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1995 Mazda 626

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most 626 years

Owner complaints for the 1995 Mazda 626 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 44.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

133 reports with mileage · 355 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 337 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 67 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

43 crash reports8 fire reports33 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

28 reports
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113,000 miles · Nov 28, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2007 AND FROM THE START THERE WERE PROBLEMS. THE OVER DRIVE LIGHT POPS ON AND OFF, KEEPS OVERHEATING EVEN AFTER HAD FULL FLUID FLUSH, REPLACED OLD BATTERY WITH NEW ONE AND CAR CONTINUES TO SHUT OFF, TAKES 10 MIN TO START. I GOT IT FIXED IN MARCH OF 2008 FOR THE PROBLEMS STATED ABOVE AND AGAIN IN SEPT 2008 FOR…

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I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2007 AND FROM THE START THERE WERE PROBLEMS. THE OVER DRIVE LIGHT POPS ON AND OFF, KEEPS OVERHEATING EVEN AFTER HAD FULL FLUID FLUSH, REPLACED OLD BATTERY WITH NEW ONE AND CAR CONTINUES TO SHUT OFF, TAKES 10 MIN TO START. I GOT IT FIXED IN MARCH OF 2008 FOR THE PROBLEMS STATED ABOVE AND AGAIN IN SEPT 2008 FOR SAME PROBLEMS BUT WITH A DIFFERENT COMPANY. THEY SAID ITS BECAUSE 2 OUT OF THE 4 CYLINDERS ARE REALLY LOW. IF THAT'S THE CASE WHY DIDN'T THE OTHER COMPANY ADVISE ME OF THAT SAME PROBLEM. NOW THE CAR WON'T START. I HAVE TALKED WITH OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME CAR ND THEY ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THE LAST SERIOUS ISSUE WAS THE CAR SHUT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WITH MY 4 YEAR OLD AND 1 YEAR OLD. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH THAT I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD AND RESTART IT AND GO HOME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10250032

89,000 miles · Mar 9, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

I BOUGHT A USED MAZDA 626 (1995) IN DECEMBER 2003 AND IT HAD ABOUT 85,000 MILES WHEN I PURCHASED IT. WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF PURCHASING THE VEHICLE THE TRANSMISSION WENT BAD (THE GEAR TEETH BROKE AND THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE TOSSED). A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS FITTED IN ITS PLACE AND THIS COST ME ABOUT $2,500. A FEW WEEKS LATER…

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I BOUGHT A USED MAZDA 626 (1995) IN DECEMBER 2003 AND IT HAD ABOUT 85,000 MILES WHEN I PURCHASED IT. WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF PURCHASING THE VEHICLE THE TRANSMISSION WENT BAD (THE GEAR TEETH BROKE AND THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE TOSSED). A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS FITTED IN ITS PLACE AND THIS COST ME ABOUT $2,500. A FEW WEEKS LATER I LEARNT THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM FOUND IN MANY MAZDA 626 MODELS MANUFACTURED IN 1995. I MAINLY USE THIS VEHICLE TO DRIVE TO SCHOOL AND DO SOME GROCERY; HARDLY DO I TAKE IT ON THE INTERSTATE OR DRIVE AT HIGH SPEEDS. AFTER ABOUT TWO YEARS IT IS STILL GIVING ME OTHER PROBLEMS - LIKE ENGINE WONT CRANK AND SO ON. I AM DISAPPOINTED BUYING THIS VEHICLE AND WILL NEVER EVER BUY A MAZDA/FORD PRODUCT. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10152290

179,000 miles · Sep 19, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

THERE WAS A RECALL ON MAZDA 626, 1995 FOR A POWER TRAIN. THE MANUFACTURER SAID IT DOES NOT PERTAIN MY VIN#. I HAVE BEEN HAVING MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH MY ENGINE AND MY MOTOR. PLEASE HELP. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10136923

165,000 miles · Feb 27, 2004
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingSteering

1.HORN BUTTON BROKE AND POPPED OFF WHILE DRIVING. 2. CAR WILL REV BY ITSELF BETWEEN 1000-1500 RPM WHILE COMING TO A STOP. 3. CAR SOMETIMES HAS NO BASE IDOL AND WILL JUST TURN OFF. 4. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, TOOK CAR TO MACHANIC. MANIFOLD INTAKE GASKET HAD TO BE REPLACED. LIGHT HAS GONE OFF BUT CAR STILL REVS ITSELF. S…

