1999 Mazda 626: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 318 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (71% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 318 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 mazda 626. The contact stated that the key was extremely difficult to turn over to start the vehicle. In addition, the failure was progressing to the point that the vehicle may not start intermittently. The vehicle was not inspected or diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 12,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2016
“The transmission started acting up which is apparently a known issue by mazda that the transmission will malfunction causing the transmission to go bad. This bs with it cost my wife her job”Owner report · Power Train · Nov 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 mazda 626. The contact stated that the ignition switch failed causing the instrumental panel wires to catch on fire. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who advised that the fire initiated due to a ignition switch failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 15v674000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was 156,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2015
Show 7 more owner reports
“Catastrophic jerking of the transmission while accelerating causing extremely slow acceleration and dangerous conditions in heavy traffic. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2012
“When engaging the ignition switch to start the vehicle, smoke comes from the steering column, I must immediately turn off the contact position. This problem occurs seconds after the ignition switch is engaged.”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2011
“Someone hit me from behind due to my break cause the car would not stop & the transmittion went out on the car & I also had other problems to with the car”Owner report · Engine · Sep 2011
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 mazda 626. The contact stated hat the overdrive warning light illuminated sporadically, causing the vehicle to shift from fourth to second gear. As a result, the transmission was destroyed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was advised that the overdrive failure ruined the motor and that the transmission would need replacing. The failure and current mileages were 105,000. Updated 10/28/11*lj”Owner report · Power Train · Sep 2011
“When engaging ignition switch to start vehicle, smoke comes up from the steering column. Have to immediately turn off switch. This problem started 2011. Vehicle is in storage at this time.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2011
“Ignition switch is defected. After starting the vehicle, only for a few moments, smoke begin to flow from the steering column and I must immediately disengage the the key from the ignition position.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · May 2011
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 mazda 626. The contact was driving 65 mph when the gears became stuck, the vehicle decelerated and the rpms increase greatly. The vehicle was towed to a local repair shop where it was diagnosed that the transmission was defective and would need to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted who did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 113,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Apr 2011
When filing, owners marked a crash in 11 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
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. AN EXTERNAL SPRING IN THE TIMING BELT TENSIONER COULD BREAK.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL CHECK THE TENSIONER INSTALLED AND REPLACE IT IF THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH THE AFFECTED TENSIONER.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE RESERVOIR CAP AND REPLACE IT, IF NECESSARY.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1999 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 1999 Mazda 626 reliable?
NHTSA has 318 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 1999 Mazda 626. The most complained-about area is power train (71% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1999 Mazda 626 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 81,160 miles or less.
Does the 1999 Mazda 626 have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline. 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.