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Vehicle safety record

1986 Mazda 626 Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 16 complaints about the 1986 Mazda 626 with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system (5) and the seats & seat belts (4). Those complaints describe 1 fire. It is covered by 2 recalls, the latest in June 1990 for the ignition. For comparison, the 1985 has 6 and the 1987 has 30.

NHTSA data checked

AFar fewer problems than a typical 626 year, for its age

#31 most complained-about 1986 vehicle

Complaints
16
Recalls
2
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
0

Most common 1986 Mazda 626 problems

Share of all 16 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

1986 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

Electrical system: ignition

90V118000102,548 vehicles affected

The problem
IGNITION SWITCH TERMINAL MAY MALFUNCTION.
The risk
This could result in failure of windshield wipers,windshield washer, engine cooling fan, heater blower, and air conditioningcompressor. Failure of windshield clearing devices could cause reducedvisibility, which could result in an accident.
The fix
REPLACE IGNITION SWITCHES.

Vehicle speed control

86V04200036,671 vehicles affected

The problem
The throttle angle sensor on the carburetor may contain a nylon rotor which has not been heat treated. Rotors that have not been heat treated contract in the presence of heat causing the throttle mechanism to stick. Consequence of defect: this may cause the throttle to stick in the open position which may result in loss of control leading to an accident. Also,vehicle may not conform with standard 124.
The fix
Replace throttle angle sensor assemblies with new heat treated rotors with larger inside diameters.

What owners say

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16 complaints about the 1986 Mazda 626

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.

Transmission & drivetrain

Automatic transmision failed. First failed in july and transmision replaced and now having the same problem again o/d light flashing, hard shift will not shift into o/d.*Ak

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 10057133
Electrical system

Consumer requesting reimbursement for repairs made prior to recall notice 90v118000 ignition switch program. Dealer denied reimbursement claim stating that the repair order does not support the request for reimbursement. *Tt

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 566187
Electrical system

The key does not go all the way back to start after car is started

Filed Electrical systemNHTSA 714563
Engine & coolingFire

Engine overheated resulting in vehicle fire. (Ohio traffic crash report). Mjs

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 545268
Visibility & wipers

Heater core broke, causing the hot water to spill into the passenger compartment which may have caused injuries. Please provide further information. *Ak

Filed Incident VisibilityNHTSA 835128
Engine & cooling

Anti freeze smoke is coming through the heater vents, also exhaust is leaking

Filed Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 701464
Brakes

BRAKE FAILURE.

Filed Service brakes, hydraulicNHTSA 538077
Electrical system

Ignition switch failed to start engine cooling fan, causing radiator to explode and fuel pump to fail.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 534003
Seats & seat belts

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT CABLE BROKE.

Filed Incident Seat beltsNHTSA 528453
Wheels & tires

WHEEL BEARING PROBLEMS.

Filed Incident WheelsNHTSA 527129
Electrical system

IGNITION SWITCH ASSEMBLY FAILED.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 521138
Electrical system

CAR SOMETIMES STALL/STARTING PROBLEMS. *AK

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 967366
Seats & seat belts

DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WOULDN'T LATCH . TT

Filed Incident Seat beltsNHTSA 964789
Seats & seat belts

Rear passenger shoulder/lap belt won't retract all the way. Tt

Filed Seat beltsNHTSA 963195
Seats & seat belts

Rear seatbelts fails to stay fasten when using, unfastening while riding in vehicle. Please describe details. Tt

Filed Incident Seat beltsNHTSA 960656
Fuel system

Gas tank rusted from outside in, resulting in leakage. Tt

Filed Incident Fuel system, gasolineNHTSA 958386

Mazda 626: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
199045222Seats & seat beltsC
198942240Seats & seat beltsC
198846613Seats & seat beltsC
198730150Electrical systemC
198616201Electrical systemA
19856010AirbagsA
19843011BrakesA
19832010BrakesA
19820200-A
All 626 years

1986 Mazda 626 vs rivals

More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.

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Questions about the 1986 Mazda 626

Does the 1986 Mazda 626 have any recalls?

Yes - NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 1986 Mazda 626: ignition (June 1990); vehicle speed control (March 1986). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.

What are the most common problems with the 1986 Mazda 626?

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the electrical system (5), seats & seat belts (4), engine & cooling (2).

How many complaints has the 1986 Mazda 626 had?

16 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on January 6, 1995 and the latest on February 13, 2004. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 1 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.

Is the 1986 Mazda 626 a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 80 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 1986 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

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