1996 Mazda 626 Engine Problems

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

TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING AND FUEL WAS LEAKING. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND DEALER TOLD HIM THAT TRANSMISSION FAILED, AND IT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. CONUMER STATED THAT DEALER TOLD HIM IT WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $3000.00. CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED BECAUSE HE DID NOT HAVE THAT MANY MILES ON VEHICLE. ALSO, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. *AK

NHTSA ID

10073556

Incident

May 12, 2004

I BOUGHT A USED 1996 MAZDA 626LX FROM RIERSON MOTORS IN CLOVIS, NEW MEXICO AND HAVE HAD THE CAR LESS THAN ONE MONTH AND THE ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON , IT LOSES POWER ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN I ACCELERATE ABOVE 55 MPH AND LURCHES AND GOES IN TO NEXT GEAR VERY HARD. I THINK MAZDA SHOULD BE HELD LIABLE FOR THESE DEFECTS IN THIS PATICULAR MODEL. I HOPE THE GOVERNMENT WILL LOOK INTO THIS MATTER AND INVESTIGATE WHY SO MANY CONSUMERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AND MAZDA SHOULD STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND ADMIT THEIR FAILURE AND FIX THE PROBLEM ARE COMPENSATE THE CONSUMER FOR THEIR EXPENDITURES.*AK

NHTSA ID

10066379

Incident

Apr 2, 2004

Mileage

138,318 mi

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID

10032181

Incident

Aug 5, 2003

I HAVE A 96 626 THAT HAS 125,000 MILES. I PURCHASED MY CAR IN 98 WITH 60,000 MILES. IN MAY OF 2000 I HAD TO REPLACE THE OXYGEN SENSOR. I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE LEFT FRONT AXEL AND THE RIGHT CV JOINT BOOT IN FEB. 2003. NOW I HAVE REPLACE MY ENTIRE TRANSMISSION WHICH IS GOING TO COST AROUND 2300. I HAD NO INDICATIONS THAT I HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS UNTIL IT JUST QUIT. ON MY WAY TO WORK MY CAR JUST STOPPED MOVING ON THE INTERSTATE. WHEN I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR IT WOULDN'T PULL. SO I GOT OFF THE ROAD SAFELY AND ATTEMPTED TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. THE CAR WAS NOT MOVING FORWARD OR BACKWARDS. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE TRANSMISSION SHOP TO BE TOLD THE WONDERFUL NEWS. I HAVE BEEN DOING RESEARCH AND I'M FINDING THIS CAR HAS LOTS OF PROBLEMS. I AM ALSO HAVING PROBLEMS WITH OIL LEAKING AND OCCASIONALLY THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL APPEARS TO BE HARD TO PRESS AS IF IT'S STUCK FOR A FEW MINUTES OR IT'S REAL TIGHT. I WOULD NOT ADVISE ANYONE TO PURCHASE A MAZDA. DON'T EVEN TAKE IT IF IT'S FREE BECAUSE IT WOULD BE CHEAPER TO PURCHASE A CAR. I REALIZE MY CAR HAS 125,000 MILES BUT I HAD A NISSAN THAT I DROVE 180,000 MILES FOR BEFORE MAJOR PROBLEMS OCCURRED. I'M FILING THIS COMPLAINT IN HOPES SOMETHING CAN BE DONE BECAUSE THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM. *JB

NHTSA ID

10016513

Incident

Apr 24, 2003

Mileage

125,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING MAKING THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *NLM

NHTSA ID

10015552

Incident

Feb 15, 2003

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ON THE EXPRESSWAY OR ANYWHERE FOR THAT MATTER THE CAR ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE "OVER DRIVE OFF" LIGHT BEGINS TO BLINK AND MY OVERDRIVE TURN OFF. I USUALLY HAVE TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER OR AT A RED LIGHT AND TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON TO FIX IT. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE AND ANNOYING BECAUSE IT HAPPENS ALMOST EVERYDAY. I HAVE TO DO THIS DURING RUSH HOUR ON I-294 IN CHICAGO. I AM RELUCTANT TO TAKE IT TO MAZDA REPAIR BECAUSE THEY CHARGE $100 JUST TO TAKE THE CAR IN THE SHOP AND THEY TRY TO FIND LITTLE WAYS TO SLAP ON A BIGGER BILL. I HAD THEM CHANGE MY TRANSMISSION FLUID AND A WEEK LATER IT LEAKED AND THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE TRANSMISSION. APPARENTLY IT WAS NOT THERE BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGE AND THEY DID NOT NOTICE IT DURING. SO I HAD THEM JUST REFILL IT AND I ADDED SEALANT FROM AUTO ZONE. I CHECKED MY TRANSMISSION FLUID WEEKLY AND ITS JUST FINE. ENGINE LIGHT COMES AND GOES AT WILL. THERE SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE COMPUTER CHIP OR SOMETHING WHICH IS MAZDA'S FAULT AND I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY TO REPLACE OR FIX. EVERYTHING ON THE CAR IS STOCKED AND I MAINTAIN THE CAR BETTER THAN MAZDA SUGGESTS. I CHECK ALL FLUIDS, OIL CHANGE EVERY 2000 MILES, ETC... I KNOW THAT MANY PEOPLE (THOUSANDS OF THEM) THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE LIGHTS AND THE "OVER DRIVE OFF" LIGHT BLINKING. *JB

