10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
43,210 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1999 Mazda 626:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #20

Sep 082008

626

  • 102,000 miles
1. & 2.timing belt tension spring broke, making vehicle inoperable & damaging timing belt. 3. will have to pay for replacement of spring and belt as well as related labor. Old parts will be available. Note: Mazda issued a recall in 2000 for this part on some vehicles (campaign 00V134000), one group of VIN # were provided nhtsb and then a correction was provided, but it stopped short of the # on my vehicle. Since the very problem described in the recall happened to my vehicle, I believe Mazda understated its recall.

- Prospect, KY, USA

problem #19

Aug 252007

626 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,000 miles
The contact owns a 1999 Mazda 626. While driving 45 mph, the vehicle suddenly lost all power. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic and he stated that the internal spring in the timing belt failed. The failure was similar to that of NHTSA campaign id number 00V134000 (engine and engine cooling:engine), however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was repaired. The current and failure mileages were 72,000. Updated 01-15-08. Updated 12/12/07.

- Stuart, FL, USA

problem #18

Aug 312006

626 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,200 miles
: the contact stated while making a turn at 20 mph, the vehicle stopped and would not move any further. The vehicle was pushed to the side of the road, and then towed to an independent repair shop. The shop determined the spring for the timing belt fractured and a new timing kit needed to be installed. There was a NHTSA recall, #00V134000, for the engine. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN.

- New Orleans, LA, USA

problem #17

Jun 222006

626 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Recall 00V134000 on 1999 Mazda 626 timing belt tensioner spring did not cover same part failure on same car(by VIN #).

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #16

Jun 302006

626 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles
O/D light flashes on and off at high speeds. Car starts smoking and transmission fluid flows out of a tube from the transmission. The transmission losses speed and begins slipping. Then check engine light comes on. I can only drive my car locally for fear of being stranded, as I have been several times.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #15

Jun 072006

626 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35 miles
I was driving and the car was losing speed even though my foot was on the gas pedal. I took my foot off for a moment and then pushed on the gas pedal again hoping to regain speed. I did not regain any speed, and it continued to drop. I was able to get a break in traffic where I could turn into a small parking lot to remove myself from traffic. As I began to make the turn I noticed that I had lost all power steering and had to turn the car manually. When I got into the parking lot, I had help attempting to jump the vehicle to see if that was the problem, but nothing worked. I called a tow truck and had the vehicle towed to my local mechanic. As they were attempting to locate the problem it was discovered that the timing belt had "jumped". this was caused by the tensioner spring breaking. In September of 2000, this part (tensioner spring) was recalled for doing exactly what it did on my car. The recall number is 00V134000. I spoke with the Mazda dealer and they told me that the part was recalled for my car, but not for my VIN. My VIN is:[xxx]. I was appalled that the part was recalled for my car, for doing exactly what the bulletin said it would do, but that my VIN is not covered. How can this be so? updated 07/16/2012 information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #14

Mar 292006

626

  • miles
1999 626 stalled due to a failure in the timing belt tensioner. The consumer discovered a recall had been issued for the same make model and year she has.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #13

Feb 282006

626 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 105,000 miles
: the contact stated when the accelerator pedal was depressed at an intersection, the vehicle did not respond. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop. The repair shop determined the external spring in the timing belt tensioner broke. There is a NHTSA recall, #00V134000, regarding the engine. The vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however, it is not included in the recall due to the VIN.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #12

May 152001

626 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The contact states there are three NHTSA recalls, campaigns 00V074000 regarding the service brakes: Master cylinder, 00V134000 regarding engine and engine coolant: Engine, and 05E065000 regarding the fuel system. The vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however, it is not included in the recall due to the VIN.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #11

