Is the 2001 Mazda 626 a bad year?
188 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 139.
Consider selling
Half of all transmission complaints about the 2001 Mazda 626 were filed between 57k and 103k miles. You're at 80,000 miles.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2001 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 80,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 139 (74%) | 57k–103k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Equipment | 15 (8%) | 41k–90k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Air bags | 11 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Engine | 11 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Brakes | 7 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 6 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Engine and cooling | 6 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exhaust | 6 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 5 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Tires | 5 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 5 (3%) | 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 80,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 188 complaints: 10 mention a crash · 4 mention a fire · 11 report an injury · 1 says the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Jul 2019.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
2001 Mazda 626 lx 4 cyl auto trans. At 80k miles, after long highway trips, the o/d off light started flashing intermittently.
I have a 2001 Mazda 626 that had a transmission failure at less than 60k miles. My problems began when I started noticing a jerking motion when I accelerated out of a full stop.
As well as other 626'S my transmission has blown. Was driving it, down the road, then the check engine light flashed about 7 times, and it revved, then went down and revved with the check engine light.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 80,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2001 Mazda 626: 1
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.
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: 67
Repair instructions Mazda sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2001 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…
In support of the new MRT distribution, Mazda will ship to dealers a new Dual Purpose Diagnostic Leak Detector beginning March, 2019
On some vehicles, a sulfur smell or 'rotten egg' odor may be noticed coming from the exhaust system
Neighbouring years
2000 626: 217 complaints, consider selling · 2002 626: 87 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission.
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 2001 Mazda 626 a bad year?
188 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 139. At 80,000 miles the tool says: Consider selling. Half of all transmission complaints about the 2001 Mazda 626 were filed between 57k and 103k miles. You're at 80,000 miles.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Mazda 626?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: transmission and drivetrain (139), equipment (15), air bags (11), engine (11), brakes (7). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 57k–103k miles.
How many recalls does the 2001 Mazda 626 have?
1 recall campaign list this model year: Fuel system (NHTSA 05E065000). 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.