Abstract The temperature characteristics of the Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)A(Mn1/3Nb2/3)BTic ZrDO3 (or PMMN) quaternary system piezoelectric ceramics which are used in fabricating piezoelectric ceramic transformers have been investigated. A transition position with very stable temperature characteristics similar to those of binary and ternary system piezoelectric ceramics was found. This transition position is a cross-transition position because it depends not only on the first and second, but also on the third and fourth components of the composition. A composition PMMN-1 with excellent piezoelectric performance gave this transition position. The temperature characteristics can be improved by substitution of Sr for Pb and addition of CeO2 to PMMN-1.