2007 Mazda CX-7	53	7%	63,500	A
2016 Mazda CX-5	51	8%	5,411	C
2014 Mazda CX-5	50	10%	49,750	A
1993 Mazda 626	46	23%	115,250	C
2010 Mazda MAZDA3	42	5%	33,000	A
2018 Mazda CX-5	41	9%	2,172	A
2012 Mazda MAZDA3	40	12%	20,000	A

Mazda transmission problems

Which Mazda models have the most transmission problems

Worst Mazda model years for transmission problems

Other Mazda problems

Transmission problems on other brands