Mazda 626 problems, recalls and best years (1981–2003)

Complaints by model year

Each bar is one model year. The most recent years are still collecting complaints.

NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026

New York safety inspections

Share of first inspections failed on safety, by model year. Older cars fail more as miles build up, so compare each year with the average car of the same year.

NY DMV Vehicle Inspections, initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count

Year by year

Model year	Complaints	Recalls	Bulletins	Crashes · fires
2003	9	0	17	0 · 1
2002 626	87	0	94	6 · 0
2001 626	188	0	96	10 · 4
2000 626	217	1	101	6 · 0
1999 626	318	2	99	11 · 3
1998 626	434	4	102	12 · 5
1997 626	358	3	82	17 · 6
1996 626	359	2	44	35 · 2
1995 626	488	2	43	43 · 8
1994 626	282	2	48	18 · 6
1993 626	122	1	45	11 · 4
1992 626	19	0	15	3 · 0
1991 626	62	1	14	4 · 0
1990 626	44	1	14	2 · 2
1989 626	42	1	5	4 · 1
1988 626	45	6	4	1 · 3
1987 626	29	1	3	5 · 1
1986 626	16	2	3	0 · 1
1985	6	0	3	1 · 0
1984	3	0	3	1 · 1
1983	2	0	3	1 · 0
1982	0	2	3	0 · 0
1981	0	2	3	0 · 0

A model year gets its own page when it has enough data for at least three sections

Most common problems

Power train1,983
Engine and engine cooling335
Air bags224
Electrical system175
Seat belts145
Service brakes, hydraulic127
Vehicle speed control81
Unknown or other75

NHTSA ODI complaints, all model years

Fatal crashes in the US

From 2020 to 2023, 31 626 vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died, and 26 people died inside them. These are counts, not crash rates: a model with more cars on the road shows up more often, and people killed outside the vehicle are not counted here.

Model year	Vehicles in fatal crashes	Deaths in the vehicle	Rolled over
2002	8	8	3
2001	4	3	1
2000	7	6	0
1999	4	4	0
1998	2	2	1
1997	2	1	0
1996	1	1	0
1995	3	1	0

NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain) · how we count

Fuel consumption by year

Official Canadian test results for 8 model years, best variant per year. Combined consumption ranges from 9.2–9.6 L/100 km.

Year	Variant	Engine	Transmission	City	Highway	Combined	CO₂ g/km
2002	626 · Mid-size · Regular gasoline	2.0 L, 4 cyl.	M5	10.8	8.1	9.6	221
2001	626 · Mid-size · Regular gasoline	2.0 L, 4 cyl.	M5	10.8	8.1	9.6	221
2000	626 · Mid-size · Regular gasoline	2.0 L, 4 cyl.	M5	10.6	8.1	9.5	219
1999	626 · Mid-size · Regular gasoline	2.0 L, 4 cyl.	M5	10.3	7.9	9.2	212
1998	626 · Mid-size · Regular gasoline	2.0 L, 4 cyl.	M5	10.3	7.9	9.2	212
1997	626 · Mid-size · Regular gasoline	2.0 L, 4 cyl.	M5	10.8	7.8	9.4	216
1996	626 · Mid-size · Regular gasoline	2.0 L, 4 cyl.	M5	10.8	7.9	9.5	219
1995	626 · Mid-size · Regular gasoline	2.0 L, 4 cyl.	M5	10.8	7.9	9.5	219

Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada

In New Zealand

1,310 626 cars are on the New Zealand register; 4% arrived as used imports.

Model year	Registered	Sold new in NZ	Used imports
2003	1	1	0
2002	144	141	1
2001	217	213	0
2000	226	223	0
1999	70	68	0
1998	85	83	1
1997	69	67	0
1996	30	30	0
1995	25	25	0
1994	31	30	1
1993	20	20	0
1992	37	37	0
1991	20	19	1
1990	35	31	3
1989	48	42	5
1988	26	16	10
1987	11	6	5
1986	19	16	3
1985	8	6	2
1984	23	19	4
1983	22	13	5
1982	34	29	2
1981	27	24	0
1980	57	51	3
1979	24	20	2
1973	1	1	0

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0

In the Netherlands

1,974 626 cars are on Dutch roads; 4% arrived later as imports, and 196 still have a recall open. Open a year for APK defects, odometer checks and colours.

First registered	On the road	Imported	Median list price
2002	71	3%	—
2001	113	4%	—
2000	157	3%	€22,233
1999	123	2%	—
1998	112	2%	—
1997	97	2%	—
1996	52	8%	—
1995	47	4%	—
1994	59	3%	—
1993	87	1%	—
1992	134	1%	—
1991	87	5%	—
1990	98	1%	—
1989	138	4%	—
1988	126	4%	—
1987	125	6%	—
1986	114	4%	—
1985	88	7%	—
1984	82	12%	—
1983	64	13%	—

RDW Open Data: registered vehicles (CC0) · list price is the manufacturer's catalogue price when new

In Finland

1,442 626 cars were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026: 99% petrol, 1% diesel. Mileage is the odometer reading at the last inspection.

