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...
Steering
Mazda 626 Steering problems by year
55 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Mazda 626's steering. Loss of power steering, stiff or loose steering, wandering, column and rack problems.
Steering complaints by model year
Steering recalls
Latest 626 steering complaints
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 mazda 626. While driving 15 mph, and slowing down to make a turn into a parking lot, the steering wheel emitted smoke and burst into flames. The police department extinguished the fire, but did not file a report. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. An independent mechanic replaced the steering wheel. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
I was driving 60mph slowing down to the speed limit which was 55 all of a sudden something popped there was nothing on the road and my steering wheel locked the car went in to the wall and flipped over twice. Everything on the vehicle was damaged including the windows. *Tr
Columbia heights, washington dc june 19th 2012, I was with my mother and partner parking in front of giant supermarket returning a movie at local redbox, while waiting for my partner, I turned off the car, sitting inside noticed dense fumes came from the ignition, I removed the key and fumes still coming out, we step outside the car and we saw several sparks in the ignition, I called immediately 911, suddenly a big flame of fire came from the steering wheel, the car was on fire, we were close to the rooms from a...
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local fire department, a man came with a fire extinguisher and calm the fire and flames; fire truck came less than 10 minutes later, but car was already destroyed. I have pictures to prove, phone calls and witness. *Tr
1998 Mazda 626 lx 2.0L 4cylinder engine. Returning back to the guest house after dropping a friend off at the airport that evening, after getting off the interstate, I heard a crack (followed by a grinding noise) from the passenger's side of the engine. Within moments as I slowed the car to a safe spot, I heard a whipping noise from the same region. That later happened to be the serpentine and alternator belts both broke just after exiting the interstate, the engine and battery lights came on at once.., And then,...
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immediately after that, the engine stopped working. I called my insurance and had my car towed to the guest house. The car was looked at and the diagnoses were the gears in the water pump were broken which froze the alternator belt, the alternator belt-now stiffened- shredded and mangled the serpentine belt. Then the serpentine belt tore along the grooved lines. Plus, the engine is now leaking coolant. Repairs???? I am waiting for the estimate to come in. I have been warned that it would not be cheap to fix. $500-$700 I asked? Nope! He said, after letting out a chuckle..., Much higher he replied. At least $1000 or more. *Tr
Tl*the contact owns a 1994 mazda 626. The vehicle was overheating and a noise was coming from the brakes. The mechanic didn't check the overheating failure. However, stated that the vehicle had a terrible vibration. The mechanic rebuilt the front end. After the repairs were performed the vehicle would pull from the left to the right, the vehicle would not drive straight , and the brakes were completely damaged. The second repair shop stated that they couldn't repair the vehicle due to the damages. The...
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vehicle had not been repaired. The current and the failure mileage was 103696 ,and the current mileage was 104,000. *Ak the consumer stated prior to the most recent repairs the following services were performed: new radiator, complete transmission service, engine tuned, and new tires. The dealer stated steering gear drifts during turns. Updated 06/26/07 *tr
I own a 2000 mazda 626 with only 90,000 miles. I have been stranded several times in this car and spent over $3000 parts and labor. I had to replace the catalytic converter, several sensors, master break cylinder, cv boots, and rack and pinion. Now I am having trouble with the transmission and the ac. The mechanic says I need to rebuild the trans and replace the ac compressor. This is another $3000 or more. I am very disappointed in this situation. I plead with you to take action on this. I have checked several web...
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forums and found similar problems. Please, please make mazda accountable for building such bad cars. Fyi, I am very, very diligent in general maintenance. Thanks for your time. Chris. *Nm
1) Purchased a used '97 mazda 626 dx, with 115000+ miles on it, supposedly in decent condition. The vehicle required a new fuel pump, so wasn't in any kind of road use until replacement. After replacing, the car seemed to work fine, but had odd 'jumps' forward in low speeds and stops (making me believe I would run stop signs). The dealership refused this lemon back. 2) After having the car 8wks, & only testing it around the block until all tests completed on the fuel system, it began to steam & make popping...
