Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Power Train:automatic Transmission — runs 7.6× the fleet median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.
282Complaints
4Recalls
18Crashes
6Fires
16Injured
0Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Power Train:automatic Transmission (57.1% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.
Power Train:automatic Transmission complaints here are 7.6× the median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.
Complaint category
Reports
Official status
Reference
Power Train:automatic Transmission
161 · 57.1%
Recalled
Recall 99I005000
Electrical System:ignition
12 · 4.3%
Recalled
Recall 15V674000
Air Bags:frontal
11 · 3.9%
not available
—
Power Train
11 · 3.9%
Recalled
Recall 99I005000
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline
9 · 3.2%
not available
—
Power Train:manual Transmission
9 · 3.2%
Recalled
Recall 99I005000
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS6 · 2.1%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY5 · 1.8%
Percentages are the share of the 282 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
A DRIVER MAY NOT BE AWARE OF INCREASED SPEED DUE TO THE SPEEDOMETER NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park itPark outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD AND OUT OF GEAR. TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED.”NHTSA complaint 883496 — filed 03/20/2001 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
“EXTREMELLY HARSH SHIFTING, VEHICLE DOES NOT MOVE FROM STOP OR MOVES BACKWARDS. VEHICLE EXTREMELLY HARD TO CONTROL. TORQUE CLUTCH CONVERTER CODE DETECTED - TRANSMISSION NEEDS…”NHTSA complaint 741666 — filed 02/28/2001 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
“I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN SEPT. OF 1994 AND HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION 3 TIMES ALREADY AND GUESS WHAT IT WENT AGAIN FOR THE…”NHTSA complaint 740657 — filed 02/09/2001 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1994 Mazda 626?
Power train:automatic transmission issues are the most-reported category, cited in 161 of 282 NHTSA complaints (57.1%), followed by electrical system:ignition (12), air bags:frontal (11), power train (11). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 1994 Mazda 626 have?
282 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 18 involved a crash, 6 involved a fire, and 16 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Does the 1994 Mazda 626 have any recalls?
Yes — 4 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 15V674000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 1994 Mazda 626's reported problems?
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.
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