The Lemon Index
200120035th generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 11,646 in the U.S. in 2002 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 30 complaints in its first 3 years.
Better years to buy
30 owner complaints, first 3 years 20–25 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
When problems show up
Only 15 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Any clunks over bumps or uneven tire wear? Were struts, shocks or control arms replaced?
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Mazda sent dealers 99 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Subject regarding grinding/rubbing noise at front of vehicle, models with vins from y5148597…”?
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 30 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 6K to 68K miles (11K to 111K km) on the car (15 of all 30 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
Consumer heard noise in the vehicle. When brought to the dealership, nothing was found.
2002 Mazda 626 owner · NHTSA complaint 10059664
More owner reports
While driving heard humming noise. Took vehicle to dealer. A loose bearing on right front wheel. Replaced part. While driving again, heard a noise wheel front right wheel fell off.
NHTSA complaint 8012175
1) there was no warning of impending failure on the transmission on this vehicle. It simply ceased to function in forward speeds in a mattler of less than half an hour.
NHTSA complaint 10118774
Problems Mazda told dealers about
Mazda sent dealers 99 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Subject regarding grinding/rubbing noise at front of vehicle, models with vins from y5148597…
- 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 0
No safety recalls on record.
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. 2002 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 2002 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/mazda-626/?y=2002" 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-626/2002/">Lemon Index</a> (2002 Mazda 626 reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2002 Mazda 626 reliable?
We can't score it: only 11,646 were sold in the U.S. in 2002 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 30 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2002 Mazda 626 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (63%), suspension (10%) and airbags (10%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2002 Mazda 626 have?
None: NHTSA has no safety recalls on record for it.
What gas mileage does the 2002 Mazda 626 get?
20 to 25 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2002 Mazda 626 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 63% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2002 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 2002 Mazda 626 have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 6-cyl.
What Mazda 626 year is better than the 2002?
Nearby, the 2000 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about average).
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