Hahah Bob that was totally Ford’s fault! (Though I guess Mazda could have bit the bullet for Ford…)
2006-2008 Mazda technician here
those models were also famous for automatic transmission falling out, though i suspect yours has already been replaced or isn’t going to fall out now. Regardless, check the fluid, change if necessary (closer to red is better; closer to black needs to be changed). Every 30k miles is the recommended fluid exchange interval. Believe it or not, this applies to both manual and automatic ford transmissions, as ford used ATF even in the manual transmissions (they have friction material on the synchronizer blocking rings), though it’s possible you have a mazda 5 speed transmission and not a ford, but i believe it’s a ford. (Automatic is definitely ford, and that’s why they fell out lol). Manual mazda transmissions will take motor oil. Change it either way if manual, as it’s probably never been done.
That model also had a faulty PCV valve elbow on the back of the intake manifold; reach back there and squeeze every hose you can find (will really only be the one) and see if it’s soft; if so, replace it before it leaves you on the side of the road. This too may have already been done but checking is free.
Other than that, it was a steal @ $200 even if it only lasts a few months. Rear brakes are drum on 4cyl, probably need to be cleaned and adjusted (low brake pedal is the symptom for that)