NHTSA vehicle safety data

1996 Mazda 626 Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 1996 Mazda 626 has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 359 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Mazda dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1996 Mazda 626, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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1996 Mazda 626 owner complaints

Owners have filed 359 complaints with NHTSA about the 1996 Mazda 626, describing incidents dated February 2, 1996 to January 25, 2016.

Most-cited components

Power Train 236 complaints
Air Bags 48 complaints
Engine 33 complaints
Unknown or Other 14 complaints
Service Brakes 11 complaints
Electrical System 10 complaints

Of the 359 complaints on file, 35 report a crash and 2 a fire; across all 359 complaints, owners report 138 injuries and 99 deaths (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #10875499 · Filed June 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…
ODI #10850053 · Filed March 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…
ODI #10822014 · Filed January 25, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MAZDA 626. AFTER PLACING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED A FUEL ODOR UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF FOR A WHILE AND PROCEEDED TO TURN THE VEHICLE BACK ON WITH THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE…

Read all 359 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 1996 Mazda 626 in 4 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Recall Query RQ99-022: HEADLIGHT FAILURE
Closed August 30, 2000
Service Query SQ98-024: SPEEDOMETER INOPERATIVE
Closed September 10, 1999
- Campaign 99I-005
Engineering Analysis EA97-012: OVERSENSITIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
Closed October 9, 1998
- Recall 98V-249
Preliminary Evaluation PE97-006: INAPPROPRIATE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
Closed May 23, 1997

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Ignition Switch may Overheat

NHTSA #15V674000 · Electrical System — Ignition — Switch · NHTSA notice

Reported October 19, 2015 · Mazda North American Operations

Potentially affected: 1,368,500 vehicles

Repair completion: 0.62% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Mazda campaign 8715J · Owners notified December 17, 2015 · Vehicles built September 1, 1992 – June 26, 1997 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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. In the affected vehicles, grease applied to the contact points inside the ignition switch may become conductive and overheat.

Safety consequence

If the ignition switch overheats there would be an increased risk of a fire.

Manufacturer 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. Mazda's number for this recall is 8715J.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

FUEL FILTER LEAKS

NHTSA #05E065000 · Fuel System, Gasoline · NHTSA notice

Reported October 5, 2005 · SPX FILTRAN

Potentially affected: 42,962 vehicles

Owners notified September 27, 2005

Defect description

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 COUPE, HATCHBACK, SEDAN, WAGON, BRAT, DL, GL, GL-10, RX, XT, AND XT6 PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH EFI OR TURBO ENGINES. THESE FILTERS ARE PACKAGED AS WIX, NAPA, AND CARQUEST BRAND FUEL FILTERS. CERTAIN SPX FILTRAN FUEL FILTERS WITH A 90-DEGREE ANGLE INLET TUBE, MODEL 800F300-S2, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT FILTERS FOR 19983-1994 SUBARU VEHICLES WITH EFI OR TURBO ENGINES. THESE FILTERS ARE PACKAGED AS WIX, NAPA, AND CARQUEST BRAND FUEL FILTERS. FUEL MAY LEAK FROM THE FILTER DUE TO NON-CONFORMING BRAZING WELDS WHERE THE INLET TUBE IS CONNECTED TO THE FILTER CAN.

Safety consequence

IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A VEHICLE FIRE CAN OCCUR.

Manufacturer 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 800-949-6698.

Notes

CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236; (TTY:1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

MAZDA/AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT

NHTSA #98V249000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Sensor/Control Module-Inactive · NHTSA notice

Reported October 8, 1998 · MAZDA (NORTH AMERICA),INC

Potentially affected: 213,000 vehicles

Owners notified January 4, 1999 · Vehicles built June 1, 1994 – September 10, 1996 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE SAS SENSOR UNIT. THESE VEHICLES CAN EXPERIENCE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS IN MINOR UNDERCARRIAGE IMPACTS.

Safety consequence

UNEXPECTED AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN RESULT IN OCCUPANT INJURY.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE SAS UNIT TO REDUCE THE PROBABILITY OF UNNECESSARY DEPLOYMENTS IN LOW SPEED UNDERCARRIAGE IMPACTS.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JANUARY 1999.OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACTMAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

1996 Mazda 626 DX 4-DR.

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 4, Passenger: 5

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

4 investigations

359 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1996 Mazda 626.

Electrical System; Engine

ODI #10875499

Incident: April 1, 2015 · Filed: June 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.

Electrical System

ODI #10850053

Incident: December 10, 2015 · Filed: March 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

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10822014

Incident: January 25, 2016 · Filed: January 25, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MAZDA 626. AFTER PLACING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED A FUEL ODOR UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF FOR A WHILE AND PROCEEDED TO TURN THE VEHICLE BACK ON WITH THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS ROLLED DOWN. THE CONTACT COULD NO LONGER SMELL THE FUEL ODOR AND A WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V674000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10712043

Incident: April 9, 2010 · Filed: April 21, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MAZDA 626. AFTER REFUELING THE VEHICLE, A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL EMITTED OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO FUEL VISIBLE ON THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DISCOVERED THAT THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK EXHIBITED A THREE INCH CRACK. THE MECHANIC WOULD NEED TO FIND A NEW FUEL TANK FOR THE REPLACEMENT. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE AIR INTAKE VALVE AND RADIATOR WERE FAULTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,000.

Seat Belts; Structure; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10712037

Incident: April 10, 2010 · Filed: April 21, 2015

THREE INCH CRACK IN TOP OF RULE TANK ,SEAT BELTS BROKE AND SLOW TO ROLE BACK UP AND PLASTIC PARTS USED IN DOOR OPENING MECHANISM BROKE. *TR

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10693732

Incident: February 8, 2012 · Filed: March 11, 2015

I SMELLED GAS WHENEVER I WOULD GET GAS FOR THE CAR OR SPEED UP THE CAR. SO I TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC AND HE SAID IT WAS SOME SORT OF A PROBLEM WITH THE GAS TANK. I NEED TO KNOW WHAT IT IS. *TR

Air Bags; Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #10690214

Crash 1 injury

Incident: February 8, 2015 · Filed: February 24, 2015

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. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED AN INJURED BACK THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 213,365.

Power Train

ODI #10525635

Incident: December 15, 2010 · Filed: July 18, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 MAZDA 626. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING FROM A DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS STATED THE TORQUE CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. *TR

Power Train

ODI #10349519

Incident: August 15, 2010 · Filed: August 16, 2010

1996 MAZDA 626 O/D LIGHT FLASHING AND TRANSMISSION NOT SHIFTING. *TR

Air Bags

ODI #10340342

1 injury

Incident: June 26, 2010 · Filed: June 28, 2010

AIRBAGS DEPLOYED IN MY 1996 MAZDA 626. WITHOUT ANY REASON, WHILE DRIVING. CAUSING SCRAPES AND BRUISING, AND THE WINDSHIELD TO CRACK. *TR

Other Mazda 626 model years

Check your 1996 Mazda 626 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Mazda 626 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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