14 of the
426 complaints about the 1996 Mazda 626 are about the
electrical system — 3% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
165,000 miles.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MAZDA 626. WHILE DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE SENSOR LIGHT SUDDENLY ILLUMINATED AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WIRE HARNESS WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE WIRE HARNESS WAS REPLACED. APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS LATER, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE HEAD GASKET MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000.
NHTSA complaint #10875499 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Youngstown, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MAZDA 626. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A PROGRESSING ELECTRICAL FAILURE AND UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VENT CONTROLS FAILED TO WORK FOR THE AIR CONDITIONER AND HEATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FOUR DIFFERENT INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOPS AND THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V674000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO RECEIVE THE PARTS FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER FOR MONTHS AND WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 05/10/16
NHTSA complaint #10850053 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jackson, MS
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE JERKED A LOT. SHE ALSO STATED THAT HER OVERDRIVE LIGHT FLASHED ON AND OFF. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER/MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE HAD AN ELECTRICAL WIRING PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER IS AFRAID SHE MAY HAVE AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10052163 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Somerville, MA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
INTERMITTENTLY (IN LOW GEAR, MANUAL SHIFT), AS I PULL THE CAR TO THE LEFT (ONLY), TO PARK OR TURN A CORNER, THE CAR DIES. THE INCIDENT DATE BELOW DENOTES THE LATEST INCIDENT.NOT CERTAIN OF EXACT DATA OF PURCHASE FROM 128 MAZDA, BUT WEB SITE DEMANDED A SPECIFIC DAY SO, TO SATISFY IT, I ENTERED IN AUGUST 7.
NHTSA complaint #10025793 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bakerfield, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
WHILE DRIVING BATTERY CABLE FELL OFF, CAUSING ENTIRE VEHICLE TO SHUT DOWN.
NHTSA complaint #8007174 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tewksbury, MAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
SMOKE EMITTED FROM BEHIND THE FAN CONTROL PANEL. FLAMES EMITTED MOMENTS AFTERWARD. AUTO STOPPED AND DRIVER ESCAPED VEHICLE, PROCEEDED TO CALL FIRE DEPARTMENT (ON HIGHWAY AT TIME). FIRE DAMANGED THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD (MELTED MOST OF IT, PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG PARTIALLY DEPLOYED), WINDSHIELD CRACKED AND IN SOME PLACES MELTED. ENTIRE INTERIOR SMOKE AND WATER DAMAGE. PARTS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. NO ELECTRICAL OR ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AT ANY POINT PRIOR TO DRIVER EXITING THE VEHICLE UPON EMISSION OF FLAMES (AT THIS POINT, ABOUT 1 MILE FROM DEALER).
NHTSA complaint #754084 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Indianopolis, IN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS AND THE TAIL LIGHTS ARE INOPERATIVE, WHICH MAY RESULT VISUAL DIFFICULTY. OWNER'S MANUAL STATED TO REPLACE THE FUSE. THE OCCUPANT REPLACE THE FUSE, BUT PROBLEM STILL OCCURRING. DEALER SAID THAT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH NEEDS TO BE REPLACED MANUFACTURER WAS WILLING TO PAY HALF OF THE BILL. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #852654 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Indianopolis, IN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS AND THE TAIL LIGHTS ARE INOPERATIVE, WHICH MAY RESULT VISUAL DIFFICULTY. OWNER'S MANUAL STATED TO REPLACE THE FUSE. THE OCCUPANT REPLACE THE FUSE, BUT PROBLEM STILL OCCURRING. DEALER SAID THAT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH NEEDS TO BE REPLACED MANUFACTURER WAS WILLING TO PAY HALF OF THE BILL. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #852654 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
York, SC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
CAR WAS PURCHASED WITH 15,000 MILES. I HAVE HAD THESE PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR AND I WOULD LIKE FOR THESE THINGS TO BE INVESTIGATED. I KNOW OF 4 OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD SOME OF THESE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THEIR 1996 626.
NHTSA complaint #706602 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Saint Pete, MO
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
COMPUTER MODULE FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #781785 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Yucaipa, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
MAIN BRAIN (CONTROL UNIT) FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #604685 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lancaster, SC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
WHEN LOWERING AUTOMATIC WINDOW FOR DRIVER ,THE DOOR OPENED WHILE IN MOTION. DUE TO FAILURE, DRIVER LOST CONTROL , WENT INTO A CREEK HITTING TREE. VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IMMEDIATELY UPON IMPACT W/NO AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #800672 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Antioch, TNFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
PARKED VEHICLE AN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE IN DASH BOARD AREA DUE TO A POSSIBLE ELECTRIAL SHORT.
NHTSA complaint #800528 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Antioch, TNFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
PARKED VEHICLE AN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE IN DASH BOARD AREA DUE TO A POSSIBLE ELECTRIAL SHORT.
NHTSA complaint #800528 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.