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NHTSA recalls & complaints · 1995–2003

Mazda 626 recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns and 2,458 owner complaints for the Mazda 626, covering model years 1995 to 2003. The 1995 model year drew the most complaints (488), and Power Train is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Mazda 626 VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 7 recall campaigns on file
  • 2,458 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 9 model years with data (1995–2003)
  • most complaints: 1995 (488 for that model year)
  • top component: Power Train (1,725 complaints)
  • latest recall 15V674000 (reported Oct 19, 2015)
  • 140 complaints reporting a crash (5.7%)
  • 29 complaints reporting a fire (1.2%)
  • 124 complaints reporting an injury (5.0%)
  • 2 complaints reporting a death (0.1%)

Mazda 626 complaints by model year

9 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 1995 model year has the most complaints: 488 of 2,458, or 19.9%. Next come 1998 (434) and 1996 (359). The fewest are for 2003, with 9 complaints.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
Mazda 626 owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 1995–2003Column chart of 2,458 complaints across 9 model years. The highest is 1995 with 488. The full figures are in the table below the chart.1995: 488 complaints48819951996: 359 complaints35919961997: 358 complaints35819971998: 434 complaints43419981999: 318 complaints31819992000: 217 complaints21720002001: 188 complaints18820012002: 87 complaints8720022003: 9 complaints92003
Mazda 626 complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Mazda 626 complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
1995488438360
1996359352301
1997358176220
1998434125111
199931811340
20002176060
2001188104110
2002876040
200390100
All model years2,458140291242

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Mazda 626 components

top 15 · NHTSA categories

Power Train is the component named most often, in 1,725 complaints (70.2% of all 2,458), followed by Engine and Engine Cooling (271) and Air Bags (193).

Components named most often in Mazda 626 complaints (top 15)
Components named most often in Mazda 626 complaints (top 15)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Power Train1,72570.2%
Engine and Engine Cooling27111.0%
Air Bags1937.9%
Electrical System1044.2%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic743.0%
Unknown or Other592.4%
Vehicle Speed Control532.2%
Equipment461.9%
Steering411.7%
Suspension401.6%
Tires351.4%
Seat Belts331.3%
Fuel System, Gasoline271.1%
Seats251.0%
Visibility220.9%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Mazda 626 recalls

7 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name 626, newest first. The 7 campaigns cover model years 1995 to 2000. The 1998 model year appears in the most campaigns (4).

  • 7 recall campaigns
Mazda 626 recall campaigns covering each model year
1995: 2 campaigns1996: 2 campaigns1997: 3 campaigns1998: 4 campaigns1999: 2 campaigns2000: 1 campaign
Highlighted: the model year with the most campaigns.

  1. NHTSA campaign 15V674000

    Reported

    Electrical System › Ignition › Switch

    Model years 1995–1998

    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.

    Consequence:
    If the ignition switch overheats there would be an increased risk of a fire.
    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.

    Filed by Mazda Motor Corp.

  2. NHTSA campaign 00V134000

    Reported

    Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine

    Model years 1998–1999

    Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. An external spring in the timing belt tensioner could break.

    Consequence:
    The broken spring may get caught in the timing belt, resulting possible engine stalling.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will check the tensioner installed and replace it if the vehicle is equipped with the affected tensioner.

    Filed by Mazda Motor Corp.

  3. NHTSA campaign 00V074000

    Reported

    Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder

    Model years 1999–2000

    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.

    Consequence:
    This condition could cause reduced brake efficiency, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will inspect the reservoir cap and replace it, if necessary.

    Filed by Mazda Motor Corp.

  4. NHTSA campaign 98V249000

    Reported

    Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module-Inactive

    Model years 1995–1997

    Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with the sas sensor unit. These vehicles can experience air bag deployments in minor undercarriage impacts.

    Consequence:
    Unexpected air bag deployment can result in occupant injury.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will reprogram the sas unit to reduce the probability of unnecessary deployments in low speed undercarriage impacts.

    Filed by Mazda Motor Corp.

  5. NHTSA campaign 98V243000

    Reported

    Equipment › Electrical › Radio/Tape Deck/CD ETC.

    Model year 1998

    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.

    Consequence:
    If the short circuit occurs at one specific set of terminals, the speaker can overheat and in some cases, catch fire.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will affix aluminum tape over the audio unit to prevent water from entering.

    Filed by Mazda Motor Corp.

  6. NHTSA campaign 98V206001

    Reported

    Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine

    Model year 1997

    Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. An external spring in the timing belt tensioner can break and get caught in the timing belt.

    Consequence:
    This condition can result in possible engine stalling.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will inspect the tensioner and replace it if necessary.

    Filed by Mazda Motor Corp.

  7. NHTSA campaign 97V228000

    Reported

    Fuel System, Gasoline › Fuel Injection System

    Model year 1998

    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.

    Consequence:
    This condition can result in an engine stall, which could lead to loss of vehicle control and/or a vehicle crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will reprogram the PCM with the correct engine control logic.

    Filed by Mazda Motor Corp.

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it; older campaigns, which NHTSA stores in capital letters, are shown in sentence case. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Mazda 626 questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Mazda 626 have?

NHTSA lists 7 vehicle recall campaigns for the Mazda 626, covering model years 1995 to 2003. The most recent, 15V674000, was reported on October 19, 2015 and is filed under “Electrical system”. The 1998 model year is covered by the most campaigns (4).

Which Mazda 626 model year has the most complaints?

The 1995 model year, with 488 of the 2,458 complaints in NHTSA’s file (19.9%). The next are 1998 (434) and 1996 (359). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Mazda 626 complaint?

Power Train is the component named most often: 1,725 complaints, or 70.2% of all 2,458. Engine and Engine Cooling (271) and Air Bags (193) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Mazda 626?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Mazda dealer.

How many Mazda 626 complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 2,458 complaints, 140 report a crash, 29 a fire, 124 at least one injury and 2 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other Mazda models

8 models · most complaints first

The Mazda models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Mazda VIN decoder with every Mazda model page, WMI code and VIN note.

  • Mazda 3 2004–2026 · 29 recalls · 2,983 complaints
  • Mazda CX-5 2012–2026 · 8 recalls · 2,443 complaints
  • Mazda 6 2002–2021 · 28 recalls · 2,234 complaints
  • Mazda Tribute 2000–2011 · 20 recalls · 2,102 complaints
  • Mazda CX-9 2007–2023 · 13 recalls · 1,487 complaints
  • Mazda CX-7 2007–2013 · 6 recalls · 1,131 complaints
  • Mazda Protege 1995–2003 · 6 recalls · 805 complaints
  • Mazda RX-8 2004–2011 · 14 recalls · 783 complaints

All Mazda models and WMI codesLook up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.