FaultScore report
Owners have filed 62 complaints about the 1990 Mazda 626 with NHTSA between 1995 and 2005. The largest single group is the seat belts.
62
Complaints
2
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
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, 1 fires
Median failure at 121,416 miles
Median failure at 121,416 miles
1 crashes, 0 fires
1 crashes, 0 fires
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
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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:DRUM
THE GROOVE FOR THE REAR WHEEL BEARING RETAINER RING WAS INCORRECTLY MACHINED.
Risk: IF THE RETAINING RING DOES NOT SIT CORRECTLY IN THEGROOVE, THE AXLE LUG NUTS WILL BREAK, CAUSING THE BRAKE DRUM, WHEEL, AND TIREASSEMBLY TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.
Seats And Restraints
THE (Takata) ABS PLASTIC FRONT SEAT BELT RELEASE BUTTONS ON THESE VEHICLES MAY BREAK ALLOWING PLASTIC PIECES TO FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY. IF THIS SHOULD HAPPEN, A NO LATCH, FALSE LATCH OR FAILURE TO UNLATCH CONDITION COULD OCCUR CREATING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH OR SUDDEN STOP. CORRECTION: FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLES WILL BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED AS NECESSARY.
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.
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.
SUSPENSION:REAR
I WAS DRIVING AROUND A 25 MPH CORNER WHEN MY BACK END STARTED SLIDING,I TRIED TO CORRECT IT BY TURNING STEERING WHEEL TO THE OPPISITE DIRECTION,BUT IT JUST KEPT SLIDING AND I ENDED UP CRASHING INTO AN EMBANKMENT.ABOUT A YEAR LATER MY HUSBAND WAS ROUNDING SAME CORNER AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO HIM.WE BOTH WERE DOING THE SPEED LIMIT AT THE TIME OF BOTH ACCIDENTS.
NHTSA complaint #10135155 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
WHILE PARKED AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN VEHICLE CAUSED THE ENGINE TO CATCH ON FIRE. EXACT CAUSE UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #813895 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE LOST POWER, PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND FUMES WERE COMING FROM THE ENGINE WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO CATCH ON FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #803581 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR AND THE SEAT BELT FAIL HIT HER HEAD ON THE REAR VIEW MIRROR AND TWO IMPACT ON THE STEERING . TT
NHTSA complaint #968844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
SUSPENSION:REAR
I WAS DRIVING AROUND A 25 MPH CORNER WHEN MY BACK END STARTED SLIDING,I TRIED TO CORRECT IT BY TURNING STEERING WHEEL TO THE OPPISITE DIRECTION,BUT IT JUST KEPT SLIDING AND I ENDED UP CRASHING INTO AN EMBANKMENT.ABOUT A YEAR LATER MY HUSBAND WAS ROUNDING SAME CORNER AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO HIM.WE BOTH WERE DOING THE SPEED LIMIT AT THE TIME OF BOTH ACCIDENTS.
NHTSA complaint #10135155 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I BOUGHT A 1990 MAZDA 626 ABOUT A YEAR AGO. IT HAS AN ATX. RECENTLY THE CAR WOULD ONLY DRIVE IN ONE GEAR. I TOOK IT TO A BUDDY OF MINE THAT OWNS A TRANSMISSION SHOP. HE RAN A DIAGNOSTIC AND SAID THE CAR NEEDED A NEW VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR AND PROBABLY A NEW TRANSMISSION. I PURCHASED A NEW SPEED SENSOR THAT GOES BEHIND THE SPEEDOMETER, AND NOW THE "HOLD" BUTTON FLASHES. ACCORDING TO SOME RESEARCH I'VE DONE THIS MEANS THAT I NEED A NEW TRANNY. I CAN'T GET THE CAR INTO REVERSE OR INTO NEUTRAL. AND THE CAR WILL ONLY GO IN THIRD GEAR.
