IllustrationWHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AFTER JUST DROP OFF MY DAUGHTER, I PROCEEDED BACK ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE TRANSMISSION JUST THREW ME IN PARK. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK. THEN I PUT IN GEAR AND IT WAS DRIVING FINE AND THEN THE HOLD LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. WHILE DRIVING HOME IT WAS FINE AND THEN AGAIN IT STARTED ALL OVER. *JB
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
Power Train complaints
337 reportsOVERDRIVE LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY GOES ON AND OFF CAUSING CAR TO BUCK, JERK AND HESITATE. DURING THAT TIME THE RPM SOARS IN THE RANGE OF 8-10. THIS OCCURS WHEN DRIVING ANY AMOUNT OF TIME. TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES WITH THE SAME RESULT. *TR
95 MAZDA 626 TRANSMISSION SUCKS. *TR
I BOUGHT MY 1995 MAZDA 626 AUTOMATIC NEW AT ABOUT 57000 MILES(JUST OUT OF WARRANTY) THE O/D LIGHT BEGAN BLINKING AND THE TRANSMISSION RAN ROUGH ESP. BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR. MAZDA WANTED ME TO PUT A NEW TRANSMISSION IN AT A COST OF $1700,WHICH I DECLINED. NOW WITH 140000 MILES,I HAVE HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO HAVE THE TRANSMISS…
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I BOUGHT MY 1995 MAZDA 626 AUTOMATIC NEW AT ABOUT 57000 MILES(JUST OUT OF WARRANTY) THE O/D LIGHT BEGAN BLINKING AND THE TRANSMISSION RAN ROUGH ESP. BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR. MAZDA WANTED ME TO PUT A NEW TRANSMISSION IN AT A COST OF $1700,WHICH I DECLINED. NOW WITH 140000 MILES,I HAVE HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION RE-BUILT AT A COST OF $2100. I SEE ON THE INTERNET THAT THIS HAS BEEN A WIDE-SPREAD PROBLEM WITH MAZDA'S AND I THINK THEY SHOULD COVER THEIR PARTS AND STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCTS! *TR
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WOULD FAIL TO GO INTO REVERSE. DIAGNOSIS OF TRANSMISSION SHOP SAID PROBLEM WAS COMMON FOR THIS MODEL AND INDICATING TRANSMISSION WAS FAILING AND NEEDED REBUILD. TRANSMISSION REBUILD FIXED THE PROBLEM. *TR
CAR DEMONSTRATES KNOWN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ISSUES FOR THIS MAKE/MODEL/YEAR - O/D LIGHT FLASHING ON AND OFF, ERRATIC GEAR SHIFTING RESULTING IN DANGEROUS OPERATION ON THE ROAD. *TR
CAR DEMONSTRATES KNOWN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ISSUES FOR THIS MAKE/MODEL/YEAR - O/D LIGHT FLASHING ON AND OFF, ERRATIC GEAR SHIFTING RESULTING IN DANGEROUS OPERATION ON THE ROAD. *TR
THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH MY 1995 MAZDA 626'S TRANSMISSION. IT IS ONLY AT 93,000 MILES, AND I THINK THE TRANSMISSION IS SHOT. IT SHIFTS VERY HARD INTO GEAR. WHEN IT IS IN DRIVE, SOMETIMES IT SHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL IF I AM IDLING. I USUALLY HAVE TO SHIFT IT INTO NEUTRAL AND THEN BACK INTO DRIVE FOR IT TO GET BACK IN GEAR. I …
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THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH MY 1995 MAZDA 626'S TRANSMISSION. IT IS ONLY AT 93,000 MILES, AND I THINK THE TRANSMISSION IS SHOT. IT SHIFTS VERY HARD INTO GEAR. WHEN IT IS IN DRIVE, SOMETIMES IT SHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL IF I AM IDLING. I USUALLY HAVE TO SHIFT IT INTO NEUTRAL AND THEN BACK INTO DRIVE FOR IT TO GET BACK IN GEAR. I AM TAKING IT TO GET CHECKED OUT TONIGHT. *TR
I OWN A 1995 MAZDA 626 AND WAS MADE AWARE THAT IT HAS DOCUMENTED TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. I WAS NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM WHEN I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. THE O/D LIGHTS CONSTANTLY BLINKS ON AND THE CAR JERKS AND SHAKES AT STOPS. I WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION HAS TO BE REPLACED AND DID SOME RESEARCH AS A RESULT. MANY OTHER OWNERS OF TH…
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I OWN A 1995 MAZDA 626 AND WAS MADE AWARE THAT IT HAS DOCUMENTED TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. I WAS NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM WHEN I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. THE O/D LIGHTS CONSTANTLY BLINKS ON AND THE CAR JERKS AND SHAKES AT STOPS. I WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION HAS TO BE REPLACED AND DID SOME RESEARCH AS A RESULT. MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THIS MODEL AND YEAR VEHICLE HAVE CHANGED THE TRANSMISSION AT LEAST TWICE. IT TURNS OUT THE TRANSMISSION BUILT BY FORD WAS KNOWN TO HAVE PROBLEMS, AND MAZDA SHOULD TAKE SOME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MAZDA 626. WHILE AT A BANK DRIVE-THRU WINDOW, THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO REV; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HER RESIDENCE AND THEN TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE CONTACT WAS…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MAZDA 626. WHILE AT A BANK DRIVE-THRU WINDOW, THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO REV; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HER RESIDENCE AND THEN TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION. SHE WANTED A SECOND OPINION SO THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DIFFERENT MECHANIC. THE FAILURE WAS CONFIRMED TO BE THE TRANSMISSION. THROUGH RESEARCH, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT NUMEROUS PEOPLE WITH THE SAME TYPE OF VEHICLE EXPERIENCED TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT A REPAIR SHOP, BUT HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 177,000.
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.