1989 Mazda 626 Problems
- Complaints
- 42filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 60,000miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 22 mpgcombined, 2.2L 4-cyl FWD · 19 city / 26 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1989 Mazda 626 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 42 consumer complaints for the 1989 Mazda 626. The part named most often is seat belts, with 12 complaints (29% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (11) and engine cooling (6). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 60,000 miles. Of all complaints, 4 involved a crash, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Seat belts12 29%
- Engine cooling6 14%
- Body and structure5 12%
- Vehicle speed control3 7.1%
- Brakes2 4.8%
- Exterior lighting2 4.8%
- Tires2 4.8%
- Electrical system1 2.4%
- Fuel system1 2.4%
Also reported: Latches, locks and linkages (1), Steering (1).
Example complaints
Transmission and drivetrain: “Mazda 626 transmission failure, two transmissions put into a car with less than 150,000 miles. Now dead but money owed on car. How can you keep getting these complaints and not do anything about it?”
NHTSA complaint #10147203, filed 2006-01, 60,000 milesBody and structure: “Consumer contacted the dealer in reference to recall number 93v174000/ door outside handle. Dealer corrected the recall. Consumer currently is having problems with the recall repairs. When lowering the window, door unexpectedly opens. Please provide any further details.”
NHTSA complaint #865156, filed 2000-07Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 60,000 and 60,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1989 Mazda 626 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 626/MX-6 FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 21 | 29 | 24 | $2,800 |
| 626/MX-6 FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 19 | 26 | 22 | $3,050 |
| 626/MX-6 FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,900 |
| 626/MX-6 FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 17 | 23 | 19 | $4,350 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 93V174000Oct 29, 1993Structure › Body › DoorCovers: Mazda 626 1988–1991, 929 1988–1989
Resin molded front handles fail at the door latch actuating rod attachment, freeing the rod to fall inside the door frame. Subsequent lowering of the associated window may force the actuating rod downward and release the door latch.
Recall details for the 1989 Mazda 626 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1989 Mazda 626.
Other model years of the Mazda 626
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 9 | 18,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2002 | 87 | 72,600 | 0 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 188 | 78,346 | 0 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2000 | 217 | 81,100 | 1 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 318 | 80,000 | 2 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 434 | 89,155 | 4 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 358 | 90,000 | 3 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 359 | 95,000 | 2 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 488 | 102,262 | 2 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 282 | 112,000 | 2 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 122 | 106,000 | 1 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 19 | 155,506 | 0 | — | 22 | — | Stable |
| 1991 | 62 | 131,000 | 1 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 44 | 121,416 | 1 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 42 | 60,000 | 1 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 45 | 50,000 | 6 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1987 | 29 | 38,423 | 1 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1986 | 16 | 235,000 | 2 | — | 23 | — | Stable |
| 1985 | 6 | — | 0 | — | 25 | — | Not enough data |
All Mazda 626 model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1989 Mazda 626 have?
NHTSA recorded 42 consumer complaints for the 1989 Mazda 626 as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1989 Mazda 626 is reported most often?
Seat belts is named most often, in 12 complaints (29% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 11.
Has the 1989 Mazda 626 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1989 Mazda 626 get?
The EPA rates the 1989 Mazda 626 (626/MX-6, 2.2L 4-cyl) at 22 mpg combined, 19 city and 26 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,050 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1989 Mazda 626 reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 60,000 miles and the middle half falls between 60,000 and 60,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.