The Lemon Index
20015th generation
About average · most complaints: transmission & drivetrain
Fewest complaints of its generation (5th generation).
47 owner complaints, first 3 years 20–25 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2000 Mercury Cougar 2182000 Honda Insight2000 Hyundai Tiburon
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 7 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 05E065000 (fuel system, gasoline) and 00V074000 (brakes) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Mazda sent dealers 101 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Some customers may complain of signs of oil on the struts or shock absorbers”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Mazda's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 47 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 36K to 64K miles (58K to 103K km) on the car (7 of all 47 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
The check engine light illuminated on the dash board.
2000 Mazda 626 owner · NHTSA complaint 10016012
More owner reports
When putting car in drive vehicle slammed into gear. Next day, towed to dealer, and they said transmission was completely gone.
NHTSA complaint 889406
When putting car into drive it will suddenly slam into gear, next day consumer had vehicle towed to dealer, and they said that transmission was completely gone.
NHTSA complaint 889316
Problems Mazda told dealers about
Mazda sent dealers 101 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Some customers may complain of signs of oil on the struts or shock absorbers
- Some customers may complain of signs of oil on the struts or shock absorbers
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 2
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2005
CERTAIN SPX FILTRAN FUEL FILTERS WITH A 45-DEGREE ANGLE INLET TUBE, MODEL 800F350-S1, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT FILTERS FOR 1993-1997 FORD PROBE,1993-2001 MAZDA 626 AND MX-6, AND 1983-1994 LOYAL, 3-DOOR COUPE, HATCHBACK, SEDAN…
- Brakes · recall issued 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★☆☆ · rollover —
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,400–$3,750 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 6-cyl.
Every Mazda 626 year. 2000 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2000 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/mazda-626/?y=2000" 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-626/2000/">Lemon Index</a> (2000 Mazda 626 reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2000 Mazda 626 reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 94; 100 is average, lower is better). 2000 is one of the better years of a model that draws 1.4× the average car's complaints.
What are the most common 2000 Mazda 626 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (45%), engine (23%) and brakes (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2000 Mazda 626 have?
2 safety recalls (latest: fuel system, gasoline). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2000 Mazda 626 get?
20 to 25 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2000 Mazda 626 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 45% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2000 Mazda 626 cost in fuel a year?
About $2,400 to $3,750 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2000 Mazda 626 have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 6-cyl.
Is there a better Mazda 626 year than the 2000?
Not nearby: the 2000 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Mazda 626 years within 3 model years of it.
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. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works