2000 Mazda 626

Above average

Owners filed 217 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the power train › automatic transmission. It has been recalled 2 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
81,200 milesMedian miles at failure

146 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,00075,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Power Train › Automatic Transmission138
000
Power Train7
000
Air Bags › Frontal5
201
Suspension4
201
Power Train › Manual Transmission4
002
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch4
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System4
000
Vehicle Speed Control3
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic3
101
Fuel/Propulsion System3
000

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
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.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder00V074000
Filed Mar 7, 200071,000 vehiclesMazda North American Operations

Defect. 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.

Risk. 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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Engine
Filed May 7, 201844,825 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MAZDA 626. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL ODOR OF FUEL INSIDE THE CABIN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (PERRY FORD, 440 HITCHCOCK WAY, SANTA BARBARA, CA 93105 (805) 682-2411), BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,825. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Aug 18, 2017CA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MAZDA 626. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, A STRONG FUEL ODOR WAS DETECTED IN THE VEHICLE. THE ODOR WOULD DISAPPEAR SEVERAL MINUTES AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PERRY FORD OF SANTA BARBARA (440 HITCHCOCK WAY, SANTA BARBARA, CA 93105 (877) 318-8239) SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE YEARS, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FUEL ODOR COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ODOR STARTED AT LEAST SIX MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN.

Power Train
Filed Aug 14, 2017185,000 milesMD

TRANSMISSION FAILURE. CAR IS PARKED, AND WON'T GO INTO GEAR. SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL CAR.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Nov 7, 2016159,000 milesVA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MAZDA 626. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEADLAMPS FAILED TO REMAIN ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 159,000.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Dec 11, 201539,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MAZDA 626. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THERE WAS A FUEL ODOR THAT EMITTED IN AND AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE WINDOWS WERE OPENED WHEN DRIVING IN ORDER TO AVOID THE STRONG FUEL ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SEVERAL DEALERS WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed May 24, 201583,000 milesSC

AUTOMOBILE DEALER, LIBERTY PONTIAC GMC, 9028, E. INDEPENDENCE BLVD, MATHEWS, NC 28105, 704-708-8000. FINANCE COMPANY, AUTO CREDIT OF CHARLOTTE, 4410 INDEPENDENCE, CHARLOTTE, NC 28206, 704-569-9444. ACCOUNT#CH441545 THE SALVAGE TITLE NADA NOT REGISTERED AT PURCHASE $12,172.27 APRIL 2004 CONTRACT BY STATE FARM INSURANCE COMPANY CLAIM NUMBER 33-6907-951, CAR SOLD ABOVE INTEREST RATE AND SUBJECT TO RECALL. THE PAID OUT BUYER CONTRACT OFFER TO DEALER WAS MADE AUGUST 2005 IN CONSIDERATION OF LEGAL INTEREST RATE, DEALER ACCEPTED CAR RETURN. THE SURRENDER OF CERTIFICATES OF INSURANCE DURING THE RETURN RESERVED FOR THE MADZA CANCEL POLICY WAS NOT CONVERTED BY INSURANCE STATE FARM TO THE CASH OUT VALUE #0538774A1433C AND 0414232A1133A. THE NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE REQUESTED STATE FARM INSURANCE TO ADJUST THE CLAIM TO THE BUYER $7,495.00 AND EXEMPTIONS. STATE FARM INSURANCE ABATED. RECALL AND CLAIM AMOUNT $7,495.00.

Engine
Filed Nov 12, 2014150,000 milesTX

WHILE COMMUTING, THE CAR STOPPED SHIFTING. TOOK IT TO MECHANIC--THEY FIXED A LEAK IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID-- CAR WAS THEN SHIFTING HARD, TOOK TO TRANSMISSION SHOP--THEY DIAGNOSED TWO PROBLEMS THAT CAUSED THE LEAK. THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT EFFECTIVELY PUSHING THE FLUID THROUGH THE SYSTEM, AND WAS VERY DANGEROUS ON THE ROAD WHEN IT STOPPED SHIFTING. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Apr 3, 201430,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MAZDA 626. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A GARAGE, THE ODOR OF GASOLINE FUEL WAS PRESENT INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. UPDATED 06/27/14*LJ UPDATED 07/3/2014 *JS

Power Train
Filed Aug 12, 2013167,000 milesMO

DRIVING IN THE HIGHWAY BUT ABRUPTLY IT SLOWED DOWN AND CAN'T SPEED UP WHILE I WAS IN THE TRAFFIC, IT WAS ALMOST BUMPED TO STOP, TERRIFYING TRUCKS WERE CHASING BEHIND ME. THIS IS A TRANSMISSION FAILURE. TERRIBLE, AND A BIG SAFETY ISSUE TOO. *TR

