2003 Mazda 626 Problems
- Complaints
- 9filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 18,000miles, 5 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2003 Mazda 626 (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 9 consumer complaints for the 2003 Mazda 626. The part named most often is air bags, with 2 complaints (22% of the total), followed by brakes (1) and electrical system (1). 5 of the complaints include a mileage, and 80% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 18,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 20 technical service bulletins for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
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.
- Air bags2 22%
- Brakes1 11%
- Electrical system1 11%
- Engine cooling1 11%
- Other or unknown1 11%
- Suspension1 11%
Example complaints
Air bags: “I received the recall notice 7914j, campaign #15v-345 & 15v-382, in august of 2015. I called the local dealership, lester glen Mazda in toms river, nj on 8/13/15. They told me they would order the part and call within a week to schedule an appointment to install the recall part. I called again on 9/16/15 and they told me they were still waiting for the part from Mazda, that the parts hadn't been shipped because of some issue on Mazda's end. It is now 10/16/15 and I still have not received a call from the dealership and the part still has not arrived.”
NHTSA complaint #10782809, filed 2015-10Brakes: “The front brake rotors warped prematurely. The mechanic replaced the rotors three times, but the consumer was still having the same problems. Please provide more information.”
NHTSA complaint #10097243, filed 2004-10, 9,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
80% of the 5 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 16,076 and 31,900 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2003 Mazda 626 in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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. 20 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11037013Aug 20, 2026Other or unknown. Product Quality Information (PQI) DESCRIPTION Service Information MT-041/12 is no longer valid. It has been unpublished and superseded by the Field Quality Information Report (FQIR) reporting system.
- 11035599Jul 29, 2026Electrical system, Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). This bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red text. 09-042/04 12/10/04 DESCRIPTION Some vehicles may exhibit inoperative electric rear window…
- 11032103Apr 21, 2026Engine, Brakes, Other or unknown, Transmission and…. This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA listed below: The changes are noted in Red. SA-011/24 02/12/24, 06/06/24, 07/29/24 DESCRIPTION Mazda has developed factory recommended…
- 11026904Dec 10, 2025Other or unknown. A musty/mildew type odor may come from the vents when the air conditioning (A/C) system is operating. It is most noticeable when the A/C is first turned ON. This odor is the result of mold growth in…
- 11017699Apr 25, 2025Other or unknown. A musty/mildew type odor may come from the vents when the air conditioning (A/C) system is operating. It is most noticeable when the A/C is first turned ON. This odor is the result of mold growth in…
- 11006987Aug 8, 2024Electrical system, Other or unknown. 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…
- 10232299Feb 28, 2023Electrical system. Speedometer replacement procedure
- 10222564Sep 26, 2022Transmission and drivetrain. Some customers may experience a squeaking noise may be heard from the exhaust manifold when the idle speed drops from fast idle to normal idle speed during cold start. This is caused by a variable…
- 10217209Jul 18, 2022Electrical system. In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer.
- 10213185May 24, 2022Suspension. Some customers may complain of signs of oil on the struts or shock absorbers. In most cases the oil that is present is normal, and a result of the oil that remains on the shaft during the normal…
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 2003 Mazda 626 have?
NHTSA recorded 9 consumer complaints for the 2003 Mazda 626 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2003 Mazda 626 is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 2 complaints (22% of the total), followed by brakes with 1.
Has the 2003 Mazda 626 been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 2003 Mazda 626 reported?
Among the 5 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 18,000 miles and the middle half falls between 16,076 and 31,900 miles; 80% 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.
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.