The most-reported 626 run is 1YVGE22C4S5 (1995 builds) with 41 complaints, 8.7× the typical run. Power train problems make up 62% of reports; 1998 is the worst model year at 8.2 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 23 recall campaigns for 626 model years 1981–2001.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Mazda 626 has 474 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 8% of every 626 complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1YVGE22C4S5•••••• | 1995 | — | — | |
| 1YVGF22C3W5•••••• | 1998 | — | — | |
| 1YVGE22CXS5•••••• | 1995 | 3 | 3 | |
| 1YVGF22C0W5•••••• | 1998 | 1 | — | |
| 1YVGF22C9W5•••••• | 1998 | — | 1 | |
| 1YVGE22C8S5•••••• | 1995 | 5 | — | |
| 1YVGE22C9V5•••••• | 1997 | 2 | — | |
| 1YVGF22C7W5•••••• | 1998 | — | — | |
| 1YVGE22C1S5•••••• | 1995 | 2 | — | |
| 1YVGF22C8W5•••••• | 1998 | — | — | |
| 1YVGE22C7S5•••••• | 1995 | — | 1 | |
| 1YVGE22C6V5•••••• | 1997 | 2 | — |
Each of the other 462 626 runs has 26 complaints or fewer.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Mazda 626 the gap between build years is 8.2×: a 1998 car draws 8.2 complaints per run, a 1985 one 1.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 54 | 19 | 4 | |
| 2001 | 134 | 35 | 8 | |
| 2000 | 165 | 36 | 3 | |
| 1999 | 227 | 33 | 8 | |
| 1998 | 311 | 38 | 8 | |
| 1997 | 247 | 34 | 13 | |
| 1996 | 258 | 44 | 28 | |
| 1995 | 350 | 59 | 31 | |
| 1994 | 197 | 39 | 13 | |
| 1993 | 87 | 36 | 9 | |
| 1992 | 14 | 12 | 3 | |
| 1991 | 44 | 20 | 1 | |
| 1990 | 31 | 21 | 2 | |
| 1989 | 33 | 21 | 4 | |
| 1988 | 37 | 19 | 1 | |
| 1987 | 19 | 17 | 3 | |
| 1986 | 10 | 9 | — | |
| 1985 | 4 | 4 | — |
Heaviest year here is 1998 at 8.2 complaints per run; lightest is 1985 at 1.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 62% of everything Mazda 626 owners report: Power Train, 1,383 of 2,225 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 19 | 5 | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 3 | 6 | |
| Air Bags | 88 | 3 | |
| Electrical System | 5 | 20 | |
| Seat Belts | 10 | — | |
| Service Brakes | 13 | — | |
| Hydraulic | 11 | — | |
| Equipment | 2 | 2 |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 23 recall campaigns on the Mazda 626; the 6 below cover build years 1988 to 2001. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 05E065000 | Fuel System, Gasoline | 1993–2001 |
| 15V674000 | Electrical System:ignition:switch | 1993–1998 |
| 93E035000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:drum:drum | 1989–1992 |
| 93V174000 | Structure:body:door | 1988–1991 |
| 98V249000 | Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control Module-inactive | 1995–1997 |
| 00V074000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder | 1999–2000 |
The 626 against its rivals
The 626 draws 4.7 complaints per production run; the Infiniti I30 2.7. That is the highest rate of the 2.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mazda 626 | 2,225 | 474 | 6.3% | |
| Infiniti I30 | 191 | 70 | 12% |
How serious were they
Of the 2,225 reports on the Mazda 626, 6.3% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | Mazda 626 | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 2,225 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 140 (6.3%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 36 (1.6%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 250 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 105 | 2,728 |
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Mazda 626 share of that is 2,225 complaints over 474 runs, 0.2% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Mazda 626 VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 2,225 NHTSA complaints from 474 626 runs and 23 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which 626 production run has the most complaints?
1YVGE22C4S5, a 1995 build, with 41 complaints. The typical 626 run has 4.7.
Which 626 years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 1998 is heaviest at 8.2 complaints per run and 1985 lightest at 1.
Does the 626 get more complaints than the Infiniti I30?
Yes: 4.7 complaints per production run for the 626 against 2.7 for the Infiniti I30.
How many 626 complaints involve a crash?
6.3% of 2,225 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 36 involved a fire.
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