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.
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.
4
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported
Overview
Our database contains 44 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1990 Mazda 626, most frequently naming the seat belts, engine and body & structure categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 14 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.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
Monthly complaints peaked at 3 in Jan 1995. Most recent month: 1.View as table
Monthly owner complaints for the 1990 Mazda 626
Month
Complaints filed
Cumulative
Jan 1995
3
3
Mar 1995
3
6
Apr 1995
2
8
May 1995
2
10
Jun 1995
2
12
Jul 1995
2
14
Aug 1995
2
16
Sep 1995
2
18
Oct 1995
1
19
Jan 1996
1
20
Feb 1996
1
21
May 1996
1
22
Oct 1996
3
25
Mar 1997
1
26
Jul 1997
1
27
Aug 1997
1
28
Nov 1997
1
29
Mar 1998
1
30
Aug 1998
1
31
Aug 1999
1
32
Sep 1999
1
33
Oct 1999
1
34
Jan 2000
2
36
Jul 2000
1
37
Nov 2000
1
38
Jan 2001
1
39
Apr 2001
1
40
Apr 2002
1
41
Jan 2003
1
42
Dec 2004
1
43
Sep 2005
1
44
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
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.
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.
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.
I WAS DRIVING AROUND A 25 MPH CORNER WHEN MY BACK END STARTED SLIDING,I TRIED TO CORRECT IT BY TURNING STEERING WHEEL TO THE OPPISITE DIRECTION,BUT IT JUST KEPT SLIDING AND I ENDED UP CRASHING INTO AN EMBANKMENT.ABOUT A YEAR LATER MY HUSBAND WAS ROUNDING SAME CORNER AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO HIM.WE BOTH WERE DOING THE SPEED LIMIT AT THE TIME OF BOTH ACCIDENTS.
NHTSA ID
10135155
Incident
Sep 2, 2004
Driver assistanceTransmission
Filed Dec 18, 2004
I BOUGHT A 1990 MAZDA 626 ABOUT A YEAR AGO. IT HAS AN ATX. RECENTLY THE CAR WOULD ONLY DRIVE IN ONE GEAR. I TOOK IT TO A BUDDY OF MINE THAT OWNS A TRANSMISSION SHOP. HE RAN A DIAGNOSTIC AND SAID THE CAR NEEDED A NEW VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR AND PROBABLY A NEW TRANSMISSION. I PURCHASED A NEW SPEED SENSOR THAT GOES BEHIND THE SPEEDOMETER, AND NOW THE "HOLD" BUTTON FLASHES. ACCORDING TO SOME RESEARCH I'VE DONE THIS MEANS THAT I NEED A NEW TRANNY. I CAN'T GET THE CAR INTO REVERSE OR INTO NEUTRAL. AND THE CAR WILL ONLY GO IN THIRD GEAR. *JB
NHTSA ID
10104058
Incident
Jun 7, 2004
Mileage
121,416 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jan 30, 2003
THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE/LOCK WAS DEFECTIVE. THIS CAUSED THE DOOR TO OPEN (EVEN IF LOCK) WHEN THE PASSENGER ROLLED THE WINDOW DOWN. THIS PROBLEM WAS REPAIRED ONCE UNDER RECALL (93V-174000). MAZDA STATED THAT SINCE THEY REPAIRED IT ONCE THEY ARE NOT LEGALLY OBLIGATED TO REPAIR IT AGAIN. *TS *NLM
NHTSA ID
10005963
Incident
Jan 30, 2003
Transmission
Filed Apr 18, 2002
NO DESCRIPTION GIVEN. NLM
NHTSA ID
760851
Incident
Mar 26, 2002
Body & structure
Filed Apr 12, 2001
PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN AT ALL. THERE IS A DEFECT INSIDE OF DOOR. ALSO, WILL NOT OPEN WITH OR WITHOUT KEYS . DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
NHTSA ID
885788
Incident
Apr 11, 2001
Engine
Filed Jan 10, 2001
I RECENTLY HAD A FAILURE/LEAK WITH MY RADIATOR. I HAVE NEVER HAD AN ACCIDENT WITH MY VEHICLE. YET, THIS IS THE SECOND MECHANIC TO TELL ME MY CAR WAS IN SOME KIND OF AN ACCIDENT. MY MAZDA WAS SOLD TO ME AS BRAND NEW BY THE DEALERSHIP. HOW AND WHERE DO I SEARCH TO DETERMINE IF MY VEHICLE HAD IN FACT BEEN PREVIOUSLY OWNED AND IN AN ACCIDENT? IF RECORDS OF SUCH HAVE BEEN DESTROYED IS THERE ANOTHER WAY TO GO ABOUT FINDING OUT INFORMATION ON WHAT I BELIEVE TO BE A WILLFUL MISREPRESENTATION? THANK YOU, [XXX]. *AK PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA ID
739187
Incident
Dec 20, 2000
Seat belts
Filed Nov 17, 2000
AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT FAILS TO MOVE TO PROPER POSITION. *AK
NHTSA ID
736448
Seat belts
Filed Jul 4, 2000
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ID
724911
Incident
Jan 15, 2000
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
In support of the new MRT distribution, Mazda will ship to dealers a new Dual Purpose Diagnostic Leak Detector beginning March, 2019. Training videos will be posted to MGSS shortly and Workshop Manual procedures will be revised gradually.
