US vehicle recalls and complaint patterns, explained

Mazda 626 recall history and complaint patterns

Comprehensive recall and complaint data for the Mazda 626, sourced from official National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) records.

Last updated: (NHTSA data snapshot)

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At a Glance

Total Recalls 37
Total Complaints 3877
Years Covered 1979–2003

Stats focus on model years from 1960 onwards. Earlier years appear in the detailed table below where data exists.

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Important: This assistant provides context from aggregated NHTSA data. Always check your specific VIN on NHTSA.gov for vehicle-specific recall information.

Key Takeaways

A quick scan of where recalls and complaints concentrate for the Mazda 626, based on aggregated NHTSA counts and campaign metadata.

Recall Themes

Instead of listing long campaign narratives, this groups recall campaigns into a few recurring areas. Each theme links back to official notices as evidence.

Electrical

3 campaigns · Years: 1986–1987, 1993–1998

These campaigns relate to wiring or electrical components that can cause warning lights, loss of function, or fire risk in some cases.

Official notices (evidence):

Other

3 campaigns · Years: 1986, 1988

These campaigns do not fit a single dominant theme, or the component taxonomy is broad.

Official notices (evidence):

Brakes

2 campaigns · Years: 1988, 1999–2000

These campaigns relate to braking system components that can affect stopping performance or warning behavior.

Official notices (evidence):
  • 00V074000 · Service brakes, hydraulic: Master cylinder
  • 87V196000 · Service brakes, hydraulic: Shoes/linings

Engine and cooling

2 campaigns · Years: 1997–1999

These campaigns relate to engine or cooling components where failures can lead to stalling or overheating risk.

Official notices (evidence):

Fuel and emissions

2 campaigns · Years: 1988, 1998

These campaigns relate to fuel delivery or emissions components where leaks or failures can raise safety risk.

Official notices (evidence):

Seats and restraints

2 campaigns · Years: 1979–1982, 1988

These campaigns relate to seats, belts, airbags restraint integration, or child restraint anchoring components.

Official notices (evidence):

Airbags

1 campaign · Years: 1995–1997

These campaigns relate to airbag system components and deployment/airbag readiness issues.

Official notices (evidence):
  • 98V249000 · Air bags: Sensor/control module-inactive

Steering and suspension

1 campaign · Years: 1979–1982

These campaigns relate to steering or suspension components that can affect vehicle control or stability.

Official notices (evidence):

Most Reported Issues

Across all model years, the most frequently reported areas for the Mazda 626 in NHTSA complaint data are Power train:automatic transmission, Air bags:frontal, Engine and engine cooling:engine.

Jump to Model Year

Year-by-Year Overview

Each row shows how often this model appears in NHTSA recalls and consumer complaints for a given model year. These are counts of campaigns and complaints, not risk predictions.

Model Year Recalls Complaints Details
2003 0 9 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Air bags, Engine and engine cooling:engine, Electrical system.
2002 0 99 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Power train:automatic transmission, Power train, Electrical system.
2001 0 235 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Power train:automatic transmission, Air bags:frontal, Engine and engine cooling.
2000 1 280 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Power train:automatic transmission, Power train, Suspension.
1999 2 372 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Power train:automatic transmission, Engine and engine cooling:engine, Engine and engine cooling.
1998 4 499 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Power train:automatic transmission, Engine and engine cooling:engine, Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline:belts and associated pulleys.
1997 3 451 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Power train:automatic transmission, Air bags:frontal, Engine and engine cooling:engine.
1996 2 426 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Power train:automatic transmission, Air bags:frontal, Air bags.
1995 2 587 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Power train:automatic transmission, Air bags:frontal, Air bags.
1994 2 353 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Power train:automatic transmission, Electrical system:ignition, Air bags:frontal.
1993 1 202 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Power train:automatic transmission, Engine and engine cooling:engine, Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
1992 0 24 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Seat belts, Power train:automatic transmission, Suspension:front:macpherson strut.
1991 1 99 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Seat belts, Power train:automatic transmission, Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch.
1990 1 62 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Seat belts, Engine and engine cooling:engine, Power train:automatic transmission.
1989 1 48 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Power train:automatic transmission, Seat belts, Structure:body:door.
1988 6 58 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Seat belts, Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch, Seat belts:front:retractor.
1987 1 40 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system:ignition:switch, Electrical system:ignition, Seat belts:front:retractor.
1986 2 20 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system:ignition, Electrical system:ignition:switch, Seat belts:front:buckle assembly.
1985 0 7 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system:ignition, Fuel system, gasoline:carburetor system, Seat belts:front:buckle assembly.
1984 0 4 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Fuel system, gasoline:delivery, Parking brake:conventional:mechanical:linkage and cable, Seats.
1983 0 2 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Seat belts:front:webbing, Parking brake:conventional:mechanical:linkage and cable.
1982 2 0 Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1981 2 0 Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1980 2 0 Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1979 2 0 Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.

