RoadVitals

2000 Mazda 626 Engine Problems

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

Data refreshed

Engine 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.
22
Latest May 7, 2018
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.
10%
of 217 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 engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2000 Mazda 626 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 22 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 engine

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

EngineFuel system
Filed May 7, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MAZDA 626. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL ODOR OF FUEL INSIDE THE CABIN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (PERRY FORD, 440 HITCHCOCK WAY, SANTA BARBARA, CA 93105 (805) 682-2411), BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,825. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11092359
Incident
Mar 1, 2013
Mileage
44,825 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 12, 2014

WHILE COMMUTING, THE CAR STOPPED SHIFTING. TOOK IT TO MECHANIC--THEY FIXED A LEAK IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID-- CAR WAS THEN SHIFTING HARD, TOOK TO TRANSMISSION SHOP--THEY DIAGNOSED TWO PROBLEMS THAT CAUSED THE LEAK. THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT EFFECTIVELY PUSHING THE FLUID THROUGH THE SYSTEM, AND WAS VERY DANGEROUS ON THE ROAD WHEN IT STOPPED SHIFTING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10654622
Incident
Oct 22, 2014
Mileage
150,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 18, 2013

PURCHASED USED MAZDA 262, YEAR 2000, THAT HAPPENED TO HAVE ORIGINAL KNOWN-FAULTY CD4E. CAR NOW INOPERABLE AFTER LESS THAN A THOUSAND MILES AFTER LEAVING THE LOT. OCCASIONAL ACCEPTABLE OPERATION, INTERSPERSED WITH TRANSMISSION SLIPPING/LOSING GEAR/NO POWER, NEARLY CAUSED A REAR-END ACCIDENT GOING UPHILL ON FREEWAY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10525521
Incident
Jan 21, 2012
Mileage
107,000 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 21, 2010

MAZDA 1996 626 AND A MAZDA 2000 626. BOTH 4 CYL AND BOTH AUTOMATICS, AND BOTH HAVING TO HAVE TRANSMISSIONS REPLACED. LEAVES YOU STRANDED ON THE ROAD, AND CAUSES BAD SHIFTS IN SPEED BEFORE YOU STOP GOING FORWARD COMPLETELY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10312532
Incident
Feb 16, 2010
Mileage
128,000 mi
EngineSuspension
Filed Sep 25, 2008

I PURCHASED A 2000 MAZDA 626 USED IN 2001. I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR REPAIRS TO THE CINCINNATI JAKE SWEENY MAZDA SHOP TO ADDRESS THE SHAKING AND NOISES THAT I WAS HEARING FROM THE FRONT AND REAR OF THE VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR WAS OKAY THE MOTOR MOUNTS WERE FINE AND THAT THE NOISE WAS FROM A BOTTLE OF ASPIRIN IN THE GLOVE BOX. THE NOISE CONTINUED AND OTHER SHOPS CONTINUED TO INFORM ME THAT MY MOTOR MOUNTS WERE BAD. I WAS AGAIN INFORMED BY THE REPAIR SHOP THAT THE CAR WAS FINE. THE VEHICLE NOW HAS 140,000 MILES ON IT AND THE MOTOR MOUNTS, SWAY LINK BAR AND STRUTS ARE ALL SHOT TO HECK. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED BEING THAT THIS ISSUE WAS ADDRESSED WHEN THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND THE DEALERSHIP NEGLECTED TO FIX THE PROBLEM WHICH NOW HAS ESCALATED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10243476
Incident
Aug 18, 2008
Mileage
140,000 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 22, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 MAZDA 626. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NOTICED A GAS SMELL ON THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHILE. IN ADDITION, SHE ONLY NOTICED THE FUMES AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR AN EXTENDED AMOUNT OF TIME. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE NUMEROUS TIMES HOWEVER THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. AS OF FEBRUARY 22, 2008, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 22,000.