NHTSA ID

10010266

Incident

Nov 24, 2002

Mileage

90,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE JUST STALLED OUT WITHOUT WARNING. HAD VEHICLE SERVICED AND TRANSIMISSION HAD BLOWNOUT. DEALER STATED THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID

8018872

Incident

Sep 16, 2002

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON - DEALER SAYS THAT IF CAR IS RUNNING OKAY THAT NO SERVICE NEEDED?????? FINALLY GET IT CHECKED OUT AND TURNS OUT THAT CAT CONVERTER IS GOING BAD. BARELY GET THAT REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY LIMIT. SAME DAY, DRIVING HOME FROM DEALER, ENGINE LIGHT COMES BACK ON. BRING IT BACK TO DEALER, THEY SAY AIR FLOW METER IS ALSO BAD AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, BUT NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. AT LEAST ENGINE LIGHT STAYS OFF NOW. THEN, AT ONLY 78K, O/D LIGHT STARTS BLINKING ALONG WITH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. SHOP SAYS THAT IT'S TRANSMISSION (TORQUE CONVERTER). WHY ARE SO MANY OF THESE UNITS FAILING SO EARLY? ONLY 78K ON CAR, MORE THAN HALF OF THEM ARE FROM PURE HWY TRIPS OF 45 MILES?????? WHY ISN'T MAZDA DOING ANYTHING FOR CONSUMERS ABOUT THIS?*AK

NHTSA ID

763181

Incident

Dec 19, 2001

INTERMITTENTLY THE OVERDRIVE AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ILLUMINATE, WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT CHANGE GEARS. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*JB

NHTSA ID

8010372

Incident

May 22, 2001

VEHICLE IS LEAKING OIL, AND CONSUMER HAS TO ADD OIL EVERY FEW DAYS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID

8008630

Incident

Apr 1, 2002

RADIATOR WAS LEAKING ON VEHICLE, AND VEHICLE WOULD START TO OVERHEAT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID

8008628

Incident

Apr 1, 2002

PROBLEMS STARTED IN SEPTEMBER 1999 WITH THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR COMING UNPLUGGED. HAD REPAIR DONE, CAME LOOSE AGAIN IN OCTOBER 1999. DEALER DIDN'T RUN ANY DIAGNOSTICS, JUST SAID THE M.A.F.S. WAS THE PROBLEM. O/D LIGHT WOULD BLINK WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS. CAR WOULDN'T SHIFT INTO 2ND GEAR W/O A STRUGGLE. WHEN OVERDRIVE WENT OFF, CAR WANTS TO STAY IN 3RD GEAR. BECAME JUMPY AND SLUGGISH. CAR WON'T SHIFT INTO ANY GEAR. JUST STAYS IN NEUTRAL. ENGINE MAKES LOUD PINGING NOISES WHEN STARTED AND WHILE IDLING. WHEN COMING OFF A COMPLETE STOP, CAR STRUGGLES TO GET INTO 1ST GEAR; WHEN IT FINALLY GOES, CAR JUMPS HARD BEFORE DRIVING. IF THERE IS ANY INFORMATION ABOUT A LAWSUIT AGAINST MAZDA, I WOULD LIKE TO BE INFORMED. I THINK ALL OF THE 626 DRIVERS SHOULD NAIL MAZDA FOR ALL THEY'VE GOT!! WHY SHOULD WE SPEND OUR $ TO FIX THE PROBLEMS THEY CAUSED? PLEASE EMAIL ME AT [email protected] IF THERE IS ANY INFORMATION ON A LAWSUIT. ANGELA & RICHARD O'GUINN. *AK

