1996 Mazda 626

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.

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.

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

Risk. 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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MAZDA 626. WHILE DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE SENSOR LIGHT SUDDENLY ILLUMINATED AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WIRE HARNESS WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE WIRE HARNESS WAS REPLACED. APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS LATER, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE HEAD GASKET MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MAZDA 626. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A PROGRESSING ELECTRICAL FAILURE AND UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VENT CONTROLS FAILED TO WORK FOR THE AIR CONDITIONER AND HEATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FOUR DIFFERENT INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOPS AND THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V674000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO RECEIVE THE PARTS FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER FOR MONTHS AND WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 05/10/16*LJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MAZDA 626. AFTER PLACING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED A FUEL ODOR UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF FOR A WHILE AND PROCEEDED TO TURN THE VEHICLE BACK ON WITH THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS ROLLED DOWN. THE CONTACT COULD NO LONGER SMELL THE FUEL ODOR AND A WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V674000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MAZDA 626. AFTER REFUELING THE VEHICLE, A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL EMITTED OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO FUEL VISIBLE ON THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DISCOVERED THAT THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK EXHIBITED A THREE INCH CRACK. THE MECHANIC WOULD NEED TO FIND A NEW FUEL TANK FOR THE REPLACEMENT. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE AIR INTAKE VALVE AND RADIATOR WERE FAULTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,000.

THREE INCH CRACK IN TOP OF RULE TANK ,SEAT BELTS BROKE AND SLOW TO ROLE BACK UP AND PLASTIC PARTS USED IN DOOR OPENING MECHANISM BROKE. *TR

I SMELLED GAS WHENEVER I WOULD GET GAS FOR THE CAR OR SPEED UP THE CAR. SO I TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC AND HE SAID IT WAS SOME SORT OF A PROBLEM WITH THE GAS TANK. I NEED TO KNOW WHAT IT IS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MAZDA 626. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE SHIFTER WAS IN THE PARK POSITION AND POWERED ON, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY EXPERIENCED AN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND CRASHED INTO A BRICK PILLAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED AN INJURED BACK THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 213,365.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MAZDA 626. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING FROM A DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS STATED THE TORQUE CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. *TR

1996 MAZDA 626 O/D LIGHT FLASHING AND TRANSMISSION NOT SHIFTING. *TR

AIRBAGS DEPLOYED IN MY 1996 MAZDA 626. WITHOUT ANY REASON, WHILE DRIVING. CAUSING SCRAPES AND BRUISING, AND THE WINDSHIELD TO CRACK. *TR

HI I HAVE A 1996 MAZDA 626 LX AND THE O/D LIGHT JUST WENT OFF AT 176,000 MILES. I READ SEVERAL FORUMS ONLINE AND THEY ALL SAID ITS MOST LIKELY A AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM IN THE TRANSMISSION. THIS CAN B VERY DANGEROUS TO US DRIVERS AS WELL AS DRIVERS NEXT TO US ON THE ROAD. I ADVICE TO PLEASE HAVE MAZDA RECALL ALL MODELS WITH THIS PROBLEM AND REIMBURSE US OR FIX OUR TRANSMISSIONS AT NO COST. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR READING MY POST. *TR

HI I HAVE A 1996 MAZDA 626 LX AND THE O/D LIGHT JUST WENT OFF AT 167,000 MILES. I READ SEVERAL FORUMS ONLINE AND THEY ALL SAID ITS MOST LIKELY A AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM IN THE TRANSMISSION. THIS CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS TO US DRIVERS AS WELL AS DRIVERS NEXT TO US ON THE ROAD. I ADVICE TO PLEASE HAVE MAZDA RECALL ALL MODELS WITH THIS PROBLEM AND REIMBURSE US OR FIX OUR TRANSMISSIONS AT NO COST. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR READING MY POST. *TR

THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN MY 1996 MAZDA 626 FAILED. AS I DID RESEARCH I FOUND THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED ONCE BEFORE WITH A PREVIOUS OWNER. FURTHER RESEARCH HAS SHOWN ME THAT THE "CD4E" TRANSMISSION IN MY CAR IS A "KNOWN" DEFECTIVE PART AMONG OWNERS OF THIS PARTICULAR CAR. I ONLY HAD ENOUGH MONEY TO HAVE IT REPLACED WITH A USED TRANSMISSION THAT WAS THE SAME "CD4E" AND CAN ONLY HOPE THAT THIS ONE WILL HOLD UP FOR AWHILE. THE TOTAL COST WAS ABOUT $1200 AND I STILL HAVE THE OLD TRANSMISSION JUST IN CASE I NEED TO HAVE IT REBUILT. THIS PARTICULAR TRANSMISSION IS VERY HARD TO FIND DUE TO ITS UNRELIABILITY, MEANING THEY ARE IN GREAT DEMAND BECAUSE THEY FAIL FREQUENTLY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR

SECOND TIME AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED!!! *TR

THE O/D OFF LIGHT ON VEHICLE FLASHES. I NOW UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT IS KNOWN TO MAZDA. MAZDA SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND RECALL THE TRANSMISSION IN THESE VEHICLES. THIS VEHICLE IS USED BY MY KIDS FOR TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM SCHOOL. THEY ARE AT RISK. *TR

MAZDA 626 1996, OD-OFF BLINKING, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. *TR

TRANSMISSION SEAL LEAKING. *TR

TRANSMISSION FAILED ON 1996 MAZDA 626. REPLACED WITH USED TRANSMISSION THAT ALSO FAILED WITHIN 3 MONTHS. *TR

I PURCHASED MY 626 IN 2003. I WISH I WOULD HAVE DONE RESEARCH BEFOREHAND. I INSTALLED A TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER THE SAME WEEK. I'M ALSO RELIGIOUS ABOUT CHANGING THE FLUID. I ONLY DRIVE IN TOWN, LESS THAN 10 MILES PER DAY. MY O/D LIGHT STARTED BLINKING AS I WAS DRIVING AT 25 MPH. I STOPPED AT A LIGHT TO MAKE A TURN AND MY CAR WOULD NOT DRIVE. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT ALLOW THE CAR TO MOVE FORWARD. I SHUT THE CAR OFF HOPING THAT WHEN I STARTED IT AGAIN THAT IT WOULD GO. THANKFULLY IT WENT THIS TIME AND I MADE IT HOME. THE LIGHT HAS BLINKED BEFORE BUT ALWAYS TURNED OFF, NOW ITS ON STEADILY. I HAVE BEEN FEELING THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING VERY FREQUENTLY OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS. WITH ALL THE PROBLEMS, WHY IS THERE NOT A RECALL? *TR

THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 96 MAZDA 626 JUST STARTED ACTING UP ONE DAY IT WILL WORK FINE UNTIL IT WARMS UP THEN IT STARTS SLIPPING BADLY EVENTUALLY ACTING LIKE ITS IN NEUTRAL. I HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING BUT CHANGED THE FLUID YET BUT IM SURE ILL HAVE TO. THE PERSON I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND HE HAD IT REBUILT NOW ITS DOING IT AGAIN. I GOOGLED MY PROBLEM AND IT SEEMS LIKE ITS VERY COMMON. THANK YOU WILLIAM EHORN. *TR