Two problems related to ignition have 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.
Columbia heights, washington DC June 19th 2012, I was with my mother and partner parking in front of giant supermarket returning a movie at local redbox, while waiting for my partner, I turned off the car, sitting inside noticed dense fumes came from the ignition, I removed the key and fumes still coming out, we step outside the car and we saw several sparks in the ignition, I called immediately 911, suddenly a big flame of fire came from the steering wheel, the car was on fire, we were close to the rooms from a local fire department, a man came with a fire extinguisher and calm the fire and flames; fire truck came less than 10 minutes later, but car was already destroyed. I have pictures to prove, phone calls and witness.
Traveling in car on interstate in the right hand lane using cruise control set at 70mph. Was coming up on a car and tapped the brake to disengage cruise control and the car did not disengage. I tried to use the brake and it was not working and went to the floor. I could not shut the cruise control off at the controls on the steering wheel either. I quickly swerved onto the shoulder of the freeway to avoid hitting the car in front of me. My husband turned off the ignition and I eased up on the emergency brake and we came to a safe stop. After inspecting the car we turned the car back on and tested the brakes at slow speeds on the shoulder and the brakes engaged normally. My husband feels the cruise control stuck and that is why we could not stop the car with the cruise control buttons or with the brake pedal.