NHTSA ID

757207

Incident

Jan 15, 2002

I HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS 626, MAZDA FROM THE DAY I DROVE IT OFF THE LOT AND I TRIED TO GET THE COMPANY TO TAKE IT BACK AND THEY WOULD GIVE ME LOTS OF EXCUSES AND WERE NOT HELPFUL. IN THE END I WAS TOLD THE AIR FLOW SENSOR WAS GONE & I PAID 300.00 FOR REPAIRS. 2 DAYS LATER THE CAR STARTED HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND HAD IT TOWED IN AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS GONE, CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED REPLACING AGAIN AND ANOTHER PART. I ASKED FOR A REFUND ON THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR TELLING THEM THAT THE O/D LIGHT HAD BEEN COMING ON AND I THINK THAT WAS THE PROBLEM, BUT WOULD NOT REFUND ME FOR THE COST. THEY THEN WANTED 6000.00 FOR IT ALL AND I TOLD THEM, I HAVE REPLACED SO MANY PARTS ON THIS CAR AND TRIED TO GET YOU TO TAKE IT BACK AND THEY REFUSED. I ALSO ASKED IF THEY WOULD GIVE ME A CREDIT TOWARDS ANOTHER VEHICLE, SINCE I WAS SOLD A LEMON. THEY REFUSED. I HAD TO TURN THE CAR BACK IN TO THE LOAN COMPANY. I COULD NOT AFFORD TO PAY 6000.00 FOR REPAIRS AND PAY 350.00 MONTHLY . I WAS AHEAD ON MY PAYMENTS TOO. TURNED IT IN TO THE LOAN COMPANY AND NOW MY CREDIT HAS BEEN AFFECTED. BECAUSE OF ALL THE COSTLY REPAIRS THAT I HAD TO DO AND MAKE PAYMENTS ALONG WITH IT ALL. I WANT SOME HELP AND RESTIUTION IN THIS SITUATION. *AK

NHTSA ID

746203

Incident

Jun 6, 2000

AS A RESULT OF A CRASH WHILE TRAVELING AT 60 MPH AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK CONSUMER ALSO STATES TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AND HAD TO BE REBUILT, THE ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON , CV JOINTS ARE ALSO FAULTY, ALSO VEHICLE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT CONSUMER HIT A DEER.*JB

NHTSA ID

889065

Incident

Nov 1, 1996

COOLLING SYSTEM BREAKDOWN RUINED ENGINE. CAR COVERED BY WARRANTY, BUT MAZDA REFUSES TO PAY, CLAIMING NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR OVERHEATING OF ENGINE. *AK

NHTSA ID

744364

Incident

Apr 10, 2001

CATALYTIC CONVERTER 2 TIMES. *AK

NHTSA ID

742819

TEMPERATURE GUAGE NEEDLE MOVES ABOVE HALF-WAY MARK, ALMOST TO RED ZONE, THEN QUICKLY JERKS BACK TO ORIGINAL POSITION. TWO THERMOSTATS HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY DEALER, BUT CONTINUES TO EXIST. *AK

NHTSA ID

735957

Incident

Oct 6, 2000

WHEN DRIVING THE O/D OFF LIGHT FLASHES, THE CRUISE CONTROL WILL CUT OFF WITHOUT TOUCHING THE BRAKES. WHEN ACCELERATING FROM STOPS THE ENGINE REVS BUT THE CAR CONTINUES TO MOVE AS THOUGH IT IS IN NEUTRAL FOR ABOUT 5 TO 10 MINUTES BEFORE IT KICKS IN GEAR VERY HARD. OCCASSIONALLY THE CAR WILL NOT EVEN ROLL FORWARD WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE AFTER STOPPING.

NHTSA ID

731748

Incident

Sep 17, 2000

NO SUMMARY

NHTSA ID

9001562

ENGINE FAILURE. *SLC

NHTSA ID

784759

Incident

Jul 3, 2000

WHEN CONSUMER STATRTS VEHICLE THE ENGINE TAPS LOUD NOISES. ALSO, THE ENGINE CHECKLIGHT STAYS ON FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP,AND STILL EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID

855448

Incident

Jan 22, 2000

VEHICLE EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH AIR BAG DUE TO POSSIBLE RECALL COMPONENT 98V-249 (SENSOR), HOWEVER NOT NOTIFIED OF RECALL AND DEALERSHIP WANTS TO REPLACE COMPLETE SYSTEM. MJS

NHTSA ID

547274

Incident

Jun 24, 1999

NO SUMMARY

NHTSA ID

704451

Incident

Mar 12, 1999

OIL PRESSURE SWITCH BROKE, CAUSING THE OIL TO DISCHARGE INTO THE EXHAUST, RESULTING IN A POTENTIAL SAFTEY HAZARD. *AK

NHTSA ID

834819