1990 Mazda 626 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1990 Mazda 626, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Seat belts1325.5%
- Engine815.7%
- Body & structure59.8%
- Interior & seats59.8%
- Transmission47.8%
- Electrical47.8%
- Visibility47.8%
- Brakes35.9%
- Driver assistance23.9%
- Suspension12.0%
- Steering12.0%
- Fuel system12.0%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT FAILS TO MOVE TO PROPER POSITION. *AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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).
WIPER BLADE FAILED. YH
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
DOOR LOCK NO LONGER WORKS. DRIVER COULD FALL OUT OF CAR.
POWER DOOR LOCKS NO LONGER FUNCTION FROM THE MAIN DRIVERS DOOR LOCK, TAPE DECK DIED WITH AT TAPE INSIDE, REAR DRIVERS SIDE PASSENGER DOOR LATCH CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE USING THE HANDLE-MUST BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE, BACKUP LIGHT/LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS WILL NOT WORK REGARDLESS OF BULBS..WIRING IS DEAD, TRANSMISSION SLIPPED FROM DRIVE SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY INTO NEUTRAL, JUST DIED ENTIRELY AFTER BEING PARKED. TRANSMISSION WILL NO LONGER ENGAGE..NOT A FLUID ISSUE. ALSO HAVE HAD MULTIPLE THERMOSTAT FAILURES IN THE WINTER RESULTING IN NO HEAT. REPLACE THIS ABOUT EVERY 2 YEARS ON AVERAGE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
NO DESCRIPTION GIVEN. NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
POWER DOOR LOCKS NO LONGER FUNCTION FROM THE MAIN DRIVERS DOOR LOCK, TAPE DECK DIED WITH AT TAPE INSIDE, REAR DRIVERS SIDE PASSENGER DOOR LATCH CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE USING THE HANDLE-MUST BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE, BACKUP LIGHT/LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS WILL NOT WORK REGARDLESS OF BULBS..WIRING IS DEAD, TRANSMISSION SLIPPED FROM DRIVE SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY INTO NEUTRAL, JUST DIED ENTIRELY AFTER BEING PARKED. TRANSMISSION WILL NO LONGER ENGAGE..NOT A FLUID ISSUE. ALSO HAVE HAD MULTIPLE THERMOSTAT FAILURES IN THE WINTER RESULTING IN NO HEAT. REPLACE THIS ABOUT EVERY 2 YEARS ON AVERAGE.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHORTED OUT, CAUSING SEAT BELTS/RADIO/ POWER DOOR LOCKS/HEADLIGHTS TO FAIL. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
WIPER BLADE FAILED. YH
THE DOOR LATCH HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE UNDER RECALL. HANDLE BROKE AGAIN. ALSO, WHILE ROLLING THE WINDOW DOWN, THE DOOR OPENED. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE TRAVELING ON AN INCLINE OR MOUNTAIN BRAKES ARE TOO WEAK TO STOP VEHICLE. ALSO, IN ORDER TO STOP VEHICLE THE CONSUMER MOST RIDE ON THE BRAKES. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER HAS REPLACED THE BRAKE DRUMS AND OTHER ADDITIONAL PARTS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
FRONT BRAKES FAILED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD WHILE TRYING TO PARK VEHICLE. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR AND THE SEAT BELT FAIL HIT HER HEAD ON THE REAR VIEW MIRROR AND TWO IMPACT ON THE STEERING . TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
FUEL PUMP HAS BEEN REPLACED ON THIS VEHICLE (3) TIMES IN THE PAST (3) MONTHS. THE 4TH REPLACEMENT IS ON ORDER. A SERVICE BULLETIN HAS BEEN ISSUED ON THIS VEHICLE, STATING THAT THE ROD IN THE FUEL PUMP IS TOO SMALL FOR ITS OPENING. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .