Verdict · NHTSA data
Limited data — recalls on file
NHTSA has just 24 complaints on file for the 1992 Mazda 626 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but one recall campaign applies to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.
24
NHTSA complaints
1
Recalls
0
Investigations
4
Crash-involved
0
Fires reported
4
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seat Belts | 5 | 21% | ▼ down |
| Transmission | 5 | 21% | ▼ down |
| Brakes | 3 | 13% | ▼ down |
| Visibility & Wipers | 2 | 8% | ▼ down |
| Speed Control | 2 | 8% | ▼ down |
| Suspension | 2 | 8% | ▼ down |
| Electrical System | 1 | 4% | ▼ down |
| Airbags | 1 | 4% | — flat |
| Tires & Wheels | 1 | 4% | ▼ down |
| Other | 1 | 4% | — flat |
| Lighting | 1 | 4% | — flat |
1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
THE GROOVE FOR THE REAR WHEEL BEARING RETAINER RING WAS INCORRECTLY MACHINED.
Consequence
IF THE RETAINING RING DOES NOT SIT CORRECTLY IN THEGROOVE, THE AXLE LUG NUTS WILL BREAK, CAUSING THE BRAKE DRUM, WHEEL, AND TIREASSEMBLY TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.
Remedy
MIDAS SHOPS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE DRUMS WITH OTHER BRAKE DRUMS FROM ANOTHER SUPPLIER.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“I HAVE A 1992 MAZDA 626, WITH AUTOMATIC FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTORS. ABOUT SIX MONTHS AGO, THE RIGHT SIDE RETRACTOR FAILED, RESULTING IN AN EXTENDED BUZZING OF THE SEAT BELT ALARM, AND A DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHT THAT WOULD NOT GO OUT. MAZDA AGREED TO FURNISH THE PART, BUT LEFT ME WITH THE SIGNIFICANT…”
“WHILE DRIVER WAS SITTING IN CAR WITH FOOT HANGING OUT, TRANSMISSION SLIPPED INTO GEAR, PULLED DRIVER OUT, RAN DRIVER OVER. *DSH”
“1992 MAZDA 626 DX, ODOMETER 184,580MI. VEHICLE TRAVELING AT APPROX 35MPH ON CITY STREET. AS ANOTHER VEHICLE CUT ME OFF I PRESSED THE BRAKES HARD AT WHICH POINT I HEARD A POPPING SOUND AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR BUT THE CAR WAS NOT STOPPING. AT WHICH POINT I PUMPED THE BRAKES A…”
“COMPONENT FAILURE UNKNOWN. CAR WAS COLD STARTED FROM PARK, GEAR SHIFT (FIRMLY BELIEVED TO BE) PLACED IN REVERSE; EMERGENCY BRAKE RELEASED; CLUTCH EASED; CAR FAST ACCELERATED FORWARD, JUMPING OVER A CEMENT BLOCK/TIRE STOP, CRASHING INTO AND PARTIALLY THROUGH AN ALUMINUM GUARD RAIL; CRUISE CONTROL…”
The record is thin — 24 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are seat belts (5 complaints), transmission (5 complaints), brakes (3 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 1992 Mazda 626. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the 626 years to avoid are 1995, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1999, 1994, 2000, 2001, 1993, 2002, 1991. The cleanest record among 626 years belongs to 1982.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.