Power Train
Filed Jul 18, 2013107,000 milesPA

PURCHASED USED MAZDA 262, YEAR 2000, THAT HAPPENED TO HAVE ORIGINAL KNOWN-FAULTY CD4E. CAR NOW INOPERABLE AFTER LESS THAN A THOUSAND MILES AFTER LEAVING THE LOT. OCCASIONAL ACCEPTABLE OPERATION, INTERSPERSED WITH TRANSMISSION SLIPPING/LOSING GEAR/NO POWER, NEARLY CAUSED A REAR-END ACCIDENT GOING UPHILL ON FREEWAY. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jun 23, 2013117,000 milesOK

TRANSMISSION OVERHEATED ON THE FREEWAY, BLEW OUT TEMPERATURE GAUGE AND NO LONGER SHIFTED AFTER THAT. SPEED SENSOR STOPPED WORKING. HAD TO GET REBUILT TRANSMISSION AND TRANSMISSION COOLER AND SEVERAL OTHER PARTS REPLACED. THE REPAIR ONLY LASTED 6 MONTHS BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AGAIN. IT JUST SLIPPED GEARS AND STOPPED SHIFTING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Apr 30, 2012WA

D&M AUTOBROKERS SOLD ME A "DEATH TRAP" VEHICLE THAT COULD NOT PASS DEQ EMISSIONS TESTING. MULTIPLE THINGS KEPT GOING WRONG, AND THE DEALERSHIP HAD MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO FIX THE ISSUES. EVENTUALLY, ALL THE ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE AND THE NUMEROUS LIES I WAS BEING FED WERE TOO OVERWHELMING, I GAVE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND MADE A DEAL WITH GOLD ACCEPTANCE FINANCE COMPANY AS WELL AS THE DEALERSHIP D&M AUTOBROKERS FOR D&M AUTOBROKERS TO PURCHASE THE LOAN BACK FROM GOLD ACCEPTANCE AND PAY IT OFF IN FULL. THIS AGREEMENT WAS WRITTEN AND SIGNED AS WELL AS A VERBAL AGREEMENT AND UNDERSTANDING. THE DEALERSHIP MADE ONE PAYMENT THAT INITIALLY PAID OFF HALF OF THE BALANCE OF THE LOAN, AND THEN DECIDED TO NOT PAY THE LOAN OFF IN FULL AT ALL, OR SEND A SINGLE PAYMENT. MY CREDIT IS NOW IN THE DANGER ZONE, THEY STILL HAVE AT LEAST $3000 OWED ON THE LOAN, AND THEY ARE NOW CLAIMING THEIR OUT OF BUSINESS. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO ALL THE CREDIT BUREAU'S AS WELL AS THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. GOLD ACCEPTANCE HAS BEEN SO WONDERFUL IN LEADING ME IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AS WELL AS PROVIDING HELP TO GET THIS TAKEN CARE OF. I DO NEED THIS COMPLAINT TO GO THROUGH. THIS DEALERSHIP HAS PAR-TAKEN A ROLE IN MY UNEMPLOYMENT, AS WELL AS ENDANGERING MY DAUGHTERS AND MY LIFE, AS WELL AS HORRIFY MY CREDIT. I AM REQUESTING D&M AUTOBROKERS LLC, BE REQUESTED AND MADE TO PAY THIS LOAN OFF, AS WELL AS ALL NEGATIVE MARKS BE REMOVED FROM MY CREDIT. PLEASE CONTACT ME @ [XXX] THANK YOU. *JS INFORMATION REDACTED P

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed May 24, 2010130,000 milesAL

PARTS INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION BROKE ON MY 2000 MAZDA 626 2.0L. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Apr 1, 201077,900 milesTX

I HAVE A CONCERN WITH THE TRANSMISSION'S ON THE MAZDA 626 TRANSMISSION STYLE CD4E. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE (INTERNET SEARCHED) WHO HAVE THESE VEHICLES AND HAVE BEEN PLACED IN DIRE STRAITS AS I AM. I WAS TRAVELING DOWN THE FREEWAY AT 65 MPH AND FROM OUT OF NOWHERE, MY OD STOPPED FUNCTIONING AND LEFT THE CAR'S TRANNY SLIPPING OUT OF 4TH GEAR SEARCHING FOR A LOWER GEAR AS IT THREW THE FLASHING "OD LIGHT OFF" INDICATOR LIGHT. I HAD A WOMAN SWERVE BEHIND ME AS I HAD TOTAL LOSS OF POWER AND TRYING TO GET MY CAR TO GRASP ANY GEAR. ONCE I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND STOPPED, THE OD LIGHT STOPPED FLASHING AND MY VEHICLE WAS LEFT IN A "LIMP HOME" MODE WHERE I COULD NOT GET OVER 45MPH. I HAD THE TRANNY REBUILT TO THE TUNE OF 1500.00 AND GUESS WHAT? I GOT INTO THE CAR TO DO HIGHWAY TRAVEL ONE WEEK LATER, AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN. I HAVE READ THAT I AM BY FAR THE ONLY PERSON THIS HAS HAPPENED TO. THIS IS A 2000 MODEL. MY BROTHER BOUGHT IT IN 2002. HE HAS MAINTAINED THE VEHICLE FOR THE LAST 7.5 YEARS AND I HAVE HAD IT FOR 6 MONTHS NOW. THE MILES ARE 76K, ONLY! SOMEONE NEEDS TO HAVE MAZDA FIX THIS ISSUE. THIS IS REDICULOUS AND THIE IS BY FAR A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. THE SURGING AND SEARCHING THE 4TH GEAR DOES IS VERY HARD, JERKY AND SURGING. ANYONE RIGHT ON YOUR BUTT IN TRAFFIC IS GOING TO SLAM INTO ONE OF THESE VEHICLES. THERE IS ALSO A TSB FOR THIS AS WELL......BUT MAZDA HAS OFFERED NO AMENDS TO THIS SITUAUTION WHEN I CALLED THE CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE. THEY SAID THEY WERE UNAWARE