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1.HORN BUTTON BROKE AND POPPED OFF WHILE DRIVING. 2. CAR WILL REV BY ITSELF BETWEEN 1000-1500 RPM WHILE COMING TO A STOP. 3. CAR SOMETIMES HAS NO BASE IDOL AND WILL JUST TURN OFF. 4. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, TOOK CAR TO MACHANIC. MANIFOLD INTAKE GASKET HAD TO BE REPLACED. LIGHT HAS GONE OFF BUT CAR STILL REVS ITSELF. SOMETIMES WHILE IDOLING CAR WILL REV BETWEEN 1500-2000 RPMS. 5. BOTH REAR STRUTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. 6. COUPLER FOR RACK AND PINON HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10059929

Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

95 MAZDA 626 O/D LIGHT BLINKS OFF AND ON CAR OVERHEATS.FIRST TOOK MY CAR THERE TO HAVE NEW SENSOR PUT IN, IT WORKED FINE FOR A WHILE. NOW THE PROBLEM HAS COME BACK AND THEY KEEP GIVING ME THE RUN AROUND ABOUT WHATIS WRONG.I HAVE READ REPORTS THAT ALOT OF PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MAKE AND MODEL. PLEASE DO SOM…

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95 MAZDA 626 O/D LIGHT BLINKS OFF AND ON CAR OVERHEATS.FIRST TOOK MY CAR THERE TO HAVE NEW SENSOR PUT IN, IT WORKED FINE FOR A WHILE. NOW THE PROBLEM HAS COME BACK AND THEY KEEP GIVING ME THE RUN AROUND ABOUT WHATIS WRONG.I HAVE READ REPORTS THAT ALOT OF PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MAKE AND MODEL. PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10030803

62,000 miles · Jul 30, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON LOCAL MECHANIC SUSPECTED OXYGEN SENSOR NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY ON EMISSION CONTROL COMPONENTS. LOCAL MECHANIC CHARGE 800$ TO CHANGE O2 SENSOR DID NOT FIX PROBLEM. TOOK TO DEALER AND CHANGED ANOTHER COMPONENT TO FIX IT. HAPPENED BECAUSE OF MANUFACTURER DEFECT SINCE THERE WAS NO WEAR AND TEAR AND …

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CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON LOCAL MECHANIC SUSPECTED OXYGEN SENSOR NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY ON EMISSION CONTROL COMPONENTS. LOCAL MECHANIC CHARGE 800$ TO CHANGE O2 SENSOR DID NOT FIX PROBLEM. TOOK TO DEALER AND CHANGED ANOTHER COMPONENT TO FIX IT. HAPPENED BECAUSE OF MANUFACTURER DEFECT SINCE THERE WAS NO WEAR AND TEAR AND NO EXTERNAL DAMAGE TO THE COMPONENTS. BUT I STILL HAD TO PAY FOR THE WORK OVER 1200$

NHTSA ODI #10030416

Mileage unknown · May 28, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEED AND WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF THEN VEHICLE STARTED TO SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10021725

Mileage unknown · Oct 22, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingSuspension

VEHICLE HAD MULTIPLE PARTS FAILURES WITHIN A 30 DAY PERIOD MOST PROBLEMS PREMATURE FOR CAR AT THAT MILEAGE.

NHTSA ODI #768724

Mileage unknown · Jun 4, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainUnknown Or Other

VEHICLE CUTS OFF AT ANY SPEED OR SLOWING TO STOP. VEHICLE HESISTATES AS A WARNING BEFORE STALLING. OVERDRIVE LIGHT AND ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON DASHBOARD. TWICE, VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A NEGATIVE RESPONSE. DEALER WAS AWARE. INTERMITTENT PROBLEM IS PROGRESSING. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8011036

Mileage unknown · Apr 2, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE ELECTRONIC LIGHT COMES ON AND PUT IT UNDER THE LIGHT AT THE MAZDA DEALER, IT READS THE AIR FLOW METER IS BAD. KNOW 4 OTHER INCIDENTS OF MAZDA'S OWNERS WHO HAVE REPORTED AIRFLOW PROBLEMS WITH THEIR MAZDAS. IT REDUCES SPEED OF THE CAR WHEN TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY. CAN CAUSE ACCIDENTS. IT HAPPENS TOO FREQUENTLY TO TOO MANY …

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THE ELECTRONIC LIGHT COMES ON AND PUT IT UNDER THE LIGHT AT THE MAZDA DEALER, IT READS THE AIR FLOW METER IS BAD. KNOW 4 OTHER INCIDENTS OF MAZDA'S OWNERS WHO HAVE REPORTED AIRFLOW PROBLEMS WITH THEIR MAZDAS. IT REDUCES SPEED OF THE CAR WHEN TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY. CAN CAUSE ACCIDENTS. IT HAPPENS TOO FREQUENTLY TO TOO MANY PEOPLE CARS. IT MUST BE A DEFECT IN THE PART.

