RoadVitals

1989 Mazda 626

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
42
Latest Jan 8, 2006
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Oct 29, 1993
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
2
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
5

Overview

Our database contains 42 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1989 Mazda 626, most frequently naming the seat belts, transmission and engine categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 5 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Seat belts1225.0%
  • Transmission1122.9%
  • Engine612.5%
  • Body & structure510.4%
  • Driver assistance36.3%
  • Brakes24.2%
  • Exterior lighting24.2%
  • Tires & wheels24.2%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
93V174000

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

Oct 29, 1993
244,000 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: INADVERTENT ACTUATION OF THE DOOR LATCH CAUSES THE DOORTO OPEN UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN OCCUPANT FALLING OUT OF THEVEHICLE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DOOR HANDLE/LATCH ASSEMBLY.
MAZDA (NORTH AMERICA),INCView on NHTSA.gov
93E035000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:DRUM

Oct 13, 1993
300 units potentially affected
The defect: THE GROOVE FOR THE REAR WHEEL BEARING RETAINER RING WAS INCORRECTLY MACHINED.
The risk: IF THE RETAINING RING DOES NOT SIT CORRECTLY IN THEGROOVE, THE AXLE LUG NUTS WILL BREAK, CAUSING THE BRAKE DRUM, WHEEL, AND TIREASSEMBLY TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.
The remedy: MIDAS SHOPS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE DRUMS WITH OTHER BRAKE DRUMS FROM ANOTHER SUPPLIER.
MIDAS INTERNATIONAL CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA92031ClosedEngineering Analysis

INADVERTENT DOOR OPENING

Opened Sep 25, 1992
Closed Nov 30, 1993

There is no summary currently available

STRUCTURELed to recall 93V174000
PE91088ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

THROTTLE STICKING

Opened Jun 18, 1991
Closed Oct 21, 1991

There is no summary currently available

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 42
Transmission
Filed Jan 8, 2006

MAZDA 626 TRANSMISSION FAILURE, TWO TRANSMISSIONS PUT INTO A CAR WITH LESS THAN 150,000 MILES. NOW DEAD BUT MONEY OWED ON CAR. HOW CAN YOU KEEP GETTING THESE COMPLAINTS AND NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT? *JB

NHTSA ID
10147203
Incident
Jan 3, 2006
Mileage
60,000 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 21, 2002

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
767544
Incident
Sep 11, 2002
Engine
Filed Sep 21, 2002

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
767543
Tires & wheels
Filed Oct 12, 2000

THE FIRESTONE FIREHAWK SS10 P195/60R15 TIRES ON THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED BULGES UNDER THE TREAD WHICH CAUSED VIBRATION WHILE DRIVING, ORIGINALLY REPORTED (ODI# 732737). *MJS

NHTSA ID
556066
Tires & wheels
Filed Sep 28, 2000

THE TIRE HAS NOT COMPLETELY FAILED. IT HAS A LONGITUDINAL BULGE ON THE TREAD THAT GOES ABOUT A QUARTER OF THE WAY AROUND THE TIRE. *AK (TIRESIZE: P195/60R15)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P195/60R15 )

NHTSA ID
732737
Incident
Sep 28, 2000
Body & structure
Filed Jul 11, 2000

CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER IN REFERENCE TO RECALL NUMBER 93V174000/ DOOR OUTSIDE HANDLE. DEALER CORRECTED THE RECALL. CONSUMER CURRENTLY IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE RECALL REPAIRS. WHEN LOWERING THE WINDOW, DOOR UNEXPECTEDLY OPENS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

NHTSA ID
865156
Driver assistance
Filed Jul 7, 1999
Crash reported

TRAVELING S. ON I93 WITH CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED AT SPEED LIMIT. EXIT AT #42 & TAPPED BRAKE TO DISENGAGE SPEED CONTROL. NO RESPONSE! CAR CONTINUED UP RAMP TOWARDS 5 PM TRAFFIC. BRAKES DID NOT AFFECT SPEED AS CONTROLL STILL ENGAGED. TURNED OFF IGNITION JUST BEFORE ENTERING RT 302 INTERSECTION, ATTEMPTING TO AVOID HITTING OTHER VEHICLES. STRUCK MEDIUN SIDEWAYS, CAR ALSO HIT I93 SIGN. STOPPED AT END OF MEDIAN. *AK

NHTSA ID
708336
Incident
Jul 2, 1999
Driver assistance
Filed Apr 6, 1999
Crash reported

GAS PEDAL GOT STUCK, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SUDDENLY AND QUICKLY SURGE AND LUNGE. CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES, BUT VEHICLE DID NOT STOP, RESULTING IN VEHICLE RUNNING THROUGH THE GARAGE. *AK

NHTSA ID
836523

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

97102302097

STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS

PRE-PAINTING PREPARATIONS FOR FRONT AND REAR BUMPERS. *YC

008/97

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

USE OF A/C TRACER DYE. *TW

007/97T

AIR BAGS

PARTS REPLACEMENT AFTER AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. *TW

001/97G

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

MAINTENANCE FREE BATTERY - DIAGNOSTIC AND CHARGING PROCEDURE. *TW

003/97G

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS

WIPER MOTOR INOPERATIVE - CIRCUIT BREAKER ACTIVATION. *TW

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Mazda 626 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2003900—
2002870037.2
20011881044.0
20002172046.6
19993184050.3
19984346156.8
19973584260.8
19963593464.6
19954884465.9
19942824260.1
19931222156.5
1992191043.6
1991622258.2
1990442254.8
1989Viewing422257.9
1988456361.1
1987291152.6
1986162151.1
1985600—
1984300—
1983200—
1982020—
1981020—
1980020—
1979020—
1978000—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.