What to Do Next

Check Your VIN on NHTSA.gov

Recall Evidence by Year

A compact evidence view of recall campaigns that include this model. The default text is an original summary line, with official notice text available on demand.

Most common areas involved: Electrical system , Seat belts and Structure

Show recall evidence by year

2000

  • Service brakes, hydraulic: Master cylinder: Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (00V074000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: 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, th

1999

  • Service brakes, hydraulic: Master cylinder: Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (00V074000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: 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, th
  • Engine and engine cooling: Safety recall involving the engine and engine cooling area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (00V134000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. An external spring in the timing belt tensioner could break.

1998

  • Engine and engine cooling: Safety recall involving the engine and engine cooling area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (00V134000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. An external spring in the timing belt tensioner could break.
  • Electrical system: Switch: Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (15V674000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: 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
  • Fuel system, gasoline: Fuel injection system: Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (97V228000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Due to a programming error, the powertrain control module (pcm) installed can, under certain driving conditions, trigger a shift in air-fuel ratio to an overlean condition.
  • Equipment: Radio/tape deck/cd etc.: Safety recall involving the equipment area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (98V243000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Vehicle description: if the vehicle is operated in a hot, humid environment with the window open and air conditioner running, it is possible for condensation to enter the audio unit and cause a short circuit.

1997

  • Electrical system: Switch: Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (15V674000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: 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
  • Engine and engine cooling: Safety recall involving the engine and engine cooling area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (98V206001) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. An external spring in the timing belt tensioner can break and get caught in the timing belt.
  • Air bags: Sensor/control module-inactive: Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (98V249000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with the sas sensor unit. These vehicles can experience air bag deployments in minor undercarriage impacts.

1996

  • Electrical system: Switch: Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (15V674000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: 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
  • Air bags: Sensor/control module-inactive: Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (98V249000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with the sas sensor unit. These vehicles can experience air bag deployments in minor undercarriage impacts.

1995

  • Electrical system: Switch: Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (15V674000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: 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
  • Air bags: Sensor/control module-inactive: Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (98V249000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with the sas sensor unit. These vehicles can experience air bag deployments in minor undercarriage impacts.

1994

  • Electrical system: Switch: Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (15V674000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: 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
  • Exterior lighting: Switch: Safety recall involving the exterior lighting area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (99V358000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: 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.

1993

  • Electrical system: Switch: Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (15V674000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: 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

1991

  • Structure: Door: Safety recall involving the structure area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (93V174000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Resin molded front handles fail at the door latch actuating rod attachment, freeing the rod to fall inside the door frame. Subsequent lowering of the associated window may force the actuating rod downward and release the door latch.

1990

  • Structure: Door: Safety recall involving the structure area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (93V174000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Resin molded front handles fail at the door latch actuating rod attachment, freeing the rod to fall inside the door frame. Subsequent lowering of the associated window may force the actuating rod downward and release the door latch.

1989

  • Structure: Door: Safety recall involving the structure area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (93V174000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Resin molded front handles fail at the door latch actuating rod attachment, freeing the rod to fall inside the door frame. Subsequent lowering of the associated window may force the actuating rod downward and release the door latch.

