IllustrationTRANSMISSION FAILED WITH NO WARNING WHILE PULLING INTO TRAFFIC, NEAR MISS, CAR HAD TO BE PUSHED FROM ROAD AND TOWED. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED BOTH AT 60 TO 70 K MILES!!!*AK THIS IS A PRODUCT DESIGN DEFECT AND A SAFETY DEFECT.
1995 Mazda 626
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most 626 years
Owner complaints for the 1995 Mazda 626 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 44.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all 626 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
50–25K
625–50K
1550–75K
3475–100K
47100–150K
26150K+
133 reports with mileage · 355 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Power Train. Review the 337 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 67 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
43 crash reports8 fire reports33 injury reports
What owners actually said
488 reportsWHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, HIT A POTHOLE, DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIRBAGS VIOLENTLY DEPLOYED SHATTERING WINDSHIELD AND DRIVERS EYE GLASSES,AND THEN CAUSED THE CAR TO HIT THE SIDEWALK EXPLODING 2 TIRES AND INJURING THE DRIVERS FACE. EVEN THOUGHT THE CAR WAS UNDER RECALL, THE MANUFACTURER INITIALLY ACCEPTED RESPONSIBILITY BUT LATER DI…
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WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, HIT A POTHOLE, DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIRBAGS VIOLENTLY DEPLOYED SHATTERING WINDSHIELD AND DRIVERS EYE GLASSES,AND THEN CAUSED THE CAR TO HIT THE SIDEWALK EXPLODING 2 TIRES AND INJURING THE DRIVERS FACE. EVEN THOUGHT THE CAR WAS UNDER RECALL, THE MANUFACTURER INITIALLY ACCEPTED RESPONSIBILITY BUT LATER DIRECTED THE VICTIM TO FILE AN INSURANCE CLAIM. *JB
1995 MAZDA 626 TRANSMISSION: I HAVE 1995 MAZDA 626 BUT IT TENDS TO HAVE A TRANSMISSION BREAK DOWN WITH OVER DRIVE SENSOR GOING BAD AT 75000. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT WITH CERTIFIED TECHNICIAN, BUT IT WENT OUT AGAIN AT 130000. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND I WASN'T THE ONLY ONE WHO HAD A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM.*AK
I HAVE A 95 MAZDA 626 AND THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED TWICE. THE O/D LIGHT CONTINUES TO BLINK. MECHANICS SAY THAT THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE ALMOST EVERY SENSOR, BUT TO NO AVAIL THE TRANNY IS STILL ACTING UP. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THESE TRANSMISSIONS. THANK YOU. *AK
WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED. INDEPENDENT SHOP REPLACED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, ALSO, SPEEDOMETER FAILED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED. *AK
1. FIRST TIME MY TRANSMISSION GAVE OUT I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION AND WHEN I PRESSED THE GAS PEDDLE THE RPM WENT WAY UP BUT THE CAR DID NOT MOVE. I TRIED NOT TO PANIC AS ONCOMING TRAFFIC CAME RIGHT AT ME. BEFORE I KNEW IT, THE INTERSECTION WAS GRIDLOCKED AND HORNS WERE HONKING EVERYWHERE. I WAS ALMOST HIT AND WOU…
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1. FIRST TIME MY TRANSMISSION GAVE OUT I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION AND WHEN I PRESSED THE GAS PEDDLE THE RPM WENT WAY UP BUT THE CAR DID NOT MOVE. I TRIED NOT TO PANIC AS ONCOMING TRAFFIC CAME RIGHT AT ME. BEFORE I KNEW IT, THE INTERSECTION WAS GRIDLOCKED AND HORNS WERE HONKING EVERYWHERE. I WAS ALMOST HIT AND WOULD HAVE BEEN INJURED. FINALLY, WITH THE HELP OF OTHERS THE CAR WAS PUSHED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TOWED AWAY. THE FINAL BILL COSTING 2,300.00$. RECENTLY, IN A PARKING LOT, AFTER SHIFTING INTO REVERSE AND PUSHING THE GAS PEDDLE, THE CAR SHOT FORWARD (STILL IN DRIVE). LUCKILY THERE WERE NO PEOPLE IN FRONT OF ME BUT I ALMOST HIT A CAR. I LOOKED AT THE CONSOLE AND SAW THE GEAR WAS IN DRIVE EVEN THOUGH MY SHIFTER WAS IN REVERSE. THE SHIFTING MOUNT IS UNHITCHED AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN!!!! THIS IS A COMPLETE HAZARD AND I HAVE NARROWLY ESCAPED COLLISION AND INJURY FOR A SECOND TIME. 2) FAILURE IS TO BREAKDOWN IN BUSY INTERSECTIONS AND ALMOST HITTING A CAR IN A PARKING LOT. *AK 3) TRANSMISSION REPLACED USING OLD PARTS AND NOW THE SECOND TIME I'M NOT SURE WHAT IS GOING TO BE DONE.
