FaultScore report
Owners have filed 58 complaints about the 1988 Mazda 626 with NHTSA between 1995 and 2005. The largest single group is the seat belts.
58
Complaints
1
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
50,000 mi
Median mileage at failure
Half of reported failures happened before this
0%
Failed under 36,000 miles
Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
0 crashes, 2 fires · median 50,000 mi
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 50,000 mi
0 crashes, 1 fires
Median failure at 50,000 miles
Median failure at 50,000 miles
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
INADVERTENT DOOR OPENING
INADVERTENT DOOR OPENING
THROTTLE STICKING
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
RESIN MOLDED FRONT HANDLES FAIL AT THE DOOR LATCH ACTUATING ROD ATTACHMENT, FREEING THE ROD TO FALL INSIDE THE DOOR FRAME. SUBSEQUENT LOWERING OF THE ASSOCIATED WINDOW MAY FORCE THE ACTUATING ROD DOWNWARD AND RELEASE THE DOOR LATCH.
Risk: INADVERTENT ACTUATION OF THE DOOR LATCH CAUSES THE DOORTO OPEN UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN OCCUPANT FALLING OUT OF THEVEHICLE.
SEAT BELTS
THE DRIVE SPRING THAT DRIVES THE AUTOMATIC BELT MAY BREAK.
Risk: THIS WOULD PREVENT FULL FORWARD MOVEMENT OF THE SEAT BELTANCHORAGE FROM THE LOCK POSITION WHEN THE DOOR IS OPENED.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
AT AMBIENT TEMPERATURES BELOW 0 DEGREE F, FROST MAY ACCUMULATE WITHIN THE THROTTLE BODY UNDER EXTENDED CONSTANT SPEED OPERATION.
Risk: FROST ACCUMULATION ON THE THROTTLE VALVE MAY PREVENT THEVALVE FROM RETURNING SMOOTHLY.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:SHOES/LININGS
VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH REAR BRAKE DRUMS TRANSPORTED BY TRAIN MAY EXPERIENCE SEPARATION OF THE BRAKE SHOE FROM THE WHEEL BRAKE CYLINDER PISTON.
Risk: SHOULD SEPARATION OCCUR, REPEATED BRAKE OPERATION MAYDAMAGE THE WHEEL BRAKE CYLINDER DUST BOOT, ALLOWING WATER OR DUST INTRUSION ANDSUBSEQUENT PISTON CONTAMINATION.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
FUEL TANK FIXING BAND RETENTION IS NOT SUFFICIENT, ALLOWING THE BAND TO RUB AGAINST THE FUEL TANK BY VEHICLE VIBRATIONS.
Risk: THIS COULD WEAR A HOLE IN THE FUEL TANK WHICH COULDRESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
FLOOR MAT COULD INTERFERE WITH RELEASE OF ACCELERATOR PEDAL DUE TO IMPROPER SHAPE OF MAT.
Risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF ACCELERATOR CONTROL ANDCREATE POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT.
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.
Structure
NOTE: 626 - 16,682 UNITS. 929 - 3,001 UNITS. THE FRONT OUTER DOOR HANDLES CAN PREMATURELY FAIL AT THE POINT WHERE THE HANDLE CONNECTS TO THE ROD THAT ACTIVATES THE DOOR LOCK. IF THE ROD WERE TO FALL INBOARD INTO THE PATH OF THE WINDOW GLAZING, LOWERING THE WINDOW COULD RESULT IN PRESSURE ON THE ROD AND COULD CAUSE THE DOOR TO INADVERTENTLY OPEN IF UNLOCKED. CORRECTION: A SAFETY SHIELD WILL BE INSTALLED BETWEEN THE OUTER SURFACE OF THE WINDOW GLAZING AND THE DOOR HANDLE OPERATING MECHANISM.
Engine
AT AMBIENT TEMPERATURES BELOW -18 DEGREES CELSIUS, FROST MAY ACCUMULATE WITHIN THE THROTTLE BODY UNDER CONDITIONS OF EXTENDED CONSTANT SPEED OPERATION. THIS COULD RESULT IN A HEAVY ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND CAUSE UNEVEN THROTTLE VALVE RETURN. CORRECTION: THE SINGLE STAGE ENGINE COOLANT THERMOSTAT WILL BE REPLACED WITH A DUAL STAGE THERMOSTAT EQUIPPED WITH A SUBVALVE TO INCREASE THE TEMPERATURE WITHIN THE THROTTLE BODY. V.I.N. RANGE: JM1GD3120J1500014 TO JM1GD2226J1573252.
