My daughter was driving the car in heavy traffic when it stalled and lost all power. It would not start and it was towed to a shop where it was found that the timing belt had broken and caused much damage. We had to have the following replaced: Cylinder head gasket, timing belt, timing belt tensioner, idler, spark plugs, thermostat, 2 drive belts, and the water pump. It cost us almost $1,700 to get it repaired. I have owned this car since it was new and have lived at the same address and was never notified of any recall before this happened. I have heard that there have been many other people that have had the same problems but their cars were not included in the recall... only ones with certain VIN numbers. I believe it is a problem with all 1998 626 models.

- South Bend, IN, USA

The contact had the spring for the timing belt replaced. Later, she found NHTSA recall campaign 00V134000 concerning timing belt. When contacting the manufacturer she was told to take the vehicle to a dealership for inspection. The vehicle was inspected, and she was reimbursed for recall repair work completed previously. The vehicle currently was not working, and the mechanic found that the recall repair work had not actually been done. He stated a kit should have been installed. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was told that because she was already reimbursed there was nothing they could do for her.

- Plymouth, MA, USA

On September 22, 2005, consumer's vehicle was cut off and it lost power, the vehicle was hard to steer it and lost the brakes. Recall 00V134ooo was issued. It states the external spring in the timing belt tensioner could break and be caught in the timing belt, resulting in stalling; however, this vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN.. the vehicle is at the dealer, and they are saying this is what happened to vehicle. There was no forewarning and no noise. It was running so rough that the vehicle shut off within a few seconds.

- Rockwall, TX, USA

The car cut off while I was driving. The repairman said the problem was due to oil slug build. I had all my oil changes done at the dealership. The brown said they will not pay for the repair, the extended warranty company will not pay for the repair of $5,000 for rebuilt or $7,000 for a new engine. My friend was told the person who had the car before did not have the oil changed regularly. I guess I am lucky I was not on the highway because the car cut off with no warning. (shouldn't the car dealship make sure everything is ok before selling the cars?

- Temple Hills, MD, USA

Recall 00V134000 concerning timing belt tensioner: Consumer stated vehicle experienced the same problem as stated in the recall. This affected the engine. Took vehicle to dealer for repairs, and was told that valves were bad.....also, camshaft seals were repaired.

- Elmwood Park, NJ, USA

While driving at 25 mph check engine indicator light illuminated, and engine stalled. Vehicle was towed to independent shop, and mechanic determined that time belt broke.

- Menasha, WI, USA

Timing belt tensioner failed resulting in the vehicle stalling in the middle of the road. Manufacturer stated that vehicle was not included in the previous recall due to VIN.

- Gaithersburg, MD, USA

While traveling 35 mph serpentine belt broke and became lodged in the engine, causing engine to stall.

- Murrieta, CA, USA

I brought my Mazda 626 LX on 6/1/01 with about 33,000 miles, since then I had to replace my timing belt at 44,000 due to the tension pin.meanwhile, I have made numberous amounts of repairs to this car. At about around 70,000 miles my transmission started having problems. Sounded like it was making a popping noise and the car began jerking when under 30 mph. Now the O/D light flashes on and off and my car starts smoking.

- Moreno Valley, CA, USA

While driving at 35 mph vehicle stalled timing belt T tensioner malfunctioned, causing the timing belt to break. There's a timing recall 00V134000 was issued, however, this vehicle was not included due to VIN.

- Worthington, OH, USA

While driving vehicle lost power. Vehicle was towed to a repair shop. Mechanic stated that the timing belt needed to be replaced. Timing belt and tensioner didn't correct the problem. A used engine was installed. Even though there was a recall for this make, model, year and manufacturing date, the consumer's VIN wasn't in the recall scope.

- Grayson, GA, USA

While traveling at 30 mph tensioner belt fell off inside the engine and broke the timing belt. Vehicle stalled, and had to be towed to an independent repair shop.

- Fredericksburg, VA, USA

The vehicle stalled while driving and would not restart. The vehicle had to be towed to the dealer. A recall was issued for the timing belt and the symptoms of that failure were similar to the problem the consumers vehicle experienced. The consumer had to pay for repairs..

- West Chester, PA, USA

While traveling on the highway the tensioner belt fell off from inside of the vehicle. The vehicle shut down and the vehicle had to be towed to the dealership.

- San Antonio, TX, USA