1990 Mazda 626 Problems
- Complaints
- 44filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 121,416miles, 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 1990 Mazda 626 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 44 consumer complaints for the 1990 Mazda 626. The part named most often is seat belts, with 13 complaints (30% of the total), followed by engine cooling (8) and body and structure (5). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 121,416 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 7 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.
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 belts13 30%
- Engine cooling8 18%
- Body and structure5 11%
- Electrical system4 9.1%
- Brakes3 6.8%
- Vehicle speed control2 4.5%
- Equipment1 2.3%
Also reported: Fuel system (1), Other or unknown (1), Steering (1), Suspension (1).
Example complaints
Seat belts: “Automatic passive restraint system fail not completing cycle. Upon entry owner struck eye brusing badly. Also belts may not release on its own. Please describe.”
NHTSA complaint #970631, filed 1995-08Body and structure: “Passenger's side door will not open at all. There is a defect inside of door. Also, will not open with or without keys . Dealership is aware of problem.”
NHTSA complaint #885788, filed 2001-04Electrical system: “Power door locks no longer function from the main drivers door lock, tape deck died with at tape inside, rear drivers side passenger door latch cannot be opened from the outside using the handle-must be opened from the inside, backup light/license plate lights will not work regardless of bulbs..wiring is dead, transmission slipped from drive several times while driving on highway into neutral, just died entirely after being parked. Transmission will no longer engage..not a fluid issue. Also have had multiple thermostat failures in the winter resulting in no heat. …”
NHTSA complaint #717112, filed 2000-01Mileage 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 121,416 and 121,416 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 1990 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 | 28 | 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 1990 Mazda 626 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 7 on record; the latest 7 are shown.
- 10154879Mar 20, 2019Fuel system, Engine cooling, Equipment. In support of the new MRT distribution, Mazda will ship to dealers a new Dual Purpose Diagnostic Leak Detector beginning March, 2019. Training videos will be posted to MGSS shortly and Workshop…
- 10153339Jan 14, 2019Electrical system. In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer. NOTE: Tampering with a motor vehicle odometer is strictly prohibited by Federal, and State…
- 10148072Oct 10, 2018Vehicle speed control, Equipment. In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer. NOTE: Tampering with a motor vehicle odometer is strictly prohibited by Federal, and State…
- 10144333Aug 31, 2018Vehicle speed control. In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer. NOTE: Tampering with a motor vehicle odometer is strictly prohibited by Federal, and State…
- 10118467Aug 7, 2017Electrical system, Equipment. In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer. NOTE: Tampering with a motor vehicle odometer is strictly prohibited by Federal, and State…
- 10213425Feb 17, 2016Electrical system. Speedometer replacement procedure
- 10098367Aug 15, 2014Equipment. In accordance with federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer.note:mazda vehicles are manufactured with tamper-proof speedometers.when a speedometer is…
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 1990 Mazda 626 have?
NHTSA recorded 44 consumer complaints for the 1990 Mazda 626 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1990 Mazda 626 is reported most often?
Seat belts is named most often, in 13 complaints (30% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 8.
Has the 1990 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 1990 Mazda 626 get?
The EPA rates the 1990 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 1990 Mazda 626 reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 121,416 miles and the middle half falls between 121,416 and 121,416 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 27, 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.