IllustrationENGINE WARNING LIGHT-SERVICE 3 TIMES, TRANSMISSION JERKS-O/D LIGHT COMES ON, CANNOT LOCATE PROBLEM-TRANSMISSION IS GOING OUT-MUST BE REPLACED. *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
What owners actually said
359 reportsTRANSMISSION BROKE WHILE DRIVING WHICH CAUSED VEHICLE TO STALL UNEXPECTEDLY.IT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A CRASH. *AK
MY 1996 MAZDA WHICH I PURCHASED IN 1997 HAS SERIOUS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY IN 1-11-99. IT IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER FOR A SECOND TRANSMISSION WHICH FAILED ON 12-29-99. I AM CONFUSED AS TO WHY WITH SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH MAZDA T…
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MY 1996 MAZDA WHICH I PURCHASED IN 1997 HAS SERIOUS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY IN 1-11-99. IT IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER FOR A SECOND TRANSMISSION WHICH FAILED ON 12-29-99. I AM CONFUSED AS TO WHY WITH SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH MAZDA THEY HAVE NOT BEEN RECALLED. I HAVE READ ATLEAST 173 COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET SUBMITTED BY OTHERS. ALSO IS THERE A TECHNICAL BULLETIN RELATED TO THIS TRANSMISSION PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN DISTRIBUTED TO DEALERS? WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE FOR THIS CAR TO GET A RECALL DEATHS?*AK
PURCHASE AUTO USED WITH LESS 48,255 MILES ON IT ON 5/1/98. ON 5/22/98 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALONG WITH THE SRS LIGHT BEGAN BURNING INTERMITTENTLY. PART WAS ORDERED ON 5/22/98 AND REPLACED ON 6/6/98. PROBLEM STILL EXISTED AND WAS WORKED ON AGAIN 6/10/98. DIDN'T REPAIR PROBLEM AND SO IT WAS AGAIN WORKED ON 6/18/98. DEALER'S STATE…
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PURCHASE AUTO USED WITH LESS 48,255 MILES ON IT ON 5/1/98. ON 5/22/98 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALONG WITH THE SRS LIGHT BEGAN BURNING INTERMITTENTLY. PART WAS ORDERED ON 5/22/98 AND REPLACED ON 6/6/98. PROBLEM STILL EXISTED AND WAS WORKED ON AGAIN 6/10/98. DIDN'T REPAIR PROBLEM AND SO IT WAS AGAIN WORKED ON 6/18/98. DEALER'S STATEMENT IS THE CAR WAS DRIVEN OVER 100 MILES AND PROBLEM COULDN'T BE FOUND. SOMETHING MUST HAVE REPAIRED IT AS THEY STOPPED BURNING. ON 1/13/99 ENGINE LIGHT BEGAN AGAIN ALONG WITH THE OD LIGHT. AT THIS TIME AUTO WAS RETURNED TO DEALER WHO REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. LUCKILY I PURCHASED A WARRANTY AT PURCHASE OF AUTO. AT THIS WRITING THE ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEGAIN TO ILLUMINATE AGAIN AND MY WIFE STATE TRANSMISSIONS IS SLOW TO SHIFT. I AM BEGINNING TO THINK THAT THIS PARTICULAR YEAR MAZDA WAS ONE WHICH WOULD HURT MAZDA'S REPUTATION AFTER OWNING 2 MAZDA 626S AND 3 MAZDA PICKUPS. I HAVE THE STATEMENTS FROM DEALER WHERE THEY REPLACED THE COMPUTER,SENSORS,MODULES, AND CONTROLS.THE AUTO STOCK NUMBER AT ANDY JONES WAS 8992 @ DEALER# 34018 SOLD MAY 1,1998.
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NO INFORMATION IN OWNERS MANUAL REGARDING O/D FLASHING ON DASH. *AK
MY TRANSMISSION FAILED AND WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT IT WOULD COST $2,500 TO FIX THE PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE DIAGNOSTIC CODES REPORTED TO ME WERE P 1744 (TCC PERFORMANCE), P0741 (TCC STUCK) AND P0303 (#3 MISFIRE). I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT MANY HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND MAZ…
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MY TRANSMISSION FAILED AND WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT IT WOULD COST $2,500 TO FIX THE PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE DIAGNOSTIC CODES REPORTED TO ME WERE P 1744 (TCC PERFORMANCE), P0741 (TCC STUCK) AND P0303 (#3 MISFIRE). I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT MANY HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND MAZDA DOES NOT ACCEPT BLAME FOR FAULTY TRANSMISSIONS. I WAS ALSO TOLD MAZDA DID NOT REBUILD TRANSMISSIONS BUT HAVE READ THAT SOME OF THE OWNERS HAD THEM REBUILT. ALSO, SOME HAD NEW ONES PUT IN BUT ONLY TO FAIL AGAIN AND MAZDA DID NOT COVER THE REPLACEMENT PART. IT SEEMS MAZDA SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR FAULTY TRANSMISSIONS. I TOOK MINE TO THE DEALER IN THE TOWN IN WHICH I LIVE - GARY FORCE MAZDA IN BOWLING GREEN, KENTUCKY. *AK
RECALL 98V249 000/AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT: WHILE TRAVELING AT 40 MPH VEHICLE RAN OVER SOMETHING WHICH CAUSED BOTH AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY. VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL AND LANDED IN A DITCH. ALSO, THERE WAS DAMAGE TO WINDSHIELD/ HOOD AND BUMPER. MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. *AK *SLC
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STARTED TO SLOW DOWN AND LOSE POWER. SOMETIMES, VEHICLE WOULD GO OUT WITHOUT A PRIOR WARNING. MANUFACTURER COULD NOT FIND OUT WHAT CAUSED THIS PROBLEM THREE TIMES. *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.