Jul 022005

626 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
1999 Mazda 626 ES V6-purchased used in 2003 and have had a continuous problem with overheating. The vehicle now has 85,819 miles on it and continues to overheat and now the A/C blows warm air even after replacing the compressor and switch. We have replaced the thermostat, relays, fans, water pump, flushed out the radiator, front and rear gaskets, new air compressor and have spent about $2500 in repairs only to be told by the mechanic he is out of options as to what is causing the problem. I believe Mazda is aware of this situation since I am reading on the internet various complaints about all of their products and see a pattern with the problems and these vehicles. When you purchase a vehicle and expect it to be reliable transportation and it is your only transportation it makes it impossible to replace since their is a contiuing problem. Mazda needs to be held responsible for these vehicles and held accountable for these repairs.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #10

Mar 082005

626 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 52,884 miles
NHTSA recall campaign 00V134000; Mazda issued a timing belt recall. This vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN, but the timing belt made noise like it was going to break. The timing belt kit. 2 serpentine belts, tensioner spring assembly and the idler pulley were replaced.

- Warwick, RI, USA

problem #9

Sep 092003

626 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 78,000 miles
Continuous 3 cylinder misfire, resulting in the replacement of the plug wires and spark plugs 4 times since I have purchased the car in Sep 2003. The check engine light sporadically comes on and does not throw code. When the check engine light comes on the transmission "hard shifts" and I lose significant gas mileage.

- Sanford , NC, USA

problem #8

Jan 122004

626

  • 70,000 miles
While driving 40 mph vehicle stalled without warning. The dealer stated that sludge built up in the engine.

- Silver Spring, MD, USA

problem #7

Jan 202004

626 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles
Motor mounts were changed with less than 40,000 miles without having any front end damages. Covered by extended warranty. Despite regular oil changes and only 40,000 plus miles, the dealer said the engine's oil ports were clogged requiring the removal of the valve cover and oil pan to remedy the alleged problem. Cost of repairs, approx $700. Despite having the front brake pads changed and the rotors turned twice within 50,000 miles, the front wheel bearing failed and were changed. Now with 60,000 miles the engine suddenly began leaking oil from every major area: Oil pan, valve cover, rear main seal, etc., etc., etc. In addition to those oil leak areas, one cv joint and boot is bad, the engine mounts are once again bad without any front-end damages, and the water pump is bad. There are many other items that have failed during this short period of time. Regardless of performing regularly scheduled routine service as required by the manufacturer, this vehicle far exceeds what anyone would consider to be standard failures.

- Chalmette, LA, USA

problem #6

Dec 162003

626

  • 81,160 miles
While driving, the consumer heard the engine making a rattling noise and then the vehicle stalled. The consumer managed to pull over, but was unable to restart the vehicle and subsequently had the vehicle towed. Recall#00V134000. The dealership did not repair the vehicle because the vehicle identification number was not included in the recall.

- Snellville, GA, USA

problem #5

Nov 172003

626 2-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
I have been having trouble with my car stalling and a problem with the brakes, I pulled up some recall information on this particular car and these problems that I am experiencing have been recalled. When I called the Mazda service, I was told that it didn't affect my car. Clearly it does if I'm having these problems.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #4

Apr 252003

626

  • 97,917 miles
The vehicle experienced the same defect with the timing belt tensioner as stated in recall 00 V 134 000, however the vehicle identification number was not included in the recall.

- Panama City, FL, USA

problem #3

Nov 012002

626

  • miles
Consumer stated that while driving heard a noise from engine and vehicle stalled. Dealer advised that the timing belt tensioner broke causing stall. Consumer contacted manfacturer regarding recall 00V134000. Mfr advised V.I.N. is not included.

- Danville, CA, USA

problem #2

Aug 212002

(reported on)

626

  • miles
Owner started having problems with stalling. She was told by Mazda that the external spring in timing belt tesioner broke. Mazda does have a recall 00V134000 on timing belt tensioner,

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #1

Aug 162001

626

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle stalled at 60mph without warning. After consumer pulled vehicle off the road smoke was coming from underneath the hood. Dealer stated stalling was caused by an engine rod failure and was common. Please provide additional information.

- Catonsville, MD, USA