One problem related to check engine light on has been reported for the 2001 Mazda 626. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2001 Mazda 626 based on all problems reported for the 2001 626.
The engine is misfiring causing the check engine light to come on. The first two times I took the car in for this problem they replaced spark plugs and told me I was putting "bad gas" in the car; the third time they replaced a distributor cap, the fourth the ignition wires, the fifth the computer in the car, and now for the sixth attempt they are replacing valve one in the engine. The dealer has had my car for 31 days (21 business days) and as of yesterday, even after replacing the valve in the engine, the problem has still not been corrected. I've had a rental car for the 31 days they've had my car. I purchased the optional insurance because my insurance agent advised me to do so (what the rental company expects in the event of an accident is much higher than what an insurance company would pay. . . Therefore I would be responsible for the difference). Mazda refuses to pay for the insurance on the rental car which, considering the circumstances, I believe is unreasonable. I would like to exercise my lemon law rights, however my car had over 18,000 miles on it at inception of the problem and was 18 months old. My purpose in filing this complaint is to warn other consumers against the Mazda 626 as it has been nothing but trouble for me.