MYRModel Year Report

1996 Mazda 626

◆ Worse than typical
1996 Mazda 626
BUILT 2026-10-10

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
359
Recalls
3

Campaigns on file for 1996

Investigations
4

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Power train

68% of complaints

Complaints per year

1983: 2 complaints 1983 1984: 3 complaints 1985: 6 complaints 1986: 16 complaints 1986 1987: 29 complaints 1988: 46 complaints 1989: 42 complaints 1989 1990: 45 complaints 1991: 64 complaints 1992: 19 complaints 1992 1993: 124 complaints 1994: 285 complaints 1995: 488 complaints 1996: 359 complaints 1996 359 1997: 358 complaints 1998: 434 complaints 1999: 318 complaints 2000: 217 complaints 2001: 188 complaints 2001 2002: 87 complaints 2003: 9 complaints
1983: 2 complaints 1983 1984: 3 complaints 1985: 6 complaints 1985 1986: 16 complaints 1987: 29 complaints 1987 1988: 46 complaints 1989: 42 complaints 1989 1990: 45 complaints 1991: 64 complaints 1991 1992: 19 complaints 1993: 124 complaints 1993 1994: 285 complaints 1995: 488 complaints 1996: 359 complaints 1996 359 1997: 358 complaints 1998: 434 complaints 1999: 318 complaints 1999 2000: 217 complaints 2001: 188 complaints 2001 2002: 87 complaints 2003: 9 complaints 2003
1983: 2 complaints 1983 1984: 3 complaints 1984 1985: 6 complaints 1985 1986: 16 complaints 1986 1987: 29 complaints 1987 1988: 46 complaints 1988 1989: 42 complaints 1989 1990: 45 complaints 1990 1991: 64 complaints 1991 1992: 19 complaints 1992 1993: 124 complaints 1993 1994: 285 complaints 1994 1995: 488 complaints 1995 1996: 359 complaints 1996 359 1997: 358 complaints 1997 1998: 434 complaints 1998 1999: 318 complaints 1999 2000: 217 complaints 2000 2001: 188 complaints 2001 2002: 87 complaints 2002 2003: 9 complaints 2003

1996: 359 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19810
19820
19832
19843
19856
198616
198729
198846
198942
199045
199164
199219
1993124
1994285
1995488
1996359
1997358
1998434
1999318
2000217
2001188
200287
20039

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Power train

68% · 244 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASHINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

Transmission had to be replaced at 50000 miles.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-08-30

Tl* the contact owns a 1996 Mazda 626. The contact stated that while reversing from a driveway, the vehicle stalled without warning.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-07-18

Air bags

14% · 49 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Tl*the contact owns a 1996 Mazda 626. The contact stated that while the shifter was in the park position and powered on, the vehicle suddenly experienced an unintended acceleration and crashed into a brick pillar.

NHTSA ODI report, 2015-02-24

Also filed under Vehicle speed control

While traveling about 65 MPH on the highway the consumer apply his brakes to avoid another motorist. And the driver side air bag didn't deploy please furnish additional information. Dealer is aware of the problem.…

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-11-12

While driving at 35 MPH struck another vehicle that was backing out of a driveway.front end of car hit right rear side of the other vehicle. Upon impact, none of the airbags deployed. Maxda has been contacted.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-08-27

Engine and engine cooling

10% · 35 reports

Most commonly citing engine and emission control.

CRASH

Electrical system

4% · 14 reports

Most commonly citing interior/under dash and wiring.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Parked vehicle an it caught on fire in dash board area due to a possible electrial short.

NHTSA ODI report, 1996-08-06

Service brakes

3% · 12 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHINJURY

Safety timeline

3 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    1996Complaint volume 359 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. I
    1997-01-30Preliminary evaluationClosed 1997-05-23 Inappropriate air bag deployment
  3. I
    1997-05-23Engineering analysisClosed 1998-10-09 Oversensitive air bag deployment
  4. I
    1998-10-29SQClosed 1999-09-10 Speedometer inoperative
  5. R
    1999-01-04Air bags98V249000 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with the sas sensor unit. These vehicles can experience air bag deployments in minor undercarriage impacts.

    Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the sas unit to reduce the probability of unnecessary deployments in low speed undercarriage impacts.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. I
    1999-12-20Recall queryClosed 2000-08-30 Headlight failure
  7. R
    2005-09-27Fuel system, gasoline05E065000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2015-12-17Electrical system15V674000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1996 Mazda 626 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 244 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 49 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 35 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 98V249000 · Air bags
  • Recall 05E065000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 15V674000 · Electrical system
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1996 Mazda 626 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1996 Mazda 626 is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1996 Mazda 626?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 68% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1996 Mazda 626 have?
3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.