2000 Mazda 626: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 217 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (69% of complaints); the 2002 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2005
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 217 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Nov 2016
“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”Owner report · Engine · Oct 2014
“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”Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2013
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2013
“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”Owner report · Power Train · Jan 2012
“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”Owner report · Power Train · Sep 2011
“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”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Apr 2010
“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”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 2010
“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”Owner report · Power Train · Jan 2010
“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”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2009
When filing, owners marked a crash in 6 of these complaints and injuries in 7 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 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. 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.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2000 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 2000 Mazda 626 reliable?
NHTSA has 217 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2000 Mazda 626. The most complained-about area is power train (69% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2000 Mazda 626 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 81,600 miles or less.
Does the 2000 Mazda 626 have open recalls?
2 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.