NHTSA ID
10218900
Incident
Jun 1, 2000
Mileage
100 mi
EngineTransmission
Filed Feb 2, 2007

TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WITHOUT WARNING ON MY 2000 MAZDA 626 AND ALSO A FEW MONTH LATER THE MOTOR WENT OUT TOO, I HAD TO BUY A NEW TRANSMISSION AND MOTOR. *NM

NHTSA ID
10181418
Incident
Aug 7, 2006
Mileage
60,000 mi
BrakesHeating & air conditioningElectrical+4 more
Filed Jul 25, 2006

I OWN A 2000 MAZDA 626 WITH ONLY 90,000 MILES. I HAVE BEEN STRANDED SEVERAL TIMES IN THIS CAR AND SPENT OVER $3000 PARTS AND LABOR. I HAD TO REPLACE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, SEVERAL SENSORS, MASTER BREAK CYLINDER, CV BOOTS, AND RACK AND PINION. NOW I AM HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND THE AC. THE MECHANIC SAYS I NEED TO REBUILD THE TRANS AND REPLACE THE AC COMPRESSOR. THIS IS ANOTHER $3000 OR MORE. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THIS SITUATION. I PLEAD WITH YOU TO TAKE ACTION ON THIS. I HAVE CHECKED SEVERAL WEB FORUMS AND FOUND SIMILAR PROBLEMS. PLEASE, PLEASE MAKE MAZDA ACCOUNTABLE FOR BUILDING SUCH BAD CARS. FYI, I AM VERY, VERY DILIGENT IN GENERAL MAINTENANCE. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME. CHRIS. *NM

NHTSA ID
10163371
Incident
Jan 1, 2000
Mileage
50,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 19, 2006

MY 2000 MAZDA 626 LS OVERHEATED ON JUNE 16, 2006. THE O/D OFF LIGHT HAS BEEN FLASHING WHEN ON THE ROAD FOR MORE THAN AN HOUR SINCE THE FALL OF 2005. THE TRANSMISSION HAS NOT YET FAILED BUT HAS BEGUN TO. THE CAR STRAINS WHENEVER I DRIVE IT & ITS LACK OF STABILITY HAS LED TO CLOSE CALLS WITH ACCIDENTS WHENEVER THERE'S RAIN OR SNOW. EVERY TIME I AM ON THE ROAD FOR MORE THAN 45 MINUTES, THE ENGINE HEATS UP TO THE POINT THAT IT BOILS THE TRANSMISSION FLUID, WHICH OVERFLOWS ONTO THE REST OF THE ENGINE. AFTER APPROX. 15 MORE MINUTES, THE O/D OFF LIGHT BEGINS TO FLASH & MY CAR STARTS TO RESIST SPEEDS OVER 60 MPH. THE RPMS INCREASE WHEN THE LIGHT FLASHES & THERE'S A DANGEROUS DELAY IN MY ABILITY TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN AS THE CAR LURCHES. ON JUNE 19, 2006, I TOOK THE MAZDA TO AN IMPORTS SPECIALIST WHO INFORMED ME THAT MY TRANSMISSION WILL SOON FAIL. A NEW TRANSMISSION COSTS APPROX. $2800 & A USED ONE COSTS APPROX. $1800. HOWEVER, THE TRANSMISSIONS THAT FIT MY CAR ARE THE SAME TYPE OF TRANSMISSION THAT WAS INITIALLY PUT IN MY ENGINE & WILL FAIL AFTER ANOTHER 70,000 MILES DUE TO ITS BEING TOO SMALL FOR THE 626. PUTTING AN "EXTERNAL COOLING SYSTEM" UNDER THE HOOD IS APPROXIMATELY $300 & IS A TEMPORARY BANDAID FOR THE ISSUE WHICH WILL STILL OCCUR. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH & FOUND THOUSANDS OF DOCUMENTS THAT HAVE STATED THAT ALL AUTOMATIC MAZDA 626 LS VEHICLES FROM 1994-2000 HAVE ENGINES THAT WERE MADE FOR A SMALLER CAR & ARE THEREFORE TOO SMALL FOR THE 626 LS. ACCORDING TO SAID RESEARCH ALL 1994-2000 626 LS VEHICLES HAVE TRANSMISSIONS THAT WILL FAIL BETWEEN APPROX. 70-80,000 MILES. MY CAR HAS 74,400 MILES AT THE DATE OF THIS COMPLAINT. MAZDA REFUSES TO TAKE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THIS SITUATION, YET IT HAS BECOME COMMON KNOWLEDGE AMONG CAR DEALERSHIPS, SO THE VALUE OF MY CAR HAS DROPPED DRAMATICALLY & IT HAS BECOME DIFFICULT FOR ME TO SELL. NOTHING CAN BE DONE TO FIX THE PROBLEM UNLESS AN ENTIRELY NEW ENGINE IS PUT INTO THE CAR WHICH WILL COST

