Owners have filed 99 complaints
about the 2002 Mazda 626 with NHTSA between 2002 and 2020.
The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain.
Across this model's run it ranks 10 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 — 14
Against the median year of the Mazda 626. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 57
11.1% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 27
16% 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
5683.6%
Wheel Bearing
23.0%
Manual Transmission
23.0%
Front
23.0%
Frontal
23.0%
Front
11.5%
Underbody Shields
11.5%
Constant Velocity Joint
11.5%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
11.6%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
34.7%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
34.7%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
914.1%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
1828.1%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
1726.6%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
812.5%
150,000+ miles
57.8%
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.
Jun 2002peak 8Feb 2020
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 85,000 milesBoca Raton, FLCrash2 injured
POWER TRAIN
WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING OUT OF FORWARD GEAR WHILE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AFTER RELEASING THE BRAKES AND GENTLY PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THE VEHICLE DIDNT MOVE. MANUALLY SHIFTING INTO 1ST GEAR WAS THE CAR ABLE TO MOVE BUT CAUSING A VERY HARSH LURCHING FORWARD CAUSING A LOUD "CLUNKING" NOISE. I WAS ABLE TO LIMP THE CAR 3 MILES TO MY HOME. I WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END ACCIDENT AT THE NEXT TRAFFIC LIGHT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN 1ST GEAR AND HAVING THE BRAKES APPLIED THE TRANSMISSION CAUGHT IN GEAR AND LUNGED FORWARD CAUSING ME TO CONTACT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. BOTH MYSELF AND THE OCCUPANT OF THE VEHICLE I HIT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES AND WELL AS PROPERTY DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF MY VEHICLE AND THE BACK OF THEIRS.
NHTSA complaint #11306609 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 214,000 milesCharlotte, NCCrash
POWER TRAIN
MY CAR WAS DRIVING FINE AND THEN ONE DAY AS I WAS LEAVING WORK MY CAR STARTED ACTING AS THOUGH IT WANTED TO SHUT OFF. I MADE IT ALL THE WAY HOME AND WAS GOING TO GO TO THE STORE AND MY CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR I TRIED TO ADD TRANSMISSION FLUIDS BUT IT SOUNDS NOT MOVE.
NHTSA complaint #10907323 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 99,203 milesEL Paso, TXCrash1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
VEHICLE WAS IN A COLLISION ABOUT 35MPH, FAILURE OF FRONT DRIVER SEATBELT TO LOCK. RESULTED IN INJURY TO DRIVER BY IMPACTING KNEES WITH LOWER DASH BOARD, AND CHEST AND FACE HITTING STEERING WHEEL. NO AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. FAILURE OF SEATBELTS AND INJURES, ALL NOTATED ON ACCIDENT POLICE REPORT.
NHTSA complaint #10221328 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Middletown, DECrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
DT: CONSUMER STATES SHE HAD AN ACCIDENT ON 7-8-05. SHE WAS HIT ON THE FRONT END OF HER CAR BY SOMEONE TRAVELING WEST. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND AS A RESULT THE CONSUMER WAS INJURED. SHE HAS NOT TALKED TO THE DEALER OR THE MANUFACTURER. SHE DOES NOT KNOW HOW FAST THE PERSON WHO HIT HER WAS GOING. THE CONSUMER WAS GOING APPROX. 55-60 MPH. THERE HAD BEEN NO PREVIOUS AIR BAG PROBLEMS. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT HAD NOT COME ON. SHE DID APPLY HER BRAKES PRIOR TO IMPACT. SHE WAS WEARING HER SEAT BELT. THERE IS A POLICE REPORT ON THE ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10128617 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Richmond, VACrash2 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING 40-45 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE INJURIES. CONSUMER WAS PREGNANT, AND HIT HER HEAD AND CHEST ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THERE WAS ALSO A THIRTEEN YEAR OLD IN THE VEHICLE THAT WAS INJURED. BOTH CONSUMER AND THE PASSENGER WERE WEARING SEAT BELTS. VEHICLE WAS SALVAGED.
NHTSA complaint #10094579 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 16,000 milesRoswell, GACrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END ACCIDENT. THE IMPACT WAS ABOUT 25 TO 30 MPH YET NEITHER OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED NOR DID THE SEAT BELT HOLD THE DRIVER. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT DID NOT ILLUMINATE PRIOR TO THE CRASH. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. A POLICE REPORT WAS ISSUED. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10048723 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 85,000 milesBoca Raton, FLCrash2 injured
POWER TRAIN
WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING OUT OF FORWARD GEAR WHILE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AFTER RELEASING THE BRAKES AND GENTLY PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THE VEHICLE DIDNT MOVE. MANUALLY SHIFTING INTO 1ST GEAR WAS THE CAR ABLE TO MOVE BUT CAUSING A VERY HARSH LURCHING FORWARD CAUSING A LOUD "CLUNKING" NOISE. I WAS ABLE TO LIMP THE CAR 3 MILES TO MY HOME. I WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END ACCIDENT AT THE NEXT TRAFFIC LIGHT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN 1ST GEAR AND HAVING THE BRAKES APPLIED THE TRANSMISSION CAUGHT IN GEAR AND LUNGED FORWARD CAUSING ME TO CONTACT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. BOTH MYSELF AND THE OCCUPANT OF THE VEHICLE I HIT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES AND WELL AS PROPERTY DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF MY VEHICLE AND THE BACK OF THEIRS.
