Mazda›626›1994›Overview/mazda/626/1994/base/

1994 Mazda 626

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1994 626.

Body PASSENGER CAR

Defined as a passenger car within a model history covering 1990 to 2003, the 1994 Mazda 626 records 301 total owner complaints and 4 recalls with the Power Train identified as the top complaint area. This specific year occupies a moderate position in the vehicle's reliability history, falling well below the model's highest complaint volume of 518 in 1995. While the vehicle eventually reached a low count of 9 complaints in 2003, the 1994 version represents a middle ground in owner-reported issues across the covered years.

Model year2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	184.6 in
Overall width	68.9 in
Overall height	55.1 in
Wheelbase	102.8 in
Curb weight	2606 lb
Track (front / rear)	59.1 / 59.1 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	64/36

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.

7.3–8.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.30 sec — 1993 ES Sedan

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
1993	ES Sedan 2.5L V6	7.30 sec	15.80 sec	164 hp	FWD
1993	ES Sedan 2.5L V6	8.30 sec	16.40 sec	164 hp	FWD
1996	ES Sedan 2.5L V6	7.70 sec	16.00 sec	164 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 5,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Exterior Lighting (inspect) · Power Steering System (inspect)
Every 7,500 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 mi	Body Fasteners (torque) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Frame Fasteners (torque) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 30,000 mi	Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Exhaust System Heat Shield (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	Fuel Filter (replace) · Timing Belt (replace)
At 90,000 mi	Timing Belt (inspect)

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 1994 Mazda 626 marks a sharp inflection point in the generation’s federal record, with complaints surging to 301—nearly double the 1993 total and the highest since the model’s 1993 redesign. Recalls also peak at four, matching the elevated levels seen in 1995–1997, while investigations rise to two, suggesting systemic rather than isolated concerns. This year falls at the start of a three-year spike in powertrain complaints (167 in 1994, the dominant issue), aligning with the broader trend of escalating drivetrain-related reports through 1996. Compared to the quieter 1992 model year, the 1994’s data implies a period of heightened reliability risks, particularly around transmission and engine components, though the root causes remain unspecified in the federal record. The presence of 19 crash-related complaints and 7 fire reports further underscores the need for thorough pre-purchase inspection. **Takeaway:** The 1994 626 is a riskier buy than earlier or later years in the generation, warranting a meticulous service history and budget for potential powertrain repairs.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

301

Owner complaints

19 involved a crash · 7 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

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 301 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train167

Electrical System19

Engine & Engine Cooling17

Service Brakes, Hydraulic13

Exterior Lighting12

Air Bags11

Suspension5

Unknown Or Other5

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

15V674000Electrical System:Ignition:SwitchReported 19/10/2015

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 1989-1998 MPV, 1990-1995 323, 1990-1998 Protege, 1992-1993 MX-3, 1993-1995 929, 1993-1997 MX-6, and 1993-1998 626 vehicles. In the affected… Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. The recall began on December 17, 2015. Owners may contact Mazda Customer Experience Center…

05E065000Fuel System, GasolineReported 05/10/2005

CERTAIN SPX FILTRAN FUEL FILTERS WITH A 45-DEGREE ANGLE INLET TUBE, MODEL 800F350-S1, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT FILTERS FOR 1993-1997 FORD PROBE,1993-2001 MAZDA 626 AND MX-6, AND 1983-1994 LOYAL, 3-DOOR COUPE, HATCHBACK… Remedy: SPX WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND PROVIDE A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN SEPTEMBER 27, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MR. CHRIS GREESON AT 704-869-3733 OR CONTACT THE WIX INFORMATION…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 49 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
MT-002-22	2022-02-24	Electrical System	Radio Unlocking Codes.
00-003-19-3583	2019-03-20	Engine And Engine Cooling	In support of the new MRT distribution, Mazda will ship to dealers a new Dual Purpose…
09-009-19-3566	2019-01-14	Electrical System	In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing…
09-034-18-3430a	2018-10-10	Vehicle Speed Control	In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing…
09-034-18-3430	2018-08-31	Vehicle Speed Control	In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing…

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

Frequently asked

Does the 1994 626 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.