Is the 2000 Mazda 626 a bad year?
217 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 160.
Consider selling
Half of all transmission complaints about the 2000 Mazda 626 were filed between 64k and 105k miles. You're at 86,000 miles.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2000 626 owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 86,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 160 (74%) | 64k–105k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Equipment | 12 (6%) | 41k–90k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Brakes | 14 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Engine | 14 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 10 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 10 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Air bags | 9 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 7 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Latches and locks | 5 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 5 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 86,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 217 complaints: 6 mention a crash · 6 report an injury.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in May 2018.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Transmission over heats(Overdrive light blinks), causing the car to shift gears improperly and if untreated by adding an extra radiator for the transmission it will go bad!!!!!
My madza 626 with 10500 miles on it had transmission failure which cost 2000 dollars to repair. I have had service done on the vehicle on a regular basis and feel this transmission should not have failed.
I own a Mazda 626, 2000 with 65,000 miles. The vehicle has recently run into over $3700 worth of repairs to the transmission, engine mount and axles.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 86,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2000 Mazda 626: 2
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, wagon, brat, dl, gl, GL-10, rx, xt, and XT6 passenger vehicles with efi or turbo engines. In the presence of an ignition source, a vehicle fire can occur.
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Certain reservoir tank caps on the brake master cylinder were produced with a worn out die and lack ventilation holes. As a result, the pressure in the reservoir tank can drop gradually as the brake pad or shoe wears and ambient temperature drops. This condition could cause reduced brake efficiency, increasing the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Mazda: 65
Repair instructions Mazda sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2000 Mazda 626. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Some customers may experience a squeaking noise may be heard from the exhaust manifold when the idle speed drops from fast idle to normal idle speed during…
Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Cooler and Lines Flushing Procedure: Automatic Transaxle/Transmission…
On some vehicles, a sulfur smell or 'rotten egg' odor may be noticed coming from the exhaust system
Some customers may complain of signs of oil on the struts or shock absorbers
Neighbouring years
2001 626: 188 complaints, consider selling.
Every Mazda 626 year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · All 626 years side by side
Other Mazda models: Mazda B-Series Truck · Mazda CX-30 · Mazda CX-5 · Mazda CX-50 · Mazda CX-7 · Mazda CX-9 · Mazda CX-90 · Mazda MPV · Mazda MX-5 · Mazda Mazda3 · Mazda Mazda5 · Mazda Mazda6 · Mazda Protege · Mazda RX-8 · Mazda Tribute. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2000 Mazda 626 a bad year?
217 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 160. At 86,000 miles the tool says: Consider selling. Half of all transmission complaints about the 2000 Mazda 626 were filed between 64k and 105k miles. You're at 86,000 miles.
What are the most common problems with the 2000 Mazda 626?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: transmission and drivetrain (160), equipment (12), brakes (14), engine (14), fuel system (10). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 64k–105k miles.
How many recalls does the 2000 Mazda 626 have?
2 recall campaigns list this model year: Fuel system (NHTSA 05E065000), Brakes (NHTSA 00V-074). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.