2002 Mazda 626: problems, recalls and reliability
0 recalls and 87 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (77% of complaints).
Data updated weekly
0
recalls
87
owner complaints
0
fire reports
73,000
typical failure mileage, mi
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
No fire reportsNo recall campaignsWeak spot: power train (77%)
Common problems
Computed from 87 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
Power Train (transmission, axles, driveline)77% · 67 complaints
Electrical System (battery, wiring, electronics)3% · 3 complaints
Suspension (shocks, springs, ride quality)3% · 3 complaints
Air Bags (airbags and crash sensors)3% · 3 complaints
Seat Belts2% · 2 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling (engine, radiator, overheating)2% · 2 complaints
“The transmission has been replaced twice now. Even after we get it fixed it stills jerks and sounds like the engine is going to fall out. It has a terrible time shifting from 1st to 2nd and sometimes when you put it in reverse it jumps and sounds like it is going to fall out. My dad is 94 years old and needs this car to work. He doesn't need to go out and buy another one or spend another $1800 or so to get this one fixed. I have read a lot of complaints about this car and the transmission and I feel mazda needs to make it right.”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2017
“My car was driving fine and then one day as I was leaving work my car started acting as though it wanted to shut off. I made it all the way home and was going to go to the store and my car would not shift into gear I tried to add transmission fluids but it sounds not move.”Owner report · Power Train · Sep 2016
“Transmission jerks-hard kicking from first to second gear automatic transmision/defective transmision on this model no matter what I do to try to fix the problem.(fluid filter speed sensor etc)still has the same problem...this problem is well known on all the mazda vehicles with this type of transmission”Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2016
Show 7 more owner reports
“The car started to not want to crank it would crank sometimes then one day we went to the store then when we went to leave the store it finally just stopped trying to crank only making a clicking sound and while trying to crank it the steering column started smoking and almost caught on fire I believe it is the ignition switch”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2015
“On acceleration from being stopped the transmission would make a series of popping sounds. I took it to a mechanic and it was diagnosed to be a stretched drive chain in the transmission. Instances of high torque would cause the chain to skip past teeth, causing the popping noise. Due to the significant amount if problems that plague the cd4e transmission the entire unit was replaced. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Nov 2012
“Transmission making popping noises and lagging when making turns sounds horrible took to a mechanic he says he can fix it for 1700.00 the transmission is bad. At a little over a 100 thousand miles it shouldn't need replaced. Ford should have to fix it. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Sep 2012
“Transmission downshifted while driving on the freeway. While trying to maintain speed to exit the freeway, the engine started to overheat. As soon as I was able to pull into the local gas station parking spot, the engine died. The transmission appears to need a rebuild. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2010
“Auto transmission has constant problems with leaking and shifting. Tons of complaints online of problems with these cars. Why cant something be done about this like a recall? *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2010
“Transmission failed while on highway. Transmission failed at approximately 45,000 miles. Repair ended up costing approximately $3,000 for a rebuilt transmission. I had owned the car for about 2 years at time of transmission failure and had put less than 10,000 miles on it personally. Car was purchased used but in good condition. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2010
“Had transmission replaced in 2010 after hard shifting and skipping gears, same problem again started in september 2012. Should not be replacing a transmission every two years. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Apr 2010
When filing, owners marked a crash in 6 of these complaints and injuries in 6 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2002 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
Engines2.0L · 2.5L
Body stylesSedan/Saloon
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 2002 Mazda 626 reliable?
NHTSA has 87 owner complaints and 0 recall campaigns on record for the 2002 Mazda 626. The most complained-about area is power train (77% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2002 Mazda 626 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 73,000 miles or less.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.