1994 Mazda 626

◆ Worse than typical
1994 Mazda 626
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Mazda 626 Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1994 highlighted. 1980: 0 complaints 1980 1981: 0 complaints 1982: 0 complaints 1983: 2 complaints 1983 1984: 3 complaints 1985: 6 complaints 1986: 16 complaints 1986 1987: 29 complaints 1988: 45 complaints 1989: 42 complaints 1989 1990: 44 complaints 1991: 62 complaints 1992: 19 complaints 1992 1993: 122 complaints 1994: 282 complaints 1994 1995: 488 complaints 1995 1996: 359 complaints 1997: 358 complaints 1998: 434 complaints 1998 1999: 318 complaints 2000: 217 complaints 2001: 188 complaints 2001 2002: 87 complaints 2003: 9 complaints 2003
1994: 282 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19810
19820
19832
19843
19856
198616
198729
198845
198942
199044
199162
199219
1993122
1994282
1995488
1996359
1997358
1998434
1999318
2000217
2001188
200287
20039

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

POWER TRAIN 56%

56% of complaints: power train — 159 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I HAVE A 1994 MAZDA 626. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION BURNT OUT ONE MONTH AFTER A FACTORY RECONDITIONED TRANSMISSION WAS INSTALLED IN IT. I WAS STRANDED ON I-84 IN PORTLAND OREGON WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT.

NHTSA ODI report, 20050823

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 4%

4% of complaints: electrical system — 12 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
POWER TRAIN 4%

4% of complaints: power train — 11 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

TRANSMISSION WON'T SHIFT PROPERLY. WHEN IT DOES SHIFT, IT SHIFTS HARD. OD LIGHT FLASHES. WAS DRIVING VEHICLE FROM WORK AND TOOK OFF FROM A COMPLETE STOP. THE CAR REVVED UP REAL HIGH BUT WOULDN'T SHIFT. MADE IT HOME, AND NOW VEHICLE WON'T MOVE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20181208

AIR BAGS 4%

4% of complaints: air bags — 10 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

HAD A SERIOUS FRONTAL COLLISION AND DRIVERS AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19950118

HAD A SERIOUS FRONTAL COLLISION AND PASSENGERS AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. TT

NHTSA ODI report, 19950118

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 3%

3% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 9 distinct reports on file.

FIRE

SAFETY TIMELINE

1994 — complaint volume: 282
I 19981029 — SQ (closed 19990910)

SPEEDOMETER INOPERATIVE

R 19990903 — power train

THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SPEEDOMETER GEAR S

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SPEEDOMETER GEAR SET AND IF NECESSARY, WILL REPLACE THE SPEEDOMETER GEAR SET AT NO CHARGE. THIS EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERS NECESSARY REPAIRS DUE TO FAILURE OF THE VEHICLE'S SPE

Campaign 99I005000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19991220 — RQ (closed 20000830)

HEADLIGHT FAILURE

R 20000407 — exterior lighting

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE HEADLIGHT WIRE THAT RUNS THROUGH THE TURN SIGNAL LEVER CAN FAIL AT THE POINT WHERE IT IS SOLDERED TO THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH LEVER.

Campaign 99V358000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20050927 — fuel system, gasoline

CERTAIN SPX FILTRAN FUEL FILTERS WITH A 45-DEGREE ANGLE INLET TUBE, MODEL 800F350-S1, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT FILTERS FOR 1993-1997 FORD PROBE,1993-2001 MAZDA 626 AND MX-6, AND 1983-1994 LOYAL, 3-DOOR COU

Remedy: SPX WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND PROVIDE A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN SEPTEMBER 27, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MR. CHRIS GREESON AT 704-869-3733 OR CONTACT THE WIX INFORMATION HOTLINE AT 800-949-6

Campaign 05E065000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20151217 — electrical system

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 1989-1998 MPV, 1990-1995 323, 1990-1998 Protege, 1992-1993 MX-3, 1993-1995 929, 1993-1997 MX-6, and 1993-1998 626 vehicles.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. The recall began on December 17, 2015. Owners may contact Mazda Customer Experience Center at 1-800-222-5500, option#6.

Campaign 15V674000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1994 Mazda 626 — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for power train issues (159 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (12 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (11 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 99I005000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 99V358000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 05E065000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V674000 (electrical system) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1989 ▲ 1990 ▲ 1988

WORST YEARS

■ 1995 ■ 1998 ◆ 1996

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1994 Mazda 626 reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1994 Mazda 626 is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1994 Mazda 626?

The most-reported component is power train:automatic transmission, accounting for 56% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1994 Mazda 626 have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.