NHTSA complaint #11306609 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lancaster, TX
ENGINE
THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE NOW. EVEN AFTER WE GET IT FIXED IT STILLS JERKS AND SOUNDS LIKE THE ENGINE IS GOING TO FALL OUT. IT HAS A TERRIBLE TIME SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND AND SOMETIMES WHEN YOU PUT IT IN REVERSE IT JUMPS AND SOUNDS LIKE IT IS GOING TO FALL OUT. MY DAD IS 94 YEARS OLD AND NEEDS THIS CAR TO WORK. HE DOESN'T NEED TO GO OUT AND BUY ANOTHER ONE OR SPEND ANOTHER $1800 OR SO TO GET THIS ONE FIXED. I HAVE READ A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS CAR AND THE TRANSMISSION AND I FEEL MAZDA NEEDS TO MAKE IT RIGHT.
NHTSA complaint #10993720 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Roan MTN, TN
POWER TRAIN
TAMARA RECALL
NHTSA complaint #10929667 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 214,000 milesCharlotte, NCCrash
POWER TRAIN
MY CAR WAS DRIVING FINE AND THEN ONE DAY AS I WAS LEAVING WORK MY CAR STARTED ACTING AS THOUGH IT WANTED TO SHUT OFF. I MADE IT ALL THE WAY HOME AND WAS GOING TO GO TO THE STORE AND MY CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR I TRIED TO ADD TRANSMISSION FLUIDS BUT IT SOUNDS NOT MOVE.
NHTSA complaint #10907323 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pomona, CA
POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION JERKS-HARD KICKING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR AUTOMATIC TRANSMISION/DEFECTIVE TRANSMISION ON THIS MODEL NO MATTER WHAT I DO TO TRY TO FIX THE PROBLEM.(FLUID FILTER SPEED SENSOR ETC)STILL HAS THE SAME PROBLEM...THIS PROBLEM IS WELL KNOWN ON ALL THE MAZDA VEHICLES WITH THIS TYPE OF TRANSMISSION
NHTSA complaint #10902003 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesKirbyville, TX
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE CAR STARTED TO NOT WANT TO CRANK IT WOULD CRANK SOMETIMES THEN ONE DAY WE WENT TO THE STORE THEN WHEN WE WENT TO LEAVE THE STORE IT FINALLY JUST STOPPED TRYING TO CRANK ONLY MAKING A CLICKING SOUND AND WHILE TRYING TO CRANK IT THE STEERING COLUMN STARTED SMOKING AND ALMOST CAUGHT ON FIRE I BELIEVE IT IS THE IGNITION SWITCH
NHTSA complaint #10811234 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesKirbyville, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE CAR STARTED TO NOT WANT TO CRANK IT WOULD CRANK SOMETIMES THEN ONE DAY WE WENT TO THE STORE THEN WHEN WE WENT TO LEAVE THE STORE IT FINALLY JUST STOPPED TRYING TO CRANK ONLY MAKING A CLICKING SOUND AND WHILE TRYING TO CRANK IT THE STEERING COLUMN STARTED SMOKING AND ALMOST CAUGHT ON FIRE I BELIEVE IT IS THE IGNITION SWITCH
NHTSA complaint #10811234 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 45,000 milesWaterloo, IA
POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE ON HIGHWAY. TRANSMISSION FAILED AT APPROXIMATELY 45,000 MILES. REPAIR ENDED UP COSTING APPROXIMATELY $3,000 FOR A REBUILT TRANSMISSION. I HAD OWNED THE CAR FOR ABOUT 2 YEARS AT TIME OF TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND HAD PUT LESS THAN 10,000 MILES ON IT PERSONALLY. CAR WAS PURCHASED USED BUT IN GOOD CONDITION.
NHTSA complaint #10650433 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 129,000 milesGreenfield, IN
POWER TRAIN
MY CAR WILL MOVE FINE UNTIL IT WARMS UP BUT THEN SLIPS OUT OF ALL GEARS AND WONT MOVE UNTIL THE NEXT DAY.
NHTSA complaint #10611087 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,000 milesMorgantown, IN
POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION MAKING POPPING NOISES AND LAGGING WHEN MAKING TURNS SOUNDS HORRIBLE TOOK TO A MECHANIC HE SAYS HE CAN FIX IT FOR 1700.00 THE TRANSMISSION IS BAD. AT A LITTLE OVER A 100 THOUSAND MILES IT SHOULDN'T NEED REPLACED. FORD SHOULD HAVE TO FIX IT.
