Owners filed 188 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the power train › automatic transmission. It has been recalled 1 time.
When it fails
07855278,552 milesMedian miles at failure
140 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 90,000–105,000 miles.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
121
0
0
0
Air Bags › Frontal
6
6
0
6
Power Train
5
0
0
0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
3
0
0
0
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Catalytic Convertor
3
0
0
0
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
3
0
0
0
Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
3
0
0
0
Electrical System
3
0
1
0
Air Bags
3
2
0
1
Unknown or Other
2
0
0
0
1 safety recall
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.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jul 9, 2019NC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MAZDA 626. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER FUEL WAS ADDED TO THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE SEIZED AND WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THE ENGINE WOULD OPERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS TAPPED. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE SPORADICALLY STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE IF ANY WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FLOW MAZDA OF GREENSBORO (1205 BRIDFORD PKWY, GREENSBORO, NC 27407, 336-299-1500), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Electrical SystemFire
Filed Jun 23, 2016140,000 milesIL
MY DAUGHTER WAS SITTING IN HER CAR WHEN SHE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE WIPER SWITCH AREA AND BLINKER AREA. THE SMOKE SMELLED LIKE BURNING PLASTIC. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION BY A MECHANIC, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS BAD, CAUSING THE STARTER TO STAY ENGAGED. THE BURNING SMELL WAS COMING FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. I CURRENTLY HAVE THE DEFECTIVE PART AS WELL AS THE RECEIPT FOR THE REPLACEMENT PART.
SteeringFire
Filed Apr 18, 2016LA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MAZDA 626. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, AND SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A TURN INTO A PARKING LOT, THE STEERING WHEEL EMITTED SMOKE AND BURST INTO FLAMES. THE POLICE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE, BUT DID NOT FILE A REPORT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPLACED THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Service Brakes
Filed Feb 16, 2015150,000 milesNC
OUR MAZDA 2001 TRIBUTE HAS BEEN LEAKING BRAKE FLUID AND MECHANIC SAID IT MAY BE SOMETHING WITH MASTER CYLINDER. AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET I FOUND MAZDA HAD A RECALL (#6712A) THAT COVERED 2001-2002 MODEL YEAR TRIBUTE SUVS FOR A FAULTY BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR CAP. WE CALLED MAZDA AND SPOKE TO A REP. KATRINA SAID "YOUR CAR DOES NOT QUALIFY BECAUSE YOU DO NOT HAVE ABS BRAKES". WHETHER WE HAVE ABS BRAKES OR NOT WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO HAVE OUR CAR CHECKED IN THIS RECALL FOR OUR SAFETY. WE SHOULD NOT BE EXCLUDED FROM THIS RECALL. PLEASE LET US KNOW WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE. *TR
Structure › Body
Filed Jan 5, 2015PA
I HAVE PUT SO MUCH MONEY IN THIS CAR. ALTERNATOR, TRANSMISSION, BRAKES, TIRES AND BALL JOINTS. NOW THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDS REPLACED, WIPER MOTOR AND QUARTER PANELS ARE ALL RUSTED OUT. I AM DISABLED AND THIS IS MY ONLY TRANSPORTATION. SHOULD ALL OF THIS SHOULD OF GONE WRONG? IT WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR EIGHT YEARS. *TR
Power Train
Filed Dec 7, 201483,201 milesMA
TRANSMISSION O/D LIGHTS FLASHING AND DOES NOT MOVE IN THE FIRST GEAR OR SHIFT TO SECOND EITHER HAS HAPPENED ON FREE WAY ALSO WHICH IS VERY DANGEROUS. MY WIFE DRIVES WITH KIDS. *TR
Power Train
Filed Sep 22, 201288,000 milesAE
THIS CAR STARTED HAVING DIFFICULTY WITH GOING INTO REVERSE. FORWARD IS BECOMING DIFFICULT ALSO. TWO DIFFERENT MECHANICS INDICATE THAT IT IS THE TRANSMISSION. THEY NOTE THAT CHANGING THE TRANSMISSION FLUID MAY GIVE TEMPORARY RELIEF BUT THE REAL PROBLEM IS I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. I LIVE AND WORK OVERSEAS ON A US ARMY MILITARY BASE SO TO EVEN CONSIDER BRINGING AN SPEC REBUILT TRANSMISSION OVER IS VERY EXPENSIVE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT WITH A REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION I WILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE HAD ALL PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE DONE ON THE COVER OVER THE YEARS AND TO HAVE THIS HAPPEN AT 88,000 MILES IS A FINANCIAL HARDSHIP. *TR