NHTSA ID
10162877
Incident
Jun 16, 2006
Mileage
73,700 mi
EngineTransmission
Filed Feb 11, 2005

WHEN AUTOMATIC GEAR IS PLACED IN REVERSE, GEAR HESITATES FOR A FEW SECONDS BEFORE THE CAR ACTUALLY BEGINS TO MOVE.. AT 98000 I HAD TO REPLACE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AT SELMA MAZDA IN SELMA, CA.. *JB

NHTSA ID
10110376
Incident
Feb 11, 2005
Mileage
97,500 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 25, 2004

SUDDENLY THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE WENT HIGH EASILY WHEN DRIVING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON WITH DTC(DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES) P0125 ERROR(TEMP. INSUFFICIENR FOR CLOSED LOOP FULE CONTROL, THE COOLANT). THE DEALERS CHECKED THE COOLING SYSTEM AND FOUND THAT THE COOLANT OVERFLOW BOTTLE WAS LEAKING. HAD TO REPLACE IT.

NHTSA ID
10063904
Incident
Mar 23, 2004
Engine
Filed Aug 13, 2003

ENGINE HAD BEEN SERVICED INITIALLY TEN DAYS AFTER DATE OF PURCHASE. CONSTANT PROBLEMS WITH KNOCKING AND JOLTING WHEN PUTTING VEHICLE IN GEAR. MAJOR ACCELERATION PROBLEMS. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. DURING ONE INCIDENT VEHICLE REFUSED TO START, AND LEAKED ALL TRANSMISSION FLUID ON FLATBED TRUCK. FINAL INCIDENT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO DEALERSHIP. LIGHT WAS RESET BY DEALERSHIP. VEHICLE'S ENGINE HAS NOW SEIZED AT 36,000 KM. *AK

NHTSA ID
10032744
Incident
May 28, 2002
Mileage
36,000 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 16, 2003

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH BOARD. *JB

NHTSA ID
10016012
Incident
Apr 15, 2002
Engine
Filed Mar 6, 2003

THE VEHICLE OVER HEATED TWICE. NO LEAKS WERE NOTICED AND ANTI FREEZE WAS ADDED. THE MECHANIC THEN NOTICED AN OPEN VALVE COVERED WITH A RUBBER CAP HAD ALLOWED ANTI FREEZE TO LEAK ONTO ENGINE.*JB

NHTSA ID
10010042
Incident
Mar 3, 2003
Engine
Filed Dec 15, 2002

VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE PINGING NOISE, THAT WAS ONLY NOTICEABLE UNDER HEAVY ACCELERATION, THUS CAUSING ME, THE DRIVER, TO ACCLERATE WITH GINGERLY. APPROX. ONE DAY AFTER THE ENGINE MADE PINGING NOISE NO MATTER HOW FAST OR SLOW THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED, EVENTUALLY LEADING UP TO THE FOLLOWING: THE CAR WAS AT A SPEED OF APPROX 55-60 MPH ON THE FREEWAY, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE PINGING GOT LOUDER, THE ENGINE LOST ALL POWER, A LOUD NOISE OCCURED, SOMETHING APPEARED TO SHOOT FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE, AND SMOKE BEGAN TO POUR FROM UNDER THE HOOD. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL SERVICE STATION, I WAS THEN TOLD THAT AN ENGINE ROD BLEW THROUGH THE ENGINE BLOCK, THUS REQUIRING A NEW ENGINE. APPROX 1 1/2 TO 2 WEEKS PRIOR AN OIL CHANGE WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE, AND THEREAFTER THE CAR RAN WITH NO PROBLEMS AT ALL UP UNTIL THE PINGING OCCURANCE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY UNDER MANUFACTURER EXTENDED WARRANT, BUT HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED WHETHER IT COVERED UNDER WARRANT AT THIS POINT OR NOT.

