Mazda 626 Recalls

The Mazda 626 has 27 recalls spanning the 1979–1999 production run, with the most serious being a fire risk on 1993–1998 models where grease inside the ignition switch can become conductive, overheat, and start a fire.

The 1998 model year carries additional fire risk from a separate issue: in hot, humid conditions with a window open and the air conditioner running, condensation can enter the audio unit, short-circuit a specific set of terminals, and cause the speaker to catch fire. Also on 1998 models, a powertrain control module programming error on 2.0-litre-equipped vehicles can push the engine into an overly lean air-fuel mixture, causing a stall and potential loss of control. The 1999 model year has a brake master cylinder reservoir cap that lacks ventilation holes, causing pressure to drop gradually as brake pads wear; after the vehicle sits parked for an extended period, the resulting vacuum can pull the brake calipers back and reduce braking effectiveness when driving resumes.

The 1997 model year has two issues: an airbag sensor that can trigger deployment during minor undercarriage impacts, and a timing belt tensioner spring that can break and jam the timing belt, stalling the engine. The 1995 model year shares the same airbag sensor problem, where minor undercarriage impacts can cause unexpected deployment, and separately has a passenger-side airbag inflator body that may be cracked, leaving the airbag unable to inflate properly in a crash. On 1994 models, the headlight lead wire can break at its solder point inside the turn signal lever, cutting headlight function entirely, and the speedometer gear set can fail, leaving the driver unaware of actual vehicle speed.

Going further back, 1990 models have front door handles that can break at the latch rod attachment; if the rod falls inside the door and the window is lowered, the window glass can push the rod down and release the door latch, allowing the door to open while driving. The 1988 model year has fuel tank straps that may loosen and rub through the tank's protective coating, eventually perforating the tank and leaking fuel, as well as front outer door handles that can fail and allow the latch rod to fall into the path of the window, creating the same inadvertent door-opening risk. The 1988 model also has a throttle body that can accumulate frost at temperatures below -18°C, causing a heavy accelerator pedal and uneven throttle return, and rear brake shoe components that can be displaced during rail transport, allowing moisture and debris into the wheel cylinder and reducing rear braking. The 1986 model year has an ignition switch terminal fault that can disable the windshield wipers, washer, cooling fan, heater blower, and air conditioning simultaneously. The 1983 model year, specifically vehicles operated in eastern Canadian provinces, has a secondary hood latch that can seize from corrosion and prevent the hood from latching securely.