2000 Mazda 626 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
217 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
81,200 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2000 model year. Data snapshot: . 147 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 142 of 217 complaints (65.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 149 | 68.7% |
| Braking behavior | 14 | 6.5% |
| Engine operation | 8 | 3.7% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 2.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 1.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 1.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 142 |
| Power Train | 11 |
| Suspension | 6 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 5 |
| Electrical System | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 5 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 5 |
| Air Bags | 4 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 142; Power Train: 11; Suspension: 6; Air Bags:Frontal: 5; Electrical System: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 5; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 5; Air Bags: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 16 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 42 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 40 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 36 |
| 150,000 and above | 10 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 16; 50,000 to 74,999: 42; 75,000 to 99,999: 40; 100,000 to 149,999: 36; 150,000 and above: 10
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (42). 70 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 4 |
| 2001 | 17 |
| 2002 | 12 |
| 2003 | 15 |
| 2004 | 25 |
| 2005 | 29 |
| 2006 | 44 |
| 2007 | 23 |
| 2008 | 16 |
| 2009 | 13 |
| 2010 | 7 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2000: 4; 2001: 17; 2002: 12; 2003: 15; 2004: 25; 2005: 29; 2006: 44; 2007: 23; 2008: 16; 2009: 13; 2010: 7; 2012: 1; 2013: 3; 2014: 2; 2015: 2; 2016: 1; 2017: 2; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 149 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 14 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 8 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10017229 · 2003-04-21 (April 21, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10017229 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10017232 · 2003-04-21 (April 21, 2003)
WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD 2 TRANSMISSION REPLACED. THE RACK AND PINION AND POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *NLM *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10017232 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10062031 · 2004-03-12 (March 12, 2004)
I AM COMPLAINING ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION. I HAVE HAD 3 TRANSMISSIONS TO MY CAR SINCE I BOUGHT IT. I AM NEEDING A 4TH TRANSMISSION. SHIFTS HARD ON DOWNSHIFTS TO UPSHIFTS USUALLY AT 2ND GEAR. MAKES A HUMMING NOISE TO THE TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER PUT 2 TRANS. IN AND THE SAME IS OCCURRING AGAIN. BRAKES ARE ALSO MESSED UP- SQUICKS HORRIBLE EVEN WHEN I JUST PUT NEW ONES, STRUTS ARE ALL OUT, HAVE HAD IN MY FIRST YR OF PURCHASED, THREE TRANSMISSIONS, 1 AIR CONDITIONER REPLACED, 1 ROOF LINER WAS TO SHORT REPLACED, 1 RECALL, REVERSE SOMETIMES WORKS-…
Owner-reported narrative. 31,875 miles reported. Look up ODI 10062031 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10148552 · 2006-01-25 (January 25, 2006)
WHILE DRIVING TO WORK ON 01/25/2005 HAD OVERDRIVE SWITCH OFF, AND AS THE TRANSMISSION GOT HOT, THE OVERDRIVE OFF SWITCH LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. THE CAR STARTED MAKING JURKING MOVEMENTS LIKE IT WAS GOING TO STALL AND PROCEEDED ON TO WORK.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 103,901 miles reported. Look up ODI 10148552 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10164216 · 2006-08-02 (August 2, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED ON THE ROAD WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT SUITABLE FOR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OBTAINED THE VEHICLE'S VIN TO IDENTIFY ANY MANUFACTURER DEFECT AS THE CAUSE FOR THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER EXAMINATION.
Owner-reported narrative. 46,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10164216 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10017228 · 2003-04-21 (April 21, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLES POWER STEERING LEAKED FLUID WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10017228 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10086433 · 2004-08-09 (August 9, 2004)
SINCE OWNING MY MAZDA626 I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON AND OFF I AM ASSUMING ITS A ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. I WAS READING A ARTICLE OWN THE NET SAYING THAT MAZADA IS INFAMOUS FOR HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH THERE CARS AND THAT NO ONE HAS BOTHERED TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES. THAT IS UNBELIEVABLE TO ME, I HAVE A 2000,626 AND I HAVE TO MANY PROBLEMS FOR THE YEAR OF CAR IT IS PLEASE HELP. I AM REQUESTING THAT THE MAZDA 626 BE RECALLED TO CHECK AND MAINTENANCE ITS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS SEEING THAT EVERYONE KNOWS ITS A PROBLEM NOW…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10086433 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10152535 · 2006-03-12 (March 12, 2006)
2000 MAZDA 626 LX 4 CYL. ON MARCH 1ST 2006, MY SPEEDOMETER DROPPED TO ZERO WHILE DRIVING AT A CONTINUOUS SPEED (45 MPH) THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES WITHIN A HALF HOUR PERIOD BEFORE THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. ON MARCH 2ND, I DROVE THE CAR TO THE LOCAL MAZDA DEALERSHIP FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP, THE DIAGNOSTIC REVEALED THAT THE SPEED SENSOR WAS BAD. HOWEVER, THEY ALSO RELATED THAT THE SENSOR WAS REPLACED AND THAT THE PROBLEM WAS STILL THERE. THE DEALERSHIP PROCEEDED WITH A SEARCH OF THE WIRING IN ORDER TO DETERMINE WHAT THE PRO…
Owner-reported narrative. 95,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10152535 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10160707 · 2006-06-25 (June 25, 2006)
I HAVE HAD MY MAZDA 626 FOR 6 MONTHS, SINCE THEN I HAVE REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKES, ROTORS AND SUSPENSION, FUEL PUMP AND NOW THE TRANSMISSION. I NEED TO ALSO FIX THE REAR BREAKS, ROTORS AND SUSPENSION AND HAVEN'T HAD THE MONEY. THIS CAR IS THE BIGGEST FLOP I HAVE EVER OWNED AND IT ONLY HAS 57,000 MILES ON IT. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 57,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10160707 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10218900 · 2008-02-22 (February 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.
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10218900 at NHTSA ↗