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1996 Mazda 626

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most 626 years

Owner complaints for the 1996 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

115 reports with mileage · 244 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 239 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 49 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

35 crash reports2 fire reports30 injury reports

Power Train complaints

239 reports
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Mileage unknown · May 31, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

I HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS 626, MAZDA FROM THE DAY I DROVE IT OFF THE LOT AND I TRIED TO GET THE COMPANY TO TAKE IT BACK AND THEY WOULD GIVE ME LOTS OF EXCUSES AND WERE NOT HELPFUL. IN THE END I WAS TOLD THE AIR FLOW SENSOR WAS GONE & I PAID 300.00 FOR REPAIRS. 2 DAYS LATER THE CAR STARTED HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND HAD IT …

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I HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS 626, MAZDA FROM THE DAY I DROVE IT OFF THE LOT AND I TRIED TO GET THE COMPANY TO TAKE IT BACK AND THEY WOULD GIVE ME LOTS OF EXCUSES AND WERE NOT HELPFUL. IN THE END I WAS TOLD THE AIR FLOW SENSOR WAS GONE & I PAID 300.00 FOR REPAIRS. 2 DAYS LATER THE CAR STARTED HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND HAD IT TOWED IN AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS GONE, CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED REPLACING AGAIN AND ANOTHER PART. I ASKED FOR A REFUND ON THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR TELLING THEM THAT THE O/D LIGHT HAD BEEN COMING ON AND I THINK THAT WAS THE PROBLEM, BUT WOULD NOT REFUND ME FOR THE COST. THEY THEN WANTED 6000.00 FOR IT ALL AND I TOLD THEM, I HAVE REPLACED SO MANY PARTS ON THIS CAR AND TRIED TO GET YOU TO TAKE IT BACK AND THEY REFUSED. I ALSO ASKED IF THEY WOULD GIVE ME A CREDIT TOWARDS ANOTHER VEHICLE, SINCE I WAS SOLD A LEMON. THEY REFUSED. I HAD TO TURN THE CAR BACK IN TO THE LOAN COMPANY. I COULD NOT AFFORD TO PAY 6000.00 FOR REPAIRS AND PAY 350.00 MONTHLY . I WAS AHEAD ON MY PAYMENTS TOO. TURNED IT IN TO THE LOAN COMPANY AND NOW MY CREDIT HAS BEEN AFFECTED. BECAUSE OF ALL THE COSTLY REPAIRS THAT I HAD TO DO AND MAKE PAYMENTS ALONG WITH IT ALL. I WANT SOME HELP AND RESTIUTION IN THIS SITUATION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #746203

Mileage unknown · May 31, 2001
Power Train

I HAVE A 1996 MAZDA 626 THAT IS CURRENTLY HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THIS IS NOW THE SECOND TIME I AM ABOUT TO HAVE TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT. THE FIRST TIME WAS WHEN I FIRST GOT THE CAR AT 56,000 MILES. I THEN PAID FOR THE REPAIR, WHICH COST ME ABOUT $1600.00 AT A TRANSMISSION SHOP. SIX MONTHS LATER, AND AFTER WARRANT…

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I HAVE A 1996 MAZDA 626 THAT IS CURRENTLY HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THIS IS NOW THE SECOND TIME I AM ABOUT TO HAVE TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT. THE FIRST TIME WAS WHEN I FIRST GOT THE CAR AT 56,000 MILES. I THEN PAID FOR THE REPAIR, WHICH COST ME ABOUT $1600.00 AT A TRANSMISSION SHOP. SIX MONTHS LATER, AND AFTER WARRANTY, MY TRANSMISSION IS WHAT THE MECHANIC WOULD LIKE TO CALL "SLIPPING" IN SECOND AND THIRD GEAR. THIS IS NOW A CONCERN TO ME, SINCE MY BROTHER HAS THE SAME CAR, AND IS NOW HAVING TO GET HIS THE SAME SERVICE DONE. I ONCE WENT INTO A STORE, AND A GUY WHO HAD A MAZDA 626 CAME UP TO ME AND SAID NICE CAR, HAVE YOU GOT THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT YET. AND ALSO, MY BEST FRIEND WHO THOUGHT IT WOULD BE CUTE IF WE GOT THE SAME CAR, ABOUT A MONTH AGO WAS HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, AND HAD TO RETURN THE CAR, BECAUSE IT WAS SUCH AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR, AND HER CAR DID NOT COME WITH A WARRANTY. I REALLY DON'T BELIEVE THAT THE CAR HAS HAD ANY OTHER PROBLEMS BESIDE THIS TRANSMISSION ISSUE, AND MAYBE IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. IT IS REALLY COSTLY, AND FOR ME TO HAVE TO PAY FOR ANOTHER REPAIR, I DON'T THINK THAT I WILL BE ABLE TO AFFORD IT. PLEASE HELP ME GET STARTED IN TRYING TO GET THIS PROBLEM RESOLVED. I HAVE TRIED BEFORE TO SEND THEM A COMPLAINT, BUT COULD NOT FIND ANY MAILING INFORMATION. I THEN DECIDED TO LOOK DEEPER INTO THE MATTER, AND CAME ACROSS YOUR WEB PAGE, WHICH IS TOTALLY HELPFUL. PLEASE EMAIL ME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE WITH ANY HELP THAT YOU MAY BE ABLE TO OFFER. I WILL BE SO THANKFUL.... IF NEEDED, I WILL ALSO BE WILLING TO GO AROUND MY CITY (OKLAHOMA CITY) AND FIND OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ODI #746183