OVERHEATED TRANSMISSION LEADING TO THE TEDIOUS AND COSTLY PROCESS OF GETTING ANOTHER TRANSMISSION WITH A COOLER KIT. *JB
WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH MY TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SHIFT UNCONTROLLED. IT DOWNSHIFTED FROM OD TO 3RD THEN TO A NEUTRAL TYPE OF GEAR. THEN SHIFTED BACK INTO OD. THIS OCCURED SEVERAL TIMES.I HAVE REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION FILTER AND FLUID WITH NO HELP. MY CAR JUST TURNED 72000 MILES AND HAS BEEN ADULT HIGHWAY DRIVEN. I HAVE READ IN …
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WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH MY TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SHIFT UNCONTROLLED. IT DOWNSHIFTED FROM OD TO 3RD THEN TO A NEUTRAL TYPE OF GEAR. THEN SHIFTED BACK INTO OD. THIS OCCURED SEVERAL TIMES.I HAVE REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION FILTER AND FLUID WITH NO HELP. MY CAR JUST TURNED 72000 MILES AND HAS BEEN ADULT HIGHWAY DRIVEN. I HAVE READ IN SEVERAL PLACES OF OTHERS HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM. THIS SOUND LIKE A COMMON OCCURANCE AND SOUND BE INVESTIGATED FOR DEFECTS IN THIS TYPE OF TRANSMISSION.
OWN 1995 MAZDA 626. GOT IT USED WITH 50,000 MILES. NOW HAS 94,000 MILES. SINCE THEN I HAVE REPLACED MANY SENSORS, THE HEAD GASKET, ROTERS TWICE, AND HAVE HAD THE OCCURING ISSUE OF THE HOLD LIGHT BLINKING AND THE TRANNY SHIFTING HARD. DEALER SAYS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT.
CAR: 1995 MAZDA 626 LX FAILURE OF AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AT 69,XXX MILES TRANSMISSION REBUILT BY LOCAL SHOP OF NATIONAL CHAIN FAILED AGAIN IN SEPT. OF 2001; TOTAL REPAIR COSTS EXCEEDED $2,300
Official recalls
215V674000 · Electrical System:ignition:switch
Oct 19, 2015
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 inside the ignition switch may become conductive and overheat.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the ignition switch overheats there would be an increased risk of a fire.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. The recall began on December 17, 2015. Owners may contact Mazda Customer Experience Center at 1-800-222-5500, option#6. Mazda's number for this recall is 8715J.