NHTSA ODI #760153

Official recalls

2

15V674000 · Electrical System:ignition:switch

Oct 19, 2015

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 1989-1998 MPV, 1990-1995 323, 1990-1998 Protege, 1992-1993 MX-3, 1993-1995 929, 1993-1997 MX-6, and 1993-1998 626 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, grease applied to the contact points inside the ignition switch may become conductive and overheat.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the ignition switch overheats there would be an increased risk of a fire.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. The recall began on December 17, 2015. Owners may contact Mazda Customer Experience Center at 1-800-222-5500, option#6. Mazda's number for this recall is 8715J.

98V249000 · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

Oct 8, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE SAS SENSOR UNIT. THESE VEHICLES CAN EXPERIENCE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS IN MINOR UNDERCARRIAGE IMPACTS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: UNEXPECTED AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN RESULT IN OCCUPANT INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE SAS UNIT TO REDUCE THE PROBABILITY OF UNNECESSARY DEPLOYMENTS IN LOW SPEED UNDERCARRIAGE IMPACTS.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

4

RQ99022 · Headlight Failure

Opened Dec 20, 1999 · Closed Aug 30, 2000

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting

OBTAINED RECALL 99V-358

SQ98024 · Speedometer Inoperative

Opened Oct 29, 1998 · Closed Sep 10, 1999

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train

SEE RESUME FOR DETAILS.

EA97012 · Oversensitive Air Bag Deployment

Opened May 23, 1997 · Closed Oct 9, 1998

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags

IN MAY OF 1997, ODI UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS WITH 51 COMPLAINTS.ODI IS NOW AWARE OF 88 COMPLAINTS OF ALLEGED INAPPROPRIATE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENTS.TYPICAL COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AFTER THE VEHICLE HIT A POT HOLE AT BETWEEN 20 AND 45 MPH, OR THAT THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING AT BETWEEN 20 OR 60 MPH FOR NO APPARENT REASON.APPROXIMATELY 25 DRIVERS ALLEGED THAT THEY DID NOT HIT ANYTHING IN THE ROADWAY.MAZDA WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL OFALL 1995 AND 1996 MODELS OF THE MAZDA 626 AND MX-6, AS WELL AS A SMALL NUMBER OF 1997 MAZDA 626 MODELS, EQUIPPED WITH THE SAME SAS UNIT.THE SAS UNIT CONTROLS THE AIRBAG SYSTEMIT CONTAINS A BUILT-IN CRASH SENSOR TO DETECT VEHICLE DECELERATION DURING A COLLISION.AFFECTED MODELS WERE ASSEMBLED FROM JUNE 1, 1994 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 10, 1996 AND HAVE A VIN WITHIN THE FOLLOWING RANGES: MAZDA 626:1YVGE22**S5300001 THROUGH 1YVGE22**V5599030 MAZDA MX-6: 1YVGE31**S5300001 THROUGH 1YVGE31**T5589965ALL OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY THAT THEIR VEHICLE MAY EXPERIENCE AN UNNECESSARY AIRBAG DEPOYMENT IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS.THEY WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO BRING THEIR VEHICLE TO A MAZDA DEALER TO REPROGRAM THE SAS UNIT TO REDUCE THE FREQUENCY OF UNNECESSARY DEPLOYMENTS.

PE97006 · Inappropriate Air Bag Deployment

Opened Jan 30, 1997 · Closed May 23, 1997

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags

IN JANUARY OF 1997, ODI OPENED A PE BASED ON 9 ODI COMPLAINTS.ODI IS NOW AWARE OF 51 COMPLAINTS OF ALLEGED INAPPROPRIATE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS.TYPICAL COMPLAINTS INCLUDE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS AFTER THE VEHICLE HIT A POT HOLE WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 20 AND 45 MPH AND AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 20 AND 60 MPH FOR NO APPARENT REASON.APPROXIMATELY 21 DRIVERS ALLEGED THAT THEY DID NOT HIT ANYTHING PRIOR TO THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT.IN FOUR OF THESE INCIDENTS THE DRIVER CLAIMS TO HAVE LOST CONTROL AND HIT A CURB AFTER THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED.IN ADDITION THERE ARE FOUR INCIDENTS WHERE THE DRIVER ALLEGES THAT THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AFTER A TIRE BLOWOUT WHILE DRIVING.LESS COMMON INCIDENTS INCLUDE ALLEGATIONS OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYING AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE AND REMOVING THE KEY, CROSSING RAILROAD TRACKS, WHILE BEING TOWED, WHILE BRAKING, AFTER HITTING A CURB, AND AFTER HITTING A MANHOLE COVER.ODI IS UPGRADING THIS INVESTIGATION TO OBTAIN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE REPORTS GATHERED TO DATE, THE SENSORS USED IN THE VEHICLES, AND TO ASSESS THE IMPACT THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT HAS ON HIGHWAY SAFETY.