IllustrationWHILE DRIVING GAS FUMES WERE FLOWING FROM THE VEHICLE, WELD TO THE TANK GAVE WAY, AND TANK ITSELF CRACKED. MAZDA HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED.*AK
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
Compare all 626 years →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
50–25K
625–50K
1550–75K
3475–100K
47100–150K
26150K+
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
Fuel System, Gasoline complaints
10 reportsCONSUMER SMELLED A STRONG GASOLINE SMELL. CONSUMER LOOKED UNDER CAR AND NOTICED A NICE FLOW OF GAS COMING FROM THE TOP OF THE FEUL TANK ON TO THE GROUND. CONSUMER INDICATED THAT THERE WAS SO MUCH GAS ON THE GROUND THAT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN DANGEROUS TO START, AND BECAUSE IT WAS SO CLOSE TO EXHAUST PIPE. DEALER SAID THERE WAS …
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CONSUMER SMELLED A STRONG GASOLINE SMELL. CONSUMER LOOKED UNDER CAR AND NOTICED A NICE FLOW OF GAS COMING FROM THE TOP OF THE FEUL TANK ON TO THE GROUND. CONSUMER INDICATED THAT THERE WAS SO MUCH GAS ON THE GROUND THAT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN DANGEROUS TO START, AND BECAUSE IT WAS SO CLOSE TO EXHAUST PIPE. DEALER SAID THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE TOP OF FUEL TANK AND SHOULD BE REPLACED. DEALER SAID LOOKED LIKE TANK WAS DETERIORATING. *AK
TRANSMISSION WAS MAKING LOUD DROPPING SOUNDS WHEN ENGAGING INTO REVERSE AND DRIVE, WAS TOLD I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. 2. REAR SWAY BAR NEEDS NEW FASTENING DEVICE. 3. FRONT ENGINE EXHAUST PIPE NEEDS REPLACING. (REPLACED MUFFLER AND PART OF EXHAUST 7 MTHS. PRIOR.) 4. FUEL GAUGE INOPERATIVE AS OF PURCHASE DATE, HAS BEEN REPLA…
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TRANSMISSION WAS MAKING LOUD DROPPING SOUNDS WHEN ENGAGING INTO REVERSE AND DRIVE, WAS TOLD I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. 2. REAR SWAY BAR NEEDS NEW FASTENING DEVICE. 3. FRONT ENGINE EXHAUST PIPE NEEDS REPLACING. (REPLACED MUFFLER AND PART OF EXHAUST 7 MTHS. PRIOR.) 4. FUEL GAUGE INOPERATIVE AS OF PURCHASE DATE, HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE ALONG WITH FUEL PUMP AND SENDING UNIT. 5. MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR NEEDS REPLACING. 6. HEAT ACTUATOR NEEDS REPLACING. 7. DISTRIBUTOR IGNITOR IS FAULTY. 8. HAVE HAD GASKET COVERS AND LIFTERS REPLACED.
THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED USED IN 1998. SHIFTING ALWAYS SEEMED A PROBLEM. TEN MONTHS AFTER THE PURCHASE, THE VEHICLE STARTED HESITATING AT HIGH SPEEDS. THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS CHECKED A NUMBER OF TIMES AND IT WAS LATER DETERMINED THAT IT WAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. WHILE THE DEALER WAS TEST DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE WAS …
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THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED USED IN 1998. SHIFTING ALWAYS SEEMED A PROBLEM. TEN MONTHS AFTER THE PURCHASE, THE VEHICLE STARTED HESITATING AT HIGH SPEEDS. THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS CHECKED A NUMBER OF TIMES AND IT WAS LATER DETERMINED THAT IT WAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. WHILE THE DEALER WAS TEST DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. IT LASTED ABOUT ONE MONTH AND THE REPLACED TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED WITH THE CURRENT TRANSMISSION WHICH IS THE THIRD ONE IN THIS AUTOMOBILE. TWO MONTHS LATER, A HESITATION WAS NOTED AT LOW SPEEDS WHEN THE GAS TANK WAS BELOW HALF FULL AND TAKING A LEFT TURN. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY HAVING THE FUEL PUMP AND SENDING UNIT REPLACED.
DUE TO THE DEFECTIVE AIRFLOW SENSOR WHICH HAS BEEN REPLACE 3XS, THE VEHICLE STALLS UNEXPECTLY WHICH MAY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *YC
WHEN AT ANY SPEED THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON, AND THE GEAR SHIFTS VERY HARD, THE VEHICLE JERKS/ SHAKES. ALSO, THERE IS SOME TYPE OF FUEL LEAKAGE COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. *AK
WHILE DRIVING 50-70MPH THE VEHICLE STALLS UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. TOOK TO DEALER, DLR CANNOT DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION IN WHICH THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK
WHEN GOING THROUGH A PUDDLE (4 OR 5 INCHES ) OF WATER, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND STOPPED BECAUSE WATER WAS STUCK IN THE ENGINE THROUGH THE AIR INTAKE FOR THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM . *AK
GAS FUMES SMELL COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, DEALER SMELL THE FUMES BUT CAN NOT LOCATE THE PROBLEM. TT
Official recalls
215V674000 · 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
4RQ99022 · 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.