Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1981 626.
The 1981 Mazda 626 falls outside the model’s documented complaint history, which covers 1990 through 2003 and ranges from a high of 518 complaints in 1995 to a low of 9 in 2003. Because no complaint data is recorded for this model year within that dataset, its reliability position relative to those later figures cannot be established from the available record. Researchers must therefore look beyond the 1990–2003 window to assess this vehicle’s history.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Overall length | 174 in |
| Overall width | 65.4 in |
| Overall height | 53.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 98.8 in |
| Curb weight | 2590 lb |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the 626 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Luxury Sedan 2.0L I-4 | 17.30 sec | 20.50 sec | 83 hp | RWD |
| 1983 | Sedan 2.0L I-4 | 12.40 sec | 18.60 sec | 83 hp | FWD |
| 1986 | GT 5-door Hatchback 2.0L Turbo I-4 | 7.80 sec | 16.00 sec | 120 hp | FWD |
| 1988 | 4WS Sedan 2.2L Turbo I-4 | 7.20 sec | 15.90 sec | 145 hp | FWD |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
IN CERTAIN HIGH SALT AREAS, THE IDLER ARM IS EXPOSED TO ROAD SALT WHICH CAUSES THE DUST SEAL TO DETERIORATE RESULTING IN IDLER ARM PIN CORROSION. THIS CAUSES THE PIN TO FREEZE AND BREAK. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: A BROKEN… Remedy: REPLACE PIN WITH ONE OF IMPROVED CORROSION RESISTANT QUALITY.
ANCHORAGE BOLT MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY REINSTALLED AFTER VEHICLE REPAIR. THE BOLT COULD LOOSEN DURING NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION. Remedy: UPON INSPECTION, ALL IMPROPERLY INSTALLED BOLTS WILL BE REMOVED AND REINSTALLED CORRECTLY.
Showing 3 of 3 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 008/97 | 1997-05-19 | Equipment | USE OF A/C TRACER DYE. *TW |
| 001/97G | 1997-04-08 | Electrical System | MAINTENANCE FREE BATTERY - DIAGNOSTIC AND CHARGING PROCEDURE. *TW |
| 003/97G | 1997-01-19 | Electrical System | WIPER MOTOR INOPERATIVE - CIRCUIT BREAKER ACTIVATION. *TW |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.