FaultScore

1994 Mazda 626 engine problems

30 of the 353 complaints about the 1994 Mazda 626 are about the engine — 8% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 103,696 miles.

C

30

Complaints

1

Crashes

2

Fires

1

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Gasoline 9 30.0%
Engine 7 23.3%
Engine AND Engine Cooling 4 13.3%
Exhaust System 3 10.0%
Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe 2 6.7%
Cooling System 2 6.7%
Catalytic Convertor 2 6.7%
Radiator Assembly 1 3.3%

Engine & Cooling across every Mazda 626 year

1990 11 3.0%
1993 17 4.7%
1994 30 8.2%
1995 34 9.3%
1996 36 9.9%
1997 45 12.4%
1998 92 25.3%
1999 52 14.3%
2000 23 6.3%
2001 24 6.6%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 138,000 miles Napa, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

THE 1994 MAZDA 626LX WITH A V-6 2.5L MOTOR HAS REQUIRED 3 TRANSMISSIONS IN THE 8 YEARS I HAVE OWNED THE CAR. THE WATER PUMP WENT OUT TWICE AND THE ALTERNATOR TWICE AS WELL. THIS LAST TIME THE TRANSMISSION FAILED, I WAS ON I-5 HEADING NORTH NEAR THE LOS BANOS TURNOFF WHEN IT JUST STARTED SLIPPING AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP ON THE FREEWAY. I AM VERY FRUSTRATED WITH THE DESIGN AND LONGEVITY OF MANY PARTS OF THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10361472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 103,696 miles Canyon Country, CA Crash 1 injured

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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 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

NHTSA complaint #10188860 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 90,504 miles Waveland, MS

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

THE ALTERNATOR OR WATER PUMP BELT BROKE DUE TO WATER PUMP PULLEY ALIGNMENT CAUSING THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT AND REQUIRE REBUILDING PROCESS. WATER PUMP PULLEY IS POSITIONED TOO CLOSE TO THE ENGINE AND NOT ALIGNED WITH THE ALTERNATOR AND HARMONIC BALANCER. V-BELT SHREDS OVER TIME DUE TO MISALIGNMENT AND LOST OF CHARGING AND COOLING IS INSTANT. WATER PUMP PULLEY ALIGNMENT SHOULD BE CHECKED AND ADJUSTED IF NEEDED, DURING ENGINE ASSEMBLY.

NHTSA complaint #10041181 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Springfield, OH

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLS.

NHTSA complaint #8009089 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

College Station, TX

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

WHEN SHIFTING VEHICLE IT JERKS REALLY HARD. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND DEALER STATED THAT VEHICLE NEEDED ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM AND TRANSMISSION REPLACED. *AK.

NHTSA complaint #8004832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Brush Prairie, WA Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR

EXHAUST FAILURE...FIRE UNDER CAR, CAR STOPPED RUNNING, CATALYTIC CONVERTERS MELTED, ENTIRE SYSTEM REPLACED, COVERED BY CALIFORNIA WARRANTY. TRANSMISSION FAILURE, NO REVERSE, NO NEUTRAL GEARS. ONLY HAVE 1ST AND 3 RD GEARS. TRANSMISSION OIL READ OKAY TILL THIS HAPPENED, NOW IT IS GONE AND DEALER SAYS THE FLUID IS FRIED. LOOKING AT $3000. FOR AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #754626 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Richmond, VA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WILL STALL AND CUT OFF, AND WILL NOT RESTART, AFTER ENGAGING CLUTCH AND ATTEMPTING TO CROSS INTERSECTION WHILE STILL IN FIRST GEAR, ENGINE CUTS OFF AGAIN, CONSUMER STATES THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 20 TO 30 TIMES.

NHTSA complaint #785479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Wrentham, MA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

I'VE HAD TO REPLACE BOTH SETS OF OXYGEN SENSORS THREE SEPARATE TIMES. THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON THEN THE FUEL MIXTURE IS THROWN OFF CAUSING THE CAR TO BURN VERY RICH. EACH TIME THE OXYGEN SENSOR WAS TO BLAME. ESTIMATED LIFE OF EACH REPLACEMENT WAS LESS THAN 10000 MILES.

NHTSA complaint #746222 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sugar Land, TX

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED WITHOUT NO PRIOR WARNING, VEHICLE CUT OFF. CONSUMER NOTED PROBLEM OCCURRED MORE OFTEN UPON ACCELERATION. CONSUMER HAS YET TO CONTACT THE DEALER. *AK *SLC

NHTSA complaint #885652 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Antonio, TX

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

ENGINE MOUNTS BROKE. DEALER HAS REPLACED MOUNTS. *AK ALL MOTOR MOUNTS BROKE IN TWO PIECES, CONSUMER PAID FOR ALL REPAIRS. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #882923 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Philadelphia, PA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

VEHICLE WILL STALL OUT INTERMITTENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING USUALLY IN COLD WEATHER . CAUSE IS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA complaint #881667 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Glen ARM, MD

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

MANY OF THIS PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN WELL DOCUMENTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. WHY HASN'T THE MANUFACTURER BEEN FORCED TO ADDRESS THEM?NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED IN SUMMARY.