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 16, 201040,000 milesCA

WE HAVE MAZDA 626 4CYL, 2000 YR., AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION IN OUR MAZDA ALWAYS HESITATES TO SHIFT UP AND REVS UP TO VERY HIGH RPMS EVENTHOUGH THE ACCELERATION IS GRADUAL. THERE IS ALSO QUITE A BIT OF NOISE IN THE CAR COMING FROM ENGINE WHEN I AM MERGING ON A FREEWAY. THE TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO BE STUCK IN A LOWER GEAR. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER IN 2002. HOWEVER, THE SAME PROBLEM REMAINS TO THIS DAY. SOMETIMES, WHEN THE CAR IS COLD, JUST WHEN YOU START IT IN THE MORNING, FOR EXAMPLE, THE CAR ACCELERATES SUDDENLY AND I ALMOST HIT MY OTHER CAR IN A GARAGE. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 8, 2010100,000 milesMD

I HAVE A 2000 MAZDA 626 AND THE TRANSMISSION IS HORRIBLE. WELL, WAS BECAUSE I HAD TO REPLACE IT. INSTEAD OF MY CAR GOING IN REVERSE WHEN I PUT IT IN REVERSE IT WENT FORWARD. MY OVERDRIVE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON AND BLINKING AND THE CODE WAS ALWAYS THE TEMPERATURE HIGH DUE TO HIGHWAY DRIVING. IF THIS TRANSMISSION WASN'T MEANT FOR HIGHWAY DRIVING IT SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN UTILIZED. LUCKILY I DIDN'T GET INTO AN ACCIDENT WITH THE CARE. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 2, 201012 milesSC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MAZDA 626. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO START. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A HISTORY OF PROBLEMS. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO PURCHASE A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 53,296. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Feb 21, 2010128,000 milesMN

MAZDA 1996 626 AND A MAZDA 2000 626. BOTH 4 CYL AND BOTH AUTOMATICS, AND BOTH HAVING TO HAVE TRANSMISSIONS REPLACED. LEAVES YOU STRANDED ON THE ROAD, AND CAUSES BAD SHIFTS IN SPEED BEFORE YOU STOP GOING FORWARD COMPLETELY. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 15, 201090,000 milesAZ

I HAVE A 2000 MAZDA 626 WITH THE CD4E FORD TRANSMISSION AND I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION FOR ABOUT 3 YEARS NOW. I HAVE DONE NUMEROUS RESEARCH AND TOOK IT TO MANY SHOPS AND HAVE COME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THIS TRANSMISSION IS TRASH. THIS TRANSMISSION WAR POORLY BUILT AND THEY NEED TO RECALL THIS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. MAZDA AND FORD SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE BAD ENGINEERING THAT HAS COST THOUSANDS OF DRIVERS PROBLEMS AND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN REPAIRS. SOMEONE NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE AND A RECALL NEEDS TO BE DONE. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Oct 24, 2009OH

I BOUGHT A 2000 MAZDA 626 LX FROM A NEIGHBOR, AND WITH ONLY 95K ON THE ODOMETER, THE CAR BEGAN SHIFTING ROUGH. IT DIDN'T SEEM TO CAUSE MUCH OF A PROBLEM AND I CONTINUED TO PROVIDE GENERAL MAINTENANCE FOR THE CAR. HOWEVER, I ALMOST NEVER TRAVELED OUTSIDE OF A 20 MILE RADIUS WITH THE VEHICLE. ONCE I DID TRAVEL ABOUT 40 MILES AWAY, THE TRANSMISSION BROKE DOWN AND REFUSED TO ENTER INTO DRIVE, BUT ONLY THE LOWER GEARS. AS I SEARCHED THE INTERNET FOR SIMILAR PROBLEMS, IT BECAME READILY APPARENT THAT A TRANSMISSION FAILURE WAS COMMON FOR THE MAZDA 626 MODEL. I AM NOW FACED WITH REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION AT A COST OF $2,000 PLUS. *TR

20 of 217 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1995
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20039010Routine
200287000Routine
2001188140Routine
2000 — this page217200Above average
1999318430Above average
1998434655Fatalities reported
1997358450Above average
1996359320Above average
1995488480Above average
1994282460Above 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 5, 2005. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.