VehicleVerdict

1994 Mazda 626 transmission problems

The 1994 Mazda 626 has 191 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 54% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

191

Transmission complaints

54%

Share of year

2

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Transmission complaints by year

Related recalls

99I005000TransmissionAugust 16, 1999 · 47,651 units

Defect

THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SPEEDOMETER GEAR SET CAN FAIL. SYMPTOMS INCLUDE AN INOPERATIVE SPEEDOMETER, SEVERE LACK OF POWER, AND/OR A TRANSMISSION WHICH STAYS IN THIRD GEAR. IN SOME CASES, THE "OD OFF" LIGHT MAY ALSO FLASH.

Consequence

A DRIVER MAY NOT BE AWARE OF INCREASED SPEED DUE TO THE SPEEDOMETER NOT WORKING CORRECTLY.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SPEEDOMETER GEAR SET AND IF NECESSARY, WILL REPLACE THE SPEEDOMETER GEAR SET AT NO CHARGE. THIS EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERS NECESSARY REPAIRS DUE TO FAILURE OF THE VEHICLE'S SPEEDOMETER GEAR SET FROR 9 YEARS FROM THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY START DATE WITH NO MILEAGE LIMITATION.

What owners report

EXHAUST FAILURE...FIRE UNDER CAR, CAR STOPPED RUNNING, CATALYTIC CONVERTERS MELTED, ENTIRE SYSTEM REPLACED, COVERED BY CALIFORNIA WARRANTY. TRANSMISSION FAILURE, NO REVERSE, NO NEUTRAL GEARS. ONLY HAVE 1ST AND 3 RD GEARS. TRANSMISSION OIL READ OKAY TILL THIS HAPPENED, NOW IT IS GONE AND DEALER SAYS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · May 17, 1999 · fire

Common questions

How many transmission complaints does the 1994 Mazda 626 have?

NHTSA has 191 complaints about the 1994 Mazda 626 transmission — 54% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1994 Mazda 626 transmission?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the transmission: 99I005000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.