1993 Mazda 626: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 122 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (30% of complaints); the 1991 and 1992 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2015
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 122 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Speedometer quit working and I have a "hold" light blinking. From the statements on internet this is a common problem due to defective design by mazda. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2008
“Tl* the contact owned a 1993 mazda 626. While driving 60 mph, a driver in another vehicle notified the contact that the rear of the vehicle was on fire. The contact stopped the vehicle, pulled over, and exited without injuries. The vehicle burst into flames. The fire department extinguished the fire. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to a police lot. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2007
“I have a set of sigma shadow tires on my car made by tbc corporation. The tire tread separated from the tire while I was driving and damaged my rear bumper. I have ordered an new set of tires to replace the defective set of tires that are now on my car. The proper size for my car was not listed in the choices so I am listing the proper size here. The tire size 195/65 r14 not 215/60 r16.”Owner report · Tires · Jun 2007
Show 7 more owner reports
“The problem just occurred all of a sudden. From a stop light when the transmission shifted, it pushed the car forward to which I almost hit the car in front of me. Brought the car to a mechanic, tried to fix it but still the problem is there. *jb”Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2006
“Mazda 626 lx sliping gears, jurking, leaking transmission,transmission failer had transmission rebuilt still no good. *nm”Owner report · Power Train · Feb 2006
“1993 mazda 626-2.0 4cyl auto trans, 89000 miles. Bought car 9/28/05 for $2900.00, on 11/15/05, on highway, car starts bucking as the engine light flashed. I know that this is the beginning of the end for the transmission. Mazda, ford should be held responsible. Used car dealers, no doubt, know about these cars tranny problems, and should be required by law to inform a potential buyer of the past, present, and for sure, future problems regarding the transmissions in the mazda 626! They need to be held responsible! They should be forced to build a reliable auto trans and install them, free of any charges to the owners of 626 owners with (by no fault of their own) auto trans problems! *jb”Owner report · Power Train · Nov 2005
“Transmission started slipping on o/d. It has progressed to third gear now. A transmission overhaul is needed but will cost about $3,000.00. *ak”Owner report · Power Train · Feb 2005
“My mazda 626 transmission has failed several times and I had to replace it twice already and about to replace one again. The converter is going out and just purchases one about 6months ago it is going so fast. The old parts was replaced but this stragedy is occuring once more. *ak”Owner report · Equipment · Jun 2004
“626 mazda transmission failure. Once again a car company is completely ignoring many thousands of people who have early and premature problems with a product. And NHTSA does nothing. 30 minutes spent on the net would clearly show any one related to the automotive industry that mazda has been given a free pass on its responsibility. How many complaints do you need? *nlm”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2003
“I bought this car used and didn't research on it first. Big mistake. Had problems with transmission noise, slippage and/or gear shift hesitation, and engaging from park. Most mechanics won't even work on these because of frequent problems. Had to track on down, says transmission must be rebuilt, approx. Repair cost = $1500.00, wondering where I'm going to come up with that kind of money. *nlm”Owner report · Power Train · Apr 2003
When filing, owners marked a crash in 11 of these complaints and injuries in 9 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1993 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact 626 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1993 Mazda 626 reliable?
NHTSA has 122 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1993 Mazda 626. The most complained-about area is power train (30% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1993 Mazda 626 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 106,000 miles or less.
Does the 1993 Mazda 626 have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning electrical system:ignition:switch. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.