Brakes
TRANSPORTATION BY RAIL COULD CAUSE THE REAR BRAKE SHOE WEB TO COME OFF THE WHEEL CYLINDER PISTON GROOVE. THIS CONDITION WILL CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL CYLINDER DUST BOOT AND MAY CAUSE DUST AND WATER INTRUSION INTO THE WHEEL CYLINDER RESULTING IN PISTON CORROSION. THIS WOULD INHIBIT REAR BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS. CORRECTION: VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED AND WHEEL CYLINDER DUST BOOT WILL BE REPLACED WHERE REQUIRED. ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES WILL HAVE LUBRICANT APPLIED TO THE WHEEL CYLINDER PISTON GROOVE. V.I.N. RANGE: JM1GD3120J1500014 TO JM1GD2218J1541323
Structure
THE FUEL TANK STRAPS MAY NOT BE PROPERLY TIGHTENED AND MAY RUB AGAINST THE FUEL TANK. THIS COULD CAUSE THE TANK'S PROTECTIVE COATING TO WEAR THROUGH RESULTING IN SURFACE DAMAGE AND EVENTUAL TANK PERFORATION AND FUEL LEAKAGE. CORRECTION: RUBBER INSULATOR WILL BE PLACED BETWEEN THE TANK STRAPS AND THE TANK AND THE TANK STRAPS WILL BE PROPERLY TIGHTENED. ALSO, A NEW PROTECTIVE COATING WILL BE APPLIED WHERE REQUIRED. V.I.N. RANGE: JM1GD3120J1500014 TO JM1GD2210J1537936
Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
WHILE DRIVING THE FRONT OF VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO FUEL LINES. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE FIRE PROGRESSED TO THE REAR UNDERSIDE FROM CENTER THIRD OF UNDERSIDE, THE PASSENGER WAS INJURED WHEN BEING ESCORTED OUT OF THE VEHICLE. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #8010516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
FRONT AXLE OF CAR RUSTED COMPLETEL,Y AND BROKE APART WHILE DRIVING. *AK( DOT NUMBER: )
NHTSA complaint #714769 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
JUST PARKED VEHICLE & LEFT. NEIGHBORS KNOCKED ON DOOR TO INFORM OWNER VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. FIRE DEPARTMENT CALLED & PUT FLAMES OUT. WAS INFORMED THE BATTERY WAS CAUSE OF FIRE. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING. *AK
NHTSA complaint #844505 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
FIRE STARTED UNDER HOOD. POSSIBLY AROUND FUEL FILTER AND/OR WIRING HARNESS AREA. RESULTED IN SEVERE FIRE THAT TOTALED THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #700465 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
1. BOUGHT A 1998 MAZDA 626 LX. 2. AT 56000 MILES, ENGINE NEEDED A NEW HEADER. 3. AT 57000 MILES, STARTER MOTOR FAILED. 3. AT 60000 MILES, TRANSMISSION FAILED. 4. CURRENTLY AT 70000 MILES, NEED NEW EXHAUST SYSTEM
NHTSA complaint #10127374 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)
1. BOUGHT A 1998 MAZDA 626 LX. 2. AT 56000 MILES, ENGINE NEEDED A NEW HEADER. 3. AT 57000 MILES, STARTER MOTOR FAILED. 3. AT 60000 MILES, TRANSMISSION FAILED. 4. CURRENTLY AT 70000 MILES, NEED NEW EXHAUST SYSTEM
NHTSA complaint #10127374 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
1. BOUGHT A 1998 MAZDA 626 LX. 2. AT 56000 MILES, ENGINE NEEDED A NEW HEADER. 3. AT 57000 MILES, STARTER MOTOR FAILED. 3. AT 60000 MILES, TRANSMISSION FAILED. 4. CURRENTLY AT 70000 MILES, NEED NEW EXHAUST SYSTEM
NHTSA complaint #10127374 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1. BOUGHT A 1998 MAZDA 626 LX. 2. AT 56000 MILES, ENGINE NEEDED A NEW HEADER. 3. AT 57000 MILES, STARTER MOTOR FAILED. 3. AT 60000 MILES, TRANSMISSION FAILED. 4. CURRENTLY AT 70000 MILES, NEED NEW EXHAUST SYSTEM
NHTSA complaint #10127374 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
1. BOUGHT A 1998 MAZDA 626 LX. 2. AT 56000 MILES, ENGINE NEEDED A NEW HEADER. 3. AT 57000 MILES, STARTER MOTOR FAILED. 3. AT 60000 MILES, TRANSMISSION FAILED. 4. CURRENTLY AT 70000 MILES, NEED NEW EXHAUST SYSTEM
NHTSA complaint #10127374 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
1. BOUGHT A 1998 MAZDA 626 LX. 2. AT 56000 MILES, ENGINE NEEDED A NEW HEADER. 3. AT 57000 MILES, STARTER MOTOR FAILED. 3. AT 60000 MILES, TRANSMISSION FAILED. 4. CURRENTLY AT 70000 MILES, NEED NEW EXHAUST SYSTEM
NHTSA complaint #10127374 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BACK OVER PREVENTION:WARNINGS:EXTERNAL/PEDESTRIAN ALERT
1. BOUGHT A 1998 MAZDA 626 LX. 2. AT 56000 MILES, ENGINE NEEDED A NEW HEADER. 3. AT 57000 MILES, STARTER MOTOR FAILED. 3. AT 60000 MILES, TRANSMISSION FAILED. 4. CURRENTLY AT 70000 MILES, NEED NEW EXHAUST SYSTEM
NHTSA complaint #10127374 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
DEFECTIVE TAILPIPE CAUSED CARBON MONOXIDE TO ENTER VEHICLE'S INTERIOR CABIN RESULTING IN CONSUMER CONTRACTING CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING. DEALER DIAGNOSED SEVERAL HOLES ALONG TOP OF TAILPIPE BETWEEN THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND THE MUFFLER. PH TOP SEAM OF EXHAUST PIPE HAD ROTTEN OUT BETWEEN CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND MUFFLER.
