Electrical complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The car started to not want to crank it would crank sometimes then one day we went to the store then when we went to leave the store it finally just stopped trying to crank only making a clicking sound and while trying to crank it the steering column started smoking and almost caught on fire I believe it is the ignition switch
I have a 2002 Mazda 626 4cyl with 71,200 miles. I had just paid it off last month and come to find out my automatic transmission is going out on me. When accelerating it sounds as if gears are grinding. There was a couple times over the last 3 months my check engine light came on. I took it in and was told my battery connection was loose. Other than that there was no events leading up to this and happened all of a sudden. I have tried to change transmission fluid and the defected transmission is still in the vehicle continuing with grinding noise. Took it back in and told me the transmission is about to need rebuilding I have read many problems online dating back to 1996 regarding these 626's transmissions and here is another one.
My daughter was sitting in her car when she noticed smoke coming from the wiper switch area and blinker area. The smoke smelled like burning plastic. Upon further inspection by a mechanic, it was discovered that the ignition switch was bad, causing the starter to stay engaged. The burning smell was coming from the ignition switch. I currently have the defective part as well as the receipt for the replacement part.
Columbia heights, washington dc June 19th 2012, I was with my mother and partner parking in front of giant supermarket returning a movie at local redbox, while waiting for my partner, I turned off the car, sitting inside noticed dense fumes came from the ignition, I removed the key and fumes still coming out, we step outside the car and we saw several sparks in the ignition, I called immediately 911, suddenly a big flame of fire came from the steering wheel, the car was on fire, we were close to the rooms from a local fire department, a man came with a fire extinguisher and calm the fire and flames; fire truck came less than 10 minutes later, but car was already destroyed. I have pictures to prove, phone calls and witness.
My 2000 Mazda 626 began having problems a week after purchasing April 10, 2008! The car started having electrical problems which resulted in 3 batteries, 2 alternators, no ac or defrost could be run. Then the brakes were replaced twice within a 2 month period! All these problems resulted in me almost being killed from an automobile accident! This happened June 8, 2009 which was a Monday approx. 4 pm. The airbags never deployed, and my head hit the steering wheel. Windshield shattered all over my hand resulting in severe lacerations! This car needs looked at asap!!!! Please help
2000 Mazda 626 lx 4 cyl. On March 1st 2006, my speedometer dropped to zero while driving at a continuous speed (45 MPH) this happened several times within a half hour period before the engine light came on. On March 2nd, I drove the car to the local Mazda dealership for a diagnostic. According to the dealership, the diagnostic revealed that the speed sensor was bad. However, they also related that the sensor was replaced and that the problem was still there. The dealership proceeded with a search of the wiring in order to determine what the problem was. This was done at an hourly rate of $85.00 an hour. On March 6th, a broken wire was found at the firewall. It took them 7.5 hours to make this determination. On March 11th, while on the expressway, my o/d light began flashing off and on continuously. It also began bucking and jerking and would slip in and out of gears. …
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Mazda 626. The contact stated that the ignition switch failed causing the instrumental panel wires to catch on fire. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who advised that the fire initiated due to a ignition switch failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V674000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was 156,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Mazda 626. The contact stated that the key was extremely difficult to turn over to start the vehicle. In addition, the failure was progressing to the point that the vehicle May not start intermittently. The vehicle was not inspected or diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 12,000.
Related recalls (1)
Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 1989-1998 MPV, 1990-1995 323, 1990-1998 Protege, 1992-1993 MX-3, 1993-1995 929, 1993-1997 MX-6, and 1993-1998 626 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, grease applied to the contact points inside the ignition switch may become conductive and overheat.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. The recall began on December 17, 2015. Owners may contact Mazda Customer Experience Center at 1-800-222-5500, option#6.
Frequently asked questions
Which Mazda 626 years have electrical problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1997 (32), 1995 (19), 1996 (12), 1998 (12) and 1999 (11) model years. Electrical complaints make up 9% of all complaints for the 1997.
Is there a recall for Mazda 626 electrical problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 15V-674 (switch, Oct 19, 2015). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Mazda 626 electrical problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 102,000 miles; 22% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the ignition (10 mentions), followed by the wiring (7).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.