1999 Mazda 626 Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 48about this part
- Share
- 15%of 318 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 78,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 48 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1999 Mazda 626, 15% of the 318 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 78,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Sluggish performance and check engine light illuminated which resulted in my bringing the automobile into my mechanic for servcing - diagnostic code (2nd time for this code) resulted in a replacement of 2 oxygen sensors and the catalytic converter at a cost of > $750. The first time this code appeared, the mechanic tuned up the engine, which cost $300.”
NHTSA complaint #10120197, filed 2005-05, 69,000 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.”
NHTSA complaint #10161670, filed 2006-07, 80,000 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.”
NHTSA complaint #10102773, filed 2004-12, 78,000 miles“I purchased a crankshaft pulley for my 99 Mazda 626 on 06/01/04 & had it installed. On 07/10/04 the same part broke again & had to be replaced. This cost me $1100 in less than 2 months. The shop that repaired my vehicle the 2nd time informed me that when they ordered the part from Mazda, they were advised that they can't keep this part on the shelf. Since Mazda is aware of this problem-they need to take action to help the owners of these vehicles.”
NHTSA complaint #10086186, filed 2004-08, 139,000 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.”
NHTSA complaint #10241455, filed 2008-09, 102,000 milesRelated recalls
- 00V134000May 9, 2000Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. An external spring in the timing belt tensioner could break.Covers: Mazda 626 1998–1999
Related service bulletins
- 10200933Aug 24, 2021This service bulletin provides testing and charging procedures in order to promote proper battery maintenance, to deliver new vehicles with fully charged batteries, and to reduce…
- 10154879Mar 20, 2019In 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…
- 10153311Jan 9, 2019On some vehicles, a sulfur smell or 'rotten egg' odor may be noticed coming from the exhaust system. The odor is usually noticed after a cold start, fast idle, extended periods…
- 10145242Sep 6, 2018On some vehicles, a sulfur smell or 'rotten egg' odor may be noticed coming from the exhaust system. The odor is usually noticed after a cold start, fast idle, extended periods…
- 10213331Feb 15, 2016Sulfur smell from exhaust system.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 1 | 11% |
| 2002 | 3 | 3% |
| 2001 | 20 | 11% |
| 2000 | 18 | 8% |
| 1999 | 48 | 15% |
| 1998 | 81 | 19% |
| 1997 | 39 | 11% |
| 1996 | 33 | 9% |
| 1995 | 28 | 6% |
| 1994 | 26 | 9% |
| 1993 | 12 | 10% |
| 1991 | 5 | 8% |
| 1990 | 8 | 18% |
| 1989 | 6 | 14% |
| 1988 | 3 | 7% |
| 1987 | 2 | 7% |
| 1986 | 2 | 13% |
Other parts of the 1999 Mazda 626
233 complaintsBrakes
16 complaintsElectrical system
11 complaintsEquipment
8 complaintsAir bags
5 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsSeat belts
4 complaintsSeats
4 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsSteering
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1999 Mazda 626
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology