1994 Mazda 626

Above average

Owners filed 282 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the power train › automatic transmission. It has been recalled 4 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
114,000 milesMedian miles at failure

64 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 120,000150,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Power Train › Automatic Transmission151
101
Air Bags › Frontal10
1006
Electrical System › Ignition9
100
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline8
010
Power Train › Manual Transmission7
000
Power Train6
000
Unknown or Other5
000
Exterior Lighting › Headlights › Switch5
000
Vehicle Speed Control4
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components4
101

4 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Electrical System › Ignition › Switch15V674000
Filed Oct 19, 20151,368,500 vehiclesMazda North American Operations

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

Fuel System, Gasoline05E065000
Filed Oct 5, 200542,962 vehiclesSpx Filtran

Defect. CERTAIN SPX FILTRAN FUEL FILTERS WITH A 45-DEGREE ANGLE INLET TUBE, MODEL 800F350-S1, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT FILTERS FOR 1993-1997 FORD PROBE,1993-2001 MAZDA 626 AND MX-6, AND 1983-1994 LOYAL, 3-DOOR COUPE, HATCHBACK, SEDAN, WAGON, BRAT, DL, GL, GL-10, RX, XT, AND XT6 PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH EFI OR TURBO ENGINES. THESE FILTERS ARE PACKAGED AS WIX, NAPA, AND CARQUEST BRAND FUEL FILTERS. CERTAIN SPX FILTRAN FUEL FILTERS WITH A 90-DEGREE ANGLE INLET TUBE, MODEL 800F300-S2, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT FILTERS FOR 19983-1994 SUBARU VEHICLES WITH EFI OR TURBO ENGINES. THESE FILTERS ARE PACKAGED AS WIX, NAPA, AND CARQUEST BRAND FUEL FILTERS. FUEL MAY LEAK FROM THE FILTER DUE TO NON-CONFORMING BRAZING WELDS WHERE THE INLET TUBE IS CONNECTED TO THE FILTER CAN.

Risk. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A VEHICLE FIRE CAN OCCUR.

Remedy. SPX WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND PROVIDE A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN SEPTEMBER 27, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MR. CHRIS GREESON AT 704-869-3733 OR CONTACT THE WIX INFORMATION HOTLINE AT 800-949-6698.

Exterior Lighting › Headlights › Switch99V358000
Filed Dec 17, 199940,000 vehiclesMazda (north America),inc

Defect. 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.

Risk. THE FAILURE OF THIS WIRE COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH LEVER.

Power Train › Manual Transmission99I005000
Filed Aug 16, 199947,651 vehiclesMazda (north America),inc

Defect. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SPEEDOMETER GEAR SET CAN FAIL. SYMPTOMS INCLUDE AN INOPERATIVE SPEEDOMETER, SEVERE LACK OF POWER, AND/OR A TRANSMISSION WHICH STAYS IN THIRD GEAR. IN SOME CASES, THE "OD OFF" LIGHT MAY ALSO FLASH.

Risk. A DRIVER MAY NOT BE AWARE OF INCREASED SPEED DUE TO THE SPEEDOMETER NOT WORKING CORRECTLY.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SPEEDOMETER GEAR SET AND IF NECESSARY, WILL REPLACE THE SPEEDOMETER GEAR SET AT NO CHARGE. THIS EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERS NECESSARY REPAIRS DUE TO FAILURE OF THE VEHICLE'S SPEEDOMETER GEAR SET FROR 9 YEARS FROM THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY START DATE WITH NO MILEAGE LIMITATION.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Power Train
Filed Dec 8, 2018187,356 milesSC

TRANSMISSION WON'T SHIFT PROPERLY. WHEN IT DOES SHIFT, IT SHIFTS HARD. OD LIGHT FLASHES. WAS DRIVING VEHICLE FROM WORK AND TOOK OFF FROM A COMPLETE STOP. THE CAR REVVED UP REAL HIGH BUT WOULDN'T SHIFT. MADE IT HOME, AND NOW VEHICLE WON'T MOVE.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Oct 20, 2010138,000 milesCA

