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.
The worst 1996 Mazda 626 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Transmission240
- Airbags49
- Engine34
- Brakes12
- Electrical12
- Acceleration9
- Seat belts8
- Suspension8
- Steering7
- Fuel system5
- Seats4
- Lights3
- Tires3
- Visibility2
- Body1
- Wheels1
Specific symptoms reported on the 1996 Mazda 626
Transmission failure 74Check engine light 25No deployment 17Jerking 13Slipping 10Overheating 9Stalling 7Won't shift 6
Trouble codes owners of the 1996 Mazda 626 mention
P0741 2
Recalls 2
Electrical system: ignition: switch
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- If the ignition switch overheats there would be an increased risk of a fire.
- 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.
Recall number 15V674000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with the sas sensor unit. These vehicles can experience air bag deployments in minor undercarriage impacts.
- Risk
- Unexpected air bag deployment can result in occupant injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will reprogram the sas unit to reduce the probability of unnecessary deployments in low speed undercarriage impacts.
Recall number 98V249000 · Recall details
See all 2 recalls for the 1996 Mazda 626
Defect investigations
Headlight failure
Obtained recall 99v‑358
RQ99022
Speedometer inoperative
See resume for details.
SQ98024
Oversensitive air bag deployment
In may of 1997, odi upgraded to an engineering analysis with 51 complaints.odi is now aware of 88 complaints of alleged inappropriate airbag deployments.typical complaints allege that the airbags deployed after the vehicle hit a pot hole at between 20 and 45 MPH, or that the airbags deployed while driving at between 20 or 60 MPH for no apparent reason.approximately 25 drivers alleged that they did not hit anything in the roadway.mazda will conduct a safety recall ofall 1995 and 1996 models of the mazda 626 and mx-6, as well as a small number of 1997 mazda 626 models, equipped with the same sas unit.the sas unit controls the airbag systemit contains a built-in crash sensor to detect vehicle deceleration during a collision.affected models were assembled from june 1, 1994 through september 10, 1996 and have a VIN within the following ranges: mazda 626:1yvge22**s5300001 through 1yvge22**v5599030 mazda mx-6: 1yvge31**s5300001 through 1yvge31**t5589965all owners will be notified of the possibility that their vehicle may experience an unnecessary airbag depoyment in certain situations.they will be instructed to bring their vehicle to a mazda dealer to reprogram the sas unit to reduce the frequency of unnecessary deployments.
EA97012
Inappropriate air bag deployment
In january of 1997, odi opened a pe based on 9 odi complaints.odi is now aware of 51 complaints of alleged inappropriate air bag deployments.typical complaints include air bag deployments after the vehicle hit a pot hole while driving between 20 and 45 MPH and air bag deployments while driving at speeds between 20 and 60 MPH for no apparent reason.approximately 21 drivers alleged that they did not hit anything prior to the air bag deployment.in four of these incidents the driver claims to have lost control and hit a curb after the air bags deployed.in addition there are four incidents where the driver alleges that the air bags deployed after a tire blowout while driving.less common incidents include allegations of the air bags deploying after parking the vehicle and removing the key, crossing railroad tracks, while being towed, while braking, after hitting a curb, and after hitting a manhole cover.odi is upgrading this investigation to obtain additional information about the reports gathered to date, the sensors used in the vehicles, and to assess the impact that the alleged defect has on highway safety.
PE97006
Technical service bulletins for the 1996 Mazda 626 44
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer
- In support of the new MRT distribution, Mazda will ship to dealers a new Dual Purpose Diagnostic Leak...
- In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer
- Exhaust pipe gasket open end
- In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer
- Speedometer replacement procedure
- In accordance with federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a...
- Non genuine accessories affect air bag operation. kb
- Battery test procedure requirements. tt
- Speedometer replacement procedure. tt
1996 Mazda 626 fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | FWD | 20-23 | 28-31 | 23-26 |
| 2.5L 6‑cyl | FWD | 18 | 24 | 20 |
What 1996 Mazda 626 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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 the federal safety agency 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
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 the federal safety agency 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
1996 mazda 626 o/d light flashing and transmission not shifting.
Airbags deployed in my 1996 mazda 626. Without any reason, while driving. Causing scrapes and bruising, and the windshield to crack.
Compare the 1996 Mazda 626
Other model years
Questions about the 1996 Mazda 626
Is the 1996 Mazda 626 reliable?
Owners have filed 359 complaints about the 1996 Mazda 626, 4.1 times a typical 626 model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1996 Mazda 626?
Transmission and drivetrain, with 240 complaints, typically around 95,000 miles. Next is airbags (49).
How many recalls does the 1996 Mazda 626 have?
2 recalls, covering electrical system and air bags.
What year does the Mazda 626 have bad transmission?
The Mazda 626 model years with the most transmission complaints are 1995 (337 complaints), 1998 (313 complaints) and 1996 (240 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 1996 Mazda 626 get?
Official estimates for the 1996 Mazda 626 range from 20 to 26 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 20-23 city and 28-31 highway.
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