Owners have filed 372 complaints
about the 1999 Mazda 626 with NHTSA between 1998 and 2017.
The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain.
Across this model's run it ranks 7 of 10 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 53
Against the median year of the Mazda 626. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 40
7.8% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 11
7% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
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.
Automatic Transmission
21982.6%
Engine
207.5%
AIR Conditioner
51.9%
Belts AND Associated Pulleys
51.9%
Master Cylinder
51.9%
Cooling System
41.5%
Frontal
41.5%
Head Restraint
31.1%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
41.8%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
83.6%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
167.1%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
6328.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
6930.7%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
5223.1%
150,000+ miles
135.8%
When owners complained
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.
Nov 1998peak 11Sep 2017
Recalls on the 1999 Mazda 626
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.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 200017686,835 units in Canada
Other
Certain vehicles do not comply with Regulation 6 - Statement of Compliance. Vehicles have an incorrect National Safety Mark (NSM). Correction: Since this non-compliance does not present a risk to vehicle safety, no further action will be taken.
Recall 20000734,594 units in Canada
Brakes
On certain vehicles, the brake master cylinder reservoir tank cap may not have ventilation holes. As a result, the pressure in the reservoir tank will drop gradually as the brake pad or shoe wears and ambient temperature drops. The low pressure may reach the point that the brake caliper and brake cylinder are pulled back by vacuum in the reservoir tank when the vehicle is parked for a long time. This may cause reduces brake efficiency during some early brake applications. Correction: Brake reservoir tank caps will be inspected for proper vent holes and replaced if necessary.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 100,000 milesSouth Lyon, MICrash
POWER TRAIN
THE TRANSMISSION STARTED ACTING UP WHICH IS APPARENTLY A KNOWN ISSUE BY MAZDA THAT THE TRANSMISSION WILL MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO GO BAD. THIS BS WITH IT COST MY WIFE HER JOB
NHTSA complaint #10823272 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 156,000 milesFarrell, PAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MAZDA 626. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED CAUSING THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL WIRES TO CATCH ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THE FIRE INITIATED DUE TO A IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V674000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,000.
NHTSA complaint #10806774 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,000 milesQuitman, MSCrash
ENGINE
SOMEONE HIT ME FROM BEHIND DUE TO MY BREAK CAUSE THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP & THE TRANSMITTION WENT OUT ON THE CAR & I ALSO HAD OTHER PROBLEMS TO WITH THE CAR
NHTSA complaint #10788692 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,000 milesQuitman, MSCrash
SERVICE BRAKES
SOMEONE HIT ME FROM BEHIND DUE TO MY BREAK CAUSE THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP & THE TRANSMITTION WENT OUT ON THE CAR & I ALSO HAD OTHER PROBLEMS TO WITH THE CAR
NHTSA complaint #10788692 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,000 milesQuitman, MSCrash
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
SOMEONE HIT ME FROM BEHIND DUE TO MY BREAK CAUSE THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP & THE TRANSMITTION WENT OUT ON THE CAR & I ALSO HAD OTHER PROBLEMS TO WITH THE CAR
NHTSA complaint #10788692 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rocky Mount, NCCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
THIS IS MY CONCERN I WAS RIDING WITH SOMEONE AND WE HAD A CRASH GOING 80 MPH. THE CAR HYDRO PLAIN OFF THE HIGHWAY HITTING THE GUARD RAIL. I BELIEVE AT THAT SPEED THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE CAME OUT BUT THEY DID NOT, I MYSELF HAD MAJOR NECK AND BACK PAINS MY HEAD HITTING THE SIDE WINDOW. I JUST WANT TO KNOW WHY THIS AIRBAG DID NOT COME OUT AND IT'S BOTHERING ME BECAUSE I COULD HAVE BEEN SEVERELY HURT OR KILLED THANK GOD I WALK OUT. THE CAR WAS 99 MAZDA 626. THIS CAR IMPACT WITH THE GUARD RAIL 3 TIMES BEFORE STOPPING. I DON'T UNDERSTAND, CAN YOU HELP WITH THIS OR SHOULD I REPORT THIS TO CONSUMERS. THANKS...
NHTSA complaint #10352550 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 120,000 milesST. Louis MO., MO
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
IGNITION SWITCH IS DEFECTED. AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, ONLY FOR A FEW MOMENTS, SMOKE BEGIN TO FLOW FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AND I MUST IMMEDIATELY DISENGAGE THE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION POSITION.