NHTSA complaint #10104058 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I BOUGHT A 1990 MAZDA 626 ABOUT A YEAR AGO. IT HAS AN ATX. RECENTLY THE CAR WOULD ONLY DRIVE IN ONE GEAR. I TOOK IT TO A BUDDY OF MINE THAT OWNS A TRANSMISSION SHOP. HE RAN A DIAGNOSTIC AND SAID THE CAR NEEDED A NEW VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR AND PROBABLY A NEW TRANSMISSION. I PURCHASED A NEW SPEED SENSOR THAT GOES BEHIND THE SPEEDOMETER, AND NOW THE "HOLD" BUTTON FLASHES. ACCORDING TO SOME RESEARCH I'VE DONE THIS MEANS THAT I NEED A NEW TRANNY. I CAN'T GET THE CAR INTO REVERSE OR INTO NEUTRAL. AND THE CAR WILL ONLY GO IN THIRD GEAR.
NHTSA complaint #10104058 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE/LOCK WAS DEFECTIVE. THIS CAUSED THE DOOR TO OPEN (EVEN IF LOCK) WHEN THE PASSENGER ROLLED THE WINDOW DOWN. THIS PROBLEM WAS REPAIRED ONCE UNDER RECALL (93V-174000). MAZDA STATED THAT SINCE THEY REPAIRED IT ONCE THEY ARE NOT LEGALLY OBLIGATED TO REPAIR IT AGAIN. *TS *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10005963 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
NO DESCRIPTION GIVEN. NLM
NHTSA complaint #760851 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
NO DESCRIPTION GIVEN. NLM
NHTSA complaint #760851 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN AT ALL. THERE IS A DEFECT INSIDE OF DOOR. ALSO, WILL NOT OPEN WITH OR WITHOUT KEYS . DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #885788 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
I RECENTLY HAD A FAILURE/LEAK WITH MY RADIATOR. I HAVE NEVER HAD AN ACCIDENT WITH MY VEHICLE. YET, THIS IS THE SECOND MECHANIC TO TELL ME MY CAR WAS IN SOME KIND OF AN ACCIDENT. MY MAZDA WAS SOLD TO ME AS BRAND NEW BY THE DEALERSHIP. HOW AND WHERE DO I SEARCH TO DETERMINE IF MY VEHICLE HAD IN FACT BEEN PREVIOUSLY OWNED AND IN AN ACCIDENT? IF RECORDS OF SUCH HAVE BEEN DESTROYED IS THERE ANOTHER WAY TO GO ABOUT FINDING OUT INFORMATION ON WHAT I BELIEVE TO BE A WILLFUL MISREPRESENTATION? THANK YOU, [XXX]. *AK PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #739187 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS
AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT FAILS TO MOVE TO PROPER POSITION.
NHTSA complaint #736448 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #724911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
DOOR LOCK NO LONGER WORKS. DRIVER COULD FALL OUT OF CAR.
NHTSA complaint #717300 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
POWER DOOR LOCKS NO LONGER FUNCTION FROM THE MAIN DRIVERS DOOR LOCK, TAPE DECK DIED WITH AT TAPE INSIDE, REAR DRIVERS SIDE PASSENGER DOOR LATCH CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE USING THE HANDLE-MUST BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE, BACKUP LIGHT/LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS WILL NOT WORK REGARDLESS OF BULBS..WIRING IS DEAD, TRANSMISSION SLIPPED FROM DRIVE SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY INTO NEUTRAL, JUST DIED ENTIRELY AFTER BEING PARKED. TRANSMISSION WILL NO LONGER ENGAGE..NOT A FLUID ISSUE. ALSO HAVE HAD MULTIPLE THERMOSTAT FAILURES IN THE WINTER RESULTING IN NO HEAT. REPLACE THIS ABOUT EVERY 2 YEARS ON AVERAGE.
NHTSA complaint #717112 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
POWER DOOR LOCKS NO LONGER FUNCTION FROM THE MAIN DRIVERS DOOR LOCK, TAPE DECK DIED WITH AT TAPE INSIDE, REAR DRIVERS SIDE PASSENGER DOOR LATCH CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE USING THE HANDLE-MUST BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE, BACKUP LIGHT/LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS WILL NOT WORK REGARDLESS OF BULBS..WIRING IS DEAD, TRANSMISSION SLIPPED FROM DRIVE SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY INTO NEUTRAL, JUST DIED ENTIRELY AFTER BEING PARKED. TRANSMISSION WILL NO LONGER ENGAGE..NOT A FLUID ISSUE. ALSO HAVE HAD MULTIPLE THERMOSTAT FAILURES IN THE WINTER RESULTING IN NO HEAT. REPLACE THIS ABOUT EVERY 2 YEARS ON AVERAGE.
