IllustrationPROBLEMS WITH TIRES ON 1995 MAZDA 626. *MR AFTER ONLY 18322 MILES OF WEAR ON THE TIRE IT DEVELOPED A LARGE BULGE IN THE SIDEWALL. *SC *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
What owners actually said
488 reportsI PURCHASED 1995 MAZDA 626 IN 1996. SOON AFTER DRVING JUST OVER 50,000 MILES, MY CAR JUST NOT MOVING ON THE ROAD. WHEN I PUT MY FOOT ON GAS PEDAL, THERE WAS JUST A BIG NOISE. THE CAR WAS NOT MOVING AT ALL. (BEFORE THAT THING HAPPENED, I NOTICED MY CAR HAD LESS POWER, SO I HAD MY CAR TUNED UP.) I TOWED MY CAR AND THE MECHANIC…
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I PURCHASED 1995 MAZDA 626 IN 1996. SOON AFTER DRVING JUST OVER 50,000 MILES, MY CAR JUST NOT MOVING ON THE ROAD. WHEN I PUT MY FOOT ON GAS PEDAL, THERE WAS JUST A BIG NOISE. THE CAR WAS NOT MOVING AT ALL. (BEFORE THAT THING HAPPENED, I NOTICED MY CAR HAD LESS POWER, SO I HAD MY CAR TUNED UP.) I TOWED MY CAR AND THE MECHANIC TOLD ME I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. SO I REPLACED IT. THAT WAS NOV. 17. 1998. THE COST WAS 1107.75. I THOUGHT I HAD A BAD LUCK. SEVERAL YEARS LATER, I FOUND THAT O/D SIGN BLINK ALL THE TIME. IN 2003, SECOND TIME THE TRANSMISSION WAS GONE. I REPLACE IT AT THE SAME SHOP ON MARCH 10. 2003. BY PAYING 913.00. IN 2004, THE TRANSMISSION WAS GONE AGAIN. MY MECHANIC FIXED IT-NOT REPLACED IT- BUT SEVERAL MONTHS LATER IT WAS GONE COMPLETELY. IF I REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION, THIS WILL BE THIRD TIME. I HAVE NOT DONE YET. AND I DECIDE TO BRING THIS MATTER TO THE LAW. *AK
WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT 30 MPH BOTH TIRES ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE BLEW OUT, AND BOTH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, STRIKING THE CONSUMER IN THE FACE. THE TIRES WERE NOT BRAND NAME TIRES.*AK
REPEATED REPLACEMENT OF TRANSMISSION WITHIN A PERIOD OF 1 YEAR.*AK
I GOT A 95 MAZDA 626 IN THIS FEB, NOW IT IS 67,000 MILES.LAST NIGHT, I HAD THE O/D OFF LIGHT FLASHING ON, AND A CRAPPY JERK DURING ACCELRATION. '!@#$%, IT SEEMS THE TRANNY IS GOING OUT. *AK *TR
WHEN THE TURN SIGNALS WERE ACTIVATED, THE HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF. ONCE THE TURN WAS MADE THE HEADLIGHTS CAME BACK ON. THE CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB......MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS REPLACED ON 12/22/2004. SUN LIGHT BURNED A LARGE HOLE IN THE SUN VISOR. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME TH…
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WHEN THE TURN SIGNALS WERE ACTIVATED, THE HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF. ONCE THE TURN WAS MADE THE HEADLIGHTS CAME BACK ON. THE CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB......MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH WAS REPLACED ON 12/22/2004. SUN LIGHT BURNED A LARGE HOLE IN THE SUN VISOR. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED. IF THE SUNLIGHT BURNS THE FABRIC OF THE SUN VISOR THEN THE FABRIC OF THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE MUST BE VERY FLAMMABLE. *AK
WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE HIT A POTHOLE AND THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIRBAGS VIOLENTLY DEPLOYED SHATTERING THE WINDSHIELD CAUSING THE CAR TO HIT THE SIDEWALK, EXPLODING 2 TIRES, BLOCK DRIVER EYE GLASSES AND INJURING THE DRIVER FACE. THE MANUFACTURER INITIALLY ACKNOWLEDGED THE RECALL ON THE CAR AND ACCEPTED TO REPAIR …
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WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE HIT A POTHOLE AND THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIRBAGS VIOLENTLY DEPLOYED SHATTERING THE WINDSHIELD CAUSING THE CAR TO HIT THE SIDEWALK, EXPLODING 2 TIRES, BLOCK DRIVER EYE GLASSES AND INJURING THE DRIVER FACE. THE MANUFACTURER INITIALLY ACKNOWLEDGED THE RECALL ON THE CAR AND ACCEPTED TO REPAIR BUT LATER DIRECTED THE VICTIM TO FILE AN INSURANCE CLAIM. *LA RECALL #98V249000. SC
TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *AK
WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE POWER STEERING FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE STARTING SPINNING OUT OF CONTROL SENDING THE VEHICLE OVER THE MEDIAN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *JB WHILE EXITING THE EXPRESSWAY THE CONSUEMR NOTICED , ON TWO ACCASIONS, THAT THE VARIABLE ASSIST POWER STEERING MOMENTARILY FALED TO ENGAGE. T…
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WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE POWER STEERING FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE STARTING SPINNING OUT OF CONTROL SENDING THE VEHICLE OVER THE MEDIAN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *JB WHILE EXITING THE EXPRESSWAY THE CONSUEMR NOTICED , ON TWO ACCASIONS, THAT THE VARIABLE ASSIST POWER STEERING MOMENTARILY FALED TO ENGAGE. THIS OCCURED ABOUT A YEAR PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. *NM *TC
I BOUGHT A 1995 MAZDA 626 AND I HAD IT 2 OR 3 DAYS HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION .THAT WAS 2,400.00 .STILL HAVE ALL KINDS OF TROUBLE OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION IN BACK 7 OR 8 TIMES STILL SPITS OUT ALL THE TRANSMISSION FLUID .IT IS OVER HEATING TOOK IT TO BULL CHEVROLET THEY PUT NEW INTAKE GASKETS ON IT AND CHECKED FOR A BLOWN HEA…
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I BOUGHT A 1995 MAZDA 626 AND I HAD IT 2 OR 3 DAYS HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION .THAT WAS 2,400.00 .STILL HAVE ALL KINDS OF TROUBLE OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION IN BACK 7 OR 8 TIMES STILL SPITS OUT ALL THE TRANSMISSION FLUID .IT IS OVER HEATING TOOK IT TO BULL CHEVROLET THEY PUT NEW INTAKE GASKETS ON IT AND CHECKED FOR A BLOWN HEAD GASKET SAID IT WAS NOT THE HEAD GASKET .WE REPLACED THE WATER PUMP AND THERMOSTAT AND TO FIND OUT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE OTHER PARTS .I DON'T BELIEVE THE CHEVROLET CHECK TO SEE IF IT HAD A BLOWN HEAD GASKET CAUSE THE NEXT DAY WE TOOK THE HEAD OFF AND ALL THE PISTONS HAD WATER JUST STANDING ON TOP OF THEM.NOW I'M OUT ANOTHER 2500.00 . *AK
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.