THE 1994 MAZDA 626LX WITH A V-6 2.5L MOTOR HAS REQUIRED 3 TRANSMISSIONS IN THE 8 YEARS I HAVE OWNED THE CAR. THE WATER PUMP WENT OUT TWICE AND THE ALTERNATOR TWICE AS WELL. THIS LAST TIME THE TRANSMISSION FAILED, I WAS ON I-5 HEADING NORTH NEAR THE LOS BANOS TURNOFF WHEN IT JUST STARTED SLIPPING AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP ON THE FREEWAY. I AM VERY FRUSTRATED WITH THE DESIGN AND LONGEVITY OF MANY PARTS OF THIS VEHICLE. *TR

Power Train
Filed May 21, 201068,339 milesNJ

THE HOLD LIGHT IS CONTINUALLY FLASHING. THIS STARTED ON SUNDAY MAY 16, 2010. I CALLED MAZDA MAPLE SHADE MADE AN APPT. I TOOK THE CAR IN ON MAY 19TH AT 7:30 AM. I PICKED THE CAR UP ON MAY 20TH AT 7:30 AM AND AS I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AT 3 PM., THE PROBLEM HAS WORSEN. I CALLED MAZDA ON MAY 21TH AT 8 AM AND I AM WAITING FOR THEM TO RETURN MY CALL. IT IS NOW 10:24 AM. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jan 27, 2010220,000 milesUT

I PUCHASED A 1994 MAZDA 626 2.0L AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR THEY HAD TOLD ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD ALREADY BEEN REPLACED ONCE DUE TO FALURE. I DO NOT KNOW THE STORY OF HOW THE TRANSMISSION CAME TO FAIL ON THE PREVIOUS OWNER. NOW THAT I OWN IT THE CAR HAS STARTED TO SHIFT VERY HARD, AND RANDOMLY SHIFT DOWN FOR A SPLIT SECCOND AT CRUISING SPEEDS(NO CHANGE IN ACCELARATOR TRAVEL OR GRADE CHANGE). THE TRANSMISSION ALSO CAUSES A FLUCTUATION IN RPM'S IN CRUISING CONDITIONS FOR ABOUT 5 SECONDS. *CN

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 7, 2009149,500 milesTX

I PURCHASE A 1994 MAZDA 626LX AUTOMATIC SEDAN APPROXIMATELY 3 MONTHS AGO, FROM AN INDIVIDUAL HERE IN AUSTIN, TX. APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH AFTER OBTAINING, AND PUTTING NEW TIRES, NEW BRAKES AND A COMPLETE TUNE-UP, THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. AFTER DOING SOME FURTHER INVESTIGATION ON THE CAR, I FOUND OUT THAT THE TRANSMISSION(CDF4E) FOR THAT YEAR MODEL HAS GOTTEN A LOT OF COMPLAINTS. APPARENTLY, THE TRANSMISSION IS TO SMALL FOR THE 2.0 LITER ENGINE, AND BURNS UP AFTER SO MANY MILES OR LENGTH OF DRIVING. I CHECKED IT OUT ONLINE, AND THE SITE THAT I CHECKED GAVE A FAIRLY DECENT APPROVAL RATING OF THE VEHICLE. ANYHOW, THE VEHICLE, AS OF NOW, IS DISABLED AND RIGHT NOW, I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX IT. THE TRANSMISSION QUIT WORKING WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN I-35 AT 65MPH, IN A CONSTRUCTION ZONE. LUCKILY, I WAS GOING FAST ENOUGH TO COAST TO THE END OF THE CONSTRUCTION AREA, TO PARK ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD, SAFELY. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jan 14, 2009146,545 milesTX

