2001 Mazda 626

MY DAUGHTER WAS SITTING IN HER CAR WHEN SHE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE WIPER SWITCH AREA AND BLINKER AREA. THE SMOKE SMELLED LIKE BURNING PLASTIC. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION BY A MECHANIC, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS BAD, CAUSING THE STARTER TO STAY ENGAGED. THE BURNING SMELL WAS COMING FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. I CURRENTLY HAVE THE DEFECTIVE PART AS WELL AS THE RECEIPT FOR THE REPLACEMENT PART.

COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, WASHINGTON DC JUNE 19TH 2012, I WAS WITH MY MOTHER AND PARTNER PARKING IN FRONT OF GIANT SUPERMARKET RETURNING A MOVIE AT LOCAL REDBOX, WHILE WAITING FOR MY PARTNER, I TURNED OFF THE CAR, SITTING INSIDE NOTICED DENSE FUMES CAME FROM THE IGNITION, I REMOVED THE KEY AND FUMES STILL COMING OUT, WE STEP OUTSIDE THE CAR AND WE SAW SEVERAL SPARKS IN THE IGNITION, I CALLED IMMEDIATELY 911, SUDDENLY A BIG FLAME OF FIRE CAME FROM THE STEERING WHEEL, THE CAR WAS ON FIRE, WE WERE CLOSE TO THE ROOMS FROM A LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT, A MAN CAME WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND CALM THE FIRE AND FLAMES; FIRE TRUCK CAME LESS THAN 10 MINUTES LATER, BUT CAR WAS ALREADY DESTROYED. I HAVE PICTURES TO PROVE, PHONE CALLS AND WITNESS. *TR

TRAVELING IN CAR ON INTERSTATE IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE USING CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 70MPH. WAS COMING UP ON A CAR AND TAPPED THE BRAKE TO DISENGAGE CRUISE CONTROL AND THE CAR DID NOT DISENGAGE. I TRIED TO USE THE BRAKE AND IT WAS NOT WORKING AND WENT TO THE FLOOR. I COULD NOT SHUT THE CRUISE CONTROL OFF AT THE CONTROLS ON THE STEERING WHEEL EITHER. I QUICKLY SWERVED ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE FREEWAY TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. MY HUSBAND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND I EASED UP ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND WE CAME TO A SAFE STOP. AFTER INSPECTING THE CAR WE TURNED THE CAR BACK ON AND TESTED THE BRAKES AT SLOW SPEEDS ON THE SHOULDER AND THE BRAKES ENGAGED NORMALLY. MY HUSBAND FEELS THE CRUISE CONTROL STUCK AND THAT IS WHY WE COULD NOT STOP THE CAR WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL BUTTONS OR WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL. *TR

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION BURNT OUT! CAR WAS TOWED TO WORKSHOP AND REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE PUT IN COST $3100. WAS LITTLE OVER 3 YEARS FROM PURCHASE DATE, THEREFORE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE PROBLEMS DID NOT STOP THERE, IN ABOUT 50 DAYS, "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON... TOOK IT TO THE SAME PLACE WHO WORKED ON THE TRANSMISSION. TECHNICIAN REPORTED NEW PROBLEM UNRELATED TO AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, NEW SERVICE COST $500. THE CAR COST ME BIG $$$ IN MAINTAINANCE.... DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS THE END OF THE PROBLEMS... MAZDA 626 OWNERS WATCH OUT!