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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

1990 Mazda 626 Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
4about this part
Share
9%of 44 total for the year
Median mileage
121,416miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1990 Mazda 626, 9% of the 44 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 121,416 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I bought a 1990 Mazda 626 about a year ago. It has an atx. Recently the car would only drive in one gear. I took it to a buddy of mine that owns a transmission shop. He ran a diagnostic and said the car needed a new vehicle speed sensor and probably a new transmission. I purchased a new speed sensor that goes behind the speedometer, and now the hold button flashes. According to some research I've done this means that I need a new tranny. I can't get the car into reverse or into neutral. And the car will only go in third gear.”

NHTSA complaint #10104058, filed 2004-12, 121,416 miles

“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 2000-01

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2003111%
20027080%
200113974%
200016074%
199923373%
199831372%
199723365%
199623967%
199533769%
199417763%
19934234%
1992526%
19911118%
199049%
19891126%
198849%
198727%
198616%
1985117%

Other parts of the 1990 Mazda 626

Seat belts
13 complaints
Engine cooling
8 complaints
Body and structure
5 complaints
Electrical system
4 complaints
Latches, locks and linkages
4 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaints
Brakes
3 complaints
Vehicle speed control
2 complaints
Equipment
1 complaints
Fuel system
1 complaints
Other or unknown
1 complaints
Steering
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 1990 Mazda 626

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology