Mazda 626 Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy

Q: What year 626 should I avoid?

Based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, the 1996 Mazda 626 has the most documented problems with a problem score of 985 — driven by 2 recalls, 238 complaints, and 99 reported deaths.

Q: What is the best year 626 to buy?

The 2002 Mazda 626 is the best-scoring year in our analysis with a problem score of only 57, meaning 0 recalls and 45 complaints on record.

Q: Which 626 has the fewest problems?

The 2002, 1993, 2001 model years have the fewest reported problems in the NHTSA database. Always verify a specific vehicle's history with a VIN report before purchasing.

Every Mazda 626 model year (1993–2002) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, deaths, and injuries. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.

Years Tracked

Total Recalls

1797

Total Complaints

219

Reported Injuries

Reported Deaths

Mazda 626 Years to Avoid

#1 WORST

1996

2 recalls · 238 complaints

123 reported injuries

99 reported deaths

Top issue: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Problem score: 985

#2 WORST

1995

1 recall · 265 complaints

22 reported injuries

Top issue: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Problem score: 312

#3 WORST

1997

2 recalls · 256 complaints

24 reported injuries

Top issue: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Problem score: 310

Best Mazda 626 Years to Buy

#1 BEST

2002

0 recalls · 45 complaints

Main area: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Problem score: 57

#2 BEST

1993

0 recalls · 106 complaints

Main area: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Problem score: 114

#3 BEST

2001

0 recalls · 116 complaints

Main area: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Problem score: 132

Found the right year? Verify that specific 626 with a free VIN report.

Mazda 626 — Year-by-Year Problem Report

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Injuries	Deaths	Problem Score	Verdict
2002	0	45	6	—	57	Excellent
2001	0	116	8	—	132	Good
2000	0	137	7	—	151	Good
1999	2	201	5	—	217	Good
1998	3	253	10	—	282	Good
1997	2	256	24	—	310	Good
1996	2	238	123	99	985	Avoid
1995	1	265	22	—	312	Good
1994	1	180	10	—	203	Good
1993	0	106	4	—	114	Good

All 10 model years shown. Deaths and injuries from NHTSA complaint filings. Higher problem scores indicate more reported safety issues.

Mazda 626 Shopping Guide by Era

Pre-2013

Proceed with Caution

Older 626 models have more accumulated wear and a larger recall history. These are higher-risk purchases without documented maintenance records and a clean VIN history report.

Frequently Asked Questions

What year 626 should I avoid?+

Avoid the 1996 Mazda 626 if possible. It has 2 recalls, 238 owner complaints, and 99 reported deaths. The overall problem score is 985 — the highest in our dataset.

What is the best year 626 to buy?+

The 2002 Mazda 626 is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 57. It has only 0 recalls and 45 complaints on record with NHTSA.

Which 626 has the fewest problems?+

The 2002, 1993, 2001 model years have the fewest documented problems. Even for low-problem years, verifying a specific vehicle's history via its VIN is always recommended before purchase.

More Mazda 626 Research

Reliability Score

Overall reliability rating and score breakdown for the Mazda 626.

Common Problems

Full breakdown of every reported defect for the Mazda 626.

Check a Specific Mazda 626 VIN

Model-year rankings show statistical risk. A VIN-specific report reveals the individual vehicle's full history — accidents, odometer rollbacks, auction records, and open recall status.

Run a Free VIN Report →