The Lemon IndexMazda 626 reliability.
Is it reliable? Not really. 1.4× the average car's complaints.
Worse than average · 2000–2001
What owners say on YouTube: we haven't studied Mazda 626 videos yet. When that study runs, the most-watched owner reviews and buyer guides for each generation, and what owners praise and complain about, show up here.
Fewest complaints
2000.
Only 2 Mazda 626 years have enough complaints and sales to score, too few for best and worst lists. 2000 drew about average.
Every year. Lower is better. Tap a year for its full report.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
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<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/mazda-626/" title="Mazda 626 reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="261" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/mazda-626/">Lemon Index</a> (Mazda 626 reliability by year)</p>Scores before 2010 are rough: fewer owners filed complaints back then.
Compare the Mazda 626.
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Quick answers.
Is the Mazda 626 reliable?
Not really. It draws 1.4× the average car's complaints. Fewest complaints: 2000.
Is the Mazda 626 a good car?
Not overall: it draws more complaints than the average car, by owner complaints to the government per car sold (2000-2001: Lemon Index 138; 100 is average). Some years are much better than others: 2000 drew the fewest complaints and 2001 the most.
What are the best Mazda 626 years to buy?
Only 2 Mazda 626 years have enough data to score, so we don't list best years. 2000 drew the fewest complaints (about average).
What Mazda 626 years should you stay away from?
Only 2 Mazda 626 years have enough data to score, too few to single out years to avoid.
How many recalls does the Mazda 626 have?
3 safety recalls across the 4 model years we track. Most: 2000 (2), 2001 (1). Each year's page lists them.
What are the most common Mazda 626 problems?
Across every year, owners' complaints to the government name transmission & drivetrain, engine and airbags most. Some years are much worse than others: see the chart above.
Every year in one table
| Year | Index | Compared with average | Complaints | Top complaint | Recalls | Crash test | MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 94 | about average | 47 | transmission & drivetrain (45%) | 2 | — | 20–25 |
| 2001 | 212 | about twice the average car's complaints | 62 | transmission & drivetrain (56%) | 1 | — | 20–25 |
| 2002 | – | complaints only, too few sold to score | 30 | transmission & drivetrain (63%) | 0 | — | 20–25 |
| 2003 | – | complaints only, too few sold to score | 6 | engine (17%) | 0 | — | — |
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. U.S. sales source: goodcarbadcar.net. How it works
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Updated · Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com)
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