First registered	In use	Average mileage
2002	59	231,000 km
2001	164	252,000 km
2000	241	272,000 km
1999	225	276,000 km
1998	274	282,000 km
1997	119	272,000 km
1996	40	279,000 km
1995	36	266,000 km
1994	24	269,000 km
1993	23	253,000 km
1992	40	279,000 km
1991	26	238,000 km
1990	36	251,000 km
1989	35	253,000 km
1988	42	240,000 km
1987	13	208,000 km
1986	10	187,000 km
1985	11	223,000 km
1984	13	256,000 km
1983	5	156,000 km
1980	6	68,000 km

Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use, 30 Jun 2026 · CC BY 4.0

In the United Kingdom

209 626 cars were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, by year of manufacture.

Built	Licensed	Off the road (SORN)
2002	28	100
2001	37	126
2000	31	151
1999	32	136
1998	19	146
1997	9	64
1996	6	38
1995	2	23
1994	4	38
1993	5	34
1992	3	36
1991	6	27
1990	7	20
1989	5	47
1988	4	36
1987	1	15
1986	1	10
1985	3	22
1984	2	4
1983	1	3
1982	2	5
1978	1	—

Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124) · Open Government Licence v3.0

New registrations in Europe

3 new Mazda 626 cars registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland between 2010 and 2012, from the European Environment Agency's CO₂ monitoring of every new car. In 2012 the largest markets were United Kingdom (1).

Year	New cars	Largest markets	Mass kg	CO₂ g/km	Power kW
2012	1	United Kingdom	—	—	—
2010	2	United Kingdom, Spain	1,484	—	—

Averages are weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value (NEDC until the WLTP switch). European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · re-use permitted with acknowledgement

EU safety alerts

Safety Gate, the European Union's rapid alert system, names the 626 in 2 alerts. European versions can differ from the North American car.

A12/00507/22 · Fire1 Apr 2022 · 323 (BG,BA), 626 (GE), M121 (DB), DEMIO (DW), MX3 (EC), MPV (LV)

In some ignition switches, too much grease have been applied to certain contact points. For a vehicle used under these conditions this can lead to carbonisation of the grease if and therefore to an increased risk of fire. The product does not comply with the R…

A12/1298/16 · Fire14 Oct 2016 · 323/323F, 626/MX-6, 121, Demio, MX-3, MPV, 929

Over the time, the contact points inside the ignition switch may become carbonized and become conductive to electricity. As a result the ignition switch could overheat, leading to the risk of a fire.

Safety Gate (European Commission) · CC0

Recalls

18 campaigns cover the 626; the latest 12 are below.

15V674000 · Electrical system19 Oct 2015 · 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998

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.

00V134000 · Engine and engine cooling9 May 2000 · 1998, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. AN EXTERNAL SPRING IN THE TIMING BELT TENSIONER COULD BREAK.

00V074000 · Service brakes, hydraulic7 Mar 2000 · 1999, 2000

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.

99V358000 · Exterior lighting17 Dec 1999 · 1994

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE HEADLIGHT WIRE THAT RUNS THROUGH THE TURN SIGNAL LEVER CAN FAIL AT THE POINT WHERE IT IS SOLDERED TO THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH.

98V249000 · Air bags8 Oct 1998 · 1995, 1996, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE SAS SENSOR UNIT. THESE VEHICLES CAN EXPERIENCE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS IN MINOR UNDERCARRIAGE IMPACTS.

98V243000 · Equipment2 Oct 1998 · 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: IF THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN A HOT, HUMID ENVIRONMENT WITH THE WINDOW OPEN AND AIR CONDITIONER RUNNING, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR CONDENSATION TO ENTER THE AUDIO UNIT AND CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT.

98V206001 · Engine and engine cooling8 Sept 1998 · 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. AN EXTERNAL SPRING IN THE TIMING BELT TENSIONER CAN BREAK AND GET CAUGHT IN THE TIMING BELT.

97V228000 · Fuel system, gasoline17 Dec 1997 · 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO A PROGRAMMING ERROR, THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) INSTALLED CAN, UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, TRIGGER A SHIFT IN AIR-FUEL RATIO TO AN OVERLEAN CONDITION.

93V174000 · Structure29 Oct 1993 · 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991

RESIN MOLDED FRONT HANDLES FAIL AT THE DOOR LATCH ACTUATING ROD ATTACHMENT, FREEING THE ROD TO FALL INSIDE THE DOOR FRAME. SUBSEQUENT LOWERING OF THE ASSOCIATED WINDOW MAY FORCE THE ACTUATING ROD DOWNWARD AND RELEASE THE DOOR LATCH.

90V118000 · Electrical system14 Jun 1990 · 1986, 1987

IGNITION SWITCH TERMINAL MAY MALFUNCTION.

88V063000 · Seat belts14 Apr 1988 · 1988

THE DRIVE SPRING THAT DRIVES THE AUTOMATIC BELT MAY BREAK.

88V022000 · Vehicle speed control22 Feb 1988 · 1988

AT AMBIENT TEMPERATURES BELOW 0 DEGREE F, FROST MAY ACCUMULATE WITHIN THE THROTTLE BODY UNDER EXTENDED CONSTANT SPEED OPERATION.

NHTSA recalls

Cars

Recalls

Directory

More

Mazda 626

Complaints by model year

New York safety inspections

Year by year

Most common problems

Fatal crashes in the US

Fuel consumption by year

In New Zealand

In the Netherlands

In Finland

In the United Kingdom

New registrations in Europe

EU safety alerts

Recalls