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SteeringPart report

2001 Mazda 626 Steering Problems

Complaints
3about this part
Share
2%of 188 total for the year
Median mileage
83,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the steering of the 2001 Mazda 626, 2% of the 188 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 83,000 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers.

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.

“Columbia heights, washington dc june 19th 2012, I was with my mother and partner parking in front of giant supermarket returning a movie at local redbox, while waiting for my partner, I turned off the car, sitting inside noticed dense fumes came from the ignition, I removed the key and fumes still coming out, we step outside the car and we saw several sparks in the ignition, I called immediately 911, suddenly a big flame of fire came from the steering wheel, the car was on fire, we were close to the rooms from a local fire department, a man came with a fire extinguisher and calm the fire and…”

NHTSA complaint #10474281, filed 2012-09, 125,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2001 Mazda 626. While driving 15 MPH, and slowing down to make a turn into a parking lot, the steering wheel emitted smoke and burst into flames. The police department extinguished the fire, but did not file a report. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. An independent mechanic replaced the steering wheel. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”

NHTSA complaint #10860056, filed 2016-04

Related service bulletins

Steering: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
200222%
200132%
200052%
199931%
199851%
199782%
199672%
199582%
199441%
199376%
199135%
199012%
198912%
198616%

Other parts of the 2001 Mazda 626

Transmission and drivetrain
139 complaints
Engine cooling
20 complaints
Air bags
11 complaints
Equipment
9 complaints
Brakes
7 complaints
Electrical system
6 complaints
Seat belts
5 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaints
Other or unknown
4 complaints
Tires
4 complaints
Fuel system
2 complaints
Latches, locks and linkages
2 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2001 Mazda 626

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.

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