Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
100–25K
1325–50K
6150–75K
6475–100K
49100–150K
12150K+
209 reports with mileage · 109 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 233 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 48 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
11 crash reports3 fire reports4 injury reports
What owners actually said
318 reports
63,510 miles · Mar 13, 2003
Power Train
I WAS TOLD TO FILE A COMPLAINT, BECAUSE I THINK THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS IN THE LATE MODEL MAZDA 626'S. I JUST SPENT $1700 FOR A REBUILT TRANSMISSION ON MY 1999 626 ES WITH 62000 MILES. THE DAMAGE OF THE TRANSMISSION WAS VERY SIGNIFICANT. MY MECHANIC WHOM I HAVE KNOWN FOR 7 YEARS SAID THIS NOT AN ISOLA…
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I WAS TOLD TO FILE A COMPLAINT, BECAUSE I THINK THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS IN THE LATE MODEL MAZDA 626'S. I JUST SPENT $1700 FOR A REBUILT TRANSMISSION ON MY 1999 626 ES WITH 62000 MILES. THE DAMAGE OF THE TRANSMISSION WAS VERY SIGNIFICANT. MY MECHANIC WHOM I HAVE KNOWN FOR 7 YEARS SAID THIS NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS, HE SAID JUST IN FEBRUARY ALONE HE DID 4. HE SAID THESE TRANSMISSIONS ARE JUNK, AND VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR BECAUSE OF THEIR DESIGN. THIS DESIGN DOES NOT HAVE A PAN ON THE BOTTOM SO YOU CAN CHECK THE VITALS, IT IS ON THE SIDE. HE SAID THIS DESIGN OF AUTOMATIC WAS PUT INTO THE 626, MX-6 , AND THE FORD PROBE. IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME ANYTIME. JOHN. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10010423
16,028 miles · Mar 5, 2003
Power Train
THE TRANSMISSION FAILED.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10009884
40,009 miles · Feb 24, 2003
Electrical SystemInterior LightingPower Train
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTING PROBLEM, IRREGULAR RPM'S WHEN IDLING, POPPING NOISE IN FRONT (SUSPENSION?) WHEN DRIVING OVER BUMPS AT HIGH RATES OF SPEED I.E. HIGHWAYS, INTERIOR LIGHT FAULTY,
NHTSA ODI #10008047
Mileage unknown · Feb 24, 2003
Power Train
1999 MAZDA 626...JUST OVER 70K MILES...O/D LIGHT FLASHING...TRANSMISSION STUCK IN 2ND GEAR...HARD SHIFTING...RESEARCH REVEALED MANY MORE DRIVERS WITH SIMILAR EXPERIENCE.
NHTSA ODI #10008012
Mileage unknown · Jan 27, 2003
Steering
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH POWER STEERING . RACK AND PINION STEERING BROKE, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10004765
27,740 miles · Jan 16, 2003
Power Train
IN JUNE 1999, I PURCHASED A 1999 MAZDA 626. I HAVE 27,743 MILES ON IT. (I RIDE MOSTLY IN MY HUSBAND'S SUV). TWO DAYS AGO, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP. THE DEALER TELLS ME THE 36 MONTH WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. I SAY WARRANTY OR NOT AT 27,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT BE SLIPPING--UNLESS THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH IT WH…
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IN JUNE 1999, I PURCHASED A 1999 MAZDA 626. I HAVE 27,743 MILES ON IT. (I RIDE MOSTLY IN MY HUSBAND'S SUV). TWO DAYS AGO, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP. THE DEALER TELLS ME THE 36 MONTH WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. I SAY WARRANTY OR NOT AT 27,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT BE SLIPPING--UNLESS THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH IT WHEN IT WAS INSTALLED. I REFUSE TO PAY $2000+ FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION AND AM SEEKING ARBITRATION AGAINST THE DEALER. I AM ASTONISHED TO SEE ALL OF THE OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE 626 TRANSMSSION I READ ON "THE COMPLAINT STATION" WEBSITE. FROM WHAT I READ ON THIS SITE, THE PROBLEM IS THE FORD TRANSMISSION. SOMETHING MUST BE DONE CONCERING THIS PROBLEM. A RECALL IS IN ORDER. THANK YOU.
NHTSA ODI #10002767
72,000 miles · Jan 7, 2003
Power Train
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE WHEN THE "OVERDRIVE" LIGHT BEGAN BLINKING ON/OFF. CONSUMER THEN NOTICED SMOKE EMITTING FROM UNDER HOOD AND REAR OF VEHICLE AND QUICKLY PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. DEALER DIAGNOSED TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED. TS
NHTSA ODI #10002169
Mileage unknown · Jan 2, 2003
Power Train
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30MPH AND WITHOUT WARNING THE TRANSMISSION FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE NOT TO ACCELERATE. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS
NHTSA ODI #10001845
35,500 miles · Dec 26, 2002
Power Train
1999 MAZDA TRAANSMISSION PROBLEMS
NHTSA ODI #10000606
Mileage unknown · Nov 18, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING HEARD A NOISE FROM ENGINE AND VEHICLE STALLED. DEALER ADVISED THAT THE TIMING BELT TENSIONER BROKE CAUSING STALL. CONSUMER CONTACTED MANFACTURER REGARDING RECALL 00V134000. MFR ADVISED V.I.N. IS NOT INCLUDED. TS
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. CERTAIN RESERVOIR TANK CAPS ON THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER WERE PRODUCED WITH A WORN OUT DIE AND LACK VENTILATION HOLES. AS A RESULT, THE PRESSURE IN THE RESERVOIR TANK CAN DROP GRADUALLY AS THE BRAKE PAD OR SHOE WEARS AND AMBIENT TEMPERATURE DROPS. ALSO, THE PRESSURE COULD REACH A POINT THAT THE BRAKE CALIPER AND DRUM CYLINDER ARE PULLED BACK BY THE VACUUM IN THE RESERVOIR TANK WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED FOR A LONG TIME.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE REDUCED BRAKE EFFICIENCY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE RESERVOIR CAP AND REPLACE IT, IF NECESSARY.
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
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
1999 Mazda 626 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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