NHTSA ID
10000063
Incident
Dec 15, 2002
Mileage
64,250 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 18, 2002

ENGINE FAILED AND MAZDA DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO COVER WARRANTY. THE CAR ONLY HAS 30,000 MILES. THERE IS NO REASON FOR ENGINE FAILURE OTHER THAN AN ENGINE DEFECT. DT

NHTSA ID
768586
Incident
Oct 3, 2002
AirbagsBrakesEngine+2 more
Filed Feb 6, 2002

THE RPM GOES FROM 0 TO 5 AND SOMETIMES IN THE RED ZONE. *YH

NHTSA ID
785869
Body & structureHeating & air conditioningElectrical+3 more
Filed Oct 1, 2001

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT AND BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON, CAME ON FIVE TIMES, THE FIRST TIME DEALER REPLACED BROKEN IDLER PULLEY BELT BOLT, SECOND TIME DEALER REPLACED ALTERNATOR, THIRD TIME DEALER REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH, FOURTH TIME TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR WAS REPLACED, AND FIFTH TIME CLUTCH PEDAL SWITCH WAS REPLACED, AT THIS TIME ENGINE CHECK LIGHT IS ON AGAIN.*AK CONSUMER STATES WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN OFF THE LOT THE FIRST DAY, THERE WAS A HORRIFIC SCREECHING NOISE FROM THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL, CONSUMER ASSUMED THAT IT WAS A NEW CAR NOISE AND IT WOULD EVENTUALLY GO AWAY, CONSUMER WAS INFOREMD THAT SOMETHING HAD SLIPPED IN THE WHEEL AREA, OVER THE NEXT TWO WEEKS CONSUMER COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER THAT VEHICLE WAS MAKING AN EXTREMLY LOUD THUMPING NOISE, THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS THE FREON SYSTEM WHICH WAS THEN FLUSHED AND THEN REFILLED TO THE CORRECT LEVEL, WHICH WAS DONE TO TAKE OUT THE AIR BUBBLES IN THE AIR CONDITION LINE, ALSO THE AIR CONDITION WAS BLOWING HOT AIR, THE CENTER CONSOLE WOULD NOT LATCH, NUMEROUS COMPONETS WERE REPLACED ON THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.*JB

NHTSA ID
897092
Incident
Feb 12, 2001
BrakesEngine
Filed Jul 20, 2001

THE CYLINDER HEADS HAVE FAILED TWICE DUE TO INTERNAL FAILURE AND A CRACK NEAR THE #2 CYLINDER SPARK PLUG HOLE CAUSING THE RPM'S TO BE VERY HIGH, WHEN PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE IT SUDDENLY SLAMS INTO GEAR, WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP POSITION THE ENGINE RACES AND WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED IT SHAKES AND TREMBLES AS IF THE VEHICLE IS GOING TO SHUT OFF. NLM

NHTSA ID
562148
Incident
Oct 25, 2000
Engine
Filed Apr 16, 2001

ENGINE OVERHEATED AND LOST POWER AND VEHICLE STALLED. ALSO VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL. *AK

NHTSA ID
885999
Incident
Apr 1, 2001
Engine
Filed Apr 9, 2001

CONSUMER WAS TOLD VEHICLE HAS CA EMISSIONS PACKAGE, SINCE OCTOBER 2000, VEHICLE HAS BEEN STALLING, ENGINE STUMBLES IN COLD WEATHER, AND GETTING WORSE. DEALER CANNOT REMEDY, MAZDA STATED ONLY 4 CYLINDER VEHICLES DO THAT.*AK

NHTSA ID
885454
Incident
Oct 15, 2000
Driver assistanceEngineSeat belts+1 more
Filed Sep 12, 2000
Fire reported

THERE WAS A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT A NEW STARTER HAD BEEN INSTALLED, CLAIM # 32-V339-978. NLM

NHTSA ID
6900712
Incident
Dec 20, 1999

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .