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1990 Mazda 626

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1990 626.

Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1990 Mazda 626 opened the nameplate's tracked complaint history with a 4-speed automatic transmission and EPA fuel economy ratings of 19 city, 26 highway, and 22 combined mpg, figures that positioned it as a practical mid-size offering of its era. Owner feedback for this inaugural tracked year was comparatively muted, with 55 total complaints—led by seat belt concerns—and two recalls, numbers that sit far below the 518-complaint peak reached in 1995 and closer to the quiet 9-complaint low recorded for 2003. That relatively low complaint volume places the 1990 model on the calmer end of the 626's 1990–2003 reliability arc, suggesting it predates the model's more problematic middle years and remains a less-troubled entry point for researchers examining the platform's longitudinal durability record.

Model year2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1990

Quick specs

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

EPA fuel economy19/26/22 mpgEPA · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	179.5 in
Overall width	66.5 in
Overall height	55.5 in
Wheelbase	101.6 in
Curb weight	2590 lb
Track (front / rear)	57.5 / 57.5 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	63/37

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	19 / 26 / 22 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume	100 cu ft
Cargo volume	15 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.

7.2 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.20 sec — 1988 4WS Sedan

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
1988	4WS Sedan 2.2L Turbo I-4	7.20 sec	15.90 sec	145 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	DEXRON VI OR MERCON V

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi.

Every 7,500 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Body Fasteners (torque) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 60,000 mi	Fuel Filter (replace) · Timing Belt (replace)

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 1990 Mazda 626 marks the beginning of this generation's lifecycle with 55 federal complaints, 2 recalls, and 2 investigations, positioning it as one of the quieter years in the early lineup. Across the generation, complaint volumes trend sharply upward starting in 1993, peaking at 518 complaints in 1995, and remaining severely elevated through the late 1990s before tapering off after 2001. For the 1990 model specifically, the primary complaint areas are Seat Belts (14) and Engine & Engine Cooling (11), alongside 2 crash and 2 fire complaints, though the data does not specify the root causes for these failures. Sitting at the very bottom of this generation's escalating complaint arc implies that the 1990 model largely avoids the systemic issues that plague later model years. Consequently, the 1990 model represents a relatively stable entry point in a notoriously problematic generation, making it a better year to buy provided you carefully verify the seatbelt and engine components.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

2 involved a crash · 2 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 55 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Seat Belts14

Engine & Engine Cooling11

Structure5

Visibility5

Service Brakes, Hydraulic4

Power Train3

Electrical System3

Latches/Locks/Linkages2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

93E035000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Drum:DrumReported 13/10/1993

THE GROOVE FOR THE REAR WHEEL BEARING RETAINER RING WAS INCORRECTLY MACHINED. Remedy: MIDAS SHOPS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE DRUMS WITH OTHER BRAKE DRUMS FROM ANOTHER SUPPLIER.

93V174000Structure:Body:DoorReported 29/10/1993

RESIN MOLDED FRONT HANDLES FAIL AT THE DOOR LATCH ACTUATING ROD ATTACHMENT, FREEING THE ROD TO FALL INSIDE THE DOOR FRAME. SUBSEQUENT LOWERING OF THE ASSOCIATED WINDOW MAY FORCE THE ACTUATING ROD DOWNWARD AND RELEASE… Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DOOR HANDLE/LATCH ASSEMBLY.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
0102504	2004-07-21	Electrical System	BATTERY TEST PROCEDURE REQUIREMENTS. *TT
0902604	2004-07-01	Equipment	SPEEDOMETER REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE. *TT

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 1990 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 19 city / 26 highway / 22 combined mpg.