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
What owners actually said
359 reports
Mileage unknown · Feb 14, 2002
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
WHILE TRAVELING AT 60 MPH RPMS INCREASED BEYOND NORMAL RANGE. THEN , OVERDRIVE LIGHT STARTED TO FLASH. DRIVER PULLED OVER, AND VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. AT 96000 AND TRAVELING AT 60 MPH SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED. BUT THIS TIME DRIVER TRIED BACKING UP AND VEHICLE MADE A VERY LOUD GRINDING NOISE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMAT…
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WHILE TRAVELING AT 60 MPH RPMS INCREASED BEYOND NORMAL RANGE. THEN , OVERDRIVE LIGHT STARTED TO FLASH. DRIVER PULLED OVER, AND VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. AT 96000 AND TRAVELING AT 60 MPH SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED. BUT THIS TIME DRIVER TRIED BACKING UP AND VEHICLE MADE A VERY LOUD GRINDING NOISE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8004050
Mileage unknown · Feb 4, 2002
Power Train
OVERDRIVE CAME ON AND STAYED FLASHING, NEXT THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR STARTED SHIFTING HARD. AT LOW SPEEDS OF ABOUT 15-20 MPH THE CAR WOULD JERK HARD. BROUGHT IT TO DEALER AND COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON FROM TIME TO TIME STILL BUT WHEN I GET TO REPAIR SHOP THE LIGHT GOES OUT AND MECHANICS CAN'…
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OVERDRIVE CAME ON AND STAYED FLASHING, NEXT THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR STARTED SHIFTING HARD. AT LOW SPEEDS OF ABOUT 15-20 MPH THE CAR WOULD JERK HARD. BROUGHT IT TO DEALER AND COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON FROM TIME TO TIME STILL BUT WHEN I GET TO REPAIR SHOP THE LIGHT GOES OUT AND MECHANICS CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. I'M AFFRAID THE SAME THING IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO ME LIKE ALL THE OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THE TRANSMISSION WILL BURN OUT AFTER WARRANTY!!!*AK
NHTSA ODI #757710
Mileage unknown · Jan 29, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHEN BRAKES ARE DEPRESSED THERE IS EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8003063
Mileage unknown · Jan 22, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
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…
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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
NHTSA ODI #757207
Mileage unknown · Jan 18, 2002
Power Train
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #757043
Mileage unknown · Jan 16, 2002
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING 65MPH AND PRESSING GAS PEDAL, VEHICLE FAILS TO ACCELERATE. RPMS GO UP TO 5000 TO 6000. VEHICLE WOULD SLIP FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL ON ITS OWN. HAD 3 TRANSMISSIONS REPLACED, AND PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.*AK JLG
NHTSA ODI #8002287
Mileage unknown · Jan 7, 2002
Power Train
OVERDRIVE LIGHT FLASHED. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY STATED THAT TRANSMISSION FAILED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8001617
Mileage unknown · Jan 4, 2002
Power Train
TRANSMISSION IS DEFECTIVE, TRANSMISSION WILL MAKE A CLUNKING SOUND WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE, AND WHEN ON HIGHWAY IF THE DRIVER SPEEDS UP, VEHICLE WILL START JERKING.*AK DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER AT THE TIME VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY THAT THE PROBLEM COULS NOT BE DUPLICATED, CONSUMER TRIED TO MOVE THE GEAR FROM PARK IT WO…
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TRANSMISSION IS DEFECTIVE, TRANSMISSION WILL MAKE A CLUNKING SOUND WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE, AND WHEN ON HIGHWAY IF THE DRIVER SPEEDS UP, VEHICLE WILL START JERKING.*AK DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER AT THE TIME VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY THAT THE PROBLEM COULS NOT BE DUPLICATED, CONSUMER TRIED TO MOVE THE GEAR FROM PARK IT WOULD NOT MOVE.*SLC
NHTSA ODI #8001546
Mileage unknown · Dec 18, 2001
Power Train
AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO GET THE TRANSMISSION CHECKED IT FINALLY FAILED. EVERY PREVIOUS ATTEMPT RESULTED IN NO PROBLEMS DIAGNOSED. IT WAS ALWAYS A SENSOR OR A CONNECTOR. THE PROBLEM WITH THE O/D LIGHT WAS BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE DEALER AND EVERYTIME THE CAR CAME BACK IN TWO TO THREE DAYS THE LIGHT WOULD COME BACK ON. T…
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AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO GET THE TRANSMISSION CHECKED IT FINALLY FAILED. EVERY PREVIOUS ATTEMPT RESULTED IN NO PROBLEMS DIAGNOSED. IT WAS ALWAYS A SENSOR OR A CONNECTOR. THE PROBLEM WITH THE O/D LIGHT WAS BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE DEALER AND EVERYTIME THE CAR CAME BACK IN TWO TO THREE DAYS THE LIGHT WOULD COME BACK ON. THE PROBLEMS STARTED IN THE SUMMER OF 2001 AND THE SERVICE WAS IN AUGUST. NOW THE TRANSMISSION IS GONE AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AFTER BEING DIAGNOSED O.K.. IN 3 1/2 MONTHS A PERFECTLY GOOD TRANSMISSION GOES BAD?*AK
NHTSA ODI #755804
Mileage unknown · Dec 6, 2001
Power TrainUnknown Or Other
"O/D OFF" LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING, ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. DIAGNOSIS IS THAT A NEW TRANSMISSION IS NEEDED. *AK
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.
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.
1996 Mazda 626 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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