The overall price for your Mazda transmission repair cost will depend on the transmission type, severity of the problems, and the specific model of Mazda that you have purchased! On average, the Mazda transmission repair cost will vary between $1,800 and $3,400 for a replacement.
Mazda Transmission Types
There are many different kinds of Mazda transmission that they use in their vehicles, with some being automatic and some being manual options. Firstly, Mazda produces vehicles with 3-speed transmissions, such as the 3N17B, F3A, and the L3N71B, a 3-speed automatic transmission used as an alternative to other popular options on the market.
The second kind of transmissions used in Mazda vehicles were 4-speed automatic transmissions, such as the G4A-EL transverse engine in 1986, and ending with the A44DE 4-speed longitudinal in 2001.
The third type of engine used in Mazda vehicles is a 5-speed transverse engine called the Jatco JF506E transmission, a mechanism using electronic and hydraulic five-speed automatic internal parts for various Mazda, Mitsubishi, Volkswagen, and Ford cars.
Fourth, Mazda now utilizes 6-speed automatic transmissions in their latest cars, ranging from 2012 until the present.
In addition, Mazda uses some manual transmission options in some of their vehicles. One of the manual transmissions is the M5, a 5-speed manual transaxle, along with the M5OD, a line of manual transmissions produced by Mazda and used in Mazda and Ford vehicles.
Lastly, Mazda utilizes a SkyActiv-MT, 6-speed transmission that focuses on fuel efficiency and overall performance.
Mazda 626
The Mazda 626 was produced from 1988 to 2002, with the worst model year being 1998. The worst problems for this model year include transmission failure, with other categories of concern being the engine, cooling system, and exhaust system.
The most common transmission issues focused on premature transmission failure and the transmission not being able to reverse during use. Fixing the transmission failure has an average Mazda transmission repair cost of around $1,900 to replace the transmission or repair the damaged parts at around 96,000 miles.
Mazda B3000
The Mazda B3000 has been produced since the mid-1990s, with the worst year being the 1999 Mazda 3000, featuring common complaints about the electrical system, interior accessories, body and paint, engine system, and transmission. The main transmission concern focused on the car not being able to shift properly, with the problem generally occurring at around 87,000 miles in most cars.
Mazda CX-3
The worst model year of the Mazda CX-3 is the 2016, with their common complaint being the engine won’t turn over and start during use. Other categories that have troubled owners focus on the windows and windshield, AC and heater, interior accessories, and the transmission.
The worst transmission issues in the CX-3 involve the car losing speed, the transmission fluid leaking, and the shifter vibrating during use. A high Mazda transmission repair cost can be attributed to a broken pinion seal, causing a transmission fluid leak in the car at around 12,000 miles.
Mazda CX-5
The worst model years of the Mazda CX-5 involve the 2013, 2014, and 2016 model years, with the worst overall problem being the LED light continuously running and causing battery failure.
The 2016 Mazda CX-5 has numerous owner complaints regarding the lighting system, the windows and windshield, the brakes, the interior accessories, and the transmission. The top transmission concerns deal with the transmission not engaging, the vehicle rolling while in the park position, the car making a vibrating noise, and the car losing acceleration and shaking.
A transmission that cannot engage typically requires a transmission replacement, which entails a high Mazda transmission repair cost at around 9,850 miles in the 2016 Mazda CX-5 model.
Mazda CX-7
The 2007 and 2008 model years of the Mazda CX-7 are the most susceptible to problems, with the overall most severe issue being the engine timing chain stretching after use. Other categories of concern in the 2007 Mazda CX-7 involve the engine, AC and heater, lights, and the transmission.
Unfortunately for 2007 Mazda CX-7 owners, the NHTSA has filed numerous concerns regarding the car, focusing on the variable valve timing chain failing and causing damage to the engine and the transmission. In this model year, the most common transmission concerns focus on the car starting in 3rd gear, the transmission failing, and the transmission light remaining on during use.