SteeringFire
Filed Sep 7, 2012125,000 milesDC
COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, WASHINGTON DC JUNE 19TH 2012, I WAS WITH MY MOTHER AND PARTNER PARKING IN FRONT OF GIANT SUPERMARKET RETURNING A MOVIE AT LOCAL REDBOX, WHILE WAITING FOR MY PARTNER, I TURNED OFF THE CAR, SITTING INSIDE NOTICED DENSE FUMES CAME FROM THE IGNITION, I REMOVED THE KEY AND FUMES STILL COMING OUT, WE STEP OUTSIDE THE CAR AND WE SAW SEVERAL SPARKS IN THE IGNITION, I CALLED IMMEDIATELY 911, SUDDENLY A BIG FLAME OF FIRE CAME FROM THE STEERING WHEEL, THE CAR WAS ON FIRE, WE WERE CLOSE TO THE ROOMS FROM A LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT, A MAN CAME WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND CALM THE FIRE AND FLAMES; FIRE TRUCK CAME LESS THAN 10 MINUTES LATER, BUT CAR WAS ALREADY DESTROYED. I HAVE PICTURES TO PROVE, PHONE CALLS AND WITNESS. *TR
Electrical System
Filed Jul 27, 201253,996 milesOR
TRAVELING IN CAR ON INTERSTATE IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE USING CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 70MPH. WAS COMING UP ON A CAR AND TAPPED THE BRAKE TO DISENGAGE CRUISE CONTROL AND THE CAR DID NOT DISENGAGE. I TRIED TO USE THE BRAKE AND IT WAS NOT WORKING AND WENT TO THE FLOOR. I COULD NOT SHUT THE CRUISE CONTROL OFF AT THE CONTROLS ON THE STEERING WHEEL EITHER. I QUICKLY SWERVED ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE FREEWAY TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. MY HUSBAND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND I EASED UP ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND WE CAME TO A SAFE STOP. AFTER INSPECTING THE CAR WE TURNED THE CAR BACK ON AND TESTED THE BRAKES AT SLOW SPEEDS ON THE SHOULDER AND THE BRAKES ENGAGED NORMALLY. MY HUSBAND FEELS THE CRUISE CONTROL STUCK AND THAT IS WHY WE COULD NOT STOP THE CAR WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL BUTTONS OR WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL. *TR
Power Train
Filed Feb 28, 2012158,000 milesAR
I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED A YEAR AGO THIS MONTH WHEN MY DAUGHTERS CAR ENGINE LOCKED UP. SHE WAS OUT OF STATE SO IT WAS A HURRY UP THING OVER THE PHONE. SHE DIDN'T REALIZE THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING IN FIRST GEAR, THOUGHT IT WAS CV JOINT. SHOP DIAGNOSED THE TRANSMISSION. THIS REALLY MAKES ME SOOO MAD AS THIS IS A NICE CAR. I THINK FORD SHOULD PAY TO REPLACE ALL THE TRANSMISSIONS IN THESE CARS. NOW I HAVE TO EITHER DUMP IT AT A LOSS OR PAY OUT ALOT TO GET TRANSMISSION REPAIRED . *TR
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Apr 12, 2011118,000 milesWA
THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2001 MAZDA 626 I4 HAS FAILED TWICE. THE FIRST TIME IT FAILED AT 118,000 MILES WHILE I WAS ACCELERATING FROM A STOP AT A INTERSECTION ALMOST CAUSING AN SERIOUS ACCIDENT WITH THE CARS BEHIND ME. AFTER HAVING THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT FOR 2K THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AGAIN AT 120,000 MILES WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP AT AN INTERSECTION ON A UPHILL SLANT AND ALMOST CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT WITH THE CARS BEHIND ME AS I BACKED THE CAR DOWN THE HILL TO THE CURBSIDE. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THESE HORRIBLE CD4E TRANSMISSIONS. I HAVE HAD THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT AGAIN AND THE CERTIFIED TRANSMISSION SHOP TELLS ME FORD HAS REDESIGNED THE DRUM FOR THESE TRANSMISSIONS (THE PART THAT FAILED BOTH TIMES) AND THEY ONLY RELEASE THEM 1 AT A TIME FROM THE FORD FACTORY TO TRANSMISSION SHOPS TO AVOID A RECALL ON THE PREVIOUS DESIGN WHICH FAILED ALL OF THEIR CD4E TRANSMISSIONS PREMATURELY. THIS IS VERY POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE ON FORDS PART AND THEY SHOULD STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT AND NOT HIDE FROM THEIR FAILURES WHILE STICKING IT TO THEIR COSTUMERS. I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER FORD PRODUCT AGAIN. *TR
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jan 14, 2011123,000 milesWA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MAZDA 626LX. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH WHEN THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP WITH SEVERE HESITATION. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY TWO DIFFERENT INDEPENDENT MECHANICS WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.