NHTSA complaint #10513615 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 148,000 milesPeoria, IL
POWER TRAIN
ON ACCELERATION FROM BEING STOPPED THE TRANSMISSION WOULD MAKE A SERIES OF POPPING SOUNDS. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED TO BE A STRETCHED DRIVE CHAIN IN THE TRANSMISSION. INSTANCES OF HIGH TORQUE WOULD CAUSE THE CHAIN TO SKIP PAST TEETH, CAUSING THE POPPING NOISE. DUE TO THE SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT IF PROBLEMS THAT PLAGUE THE CD4E TRANSMISSION THE ENTIRE UNIT WAS REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10487180 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesCincinnati, OH
POWER TRAIN
HAD TRANSMISSION REPLACED IN 2010 AFTER HARD SHIFTING AND SKIPPING GEARS, SAME PROBLEM AGAIN STARTED IN SEPTEMBER 2012. SHOULD NOT BE REPLACING A TRANSMISSION EVERY TWO YEARS.
NHTSA complaint #10483313 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Teachey, NC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SMOKE CAME FROM AROUND THE STEERING COLUMN.
NHTSA complaint #10450729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 167,000 milesFirestone, CO
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTED WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. WHILE TRYING TO MAINTAIN SPEED TO EXIT THE FREEWAY, THE ENGINE STARTED TO OVERHEAT. AS SOON AS I WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO THE LOCAL GAS STATION PARKING SPOT, THE ENGINE DIED. THE TRANSMISSION APPEARS TO NEED A REBUILD.
NHTSA complaint #10360348 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 107,000 milesKentwood, MI
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2002 MAZDA 626 TRANSMISSION BROKE ON ME AT 107,000 ODO .
NHTSA complaint #10359015 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Miami Gardens, FL
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10357492 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,000 milesCovington, GA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AUTO TRANSMISSION HAS CONSTANT PROBLEMS WITH LEAKING AND SHIFTING. TONS OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE OF PROBLEMS WITH THESE CARS. WHY CANT SOMETHING BE DONE ABOUT THIS LIKE A RECALL?
NHTSA complaint #10352478 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Santa ANA, CA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION, 2002 MAZDA 626, TWICE IN LAST 6 MONTHS. CAR LURCHES, STALLS, WILL NOT SHIFT INTO GEARS, HAVE BEEN STUCK ON BUSY FREEWAY. ALSO FUEL PUMP JUST CUTS OFF AND CAR WILL NOT START.
NHTSA complaint #10311419 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Santa ANA, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION, 2002 MAZDA 626, TWICE IN LAST 6 MONTHS. CAR LURCHES, STALLS, WILL NOT SHIFT INTO GEARS, HAVE BEEN STUCK ON BUSY FREEWAY. ALSO FUEL PUMP JUST CUTS OFF AND CAR WILL NOT START.
NHTSA complaint #10311419 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 97,000 milesMesa, AZ
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION FAILURE, 2002 MAZDA 626 4CYL. TRANSMISSION BEGAN SLIPPING AND SHIFTING HARD BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEARS. 97,000 MILES BUT HAD REGULAR "HARSH CONDITIONS" MAINTENANCE AS IT WAS BEING OPERATED IN THE AZ DESERT HEAT. TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT BUT NOW SHIFTS HARD 1ST TO 2ND IN ADDITION TO 2ND AND 3RD DESPITE BEING SENT BACK. THERE ARE WIDESPREAD FAILURES OF 626 TRANSMISSIONS BUT MAZDA WAS NEVER FORCED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO ISSUE A RECALL. THE TRANSMISSION IS TOO SMALL FOR THE WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE PER SOME REPORTS. $2,500 FOR REBUILT TRANSMISSION. I'VE NEVER HAD A AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION GO OUT THIS SOON AND I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR 35 YEARS.
NHTSA complaint #10300087 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 82,000 milesSAN Diego, CA
SUSPENSION:FRONT
2002 MAZDA 626 ES, LEFT FRONT WHEEL BEARING FAILED. FRONT DRIVE SHAFT FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #10288556 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 72,000 milesWilton Manors, FL
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2002 MAZDA 626 TRANSMISSION CHAIN FAILURE. CAR HAS ONLY 72K MILES ON IT, NEEDS ENTIRE RE-BUILT TRANSMISSION COSTING OVER $1900.00.
NHTSA complaint #10283434 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesAustin, TX
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 75,000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10273539 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 94,000 milesChildress, TX
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
94,000 MILES ON MY 2002 MAZDA 626 AND THE TRANSMISSION IS SHOT AND STRUTS WERE WORTHLESS. WAS STRANDED ON THE ROAD WHEN THE CAR WOULD GO IN REVERSE BUT WAS DIFFICULT TO OPERATE IN DRIVE AND AT SLOWER SPEEDS AND STOP SIGNS/LIGHTS.
NHTSA complaint #10265977 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 94,000 milesChildress, TX
STRUCTURE
94,000 MILES ON MY 2002 MAZDA 626 AND THE TRANSMISSION IS SHOT AND STRUTS WERE WORTHLESS. WAS STRANDED ON THE ROAD WHEN THE CAR WOULD GO IN REVERSE BUT WAS DIFFICULT TO OPERATE IN DRIVE AND AT SLOWER SPEEDS AND STOP SIGNS/LIGHTS.
NHTSA complaint #10265977 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.