Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2002 Mazda 626, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Power train70
- Electrical system4
- Suspension4
- Engine and engine cooling3
- Air bags3
- Seat belts3
- Tires2
- Steering2
- Structure2
- Unknown or other1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 6 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 8 2002 626 vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 8 people died inside them, and 3 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2002 Mazda 626 failed the safety check 4.35% of the time — 117% more often than the average 2002 passenger car (2.00%). Median odometer at inspection: 113,742 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In the Netherlands
71 first registered in 2002 are on Dutch roads; 3% arrived later as imports.
Most common APK defects
- Band onvoldoende profiel28
- Ruitenwisserinstallatie geeft onvoldoende zicht21
- Kentekenplaatverlichting werkt niet (goed) / ontbreekt17
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde13
- Band beschadigd13
- Schijf-, trommelrem loopt niet vrij13
- Stadslicht werkt niet (goed)13
- Waarschuwingsinrichting antiblokkeersysteem geeft defect aan13
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
28 cars built in 2002 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 100 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
In Finland
59 of these cars first registered in 2002 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 231,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
144 2002 cars are on the New Zealand register; 1% arrived as used imports, 98% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 4 variants: combined 9.6–12.1 L/100 km (about 19–25 mpg US), CO₂ 221–278 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 626 · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 10.8 | 8.1 | 9.6 |
| 626 · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 12.8 | 9.4 | 11.2 |
| 626 · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 13.3 | 10.1 | 11.8 |
| 626 · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 13.7 | 10.1 | 12.1 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
No recall campaigns cover the 2002 Mazda 626.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Mazda told its dealers about the 2002 Mazda 626: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 635773 | SUBJECT REGARDING AIR CONDITIONING MUSTY / MILDEW ODOR. *TT |
| 634454 | INFORMATION ON FUEL INJECTOR(S) REPLACEMENT GUIDELINES. *SLC |
| 634442 | SUBJECT ON SERVICE INFORMATION FOR KEYLESS ENTRY SYSTEM. *SLC |
| 634356 | SUBJECT REGARDING GRINDING/RUBBING NOISE AT FRONT OF VEHICLE, MODELS WITH VINS FROM Y5148597 TO Y5159897 WITH 4 CYLINDER AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. *SLC |
| 634325 | SUBJECT REGARDING DIAGNOSTIC INFORMATION OF OXYGEN SENSOR, CATALYST EFFICIENCY AND FUEL SYSTEM MONITORS. *SLC |
| 628246 | SUBJECT REGARDING AUDIO REMOVAL - ELECTRICAL SHORT/DAMAGE TO PRINTED CIRCUIT. *JG |
| 11006987 | In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer. NOTE: Tampering with a motor vehicle odometer is strictly prohibited by Federal, and State laws. It is the dealers responsibility to comply with Federal, State, and local laws concerning odometer and related documentation requirements when providing a repair or replacement. Mazda vehicles are manufactured with tamper-proof speedometers. When a speedometer is replaced, the new speedometer will read zero (0) miles. This procedure is extremely important to accurately represent actual vehicle mi |
| 11005671 | Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as cited in the vehicle-specific workshop manual or owner's manual. Services performed outside of Mazda's factory scheduled maintenance are not recommended. These services are unnecessary and create unneeded expenses for your customers. |
| 11003398 | Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as cited in the vehicle-specific workshop manual or owner's manual. Services performed outside of Mazda's factory scheduled maintenance are not recommended. These services are unnecessary and create unneeded expenses for your customers. |
| 10251387 | Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as cited in the vehicle-specific workshop manual or owner's manual. Services performed outside of Mazda's factory scheduled maintenance are not recommended. These services are unnecessary and create unneeded expenses for your customers. |
| 10232299 | Speedometer replacement procedure |
| 10226814 | Some customers may complain of signs of oil on the struts or shock absorbers. In most cases the oil that is present is normal, and a result of the oil that remains on the shaft during the normal sweeping process of the shaft seal. Follow the inspection guidelines below to determine if the condition is a result of the normal sweeping process or a failure of the shaft seal. |
| 10222564 | Some customers may experience a squeaking noise may be heard from the exhaust manifold when the idle speed drops from fast idle to normal idle speed during cold start. This is caused by a variable valve being stuck in the closed position. When returning from fast idle to normal, the stuck valve suddenly opens due to thermal change around it which causes abnormal noise. To eliminate this concern, the internal design of the exhaust manifold has been modified. |
| 10217209 | In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer. |
| 10215274 | This service bulletin provides testing and charging procedures in order to promote proper battery maintenance, to deliver new vehicles with fully charged batteries, and to reduce unnecessary battery replacement cost. For new vehicles in stock at the dealer, inspect and maintain the battery periodically according to the repair procedure. |
| 10213429 | Paint damage Mazda pocket paint guide |
| 10213425 | Speedometer replacement procedure |
| 10213422 | PROPER USAGE OF DRIVER'S FLOOR MAT. |
| 10213387 | SHOCK ABSORBER REPLACEMENT GUIDELINES |
| 10213333 | Battery test procedure requirements using the GR81291 |
| 10213332 | Battery Maintenance |
| 10213331 | SULFUR SMELL FROM EXHAUST SYSTEM. |
| 10213326 | Mazda guidelines for factory scheduled maintenance |
| 10213185 | Some customers may complain of signs of oil on the struts or shock absorbers. In most cases the oil that is present is normal, and a result of the oil that remains on the shaft during the normal sweeping process of the shaft seal. Follow the inspection guidelines below to determine if the condition is a result of the normal sweeping process or a failure of the shaft seal. |
| 10209778 | The Mazda DCA-8000 is required for all warranty battery testing. If the Mazda DCA-8000 is not used, incorrect battery testing may result in unnecessary battery replacement. Use the following test procedures in this Service Bulletin to test Mazda vehicle batteries and to generate a Warranty Code. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)