2002 Mazda 626 Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 3%of 87 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 86,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2002 Mazda 626, 3% of the 87 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 86,000 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.
“The contact owns a 2002 Mazda 626. The contact stated that the vehicle shut off without warning. The vehicle underwent regularly scheduled maintenance and oil changes prior to the failure. Firestone stated that oil was leaking in the engine and under the motor. The contact took the vehicle to ice cold motors and they changed the valve cover gasket. Ice cold motors discovered an issue with the vehicle, but did not provide any further explanation. The current and failure mileages were 86,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10254913, filed 2009-01, 86,000 miles“2002 626 piston rings failed due to a manufacturing defect per the mechanic. There was scaring found on the cylinder walls also pistons lower compression ring failed. The consumer noticed the engine was starting to run hot. The consumer was told she needed a new overflow coolant bottle because it was cracked along the seam. The consumer was also told the vehicle needed a new cv boot.”
NHTSA complaint #10177476, filed 2006-12“Heard noise and bad vibration from front left , it got worse and louder when making turns. Took vehicle to dealer, who stated that front wheel bearing was bad. Around two weeks before the same thing happened, heard loud noise on front right, got louder when turning. Took vehicle to dealer, who replaced front right bearing. Car always serviced at dealer, two weeks before took car to dealer for pulling to the right. Dealer stated it needed an alignment and balancing. Did that next day and same thing happened within the past month. …”
NHTSA complaint #10118125, filed 2005-04Related service bulletins
- 10251387Feb 12, 2024Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as…
- 10208556Feb 23, 2022Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as…
- 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…
- 10186693Jan 21, 2021Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as…
- 10173097Mar 12, 2020Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as…
- 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 2002 Mazda 626
70 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsTires
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 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