NHTSA complaint #10004874 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
WHILE DRIVING THE FRONT OF VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO FUEL LINES. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE FIRE PROGRESSED TO THE REAR UNDERSIDE FROM CENTER THIRD OF UNDERSIDE, THE PASSENGER WAS INJURED WHEN BEING ESCORTED OUT OF THE VEHICLE. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #8010516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
RECALL 88 V 063 000/PASSIVE RESTRAINT BELT: BOTH DRIVER'SAND PASSENGER'S MOTOR BELTS FAILED TO OPERATE. DEALER WAS CONTACTED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THERECALL DUE TO VIN. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS MATTER.
NHTSA complaint #899894 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
AUTOMATIC MOTORIZED SHOULDER RESTRAINTS FAIL TO COMPLETE CYCLE UPON ENGINE START-UP CHOKING PASSENGER. UPON OPENING DOOR AT STOP, RESTRAINTS FAIL TO DISENGAGE TRAPPING OCCUPANT UNTIL MANUALLY DISCONNECTED . RECALL AT DEALER FAILED TO YIELD VIN MATCH. ALSO TOLD VEHICLE TOO OLD TO REPAIR. PROBLEM EXISTS ANYWAY, DUE TO SAME MANUFACTURER DEFECT AS IN CAMPAIGN 88V06300. CAN CAUSE INJURY TO OCUCPANTS.
NHTSA complaint #723128 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
PASSENGER DOOR NOT ABLE TO BE OPENED FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE.
NHTSA complaint #714788 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
FRONT AXLE OF CAR RUSTED COMPLETEL,Y AND BROKE APART WHILE DRIVING. *AK( DOT NUMBER: )
NHTSA complaint #714769 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT IS BROKE, AND CONSUMER CAN'T GET OUT OF THE SEAT BELT.
NHTSA complaint #847184 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
FRONT DOOR LOCKS REPAIRED UNDER RECALL SEVERAL YEARS AGO -- NOW DRIVERS' SIDE DOOR LOCK HAS FAILED IN EXACTLY THE MANNER DESCRIBED IN RECALL NOTICE -- LOWERING DRIVERS' WINDOW CAUSED DOOR TO UNLATCH AND FLY OPEN!
NHTSA complaint #709964 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
JUST PARKED VEHICLE & LEFT. NEIGHBORS KNOCKED ON DOOR TO INFORM OWNER VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. FIRE DEPARTMENT CALLED & PUT FLAMES OUT. WAS INFORMED THE BATTERY WAS CAUSE OF FIRE. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING. *AK
NHTSA complaint #844505 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
SHOULDER BELTS ON DRIVER'S SIDE/PASSENGER'S SIDE RETRACT INTERMITTENTLY. SOMETIMES CONSUMER HAS TO PUT HIS HAND OUT OF THE WINDOW TO GET THE SHOULDER BELT TO WORK. DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #842026 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
WHENEVER THE DOOR IS OPENED AND THE SUNVISOR HAS NOT BEEN RETURNED TO ITS LOCKED POSITION THE AUTOMATIC SEATBELT CATCHES ON THE VISOR AND BREAKS IT WHILE RETRACTING. I HAVE BROKEN THREE AND WOULD HAVE BROKEN MORE IF I HAD NOT DISCONNECTED THE AUTOMATIC SEATBELT. I CONSIDER THIS REMEDY TO BE UNACCEPTABLE.
NHTSA complaint #707963 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
LEFT FRONT MOTORIZED SEAT BELT FAILED. YH
NHTSA complaint #782362 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LATCH FAILED. YH
NHTSA complaint #782363 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING, AND THERE IS SOME NOISE COMING FROM VEHICLE. CONSUMER BROUGHT VEHICLE INTO THE REPAIR SHOP. AFTER BEING REPAIRED, THE NOISE CAME BACK.DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #835654 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING, AND THERE IS SOME NOISE COMING FROM VEHICLE. CONSUMER BROUGHT VEHICLE INTO THE REPAIR SHOP. AFTER BEING REPAIRED, THE NOISE CAME BACK.DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #835654 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
SEAT BELT SHOULDER HARNESS FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #604289 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
FIRE STARTED UNDER HOOD. POSSIBLY AROUND FUEL FILTER AND/OR WIRING HARNESS AREA. RESULTED IN SEVERE FIRE THAT TOTALED THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #700465 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
VEHICLE IN FOR RECALL WORK ON DOOR, HOWEVER INCOMPLETE WHEN DELIVERED.
NHTSA complaint #521555 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.