1987 Mazda 626

Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.

78/100

Worth a look

AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.

What owners actually report

Owners have filed 40 complaints with NHTSA about the 1987 Mazda 626, and it carries 1 recall. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.

Complaints by area, from NHTSA records for this model-year
Area	Complaints	Share
Electrical system	18	45%
Seat belts	8	20%
Vehicle speed control	3	8%
Power train	2	5%
Structure	2	5%
Engine and engine cooling	2	5%
Suspension	1	3%
Service brakes	1	3%
Exterior lighting	1	3%
Equipment	1	3%

In owners' own words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.

DT: THE VEHICLE NEEDED A COMPLETE ELECTRICAL SWITCH ASSEMBLY. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND TURNING THE KEY DOESN'T HELP AT ALL. THERE IS NO SOUND OF THE ENGINE TURNING ON. THE OWNER IS UPSET BECAUSE HIS VEHICLE WA
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system

WHILE PARKING OR DRIVING VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND JUMPED FORWARD WHICH CAUSED TWO CRASHES. DEALER DISCONNECTED THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THE PROBLEM HAS NOT ARISEN. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control

NHTSA RECALL # 90V118000: VEHICLE EXPERIENCED IGNITION SWITCH MALFUNCTION. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system

THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS OFF, BUT OTHERS WERE ON.CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system

WHEN STARTING CAR, IF THE IGNITION SWITCH WASN'T TURNED IN THE EXACT RIGHT POSITION, ELECTRICAL DEVICES WOULD PERFORM ERRATICALLY. DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system

IGNITION SWITCH TERMINAL FAILED 30 TIMES, CAUSING AIR CONDITIONER/WINDSHIELD WIPERS/RADIO/ OTHER ACCESSORIES TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system

WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 30MPH, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED, CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Power train

REAR STRUTS RUSTED AROUND THE WELDS, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO DROP TO THE GROUND. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Suspension

Recalls on record

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1987 Mazda 626. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.

Electrical system:ignition 90V118000

IGNITION SWITCH TERMINAL MAY MALFUNCTION.

Risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN FAILURE OF WINDSHIELD WIPERS,WINDSHIELD WASHER, ENGINE COOLING FAN, HEATER BLOWER, AND AIR CONDITIONINGCOMPRESSOR. FAILURE OF WINDSHIELD CLEARING DEVICES COULD CAUSE REDUCEDVISIBI

Fix: REPLACE IGNITION SWITCHES.

The seven scores

Reliability raw	87	excellent
Longevity est.	84	excellent
Maintenance	82	excellent
Depreciation	90	excellent
Performance	45	below average
Efficiency	46	below average

How it compares in its class

Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.

Reliability: better than 53% of compact cars
Longevity: better than 88% of compact cars
Running costs: better than 65% of compact cars
Value retention: better than 88% of compact cars

Which of these numbers are measured

What stands behind each score for this car:

Reliability 87: from NHTSA recalls and complaints. This one is a raw count: we do not have a sales figure for this model, so a high-volume car looks worse here than it should.
Longevity 84: an estimate from powertrain and brand record. No 200,000-mile population exists for a 1987 car yet, so this is a prior, not evidence.
Maintenance 82: repair-cost data where we have it for this model, otherwise a mechanical-complexity estimate from engine size, cylinder count and drivetrain.
Safety: no score. NHTSA crash testing thins out for older vehicles and we would rather show nothing than guess.

Common questions

What goes wrong with the 1987 Mazda 626?

Owners have filed 40 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 18 of them (45%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.

Is the 1987 Mazda 626 reliable?

AVOIR scores its reliability 87/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.

How long will a 1987 Mazda 626 last?

AVOIR scores its longevity 84/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1987 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.

Should I buy a 1987 Mazda 626?

AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 78/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.

Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.