Mazda›626›1986›Overview/mazda/626/1986/base/

1986 Mazda 626

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1986 626.

Transmission Automatic 3-spd

The 1986 Mazda 626, fitted with a 3-speed automatic transmission and EPA-rated at 21 city/26 highway/23 combined mpg, logged only 18 total owner complaints and two recalls, placing it among the most trouble-free years in the model’s reliability history. This low complaint count stands in stark contrast to the peak of 518 complaints recorded for the 1995 model, and it approaches the 2003 model’s floor of nine, indicating that the 1986 626 offered exceptional initial quality for its era. For researchers, this year represents a high-water mark of dependability within the 1990–2003 span, though the electrical system remains the top reported concern.

Model year2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1986

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

EPA fuel economy21/26/23 mpgEPA · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 3-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	178 in
Overall width	66.5 in
Overall height	53.9 in
Wheelbase	98.8 in
Curb weight	2449 lb
Weight distribution (front / rear)	63/37

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	21 / 26 / 23 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume	94 cu ft
Cargo volume	14 cu ft
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

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.

7.8 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.80 sec — 1986 GT 5-door Hatchback

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
1986	GT 5-door Hatchback 2.0L Turbo I-4	7.80 sec	16.00 sec	120 hp	FWD
1983	Sedan 2.0L I-4	12.40 sec	18.60 sec	83 hp	FWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

Lubricants & capacities

Engine Coolant	ETHYLENE GLYCOL
Power Steering Fluid	ATF

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi.

Every 5,000 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 7,500 mi	Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Rack & Pinion Housing Dust Boot (inspect)
Every 15,000 mi	Body Fasteners (torque) · Brake Pedal Assembly (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Clutch Pedal Assembly (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash)
At 30,000 mi	Steering System (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Brake Power Booster Unit (inspect) · Clutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Exhaust System Heat Shield (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	Timing Belt (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The provided year-by-year federal record runs from 1990 to 2003 and includes no entries for 1986 or any earlier year, so the 1986 Mazda 626 cannot be compared to adjacent model years or situated within the generational arc visible in the dataset, which shows complaints rising from 55 in 1990 to a peak of 518 in 1995 before falling to 9 by 2003. For 1986 itself, the dataset provides only isolated complaint data: 5 for the electrical system, 4 for seat belts, 2 for engine and engine cooling, and 2 for visibility, along with 0 crash complaints and 1 fire complaint. Because no surrounding years are present and the record offers no generational trend for this model, there is no federal benchmark against which to judge 1986. That sparseness indicates minimal federally documented activity for the model year, though the data does not specify why the record is thin. Given the low complaint counts and absence of crash complaints, the federal record presents no red flags for 1986, making it a viable candidate for purchase contingent on a thorough pre-purchase mechanical inspection.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

0 involved a crash · 1 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90 ’91 ’92 ’93 ’94 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ’03

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 18 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System5

Seat Belts4

Engine & Engine Cooling2

Visibility2

Power Train1

Steering1

Service Brakes, Hydraulic1

Wheels1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

90V118000Electrical System:IgnitionReported 14/06/1990

IGNITION SWITCH TERMINAL MAY MALFUNCTION. Remedy: REPLACE IGNITION SWITCHES.

86V042000Vehicle Speed ControlReported 11/03/1986

THE THROTTLE ANGLE SENSOR ON THE CARBURETOR MAY CONTAIN A NYLON ROTOR WHICH HAS NOT BEEN HEAT TREATED. ROTORS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN HEAT TREATED CONTRACT IN THE PRESENCE OF HEAT CAUSING THE THROTTLE MECHANISM TO STICK… Remedy: REPLACE THROTTLE ANGLE SENSOR ASSEMBLIES WITH NEW HEAT TREATED ROTORS WITH LARGER INSIDE DIAMETERS.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

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

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific 626. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

Does the 1986 626 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 626 get?

EPA figures are 21 city / 26 highway / 23 combined mpg.