Mazda 626
2.0-litre DOHC four-cylinder from the F-series. Wide deployment from compact to mid-range, maintenance-friendly and long-lived.
Solid Mid-Range Without Ambition
The 2.0-litre FS with 116 hp is enough for relaxed mid-range driving, but not for genuine driving pleasure. The 626 GF suspension is well set-up and safe, but conveys no particular feeling. A reliable, comfortable touring car — driving fun was never its goal.
Engine Weaknesses 7
If the water pump is not replaced during a timing belt service, it can seize and snap the belt. Documented case: rocker arm, valve, and cylinder head damage. Parts cost alone around 700 EUR.
Symptoms: Screeching scraping followed by engine failure, no prior warning, engine can stop under full throttle
The FS intake manifold gasket hardens; the throttle body is prone to carbon build-up. Both together lead to rough idle and poor cold starting. One of the most common complaints in the 626 GF/GW forum.
Symptoms: Rough cold running, engine stalls when declutching, fluctuating idle, poor throttle response
HT leads and spark plugs are known wear items on the FS engine. Explicitly mentioned in the 626 GF collective fault thread. Faulty leads cause misfires.
Symptoms: Misfires, rough idle, surging under load, increased fuel consumption
The idle control valve wears from around 150,000 km. A sluggish or seized valve causes unstable idle and stalling. Cleaning often helps temporarily before replacement.
Symptoms: Idle fluctuates between 300 and 1,000 rpm, engine stalls when declutching, rough warm-up
The FS lambda sensor ages from around 100,000 km and responds too slowly. Fault code P0421 appears and fuel consumption rises. Engine keeps running but exhaust cleaning is impaired.
Symptoms: Check engine light on sporadically; fault code P0421 on OBD readout; measurable fuel consumption increase; engine otherwise runs fine.
The lower engine mount on the FS wears from around 100,000 km. Cracks in the rubber cause vibrations at idle and clunking on gear changes. Replacement part at Mazda dealer around 180 EUR, labour around 1 hour.
Symptoms: Vibrations at idle; clunking on pull-away or gear changes; engine visibly rocks when throttle is applied.
The FS valve cover gasket becomes porous from around 80,000 km. Oil loss at the sealing face and spark plug wells. A good opportunity to replace during a timing belt service. Gasket under 10 EUR.
Symptoms: Oil marks on the valve cover; faint burning smell; oil spots under the car; possibly oil in spark plug wells.
Vehicle Weaknesses 8
The left fuel tank on the 626 GF can corrode internally and develop leaks. Complete through-rust has been documented in isolated cases and requires a tank replacement.
Nearly all 626 GF show rust on the rear wheel arches (10 o'clock position on the wheel arch), door folds and tailgate. Poor factory sealing is the main cause.
Rear brake calipers corrode and seize, especially after prolonged parking with the handbrake applied. The handbrake cable rusts and the adjustment mechanism fails.
Control arm ball joints and rubber bushings on the GF wear significantly with age. Trailing arms can corrode at the wheel hub connection. All four control arms and both trailing arms should be replaced together, as the parts wear interdependently.
Wheel speed sensors at the rear axle fail frequently, triggering an ABS warning. Individual sensors are cheap; a faulty control unit can be expensive.
The AC condenser and dryer on the GF become leaky with age and lose refrigerant. Running with insufficient refrigerant risks total compressor failure. The condenser and dryer should be replaced together.
The steering torque sensor on the GF, which measures the required steering force and controls the power assistance, can fail and lead to heavy or inconsistently assisted steering. The sensor is integrated into the steering system and can be replaced separately.
The faux leather on the steering wheel and gear knob cracks and peels after a few years. The driver's seat bolster also shows cracking. A purely cosmetic issue with no safety implications.