09-009-19-3566
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer. NOTE: Tampering with a motor vehicle odometer is strictly prohibited by Federal, and State laws. It is the dealer's responsibility to comply with Federal, State, and local laws concerning odometer and related documentation requirements when providing a repair or replacement. Mazda vehicles are manufactured with tamper-proof speedometers. When a speedometer is replaced, the new speedometer will read zero (0) miles. This procedure is extremely important to accurately represent actual vehicle mileage. Prior to speedometer removal, complete the information required on the "Speedometer Replacement Label". Labels can only be ordered through Mazda eStore. In an effort to achieve a higher level of Customer Experience and retain the value of Mazda's vehicles, MNAO Warranty Operations is allowing all Mazda dealers to utilize a third party, SPECMO Enterprises, Inc., for Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) odometer setting service. With the use of SPECMO's services, it is possible that the odometer will be set between 10 to 31 miles over the odometer mileage at the time of replacement for both warranty and customer pay repairs. Please make sure that the customer is aware that there may be a slight variance to the odometer, in which case the customer may have to accept the slightly higher mileage. Since odometer setting service is not part of the warranty repair, it is not warrantable nor required, but optional. However, Mazda Warranty policy provides after-warranty assistance (AWA) or DSA that can be utilized to cover this service expense.
09-034-18-3430a
EQUIPMENT; VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer. NOTE: Tampering with a motor vehicle odometer is strictly prohibited by Federal, and State laws. It is the dealer's responsibility to comply with Federal, State, and local laws concerning odometer and related documentation requirements when providing a repair or replacement. Mazda vehicles are manufactured with tamper-proof speedometers. When a speedometer is replaced, the new speedometer will read zero (0) miles. This procedure is extremely important to accurately represent actual vehicle mileage. Prior to speedometer removal, complete the information required on the "Speedometer Replacement Label". Labels can only be ordered through Mazda eStore. In an effort to achieve a higher level of Customer Experience and retain the value of Mazda's vehicles, MNAO Warranty Operations is allowing all Mazda dealers to utilize a third party, SPECMO Enterprises, Inc., for Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) odometer setting service. With the use of SPECMO's services, it is possible that the odometer will be set between 10 to 31 miles over the odometer mileage at the time of replacement for both warranty and customer pay repairs. Please make sure that the customer is aware that there may be a slight variance to the odometer, in which case the customer may have to accept the slightly higher mileage. Since odometer setting service is not part of the warranty repair, it is not warrantable nor required, but optional. However, Mazda Warranty policy provides after- warranty assistance (AWA) or DSA that can be utilized to cover this service expense.
09-034-18-3430
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer. NOTE: Tampering with a motor vehicle odometer is strictly prohibited by Federal, and State laws. It is the dealer's responsibility to comply with Federal, State, and local laws concerning odometer and related documentation requirements when providing a repair or replacement. Mazda vehicles are manufactured with tamper-proof speedometers. When a speedometer is replaced, the new speedometer will read zero (0) miles. This procedure is extremely important to accurately represent actual vehicle mileage. Prior to speedometer removal, complete the information required on the "Speedometer Replacement Label". Labels can only be ordered through Mazda eStore. In an effort to achieve a higher level of Customer Experience and retain the value of Mazda's vehicles, MNAO Warranty Operations is allowing all Mazda dealers to utilize a third party, SPECMO Enterprises, Inc., for Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) odometer setting service. With the use of SPECMO's services, it is possible that the odometer will be set between 10 to 31 miles over the odometer mileage at the time of replacement for both warranty and customer pay repairs. Please make sure that the customer is aware that there may be a slight variance to the odometer, in which case the customer may have to accept the slightly higher mileage. Since odometer setting service is not part of the warranty repair, it is not warrantable nor required, but optional. However, Mazda Warranty policy provides after-warranty assistance (AWA) or DSA that can be utilized to cover this service expense.
In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer. NOTE: Tampering with a motor vehicle odometer is strictly prohibited by Federal, and State laws. It is the dealer?s responsibility to comply with Federal, State, and local laws concerning odometerand related documentation requirements when providing a repair or replacement. Mazda vehicles are manufactured with tamper-proof speedometers. When a speedometer is replaced, the new speedometer will read zero (0) miles. This procedure is extremely important to accurately represent actual vehicle mileage. Prior to speedometer removal, complete the information required on the ?SpeedometerReplacement Label?.Labels can only be ordered through Mazda eStore. In an effort to achieve a higher level of Customer Experience and retain the value of Mazda?s vehicles, MNAO Warranty Operations is allowing all Mazda dealers to utilize a third party, SPECMO Enterprises, Inc., for Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) odometer setting service.With the use of SPECMO?s services, a Mazda dealer can get the odometer setting updated to reflect the correct mileage at the time of replacement for both warranty and customer pay repairs, therefore resulting in a higher level of customer satisfaction. Since odometer setting service is not part of the warranty repair, it is not warrantable nor required, but optional. However, Mazda Warranty policy provides after- warranty assistance (AWA) or DSA that can be utilized to cover this service expense.
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
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.