NHTSA complaint #738319 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Glen ARM, MD

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

MANY OF THIS PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN WELL DOCUMENTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. WHY HASN'T THE MANUFACTURER BEEN FORCED TO ADDRESS THEM?NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED IN SUMMARY.

NHTSA complaint #738319 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Howell, NJ

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

MOTOR MOUNT BROKEN, CONSTANT PROBLEMS.

NHTSA complaint #719668 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Houston, TX

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF 65-70 MPH ENGINE SHUT OFF. ALSO, WHILE AT A STOP, ENGINE WILL SHUT OFF. OWNER HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #857206 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Olean, NY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

THE HOLD LIGHT STARTED BLINKING ON AND OFF. THE CAR ALSO STARTED JERKING. I WAS MILES FROM A RESIDENCE ALMOST DIDN'T MAKE IT TO A REPAIR SHOP HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A DEALER TO HAVE A NEW TRANSMISSION PUT IN, AND A NEW AIR FLOW METER INSTALLED. COST A COUPLE OF THOUSANDS DOLLARS TO HAVE A NEW TRANSMISSION PUT IN NOW THEY TELL ME THAT IT COULD HAPPEN AGAIN AND MY CAR HAS LESS THATN 50000 MILES ON IT.

NHTSA complaint #706450 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Signal Hill, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR

WHOLE EMISSION SYSTEM HAS GONE OUT. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER DOES NOT WORK. ALSO, DISTRIBUTOR/ WATER PUMP AND THERMOSTAT FAILED. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED*AK.

NHTSA complaint #837321 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Signal Hill, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

WHOLE EMISSION SYSTEM HAS GONE OUT. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER DOES NOT WORK. ALSO, DISTRIBUTOR/ WATER PUMP AND THERMOSTAT FAILED. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED*AK.

NHTSA complaint #837321 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Signal Hill, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY

WHOLE EMISSION SYSTEM HAS GONE OUT. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER DOES NOT WORK. ALSO, DISTRIBUTOR/ WATER PUMP AND THERMOSTAT FAILED. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED*AK.

NHTSA complaint #837321 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Signal Hill, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

WHOLE EMISSION SYSTEM HAS GONE OUT. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER DOES NOT WORK. ALSO, DISTRIBUTOR/ WATER PUMP AND THERMOSTAT FAILED. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED*AK.

NHTSA complaint #837321 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Campbell, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

NO SUMMARY

NHTSA complaint #704158 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cohoes, NY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

THE VALVE COVER GASKETS ARE LEAKING OIL ONTO ENGINE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO JERK AND HESITATE. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #834745 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Woodbridge, VA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT WOULD NOT SHIFT. TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. ALSO, VEHICLE LEAKS OIL WHICH REQUIRES A VALVE COVER GASKET TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. DEALERR IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #832660 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Frankfort, IL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

ENGINE STALLS CONTINUALLY.

NHTSA complaint #604731 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Durham, NC

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

MOTOR MOUNTS FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #509432 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pompano BE, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

VALVE COVER SEAL FAILS, CAUSING OIL TO REACH PLUGS AND EVENUTALLY FOULING THE PLUGS.

NHTSA complaint #536378 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

NEW York, NY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

WHILE DRIVING, AT ANY SPEED, ANY TIME, THE VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN FOR NO APPARENT REASON WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER IS NOT ABLE TO DETECT A PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED TWICE 3/95 & 7/96. THE CAR HAS BEEN TUNED UP (3) TIMES, 12/95, LAST YEAR AND 4/97. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.

NHTSA complaint #816396 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sparta, NJ

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

VEHICLE HAS AN EXHAUST PIPE LEAK CAUSING OCCUPANTS TO FEEL SICK, DRIVER EXPERIENCED CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING. TT

NHTSA complaint #978252 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Baltimore, MD

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

PURCHASE CAR NEW THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED THE ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON THE COMPUTER SYSTEM WAS REPLACED PLEASE DESCRIBE THE PROBLEM . TT

NHTSA complaint #977586 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Ocean Side, NY Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

CONSUMER CAME HOME CUT OFF CAR IT CAUGHT ON FIRE . TT

NHTSA complaint #974713 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1994 Mazda 626 problems

← Full 1994 Mazda 626 report