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noises driving <400 yards at <20mph. After time, the noises got louder, the steam more widespread, and when the gas was pressed there was noticable lack of power for long seconds. Radiator was suspected due to the steam and power issues. During 1 test while braking it jumped/lurched sideways into a weak brick wall. 3) We are military mechanics, & we went through the entire fuel/transmission/oil systems by mazda's own book. We even removed the engine, completely cleaned the old gunk out, & refilled fluid with only the finest fluids & cleansers, replacing entire sections of the engine with new parts, & still had the same problems. Per mazda, they kept diagnosing anything from sensors/computer/regulators/hoses/fuel system issues. Extensive searches on-line turned up a horrifying list of 100's of websites that all blasted ford's buying of mazda & resultant lowering of quality. All sites reported transmission issues, similar 'diagnosis' from bad mazda dealerships, & the end result being years of transmission replacements. Tranny's would break down at early mileages. Few reports of satisfaction from mazda in replacing what had to be known as deffective trannys. The mazda 626 (all versions '94 to '00) have seriously none-safe transmissions. When we fully eliminated the last of the possibilities, it was the transmission!!! Mazda refused to deal with this, nor issue a valid safety recall of 626's! Spent over $2000 on new parts. This is a safety issue!!
While driving 40 mph the power steering failed intermittently. As a result the vehicle starting spinning out of control sending the vehicle over the median. The vehicle was totaled. *Jb while exiting the expressway the consuemr noticed , on two accasions, that the variable assist power steering momentarily faled to engage. This occured about a year prior to the accident. *Nm *tc
Problems with stabilizer bushings and power steering.*Mr at approximately 27000 miles the stabilizer bushings were replaced. Again at 43000 they needed to be replaced again by then the vehicle was out of warranty. The power steering was very squeaky when making turns. *Nm
Power steering pump failed while driving. Luckily was local and close to home. Could've been disastrous at high speed and making a turn. *Ak
1.Horn button broke and popped off while driving. 2. Car will rev by itself between 1000-1500 rpm while coming to a stop. 3. Car sometimes has no base idol and will just turn off. 4. Check engine light came on, took car to machanic. Manifold intake gasket had to be replaced. Light has gone off but car still revs itself. Sometimes while idoling car will rev between 1500-2000 rpms. 5. Both rear struts have been replaced. 6. Coupler for rack and pinon had to be replaced. *Ak
Consumer heard noise in the vehicle. When brought to the dealership, nothing was found. *La the noise was heard when the brakes were applied. There was excessive play in the tie rods, a noise when going over bumps, which the dealer tightened the right lower gravel shield, the right front axle seal was leaking and the seat belt retractor was replaced because of a rattle. *Jb
I have been having so many problems with my mazda 626 and it's a 2001. The times that I have taken it in the shop that would tell me that nothing is wrong with my car, but of course I know my car better I do drive it more than they have too. What I discovered just today is off the map funny(like something is not right), was dealing with my odometer reading. So if I can please allow me your help before my give out on me. Thank you mrs. Jackson
I bought this car at this dealership on 1-9-03,since I have had this car I have only driven it a couple of times to date. This car has major front end problems,the axel is broken, the transmission is slipping,it is terribly out of alignment,the cable shifter is out and the car stops on me while im driving in traffic. I have tried to tell the owner of the dealership and he tells me it's just my imagination....He got angry after I called him so much two weeks ago that he told me to bring the car in so he can look at...
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it,i did and he then said he needed to send it away to have it looked at by other mechanics.....He kept my car for 8 days than brought it back and said no one could find anything wrong with it and that it had been put on a diagnostic machine,i said fine and could I see the paperwork to that effect .....He refused and said he didn't have to because it was his paperwork,i didn't understand because to me if it had really been checked why shouldn't I be able to see exactly what they found?. This dealership has had three complaints against it in the past 36 months from the bbb. You may not be able to help me but please investigate this place.....They're selling cars that are unsafe and getting away with it,i have called the city of antioch and explained my position to them....Some one has to be responsible for a business like this being in existence,and someone will have to answer if death or injury occur because this man was allowed to sell these unsafe cars.
When a turn was made, the steering wheel made a squeaking noise from the steering column. The vehicle has been to the dealership. *Ak *ts *jb
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