NHTSA complaint #717112 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK
POWER DOOR LOCKS NO LONGER FUNCTION FROM THE MAIN DRIVERS DOOR LOCK, TAPE DECK DIED WITH AT TAPE INSIDE, REAR DRIVERS SIDE PASSENGER DOOR LATCH CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE USING THE HANDLE-MUST BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE, BACKUP LIGHT/LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS WILL NOT WORK REGARDLESS OF BULBS..WIRING IS DEAD, TRANSMISSION SLIPPED FROM DRIVE SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY INTO NEUTRAL, JUST DIED ENTIRELY AFTER BEING PARKED. TRANSMISSION WILL NO LONGER ENGAGE..NOT A FLUID ISSUE. ALSO HAVE HAD MULTIPLE THERMOSTAT FAILURES IN THE WINTER RESULTING IN NO HEAT. REPLACE THIS ABOUT EVERY 2 YEARS ON AVERAGE.
NHTSA complaint #717112 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
POWER DOOR LOCKS NO LONGER FUNCTION FROM THE MAIN DRIVERS DOOR LOCK, TAPE DECK DIED WITH AT TAPE INSIDE, REAR DRIVERS SIDE PASSENGER DOOR LATCH CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE USING THE HANDLE-MUST BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE, BACKUP LIGHT/LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS WILL NOT WORK REGARDLESS OF BULBS..WIRING IS DEAD, TRANSMISSION SLIPPED FROM DRIVE SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY INTO NEUTRAL, JUST DIED ENTIRELY AFTER BEING PARKED. TRANSMISSION WILL NO LONGER ENGAGE..NOT A FLUID ISSUE. ALSO HAVE HAD MULTIPLE THERMOSTAT FAILURES IN THE WINTER RESULTING IN NO HEAT. REPLACE THIS ABOUT EVERY 2 YEARS ON AVERAGE.
NHTSA complaint #717112 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
POWER DOOR LOCKS NO LONGER FUNCTION FROM THE MAIN DRIVERS DOOR LOCK, TAPE DECK DIED WITH AT TAPE INSIDE, REAR DRIVERS SIDE PASSENGER DOOR LATCH CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE USING THE HANDLE-MUST BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE, BACKUP LIGHT/LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS WILL NOT WORK REGARDLESS OF BULBS..WIRING IS DEAD, TRANSMISSION SLIPPED FROM DRIVE SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY INTO NEUTRAL, JUST DIED ENTIRELY AFTER BEING PARKED. TRANSMISSION WILL NO LONGER ENGAGE..NOT A FLUID ISSUE. ALSO HAVE HAD MULTIPLE THERMOSTAT FAILURES IN THE WINTER RESULTING IN NO HEAT. REPLACE THIS ABOUT EVERY 2 YEARS ON AVERAGE.
NHTSA complaint #717112 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WIPER BLADE FAILED. YH
NHTSA complaint #549456 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WIPER BLADE FAILED. YH
NHTSA complaint #549456 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WIPER BLADE FAILED. YH
NHTSA complaint #549456 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
PISTONS AND OIL SEALS FAILED. YH
NHTSA complaint #549456 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
PISTONS AND OIL SEALS FAILED. YH
NHTSA complaint #549456 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
PISTONS AND OIL SEALS FAILED. YH
NHTSA complaint #549456 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
THE DOOR LATCH HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE UNDER RECALL. HANDLE BROKE AGAIN. ALSO, WHILE ROLLING THE WINDOW DOWN, THE DOOR OPENED. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #847488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
THE DOOR LATCH HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE UNDER RECALL. HANDLE BROKE AGAIN. ALSO, WHILE ROLLING THE WINDOW DOWN, THE DOOR OPENED. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #847488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
WHILE TRAVELING ON AN INCLINE OR MOUNTAIN BRAKES ARE TOO WEAK TO STOP VEHICLE. ALSO, IN ORDER TO STOP VEHICLE THE CONSUMER MOST RIDE ON THE BRAKES. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER HAS REPLACED THE BRAKE DRUMS AND OTHER ADDITIONAL PARTS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #845536 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.