I BOUGHT A 1994 USED MAZDA 626 LX A LITTLE OVER A MONTH AGO FOR $1600.00. AND I PUT ANOTHER $500.00 IN IT GETTING 2 NEW FRONT TIRES A COMPLETE TUNE UP, AND A COMPLETE BRAKE JOB. I TEST DROVE IT AND IT RAN FINE. I FOUND OUT LATER AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR IN A FEW DAYS WHILE GOING UP A STEEP HILL HERE IN AUSTIN, AND PUT IT IN D2 A LOWER GEAR, AND THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING. SO, AT THE TOP OF THE HILL, I PUT IT BACK IN DRIVE, AND IT WORKED OK. BUT SOMETIMES IS WOULD TAKE OFF VERY SLUGGISHLY AFTER WARMING UP. THE HOLD LIGHT STARTED FLASHING ALSO. I FIXED THE HOLD LIGHT PROBLEM, BUT 2 WEEKS LATER, GOING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE TRANSMISSION WENT COMPLETELY OUR, RIGHT AT A CONSTRUCTION ZONE, WITH THE CONCRETE BARRIER WALLS ON BOTH SIDES. SO FORTUNATELY, I MANAGED TO COAST ABOUT ANOTHER MILE TO THE END OF THE CONSTRUCTION ZONE AND OFF THE HIGHWAY, ONTO THE SHOULDER SAFELY. I HAVE JUST RECENTLY FOUND OUT HERE ONLINE ON THESE AUTO FORUMS, THAT THE 1994 MAZDA 626 LX AUTOMATIC IS A LEMON. LOT'S OF PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE CD4E FORD TRANSMISSION ON THE CAR. I HONESTLY CAN'T BELIEVE THERE HASN'T BEEN A RE-CALL ON THEM. I'VE ONLY HAD THE CAR A LITTLE OVER A MONTH, AND IM OUT OF AROUND $2100.00 DOLLARS ON IT. I HAVING A HARD TIME FINDING ANYONE AROUND HERE THAT WILL WORK ON IT, AT A FAIR PRICE. I COULD REPAIR IT MYSELF, WITH SOME HELP, BUT FROM WHAT I'VE READ, THE WHOLE CAR WAS A DESIGN FLAW, IN THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS ACTUALLY TO SMALL FOR THE 626 BODY, AND CAUSES THE TRANSAXLE T

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jul 15, 200890,000 milesNV

ROUGH TRANSMISSION SHIFTING THAT OCCURS ALMOST EVERY DAY WITH O/D LIGHT FLASHING. NO REPAIR SHOP IS ABLE TO FIND WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. LAST REPAIR SHOP CHARGED ME $800 TO REPLACE THE ENGINE MOUNTS BUT THAT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. ISSUE IS STILL ON GOING. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE 94 MAZDA 626 MODEL FOR THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE BUT I WAS NOT NOTIFIED. SEE THIS LINK FOR MORE INFO HTTP://WWW.DUSTBURY.COM/626/94SPEEDO.HTML. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed May 20, 2008102,000 milesFL

TRANSMISSION ON 1994 MAZDA HOLD LIGHT FLASHING. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 8, 2008200,000 milesTX

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Caliper
Filed Aug 22, 2007PA

REAR CALIPERS WILL NOT STOP SEIZING. TRIED USING REMAN'D AND NEW WITH THE SAME RESULTS. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jul 10, 2007201,652 milesMO

1994 MAZDA 626 AUTO TRANSMISSION FAILURE. KNOWN TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS BY MANUFACTURER RESULTING IN DEFECTIVE AUTO TRANSMISSIONS THAT FAIL PREMATURELY. ONLY SOLUTIONS ARE TOTAL TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT SOMETIMES ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THIS HAS BEEN ADDRESSED IN A TSB BY MAZDA, BUT NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE BY THEM TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jun 28, 2007100,000 milesOH

MAZDA 1994 100K MILES TRANSMISSION SHIFTS BADLY AND HOLD LIGHT BLINKS AND JUMPS LIKE A MONSTER WHEN SHIFTS GEARS. LOSES POWER.*AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed May 5, 2007120,900 milesKY

TRANSMISSION NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY. HIGH RPM RACING FOR PROLONGED PERIODS BETWEEN EACH GEAR SHIFT. TODAY, "HOLD" BUTTON STARTED FLASHING ON DISPLAY PANEL. *TR

Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash1 injured
Filed Apr 25, 2007103,696 milesCA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 MAZDA 626. THE VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATING AND A NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE BRAKES. THE MECHANIC DIDN'T CHECK THE OVERHEATING FAILURE. HOWEVER, STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A TERRIBLE VIBRATION. THE MECHANIC REBUILT THE FRONT END. AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED THE VEHICLE WOULD PULL FROM THE LEFT TO THE RIGHT, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DRIVE STRAIGHT , AND THE BRAKES WERE COMPLETELY DAMAGED. THE SECOND REPAIR SHOP STATED THAT THEY COULDN'T REPAIR THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE DAMAGES. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103696 ,AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,000. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED PRIOR TO THE MOST RECENT REPAIRS THE FOLLOWING SERVICES WERE PERFORMED: NEW RADIATOR, COMPLETE TRANSMISSION SERVICE, ENGINE TUNED, AND NEW TIRES. THE DEALER STATED STEERING GEAR DRIFTS DURING TURNS. UPDATED 06/26/07 *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Dec 18, 2006NY

