- The problem
- In certain high salt areas, the idler arm is exposed to road salt which causes the dust seal to deteriorate resulting in idler arm pin corrosion. This causes the pin to freeze and break. Consequence of defect: a broken idler arm pin could result in loss of steering control and may cause an accident.
- The fix
- Replace pin with one of improved corrosion resistant quality.
Vehicle safety record
1981 Mazda 626 Problems, complaints & recalls
No owner complaints about the 1981 Mazda 626 have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 2 recalls, the latest in September 1985 for the steering.
NHTSA data checked
AFar fewer problems than a typical 626 year, for its age
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
1981 Mazda 626 recalls 2
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- Anchorage bolt may have been improperly reinstalled after vehicle repair. The bolt could loosen during normal vehicle operation.
- The fix
- Upon inspection, all improperly installed bolts will be removed and reinstalled correctly.
What owners say
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No complaints about the 1981 Mazda 626 yet
No owner has filed a complaint about this vehicle with NHTSA. If yours has a problem, share it here and report it to NHTSA.
Mazda 626: every year compared
All 626 yearsQuestions about the 1981 Mazda 626
Does the 1981 Mazda 626 have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 1981 Mazda 626: steering (September 1985); anchorage (May 1983). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
How many complaints has the 1981 Mazda 626 had?
None have been filed with NHTSA so far.
Is the 1981 Mazda 626 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 97 out of 100 (grade A: far fewer problems than a typical Mazda 626 year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Mazda 626 years have the most complaints?
1995 (493), 1998 (434), 1996 (362). See every Mazda 626 year compared.
What should I do if my 1981 Mazda 626 has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data