2002 Mazda 626: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
87 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
72,600 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 60 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 56 of 87 complaints (64.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 63 | 72.4% |
| Braking behavior | 6 | 6.9% |
| Steering behavior | 5 | 5.7% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 2.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 1.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.1% |
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 | 56 |
| Power Train | 10 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 2 |
| Seat Belts | 2 |
| Suspension:Front | 2 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 56; Power Train: 10; Electrical System: 3; Air Bags:Frontal: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Power Train:Manual Transmission: 2; Seat Belts: 2; Suspension:Front: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 6 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 9 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 17 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 16 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 7 |
| 150,000 and above | 5 |
Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 9; 50,000 to 74,999: 17; 75,000 to 99,999: 16; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 5
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (17). 27 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 |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 3 |
| 2003 | 8 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2005 | 14 |
| 2006 | 12 |
| 2007 | 13 |
| 2008 | 6 |
| 2009 | 8 |
| 2010 | 6 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
2002: 3; 2003: 8; 2004: 5; 2005: 14; 2006: 12; 2007: 13; 2008: 6; 2009: 8; 2010: 6; 2012: 3; 2013: 1; 2014: 2; 2015: 1; 2016: 3; 2017: 1; 2020: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 63 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 5 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10000376 · 2002-12-26 (December 26, 2002)
CAR DOES NOT RUN/START OR ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON AND IT IDLES INAPPROPRIATELY. THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED 10/02. IT WENT TO THE DEALER 11/02 AFTER ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING AND CAR WOULD NOT START/DRIVE. CAR RETURNED 36 DAYS LATER. CAR NOW HAS ENGINE LIGHT ON AND IS AT A DIFFERENT DEALER FOR THREE DAYS
Owner-reported narrative. 1,037 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000376 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004852 · 2003-01-28 (January 28, 2003)
VEHICLE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE DRIVER SIDE SEATBELT DIDN'T HOLD CONSUMER IN. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004852 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10021102 · 2003-06-05 (June 5, 2003)
VIBRATION IN THE FRONT (WORSE ON THE RIGHT) OF THE VEHICLE. WAS TOLD BY SALESPERSON, CAR HAD BEEN SITTING A WHILE AND SHOULD DRIVE OUT, AFTER 8 MONTHS AND NUMEROUS VISITS TO THE DEALER, I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS THE NATURE OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING, THE THERE IS NO FRONT PASSENGER, YOU CAN SEE THE SEAT SHAKING !!! I HAVE SECURED A LEMON LAW ATTORNEY !!! *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10021102 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10029430 · 2003-09-12 (September 12, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE BRIDGETONE TIRES MODEL- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - SIZE - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -DOT- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - TREAD SEPARATED AND BLEW UP. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK THE HOLE APPEARED TO BE IN THE LINE THAT CONNECTS THE TREAD TO THE REMAINDER OF THE TIRE. *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 6,529 miles reported. Look up ODI 10029430 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10033983 · 2003-09-15 (September 15, 2003)
WHEN A TURN WAS MADE, THE STEERING WHEEL MADE A SQUEAKING NOISE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. *AK *TS *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10033983 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10045572 · 2003-11-06 (November 6, 2003)
2002 MAZDA 626 LX, TRANSMISSION IS JERKY, BROUGHT TO 3 DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS, TOLD ME THAT IT IS A CHARACTERISTIC OF 626'S. VERY WORRIED THAT SOMETHING MIGHT HAPPEN SOON IF SOMETHING ISN'T DONE. GOING TO CONTACT MAZDA TODAY.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10045572 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10047415 · 2003-11-23 (November 23, 2003)
MAJOR TRANSMISSION FAILURE AGAIN WITH MY MAZDA 626. SECOND TIME SINCE PURCHASE OF THE CAR. ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 5,000 MILES AND A REBUILT TRANSMISSION WAS INSTALLED. SECOND MAJOR FAILURE CAME JUST THE OTHER DAY. *LA
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10047415 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10048621 · 2003-11-25 (November 25, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING, SPEED NOT ESTIMATED, THE OVER DRIVE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE DRIVER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE OWNER THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10048621 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.