Mileage unknown · May 24, 2001
Air BagsEngine And Engine CoolingPower TrainCrash

AS A RESULT OF A CRASH WHILE TRAVELING AT 60 MPH AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK CONSUMER ALSO STATES TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AND HAD TO BE REBUILT, THE ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON , CV JOINTS ARE ALSO FAULTY, ALSO VEHICLE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT CONSUMER HIT A DEER.*JB

NHTSA ODI #889065

Mileage unknown · Mar 28, 2001
Power Train

TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING WHEN GOING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. VEHICLE WANTS TO REMAIN IN NEUTRAL. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #884491

Mileage unknown · Mar 22, 2001
Power Train

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A TRANSMISSION BLOWOUT WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP POSITION. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS OUT OF ITS WARRANTY, AND NOTHING WOULD BE DONE. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #883898

Mileage unknown · Mar 5, 2001
Power Train

TRANSMISSION FAILED AT TRAFFIC SIGNAL. O/D LIGHT FLASHING, TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP AND WILL NOT GO BACK INTO ANY GEAR.*AK

NHTSA ODI #741933

Mileage unknown · Feb 23, 2001
Power Train

THIS MODEL YEAR 626 HAVE BAD TRANSMISSION I NEVER SEEN SO MANY TRANS. BEING REPLACE ON ONE MODEL CAR DO WE HAVE TO WAIT FOR PEOPLE TO DIE BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE. IS THAT WHAT WHEN IT CAME TO FIRESTONE AND FORD I HOPE YOU WILL LOOK IN TO THIS BEFORE THEN ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS GET THE INFORMATION FROM MAZDA AND YOU WILL SEE. …

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THIS MODEL YEAR 626 HAVE BAD TRANSMISSION I NEVER SEEN SO MANY TRANS. BEING REPLACE ON ONE MODEL CAR DO WE HAVE TO WAIT FOR PEOPLE TO DIE BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE. IS THAT WHAT WHEN IT CAME TO FIRESTONE AND FORD I HOPE YOU WILL LOOK IN TO THIS BEFORE THEN ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS GET THE INFORMATION FROM MAZDA AND YOU WILL SEE. PEOPLE SAVING PEOPLE LET'S TRY AND DO IT BEFOR THEY DIE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #741362

Mileage unknown · Feb 6, 2001
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

ENGINE WARNING LIGHT-SERVICE 3 TIMES, TRANSMISSION JERKS-O/D LIGHT COMES ON, CANNOT LOCATE PROBLEM-TRANSMISSION IS GOING OUT-MUST BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #740508

Mileage unknown · Jan 31, 2001
Power Train

TRANSMISSION BROKE WHILE DRIVING WHICH CAUSED VEHICLE TO STALL UNEXPECTEDLY.IT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A CRASH. *AK

NHTSA ODI #879480

Mileage unknown · Jan 4, 2001
Power Train

MY 1996 MAZDA WHICH I PURCHASED IN 1997 HAS SERIOUS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY IN 1-11-99. IT IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER FOR A SECOND TRANSMISSION WHICH FAILED ON 12-29-99. I AM CONFUSED AS TO WHY WITH SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH MAZDA T…

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MY 1996 MAZDA WHICH I PURCHASED IN 1997 HAS SERIOUS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY IN 1-11-99. IT IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER FOR A SECOND TRANSMISSION WHICH FAILED ON 12-29-99. I AM CONFUSED AS TO WHY WITH SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH MAZDA THEY HAVE NOT BEEN RECALLED. I HAVE READ ATLEAST 173 COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET SUBMITTED BY OTHERS. ALSO IS THERE A TECHNICAL BULLETIN RELATED TO THIS TRANSMISSION PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN DISTRIBUTED TO DEALERS? WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE FOR THIS CAR TO GET A RECALL DEATHS?*AK

NHTSA ODI #738802

Official recalls

2

15V674000 · 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

4

RQ99022 · 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.