NHTSA complaint #11025005 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesST. Louis, MO
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHEN ENGAGING THE IGNITION SWITCH TO START THE VEHICLE, SMOKE COMES FROM THE STEERING COLUMN, I MUST IMMEDIATELY TURN OFF THE CONTACT POSITION. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS SECONDS AFTER THE IGNITION SWITCH IS ENGAGED.
NHTSA complaint #11005084 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 12,000 milesLOS Angeles, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MAZDA 626. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN OVER TO START THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE FAILURE WAS PROGRESSING TO THE POINT THAT THE VEHICLE MAY NOT START INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.
NHTSA complaint #10861546 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesST. Louis, MO
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHEN ENGAGING IGNITION SWITCH TO START VEHICLE, SMOKE COMES UP FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. HAVE TO IMMEDIATELY TURN OFF SWITCH. THIS PROBLEM STARTED 2011. VEHICLE IS IN STORAGE AT THIS TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10825063 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesSouth Lyon, MICrash
POWER TRAIN
THE TRANSMISSION STARTED ACTING UP WHICH IS APPARENTLY A KNOWN ISSUE BY MAZDA THAT THE TRANSMISSION WILL MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO GO BAD. THIS BS WITH IT COST MY WIFE HER JOB
NHTSA complaint #10823272 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 156,000 milesFarrell, PAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MAZDA 626. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED CAUSING THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL WIRES TO CATCH ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THE FIRE INITIATED DUE TO A IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V674000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,000.
NHTSA complaint #10806774 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,000 milesQuitman, MSCrash
ENGINE
SOMEONE HIT ME FROM BEHIND DUE TO MY BREAK CAUSE THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP & THE TRANSMITTION WENT OUT ON THE CAR & I ALSO HAD OTHER PROBLEMS TO WITH THE CAR
NHTSA complaint #10788692 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,000 milesQuitman, MSCrash
SERVICE BRAKES
SOMEONE HIT ME FROM BEHIND DUE TO MY BREAK CAUSE THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP & THE TRANSMITTION WENT OUT ON THE CAR & I ALSO HAD OTHER PROBLEMS TO WITH THE CAR
NHTSA complaint #10788692 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,000 milesQuitman, MSCrash
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
SOMEONE HIT ME FROM BEHIND DUE TO MY BREAK CAUSE THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP & THE TRANSMITTION WENT OUT ON THE CAR & I ALSO HAD OTHER PROBLEMS TO WITH THE CAR
NHTSA complaint #10788692 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Quitman, MS
POWER TRAIN
MY GAS PEDAL GET STUCK, CAR JERKS WHEN DRIVEN & MAKE NOISY, CAR SAKES BRAKES PROBLEMS & MORE.
NHTSA complaint #10478705 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Quitman, MS
TIRES
CAR TIRES SLIPPERY & ALWAYS ON FLAT.
NHTSA complaint #10478711 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Quitman, MS
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
CAR TIRES SLIPPERY & ALWAYS ON FLAT.
NHTSA complaint #10478711 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Quitman, MS
ENGINE
MY GAS PEDAL GET STUCK, CAR JERKS WHEN DRIVEN & MAKE NOISY, CAR SAKES BRAKES PROBLEMS & MORE.
NHTSA complaint #10478705 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Quitman, MS
SERVICE BRAKES
MY GAS PEDAL GET STUCK, CAR JERKS WHEN DRIVEN & MAKE NOISY, CAR SAKES BRAKES PROBLEMS & MORE.
NHTSA complaint #10478705 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Quitman, MS
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
MY GAS PEDAL GET STUCK, CAR JERKS WHEN DRIVEN & MAKE NOISY, CAR SAKES BRAKES PROBLEMS & MORE.
NHTSA complaint #10478705 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesWest Augusta, VA
POWER TRAIN
CATASTROPHIC JERKING OF THE TRANSMISSION WHILE ACCELERATING CAUSING EXTREMELY SLOW ACCELERATION AND DANGEROUS CONDITIONS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC.
