Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 322 complaints with NHTSA about the 1999 Mazda 626, and it carries 4 recalls. 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.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 215 | 67% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 33 | 10% |
| Service brakes | 10 | 3% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 9 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 6 | 2% |
| Air bags | 4 | 1% |
| Seats | 4 | 1% |
| Seat belts | 3 | 1% |
| Equipment | 3 | 1% |
| Suspension | 3 | 1% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
IGNITION SWITCH IS DEFECTED. AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, ONLY FOR A FEW MOMENTS, SMOKE BEGIN TO FLOW FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AND I MUST IMMEDIATELY DISENGAGE THE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION POSITION.
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
WHEN ENGAGING THE IGNITION SWITCH TO START THE VEHICLE, SMOKE COMES FROM THE STEERING COLUMN, I MUST IMMEDIATELY TURN OFF THE CONTACT POSITION. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS SECONDS AFTER THE IGNITION SWITCH IS ENGAGED.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
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 INTER
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
WHEN ENGAGING IGNITION SWITCH TO START VEHICLE, SMOKE COMES UP FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. HAVE TO IMMEDIATELY TURN OFF SWITCH. THIS PROBLEM STARTED 2011. VEHICLE IS IN STORAGE AT THIS TIME.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
THE TRANSMISSION STARTED ACTING UP WHICH IS APPARENTLY A KNOWN ISSUE BY MAZDA THAT THE TRANSMISSION WILL MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO GO BAD. THIS BS WITH IT COST MY WIFE HER JOB
NHTSA complaint: Power train
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
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
SOMEONE HIT ME FROM BEHIND DUE TO MY BREAK CAUSE THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP & THE TRANSMITTION WENT OUT ON THE CAR & I ALSO HAD OTHER PROBLEMS TO WITH THE CAR
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
MY GAS PEDAL GET STUCK, CAR JERKS WHEN DRIVEN & MAKE NOISY, CAR SAKES BRAKES PROBLEMS & MORE. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Power train
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 1999 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.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
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 TUR
Risk: IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A VEHICLE FIRE CAN OCCUR.
Fix: SPX WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND PROVIDE A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN SEPTEMBER 27, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MR. CHRIS GREESON AT 704-869-3733 OR CONTACT THE WIX INFORMATION HOTLINE AT 800-949-6
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. ALSO,
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE REDUCED BRAKE EFFICIENCY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE RESERVOIR CAP AND REPLACE IT, IF NECESSARY.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. AN EXTERNAL SPRING IN THE TIMING BELT TENSIONER COULD BREAK.
Risk: THE BROKEN SPRING MAY GET CAUGHT IN THE TIMING BELT, RESULTING POSSIBLE ENGINE STALLING.
Fix: DEALERS WILL CHECK THE TENSIONER INSTALLED AND REPLACE IT IF THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH THE AFFECTED TENSIONER.
| Reliability raw | 74 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 78 | good |
| Maintenance | 82 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 90 | excellent |
| Performance | 45 | below average |
| Efficiency | 41 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 322 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 215 of them (67%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 74/100 (good) 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.
AVOIR scores its longevity 78/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1999 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 73/100. 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.