RoadVitals

1996 Mazda 626 Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints 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.
10
Latest Jun 21, 2016
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
3%
of 359 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1996 Mazda 626 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 10 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming electrical

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

ElectricalEngine
Filed Jun 21, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MAZDA 626. WHILE DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE SENSOR LIGHT SUDDENLY ILLUMINATED AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WIRE HARNESS WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE WIRE HARNESS WAS REPLACED. APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS LATER, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE HEAD GASKET MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000.

NHTSA ID
10875499
Incident
Apr 1, 2015
Mileage
165,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 16, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MAZDA 626. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A PROGRESSING ELECTRICAL FAILURE AND UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VENT CONTROLS FAILED TO WORK FOR THE AIR CONDITIONER AND HEATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FOUR DIFFERENT INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOPS AND THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V674000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO RECEIVE THE PARTS FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER FOR MONTHS AND WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 05/10/16*LJ

NHTSA ID
10850053
Incident
Dec 10, 2015
Electrical
Filed Dec 30, 2003

THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE JERKED A LOT. SHE ALSO STATED THAT HER OVERDRIVE LIGHT FLASHED ON AND OFF. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER/MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE HAD AN ELECTRICAL WIRING PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER IS AFRAID SHE MAY HAVE AN ACCIDENT. *NM

NHTSA ID
10052163
Incident
Dec 30, 2003
Electrical
Filed Jul 10, 2003

INTERMITTENTLY (IN LOW GEAR, MANUAL SHIFT), AS I PULL THE CAR TO THE LEFT (ONLY), TO PARK OR TURN A CORNER, THE CAR DIES. THE INCIDENT DATE BELOW DENOTES THE LATEST INCIDENT.NOT CERTAIN OF EXACT DATA OF PURCHASE FROM 128 MAZDA, BUT WEB SITE DEMANDED A SPECIFIC DAY SO, TO SATISFY IT, I ENTERED IN AUGUST 7. *AK

NHTSA ID
10025793
Incident
Jul 5, 2003
Electrical
Filed Apr 9, 2002

WHILE DRIVING BATTERY CABLE FELL OFF, CAUSING ENTIRE VEHICLE TO SHUT DOWN.*AK

NHTSA ID
8007174
Incident
Mar 15, 2002
ElectricalInterior & seatsExterior lighting
Filed Nov 8, 1999

THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS AND THE TAIL LIGHTS ARE INOPERATIVE, WHICH MAY RESULT VISUAL DIFFICULTY. OWNER'S MANUAL STATED TO REPLACE THE FUSE. THE OCCUPANT REPLACE THE FUSE, BUT PROBLEM STILL OCCURRING. DEALER SAID THAT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH NEEDS TO BE REPLACED MANUFACTURER WAS WILLING TO PAY HALF OF THE BILL. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ID
852654
Incident
Nov 4, 1999
ElectricalEngineTransmission
Filed Jan 6, 1999

TRANSMISSION FAILURE.

NHTSA ID
781785
Incident
Oct 2, 1998
Driver assistanceElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Oct 27, 1997

TRANSMISSION SEAL FAILED.

NHTSA ID
604685
Incident
Apr 1, 1996
ElectricalVisibility
Filed Aug 8, 1996

WHEN LOWERING AUTOMATIC WINDOW FOR DRIVER ,THE DOOR OPENED WHILE IN MOTION. DUE TO FAILURE, DRIVER LOST CONTROL , WENT INTO A CREEK HITTING TREE. VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IMMEDIATELY UPON IMPACT W/NO AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.*AK

NHTSA ID
800672
Incident
Jul 16, 1996
ElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Aug 6, 1996
Fire reported

PARKED VEHICLE AN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE IN DASH BOARD AREA DUE TO A POSSIBLE ELECTRIAL SHORT.*AK

NHTSA ID
800528
Incident
Jul 25, 1996

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.

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .