IllustrationRADIATOR WAS LEAKING ON VEHICLE, AND VEHICLE WOULD START TO OVERHEAT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
1996 Mazda 626
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most 626 years
Owner complaints for the 1996 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
40–25K
425–50K
1750–75K
3775–100K
38100–150K
15150K+
115 reports with mileage · 244 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 239 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 49 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
35 crash reports2 fire reports30 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
33 reportsPROBLEMS STARTED IN SEPTEMBER 1999 WITH THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR COMING UNPLUGGED. HAD REPAIR DONE, CAME LOOSE AGAIN IN OCTOBER 1999. DEALER DIDN'T RUN ANY DIAGNOSTICS, JUST SAID THE M.A.F.S. WAS THE PROBLEM. O/D LIGHT WOULD BLINK WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS. CAR WOULDN'T SHIFT INTO 2ND GEAR W/O A STRUGGLE. WHEN OVERDRIVE WENT OFF…
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PROBLEMS STARTED IN SEPTEMBER 1999 WITH THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR COMING UNPLUGGED. HAD REPAIR DONE, CAME LOOSE AGAIN IN OCTOBER 1999. DEALER DIDN'T RUN ANY DIAGNOSTICS, JUST SAID THE M.A.F.S. WAS THE PROBLEM. O/D LIGHT WOULD BLINK WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS. CAR WOULDN'T SHIFT INTO 2ND GEAR W/O A STRUGGLE. WHEN OVERDRIVE WENT OFF, CAR WANTS TO STAY IN 3RD GEAR. BECAME JUMPY AND SLUGGISH. CAR WON'T SHIFT INTO ANY GEAR. JUST STAYS IN NEUTRAL. ENGINE MAKES LOUD PINGING NOISES WHEN STARTED AND WHILE IDLING. WHEN COMING OFF A COMPLETE STOP, CAR STRUGGLES TO GET INTO 1ST GEAR; WHEN IT FINALLY GOES, CAR JUMPS HARD BEFORE DRIVING. IF THERE IS ANY INFORMATION ABOUT A LAWSUIT AGAINST MAZDA, I WOULD LIKE TO BE INFORMED. I THINK ALL OF THE 626 DRIVERS SHOULD NAIL MAZDA FOR ALL THEY'VE GOT!! WHY SHOULD WE SPEND OUR $ TO FIX THE PROBLEMS THEY CAUSED? PLEASE EMAIL ME AT AOGUINN@AOL.COM IF THERE IS ANY INFORMATION ON A LAWSUIT. ANGELA & RICHARD O'GUINN. *AK
I HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS 626, MAZDA FROM THE DAY I DROVE IT OFF THE LOT AND I TRIED TO GET THE COMPANY TO TAKE IT BACK AND THEY WOULD GIVE ME LOTS OF EXCUSES AND WERE NOT HELPFUL. IN THE END I WAS TOLD THE AIR FLOW SENSOR WAS GONE & I PAID 300.00 FOR REPAIRS. 2 DAYS LATER THE CAR STARTED HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND HAD IT …
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I HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS 626, MAZDA FROM THE DAY I DROVE IT OFF THE LOT AND I TRIED TO GET THE COMPANY TO TAKE IT BACK AND THEY WOULD GIVE ME LOTS OF EXCUSES AND WERE NOT HELPFUL. IN THE END I WAS TOLD THE AIR FLOW SENSOR WAS GONE & I PAID 300.00 FOR REPAIRS. 2 DAYS LATER THE CAR STARTED HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND HAD IT TOWED IN AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS GONE, CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED REPLACING AGAIN AND ANOTHER PART. I ASKED FOR A REFUND ON THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR TELLING THEM THAT THE O/D LIGHT HAD BEEN COMING ON AND I THINK THAT WAS THE PROBLEM, BUT WOULD NOT REFUND ME FOR THE COST. THEY THEN WANTED 6000.00 FOR IT ALL AND I TOLD THEM, I HAVE REPLACED SO MANY PARTS ON THIS CAR AND TRIED TO GET YOU TO TAKE IT BACK AND THEY REFUSED. I ALSO ASKED IF THEY WOULD GIVE ME A CREDIT TOWARDS ANOTHER VEHICLE, SINCE I WAS SOLD A LEMON. THEY REFUSED. I HAD TO TURN THE CAR BACK IN TO THE LOAN COMPANY. I COULD NOT AFFORD TO PAY 6000.00 FOR REPAIRS AND PAY 350.00 MONTHLY . I WAS AHEAD ON MY PAYMENTS TOO. TURNED IT IN TO THE LOAN COMPANY AND NOW MY CREDIT HAS BEEN AFFECTED. BECAUSE OF ALL THE COSTLY REPAIRS THAT I HAD TO DO AND MAKE PAYMENTS ALONG WITH IT ALL. I WANT SOME HELP AND RESTIUTION IN THIS SITUATION. *AK
AS A RESULT OF A CRASH WHILE TRAVELING AT 60 MPH AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK CONSUMER ALSO STATES TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AND HAD TO BE REBUILT, THE ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON , CV JOINTS ARE ALSO FAULTY, ALSO VEHICLE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT CONSUMER HIT A DEER.*JB
COOLLING SYSTEM BREAKDOWN RUINED ENGINE. CAR COVERED BY WARRANTY, BUT MAZDA REFUSES TO PAY, CLAIMING NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR OVERHEATING OF ENGINE. *AK
CATALYTIC CONVERTER 2 TIMES. *AK
TEMPERATURE GUAGE NEEDLE MOVES ABOVE HALF-WAY MARK, ALMOST TO RED ZONE, THEN QUICKLY JERKS BACK TO ORIGINAL POSITION. TWO THERMOSTATS HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY DEALER, BUT CONTINUES TO EXIST. *AK
WHEN DRIVING THE O/D OFF LIGHT FLASHES, THE CRUISE CONTROL WILL CUT OFF WITHOUT TOUCHING THE BRAKES. WHEN ACCELERATING FROM STOPS THE ENGINE REVS BUT THE CAR CONTINUES TO MOVE AS THOUGH IT IS IN NEUTRAL FOR ABOUT 5 TO 10 MINUTES BEFORE IT KICKS IN GEAR VERY HARD. OCCASSIONALLY THE CAR WILL NOT EVEN ROLL FORWARD WHEN TRYING TO …
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WHEN DRIVING THE O/D OFF LIGHT FLASHES, THE CRUISE CONTROL WILL CUT OFF WITHOUT TOUCHING THE BRAKES. WHEN ACCELERATING FROM STOPS THE ENGINE REVS BUT THE CAR CONTINUES TO MOVE AS THOUGH IT IS IN NEUTRAL FOR ABOUT 5 TO 10 MINUTES BEFORE IT KICKS IN GEAR VERY HARD. OCCASSIONALLY THE CAR WILL NOT EVEN ROLL FORWARD WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE AFTER STOPPING.
NO SUMMARY
ENGINE FAILURE. *SLC
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.