Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 1989-1998 MPV, 1990-1995 323, 1990-1998 Protege, 1992-1993 MX-3, 1993-1995 929, 1993-1997 MX-6, and 1993-1998 626 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, grease applied to the contact points...
1979-2003 · 25 model years
Mazda 626 Problems by year
Owners have filed 3,159 complaints about the Mazda 626 across 25 model years, and it has 23 recalls. The 1996 has the most complaints once its age is allowed for (362), while 1983, 1985, 2003 have far fewer than a typical year. The most reported problem area is the transmission & drivetrain, followed by the engine & cooling.
- Complaints
- 3,159
- Recalls
- 23
- Crashes
- 193
- Fires
- 45
- Injuries
- 302
- Deaths
- 105
626 complaints by model year
Highlighted: the year with the most complaints for its age. Older vehicles have had more time to collect complaints - the Safety Index grade allows for that.
Most common 626 problems
Mazda 626 recalls 23
Sabersport is recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety...
Certain spx filtran fuel filters with a 45-degree angle inlet tube, model 800f350-s1, sold as replacement filters for 1993-1997 ford probe,1993-2001 mazda 626 and mx-6, and 1983-1994 loyal, 3-door coupe, hatchback, sedan, wagon, brat, dl, gl, gl-10, rx, xt...
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. An external spring in the timing belt tensioner could break.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Certain reservoir tank caps on the brake master cylinder were produced with a worn out die and lack ventilation holes. As a result, the pressure in the reservoir tank can drop gradually as the brake pad or shoe...
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The headlight wire that runs through the turn signal lever can fail at the point where it is soldered to the headlight switch.
This is not a safety recall in accordance with the safety act. However, it is deemed a safety improvement campaign by the agency. Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The speedometer gear set can fail. Symptoms include an inoperative speedometer...
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with the sas sensor unit. These vehicles can experience air bag deployments in minor undercarriage impacts.
Vehicle description: if the vehicle is operated in a hot, humid environment with the window open and air conditioner running, it is possible for condensation to enter the audio unit and cause a short circuit.
Covers1998 Mazda 626
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. An external spring in the timing belt tensioner can break and get caught in the timing belt.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Due to a programming error, the powertrain control module (pcm) installed can, under certain driving conditions, trigger a shift in air-fuel ratio to an overlean condition.
Covers1998 Mazda 626
The passenger side air bag has an inflator body that cracked during forming of the curl that retains the igniter plug in the end of the inflator. Also, the igniter end cap can separate from the inflator.
Covers1995 Mazda 626
Latest 626 complaints
Without any warning the transmission started slipping out of forward gear while at a traffic light after releasing the brakes and gently pressing the accelerator pedal the vehicle didnt move. Manually shifting into 1st gear was the car able to move but causing a very harsh lurching forward causing a loud "clunking" noise. I was able to limp the car 3 miles to my home. I was involved in a rear end accident at the next traffic light. While the vehicle was in 1st gear and having the brakes applied the transmission...
Read the full complaint
caught in gear and lunged forward causing me to contact the car in front of me. Both myself and the occupant of the vehicle I hit sustained minor injuries and well as property damage to the front of my vehicle and the back of theirs.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 mazda 626. The contact stated that after fuel was added to the vehicle, the engine seized and would not engage. The engine would operate when the accelerator pedal was tapped. Also, while driving, the vehicle sporadically stalled. The contact was unsure if any warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to flow mazda of greensboro (1205 bridford pkwy, greensboro, nc 27407, 336-299-1500), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was unknown.
Transmission won't shift properly. When it does shift, it shifts hard. Od light flashes. Was driving vehicle from work and took off from a complete stop. The car revved up real high but wouldn't shift. Made it home, and now vehicle won't move.
The vehicle is stalling during acceleration and after. Sometimes it's stops and clear itself up and then throws itself into overdrive (o/d off lights starts flashing) all while driving it in the street(city and interstate). When you let the car sit and not run it will not flash but after driving amd not getting any speed it does it again.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 mazda 626. When the vehicle was started, there was an abnormal odor of fuel inside the cabin. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer (perry ford, 440 hitchcock way, santa barbara, ca 93105 (805) 682-2411), but the failure was unable to be duplicated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified and did not assist. The failure mileage was 44,825. The vin was not available.
Went to start vehicle will not start something faulty in ignition possibly. Smelled like smoke instantly turning vehicle off. Immediately disconnected battery from vehicle.
Questions about the Mazda 626
Which Mazda 626 years have the most problems?
Which Mazda 626 years have the fewest complaints?
What are the most common Mazda 626 problems?
Across every model year, owners report problems with the transmission & drivetrain (1,984), engine & cooling (329), airbags (224) most often.
How many recalls does the Mazda 626 have?
NHTSA lists 23 recalls across all Mazda 626 model years. Each year's page lists the recalls for that year; check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether the repair has been done.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data