98V249000 · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE
Oct 8, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE SAS SENSOR UNIT. THESE VEHICLES CAN EXPERIENCE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS IN MINOR UNDERCARRIAGE IMPACTS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: UNEXPECTED AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN RESULT IN OCCUPANT INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE SAS UNIT TO REDUCE THE PROBABILITY OF UNNECESSARY DEPLOYMENTS IN LOW SPEED UNDERCARRIAGE IMPACTS.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
4RQ99022 · Headlight Failure
Opened Dec 20, 1999 · Closed Aug 30, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting
OBTAINED RECALL 99V-358
SQ98024 · Speedometer Inoperative
Opened Oct 29, 1998 · Closed Sep 10, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train
SEE RESUME FOR DETAILS.
EA97012 · Oversensitive Air Bag Deployment
Opened May 23, 1997 · Closed Oct 9, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags
IN MAY OF 1997, ODI UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS WITH 51 COMPLAINTS.ODI IS NOW AWARE OF 88 COMPLAINTS OF ALLEGED INAPPROPRIATE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENTS.TYPICAL COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AFTER THE VEHICLE HIT A POT HOLE AT BETWEEN 20 AND 45 MPH, OR THAT THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING AT BETWEEN 20 OR 60 MPH FOR NO APPARENT REASON.APPROXIMATELY 25 DRIVERS ALLEGED THAT THEY DID NOT HIT ANYTHING IN THE ROADWAY.MAZDA WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL OFALL 1995 AND 1996 MODELS OF THE MAZDA 626 AND MX-6, AS WELL AS A SMALL NUMBER OF 1997 MAZDA 626 MODELS, EQUIPPED WITH THE SAME SAS UNIT.THE SAS UNIT CONTROLS THE AIRBAG SYSTEMIT CONTAINS A BUILT-IN CRASH SENSOR TO DETECT VEHICLE DECELERATION DURING A COLLISION.AFFECTED MODELS WERE ASSEMBLED FROM JUNE 1, 1994 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 10, 1996 AND HAVE A VIN WITHIN THE FOLLOWING RANGES: MAZDA 626:1YVGE22**S5300001 THROUGH 1YVGE22**V5599030 MAZDA MX-6: 1YVGE31**S5300001 THROUGH 1YVGE31**T5589965ALL OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY THAT THEIR VEHICLE MAY EXPERIENCE AN UNNECESSARY AIRBAG DEPOYMENT IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS.THEY WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO BRING THEIR VEHICLE TO A MAZDA DEALER TO REPROGRAM THE SAS UNIT TO REDUCE THE FREQUENCY OF UNNECESSARY DEPLOYMENTS.
PE97006 · Inappropriate Air Bag Deployment
Opened Jan 30, 1997 · Closed May 23, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags
IN JANUARY OF 1997, ODI OPENED A PE BASED ON 9 ODI COMPLAINTS.ODI IS NOW AWARE OF 51 COMPLAINTS OF ALLEGED INAPPROPRIATE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS.TYPICAL COMPLAINTS INCLUDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS AFTER THE VEHICLE HIT A POT HOLE WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 20 AND 45 MPH AND AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 20 AND 60 MPH FOR NO APPARENT REASON.APPROXIMATELY 21 DRIVERS ALLEGED THAT THEY DID NOT HIT ANYTHING PRIOR TO THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT.IN FOUR OF THESE INCIDENTS THE DRIVER CLAIMS TO HAVE LOST CONTROL AND HIT A CURB AFTER THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED.IN ADDITION THERE ARE FOUR INCIDENTS WHERE THE DRIVER ALLEGES THAT THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AFTER A TIRE BLOWOUT WHILE DRIVING.LESS COMMON INCIDENTS INCLUDE ALLEGATIONS OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYING AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE AND REMOVING THE KEY, CROSSING RAILROAD TRACKS, WHILE BEING TOWED, WHILE BRAKING, AFTER HITTING A CURB, AND AFTER HITTING A MANHOLE COVER.ODI IS UPGRADING THIS INVESTIGATION TO OBTAIN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE REPORTS GATHERED TO DATE, THE SENSORS USED IN THE VEHICLES, AND TO ASSESS THE IMPACT THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT HAS ON HIGHWAY SAFETY.