REPETITIVE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURES ON MY 1994 MAZDA 626 ALREADY COST ME MANY THOUSANDS DOLLARS. HISTORY: DECEMBER 1992 - INITIAL TRANSMISSION ERROR CODES. AUTHORIZED MAZDA REPAIR SERVICE CHANGED TRANSMISSION FILTER AND FLUID. CODES WERE COMING BACK. INSTALLED EXTRA COOLER. MAY 1993 - TOTAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE; TRANNY REBUILT AT ST. JAMES TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP; WARRANTY 1 YEAR OR 12K MILES; MARCH 1995 - TRANSMISSION ERROR CODES BACK AND UNEXPLAINABLE FAILURES. TOOK IT TO LEE MYLES IN YONKERS - GAVE ME 2 YEARS WARRANTY. ON THE WAY HOME SIGNAL WAS BACK. SINCE THEN THE CAR WAS BACK IN THE STORE FOR MORE THAN 6 MONTHS. DURING THAT TIME LEE MYLES MANY TIMES OPEN AND REPAIRED TRANSMISSION TO FIX TR, INSTALLED ANOTHER EXTRA COOLER, REPLACED MY ORIGINAL RADIATOR, REPLACED MAIN ELECTRICAL WIRING SYSTEM AND MANY OTHER PARTS. I HAD ALSO MY ENGINE INSPECTED AND TUNED SEVERAL TIMES IN ANOTHER SHOPS, INCLUDING REPLACING OF FUEL PUMP, SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES, DISTRIBUTOR AND OTHER. HOWEVER TRANSMISSION WAS FAILING AGAIN AND AGAIN. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED AWAY BY LEE MYLES 3 TIMES AND I DROVE IT SEVERAL TIMES AT SLOW SPEED ON SIDE ROADS BACK TO THE LEE MYLES. FINALLY LEE MYLES BOUGHT ME A FACTORY REBUILD TRANSMISSION AND FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS EVERYTHING LOOKED NICE AGAIN. THEN AFTER 20 MILES OF DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED RPM STARTED TO GO UP AND THE ERROR CODE CAME BACK AGAIN. SINCE THEN I AM USING MY CAR ONLY VERY LOCALLY AND AFTER ABOUT $10,000 (YES 10K) SPENT ON TRANSMISSION REPAIRS AND CA

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Sep 25, 2006120,000 milesAZ

I HAVE A MAZDA 626 1994. ON 9/9/06 I CALLED BIDOLUPH MAZDA TO ASK ABOUT A RECALL ON MY TRANSMISSION FOR MY 94, 626. THEY SAID "SURE BRING IT DOWN WE WILL TAKE CARE OF EVERYTHING. ONCE I PAID $80 IN TOWING FEES. THE NEXT DAY THEY CALLED AND SAID THAT THE RECALL EXPIRED AND PROCEEDED TO CHARGE ME OVER $400 TO FIX THE RECALL. THEN ONE WEEK LATER THE TRANSMISSION FAILED COMPLETELY. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE BUSINESS RELATIONS. MAZDA IS NO GOOD. *JB

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Sep 25, 2006120,000 milesAZ

MY TRANSMISSION FAILED. *JB

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Sep 16, 200640,000 milesNY

TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT 6 YEARS AGO AT 40,000 MILES AND NEEDS REBUILD AGAIN AT 57,000 MILES .AN EXTERNAL COOLER WAS INSTALLED AFTER FIRST REBUILD AND CAR IS BABIED . ITS A FORD CD4E AND IT IS A LEMON. *JB

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jun 23, 2006128,000 milesNE

TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *NM

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 28, 200680,000 milesNC

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE TRANSMISSION OVERHEATS. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID SPILLS INTO A VENT IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT FOUND A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON THE VEHICLE THAT ADDRESSES THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THE BULLETIN NUMBER WAS NOT AVAILABLE. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE TO THE VEHICLE.

20 of 282 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1995
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20039010Routine
200287000Routine
2001188140Routine
2000217200Above average
1999318430Above average
1998434655Fatalities reported
1997358450Above average
1996359320Above average
1995488480Above average
1994 — this page282460Above average
1993122240Routine
199219100Routine
199162200Routine
199044220Routine

Compare every 626 year →

Reading this record

Complaint volume is well above typical for a single model year.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Oct 19, 2015. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.