1994 Mazda 626: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 282 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (62% of complaints); the 1992 and 1993 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 282 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Power Train · Dec 2018
“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”Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2010
“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”Owner report · Power Train · May 2010
Show 7 more owner reports
“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”Owner report · Power Train · Jan 2010
“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”Owner report · Power Train · Jul 2008
“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”Owner report · Power Train · Jul 2007
“Mazda 1994 100k miles transmission shifts badly and hold light blinks and jumps like a monster when shifts gears. Loses power.*ak”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2007
“Transmission not shifting properly. High rpm racing for prolonged periods between each gear shift. Today, "hold" button started flashing on display panel. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · May 2007
“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”Owner report · Power Train · Sep 2006
“Transmission hold light come on and off,will not operate in drive,reverse or any other gear. Trans seem to be over heating. Loud squeaking sounds like a fan belt. *nm”Owner report · Power Train · Jan 2006
When filing, owners marked a crash in 18 of these complaints and injuries in 16 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 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.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH LEVER.
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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1994 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 1994 Mazda 626 reliable?
NHTSA has 282 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 1994 Mazda 626. The most complained-about area is power train (62% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1994 Mazda 626 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 112,000 miles or less.
Does the 1994 Mazda 626 have open recalls?
4 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.