The 1999 Mazda 626 has 52 engine complaints filed with NHTSA — 14% of the year's total, and down from the prior model year.
52
Engine complaints
14%
Share of year
2
Crash-involved
1
Related recalls
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. AN EXTERNAL SPRING IN THE TIMING BELT TENSIONER COULD BREAK.
Consequence
THE BROKEN SPRING MAY GET CAUGHT IN THE TIMING BELT, RESULTING POSSIBLE ENGINE STALLING.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL CHECK THE TENSIONER INSTALLED AND REPLACE IT IF THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH THE AFFECTED TENSIONER.
“VEHICLE STALLED AT 60MPH WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER CONSUMER PULLED VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. DEALER STATED STALLING WAS CAUSED BY AN ENGINE ROD FAILURE AND WAS COMMON. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *AK”
NHTSA has 52 complaints about the 1999 Mazda 626 engine — 14% of all complaints filed for that model year.
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the engine: 00V134000.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.