1996 Mazda 626 Power Train:automatic Transmission Problems
NHTSA component category: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How power train:automatic transmission ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 359 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 1996 Mazda 626 overview page.
What owners report
“WITHOUT WARNING THE CAR STARTED DRIVING VERY SLUGGISH IN 1ST GEAR (NOT GOING ANY HIGHER THAN 5 M.P.H.), BUT WOULD DRIVE NORMAL IN ALL OTHER…”NHTSA complaint 751815 — filed 09/06/2001
“THE TRANSMISSIONS HANGS UP WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN 3RD AND 4TH GEARS. THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH ALL 626'S, WHY ISN'T ANYTHING GETTING DONE…”NHTSA complaint 750547 — filed 08/15/2001
“TRANSMISSION PROBLEM/ CAUSING SERIOUS JERKING MOVEMENT TO THE CAR. A POTENTIALLY VERY DANGEROUS SITIUATION FOR THE DRIVER AND OTHER MOTORISTS. THIS SEEMS TO BE A…”NHTSA complaint 750414 — filed 08/14/2001
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power Train:automatic Transmission complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 1996 Mazda 626 have power train:automatic transmission problems?
Power Train:automatic Transmission is the most-reported problem area on the 1996 Mazda 626: 222 of 359 complaints on file (61.8%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 1996 Mazda 626 have in total?
359 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 35 involved a crash, 2 involved a fire, 138 reported injuries, and 99 reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's power train:automatic transmission category include?
NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.