1988

  • Vehicle speed control: Linkages: Safety recall involving the vehicle speed control area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (87V149000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Floor mat could interfere with release of accelerator pedal due to improper shape of mat.
  • Fuel system, gasoline: Tank assembly: Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (87V186000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Fuel tank fixing band retention is not sufficient, allowing the band to rub against the fuel tank by vehicle vibrations.
  • Service brakes, hydraulic: Shoes/linings: Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (87V196000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Vehicles equipped with rear brake drums transported by train may experience separation of the brake shoe from the wheel brake cylinder piston.
  • Vehicle speed control: Accelerator pedal: Safety recall involving the vehicle speed control area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (88V022000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: At ambient temperatures below 0 degree f, frost may accumulate within the throttle body under extended constant speed operation.
  • Seat belts: Safety recall involving the seat belts area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (88V063000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: The drive spring that drives the automatic belt may break.
  • Structure: Door: Safety recall involving the structure area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (93V174000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Resin molded front handles fail at the door latch actuating rod attachment, freeing the rod to fall inside the door frame. Subsequent lowering of the associated window may force the actuating rod downward and release the door latch.

1987

  • Electrical system: Ignition: Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (90V118000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Ignition switch terminal may malfunction.

1986

  • Vehicle speed control: Safety recall involving the vehicle speed control area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (86V042000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: The throttle angle sensor on the carburetor may contain a nylon rotor which has not been heat treated. Rotors that have not been heat treated contract in the presence of heat causing the throttle mechanism to stick. Consequence of defect: this may cause the throttle to stick in the open position
  • Electrical system: Ignition: Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (90V118000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Ignition switch terminal may malfunction.

1982

  • Seat belts: Anchorage: Safety recall involving the seat belts area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (83V052000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Anchorage bolt may have been improperly reinstalled after vehicle repair. The bolt could loosen during normal vehicle operation.
  • Steering: Safety recall involving the steering area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (85V108000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: In certain high salt areas, the idler arm is exposed to road salt which causes the dust seal to deteriorate resulting in idler arm pin corrosion. This causes the pin to freeze and break. Consequence of defect: a broken idler arm pin could result in loss of steering control and may cause an accide

1981

  • Seat belts: Anchorage: Safety recall involving the seat belts area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (83V052000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Anchorage bolt may have been improperly reinstalled after vehicle repair. The bolt could loosen during normal vehicle operation.
  • Steering: Safety recall involving the steering area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (85V108000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: In certain high salt areas, the idler arm is exposed to road salt which causes the dust seal to deteriorate resulting in idler arm pin corrosion. This causes the pin to freeze and break. Consequence of defect: a broken idler arm pin could result in loss of steering control and may cause an accide

1980

  • Seat belts: Anchorage: Safety recall involving the seat belts area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (83V052000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Anchorage bolt may have been improperly reinstalled after vehicle repair. The bolt could loosen during normal vehicle operation.
  • Steering: Safety recall involving the steering area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (85V108000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: In certain high salt areas, the idler arm is exposed to road salt which causes the dust seal to deteriorate resulting in idler arm pin corrosion. This causes the pin to freeze and break. Consequence of defect: a broken idler arm pin could result in loss of steering control and may cause an accide

1979

  • Seat belts: Anchorage: Safety recall involving the seat belts area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (83V052000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Anchorage bolt may have been improperly reinstalled after vehicle repair. The bolt could loosen during normal vehicle operation.
  • Steering: Safety recall involving the steering area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (85V108000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: In certain high salt areas, the idler arm is exposed to road salt which causes the dust seal to deteriorate resulting in idler arm pin corrosion. This causes the pin to freeze and break. Consequence of defect: a broken idler arm pin could result in loss of steering control and may cause an accide

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⚠️ Important Safety Information

Recall Explained provides independent analysis of official NHTSA data. This site does not replace the official NHTSA VIN lookup and should not be treated as legal or safety advice for your specific vehicle.

For any safety concerns: Always check your VIN on the official NHTSA site and contact an authorized dealer.

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