Premature transmission failure leads to an extensive Mazda transmission repair cost, with the typical price being around $4,500 to replace the transmission at around 137,000 miles.
Mazda CX-9
The 2010-2012 model years of the Mazda CX-9 are the most concerning out of all years of production due to the frequency of braking issues and the brake power’s severity boost unit failure. In addition to the braking system concerns, the 2012 Mazda CX-9 experiences transmission concerns, engine issues, and problems with the exterior accessories.
The top transmission issues focus on the faulty transmission, the transfer case breaking, and the car vibrating while driving uphill. The typical Mazda transmission repair cost of the faulty transmission is around $390 to replace the transmission or replace the TCM module, at around 36,000 miles.
Mazda3
The worst model year of the Mazda3 is 2010 year, with the most problematic issue being the car’s failing clutch. The top categories of concern are the clutch system, interior accessories, wheels and hubs, body and paint, and the transmission in the 2010 Mazda 3.
The Mazda3 transmission problems deal with the grinding noise while shifting into 2nd gear, clutch failure, and jerking and grinding noise while driving. It costs the owner around $1,000 to fix the car grinding, by replacing the clutch at around 45,000 miles to lower the overall Mazda transmission repair cost.
Mazda6
The worst problem years of the Mazda6 involve the 2009, 2001, and 2014 model years, with the most severe issue being a melting dashboard in the 2009 Mazda6. The top categories of concern focus on the transmission, interior accessories, engine, and the windows and windshield.
The 2014 Mazda6 has various transmission issues focusing on the transmission making a high pitched whine during use, transmission failure, lurching forward, and the car not shifting properly. The high-pitched whine usually indicates a high Mazda transmission cost, with the most common solution being to replace the transmission at around 51,000 miles for approximately $3,250.
Mazda MPV
The Mazda MPV was produced from the early 1990s until 2006, with the worst problem year being 2000 due to the severity and frequency of overall complaints. The top categories of concern focus on the engine, electrical systems, exterior accessories, body and paint, cooling system, and the transmission.
Coolant can leak into the transmission, causing a high Mazda transmission repair cost in the 2000 Mazda MPV vehicle. The average mileage of occurrence is around 96,000 miles, with owners stating that the car stalls and dies during use.
Mazda MX-5 Miata
The worst model year of the Mazda MX-5 Miata is 2016 year, with the worst problem categories being the suspension, interior accessories, windows and windshield, engine, and the transmission.
Mazda Protege
The 2002 Mazda Protege has the most overall complaints, with the worst issue being the caliper and brake concerns in the same production year. The top categories of concern in the 2002 Protege involve the brakes, body and paint, engine, AC and heater, and the transmission.
The NHTSA cited various issues regarding the 2002 Mazda Protege, with the main concerns being the automatic transmission and the manual powertrain. Owners of this car stated that the average mileage of the problem started at around 29,000 miles, with the main concern being the transmission having trouble going into different gears.
Mazda Tribute
The Mazda Tribute is a popular car produced throughout the years, manufactured by Mazda from 2001 to 2011. The worst model years in terms of frequency and severity of problems is 2001, 2005, and 2008 model years.
The 2005 Mazda Tribute is often considered the worst year of production due to the prevalence of car issues and the dangerous issues with the wheel, leading to unsafe driving conditions. Other problem categories are the body and paint, engine, suspension, brakes, and transmission.
The top transmission concerns focus on the transmission hesitating and not being able to shift during use.
The Bottom Line
With an average Mazda repair cost of between $1,800 and $3,400, fixing the transmission in your Mazda vehicle is no easy or inexpensive task! However, if you can realize the signs and symptoms of a faulty transmission before the problems get any worse, you may be able to only spend between $800 and $1,500 for a used or salvage transmission. Unfortunately, if you let the issues worsen over time, you could be looking at spending between $1,300 and $3,400 for a remanufactured transmission.