NHTSA complaint #10471401 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesColumbia, SC
POWER TRAIN
PURCHASED A 1999 MAZDA 626 IN FEBRUARY OF 2003 WITH 28,000 MILES. CAR HAS BEEN GREAT UNTIL RECENTLY IN 2009 THE TRANSMISSION HAS STARTED TO DEVELOP PROBLEMS. IT NOW SLIPS IN SECOND GEAR, I CANNOT DRIVE ON THE INTERSTATE FOR FEAR THAT THE INFAMOUS O/D OFF LIGHT WILL START TO FLASH AND LEAVE ME STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. THIS OCCURS SOMETIMES AFTER A SHORT PERIOD OF MAYBE 30 MINUTES OR MORE DRIVING 70 MPH, AND SOMETIMES AT 65MPH. WHEN IT DOES HAPPEN, THE CAR LOOSES POWER, AND BURNS UP THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. ALSO WHEN IT HAPPENS, YOU RISK THE CHANCE OF NEARLY BLOWING THE TRANSMISSION, BEING RUN OFF THE ROAD, BEING FORCED TO STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE, AND BEING IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT, BECAUSE THE CAR ALL OF SUDDEN STOPS MOVING!THIS IS SO SAD THAT I CANNOT REALLY ENJOY MY VEHICLE, AS WELL AS MANY OTHERS HERE! MAZDA HAS NOT EVEN ACKNOWLEDGED THE OTHER RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE, AND THEY DON'T STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. MAZDA IS A POOR INVESTMENT, AND THEY NEED TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THESE TRANSMISSIONS THAT THEY KNOW ARE A PIECE OF CRAP! I WILL NEVER EVER BUY ANOTHER MAZDA AGAIN!
NHTSA complaint #10447715 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 105,000 milesDelgado, TX
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MAZDA 626. THE CONTACT STATED HAT THE OVERDRIVE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED SPORADICALLY, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SHIFT FROM FOURTH TO SECOND GEAR. AS A RESULT, THE TRANSMISSION WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE OVERDRIVE FAILURE RUINED THE MOTOR AND THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 105,000. UPDATED 10/28/11
NHTSA complaint #10429634 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesBelleville, IL
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS
NHTSA complaint #10414771 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesAbilene, TX
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED AT ABOUT 65,000 MILES. THE REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION IS VERY JERKY AND SHIFTS VERY HARD, AND I WOULD NOT BE SURPRISED IF IT FAILED AGAIN AT SOME POINT IN THE FUTURE. APPARENTLY, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FOR THIS MODEL HAS A HIGH RATE OF FAILURE. TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS CAN BE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS AND VERY COSTLY TO REPAIR; MAZDA SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10398081 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 113,000 milesPalo Alto, CA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MAZDA 626. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 65 MPH WHEN THE GEARS BECAME STUCK, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND THE RPMS INCREASE GREATLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,000.
NHTSA complaint #10398061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rocky Mount, NCCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
THIS IS MY CONCERN I WAS RIDING WITH SOMEONE AND WE HAD A CRASH GOING 80 MPH. THE CAR HYDRO PLAIN OFF THE HIGHWAY HITTING THE GUARD RAIL. I BELIEVE AT THAT SPEED THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE CAME OUT BUT THEY DID NOT, I MYSELF HAD MAJOR NECK AND BACK PAINS MY HEAD HITTING THE SIDE WINDOW. I JUST WANT TO KNOW WHY THIS AIRBAG DID NOT COME OUT AND IT'S BOTHERING ME BECAUSE I COULD HAVE BEEN SEVERELY HURT OR KILLED THANK GOD I WALK OUT. THE CAR WAS 99 MAZDA 626. THIS CAR IMPACT WITH THE GUARD RAIL 3 TIMES BEFORE STOPPING. I DON'T UNDERSTAND, CAN YOU HELP WITH THIS OR SHOULD I REPORT THIS TO CONSUMERS. THANKS...
NHTSA complaint #10352550 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesRichmond, VI
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE MAZDA 626 TRANSMISSION IS NOT KNOWN FOR ITS RELIABILITY. IT FACT, THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED WITH THE MAZDA 626 TRANSMISSION. A COMMON PROBLEM ON THE VEHICLE IS THE FAILURE OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. WHEN THIS FAILS, THIS MAY CAUSE THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT TO FLASH. OTHER PROBLEMS INCLUDE SLIPPING AND VIBRATION. NOT UNDERSTANDING WHY THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON THIS PRODUCT BEING THAT THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS WHY IS MAZDA NOT LIABLE FOR THIS ISSUE.......
NHTSA complaint #10352506 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesRichmond, VI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
THE MAZDA 626 TRANSMISSION IS NOT KNOWN FOR ITS RELIABILITY. IT FACT, THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED WITH THE MAZDA 626 TRANSMISSION. A COMMON PROBLEM ON THE VEHICLE IS THE FAILURE OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. WHEN THIS FAILS, THIS MAY CAUSE THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT TO FLASH. OTHER PROBLEMS INCLUDE SLIPPING AND VIBRATION. NOT UNDERSTANDING WHY THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON THIS PRODUCT BEING THAT THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS WHY IS MAZDA NOT LIABLE FOR THIS ISSUE.......
NHTSA complaint #10352506 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.