Power Train
Filed Oct 21, 201072,539 milesGA
I OWN A 2001 MAZDA 626. WHILE THE CAR IS 9 YEARS OLD, IT HAS ONLY 72,000 MILES ON IT. THE PROBLEM I'VE HAD WITH IT IS THAT THE SHIFTER CABLE KEEPS FAILING ON IT. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS AND POTENTIALLY FATAL THING THAT KEEPS HAPPENING. IT HAS FAILED 3 TIMES IN THE PAST 4 YEARS (2006-2010) AND SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING EVERY 20K-30K MILES. THE LAST TIME WAS LESS THAN A MONTH AGO AND JUST OVER A YEAR SINCE THE LAST FAILURE. EACH TIME, THE WARRANTY PERIOD HAS EXPIRED, SO I'M HAVING TO PAY HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS OUT OF POCKET TO GET THIS REPLACED. I'VE HAD IT DONE AT 3 DIFFERENT PLACES, INCLUDING A MAZDA DEALERSHIP. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A SERIOUS DEFECT IN THE SHIFTER CABLE PARTS/DESIGN, BUT, TO MY KNOWLEDGE, MAZDA HAS YET TO ACKNOWLEDGE IT. I'VE CONTACTED THEM TO NO AVAIL. MOST PEOPLE, MYSELF INCLUDED, HAVE CARS FOR YEARS AND YEARS AND WITH A LOT MORE MILEAGE, AND THE SHIFTER CABLE NEVER GOES OUT. MAZDA NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS DISGRACE. WHAT CAN I DO TO SEE JUSTICE SERVED? *TR
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 24, 2010108,000 milesNC
2001 MAZDA 626. TRANSMISSION SHIFTING CABLE FALLS OFF SHIFT LEVER ON TRANSMISSION. ONCE OCCURS, CAN NOT SHIFT OUT OF WHATEVER POSITION YOU ARE IN AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. MAZDA SELLS A NEW CABLE KIT WITH NEW/ADEQUATE CABLE TO TRANSMISSION CONNECTION DEVICE ($180). YOU CAN NOT JUST BUY THE CONNECTOR. MAZDA PARTS PERSON SAID, "WE SELL A LOT OF THESE" INDICATING NUMEROUS FAILURES FOR SAME CAUSE. BEING A MECHANICAL ENGINEER, I RESOLVED THE ISSUE WITH A AXLE NUT AS USED TO HOLD WHEELS ON A CHILD'S WAGON, ETC. *TR
MY 2001 626 (4 CYLINDER) TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT UNDER 81,000 MILES!!!! THE ONLY WARNING SIGN WAS IT WOULDN'T SHIFT INTO REVERSE ONE DAY, THEN BOOM, IT BARELY MOVED FORWARD AGAIN. I HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR AND I HAVE MOSTLY OWNED MAZDA'S SO IMAGINE MY SURPRISE AND DISAPPOINTMENT THAT IT HAPPENED JUST AFTER I LOST MY JOB. NOW I HAVE NO JOB, NO TRANSPORTATION AND NO MEANS TO GET A JOB WITHOUT IT. MAZDA APPARENTLY KNEW THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSIONS AND CHOSE TO DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. I WILL NEVER PURCHASE OR RECOMMEND A MAZDA EVER AGAIN! AS A RESULT OF YOUR BLATANT FAILURE TO INFORM YOUR CUSTOMERS YOU HAVE LOST AT LEAST ONE GOOD CUSTOMER FOREVER.
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 29, 2009144,000 milesID
THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 01 MAZDA 626 IS BROKEN. IT WON'T SHIFT FROM THIRD TO FOURTH GEAR. I KNOW THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH ALMOST EVERY 626 THAT HAS A CD4E TRANSMISSION. SO THE TRANSMISSION IS OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE. *TR
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 18, 200994,000 milesNJ
I OWN A 2001 MAZDA 626 4 CYL. MY CAR'S TRANSMISSION USUALLY RUNS IN THIRD GEAR ON LONG TRIPS AND DOESN'T SHIFT TO THE OVER DRIVE. ALSO, THERE IS A DELAY WHEN SHIFTING FROM SECOND TO THIRD AND FROM THIRD TO OVERDRIVE. IT WORKS FINE SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. THIS IS A REALLY ANNOYING THING COMING FROM THIS CAR. I ALREADY DID A TRANSMISSION FLUSH TO SOLVE THE ISSUE BUT IT WORKED FINE FOR JUST A COUPLE OF DAYS AND IT IS JUST AS IT WAS AT THE BEGINNING. I HOPE SOMEONE TAKES CARE OF THIS BECAUSE THERE IS A LOT OF DISAPPOINTED CUSTOMERS DUE TO THIS COMMON ISSUE IN THIS VEHICLE. *TR
Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 7, 2009128,000 milesWA
2001 MAZDA 626 4 CYLINDER AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE CAR WILL NOT DRIVE ANYMORE. AFTER DRIVING IT FOR A DISTANCE OF 60 MILES ONE DAY, I PARKED IT, TRIED TO START DRIVING IT AGAIN AND IT WOULDN'T GO. *TR
No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.
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.