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1998 Mazda 626

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most 626 years

Owner complaints for the 1998 Mazda 626 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 44.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Compare all 626 years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

224 reports with mileage · 210 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 313 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 81 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

12 crash reports5 fire reports11 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

12 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jan 8, 2018
Electrical SystemPower Train

SINCE OWNING THE MAZDA 626 I HAVE HAD A VERY BIG PROBLEM THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. IT WILL SLIP GOING INTO SECOND GEAR. IF ITS BELOW 60 DEGREES THE CAR WONT SHIFT INTO DRIVE UNTIL THE MOTOR GETS HOT ENOUGH. THE CAR IS LIKE THIS EVERY SINGLE DAY AND DOES IT EVERY TIME IT IS DRIVEN. ALSO THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WORK SOMTIMES ON AND O…

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SINCE OWNING THE MAZDA 626 I HAVE HAD A VERY BIG PROBLEM THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. IT WILL SLIP GOING INTO SECOND GEAR. IF ITS BELOW 60 DEGREES THE CAR WONT SHIFT INTO DRIVE UNTIL THE MOTOR GETS HOT ENOUGH. THE CAR IS LIKE THIS EVERY SINGLE DAY AND DOES IT EVERY TIME IT IS DRIVEN. ALSO THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WORK SOMTIMES ON AND OFF AND THE BACK WINDOWS WONT ROLL DOWN FROM THE DRIVER BUTTON

NHTSA ODI #11061170

173,735 miles · Mar 30, 2016
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MAZDA 626. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THE IGNITION FAILED TO RELEASE THE KEY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V674000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MAZDA 626. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THE IGNITION FAILED TO RELEASE THE KEY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V674000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 173,735. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI #10852555

200,000 miles · Feb 23, 2016
Electrical SystemEngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MAZDA 626. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V674000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNIN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MAZDA 626. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V674000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT AND OTHER WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE ALSO MADE A WARNING SOUND AND EMITTED A BURNING ODOR FROM THE FRONT END. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #10837700

138,645 miles · Feb 5, 2008
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingSteering

1998 MAZDA 626 LX 2.0L 4CYLINDER ENGINE. RETURNING BACK TO THE GUEST HOUSE AFTER DROPPING A FRIEND OFF AT THE AIRPORT THAT EVENING, AFTER GETTING OFF THE INTERSTATE, I HEARD A CRACK (FOLLOWED BY A GRINDING NOISE) FROM THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE ENGINE. WITHIN MOMENTS AS I SLOWED THE CAR TO A SAFE SPOT, I HEARD A WHIPPING NOISE…

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1998 MAZDA 626 LX 2.0L 4CYLINDER ENGINE. RETURNING BACK TO THE GUEST HOUSE AFTER DROPPING A FRIEND OFF AT THE AIRPORT THAT EVENING, AFTER GETTING OFF THE INTERSTATE, I HEARD A CRACK (FOLLOWED BY A GRINDING NOISE) FROM THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE ENGINE. WITHIN MOMENTS AS I SLOWED THE CAR TO A SAFE SPOT, I HEARD A WHIPPING NOISE FROM THE SAME REGION. THAT LATER HAPPENED TO BE THE SERPENTINE AND ALTERNATOR BELTS BOTH BROKE JUST AFTER EXITING THE INTERSTATE, THE ENGINE AND BATTERY LIGHTS CAME ON AT ONCE.., AND THEN, IMMEDIATELY AFTER THAT, THE ENGINE STOPPED WORKING. I CALLED MY INSURANCE AND HAD MY CAR TOWED TO THE GUEST HOUSE. THE CAR WAS LOOKED AT AND THE DIAGNOSES WERE THE GEARS IN THE WATER PUMP WERE BROKEN WHICH FROZE THE ALTERNATOR BELT, THE ALTERNATOR BELT-NOW STIFFENED- SHREDDED AND MANGLED THE SERPENTINE BELT. THEN THE SERPENTINE BELT TORE ALONG THE GROOVED LINES. PLUS, THE ENGINE IS NOW LEAKING COOLANT. REPAIRS???? I AM WAITING FOR THE ESTIMATE TO COME IN. I HAVE BEEN WARNED THAT IT WOULD NOT BE CHEAP TO FIX. $500-$700 I ASKED? NOPE! HE SAID, AFTER LETTING OUT A CHUCKLE..., MUCH HIGHER HE REPLIED. AT LEAST $1000 OR MORE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10216999

Mileage unknown · Jul 12, 2006
Electrical SystemPower Train

I JUST BOUGHT A 98 626 WITH A LITTLE OVER A 100K ON IT IN MAY BEFORE I BOUGHT IT I TOOK IT TO MAZDA TO HAVE ALL PARTS AND COMPONETS CHECKED OUT THEY SAID THE TRANSMISSION WAS HEALTHY AND THE ENGINE WAS GOOD AND ALL PARTS LOOKED GREAT. SO I BOUGHT THE CAR THE SAME DAY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE GAS I …

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I JUST BOUGHT A 98 626 WITH A LITTLE OVER A 100K ON IT IN MAY BEFORE I BOUGHT IT I TOOK IT TO MAZDA TO HAVE ALL PARTS AND COMPONETS CHECKED OUT THEY SAID THE TRANSMISSION WAS HEALTHY AND THE ENGINE WAS GOOD AND ALL PARTS LOOKED GREAT. SO I BOUGHT THE CAR THE SAME DAY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE GAS I WAS USING THEN RESET MY CODE. SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE ALTERNATOR THE BELTS AND NOW THE TRANSMISSION. SINCE MAY I HAVE PUT OVER 1100 IN PARTS AND LABOR IN THIS CAR NOW THEY SAY I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION WHICH IS OVER 2200 ANY SUGGESTIONS ON WHAT TO DO. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10162188

78,000 miles · Oct 4, 2005
Electrical SystemPower Train

DT: THE CALLER SAID THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE REVVED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CALLER SAID IT WOULD HAPPEN MOSTLY IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. SHE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A MECHANIC SHOP. DEALER SAID SHE NEEDED TO GET A DIFFERENT YEAR TRANSMISSION, AND SHE WILL HAVE TO UPDATE THE COMPUTER. M…

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DT: THE CALLER SAID THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE REVVED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CALLER SAID IT WOULD HAPPEN MOSTLY IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. SHE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A MECHANIC SHOP. DEALER SAID SHE NEEDED TO GET A DIFFERENT YEAR TRANSMISSION, AND SHE WILL HAVE TO UPDATE THE COMPUTER. MANUFACTURER SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL ON HER VEHICLE AND OFFERED NO HELP FOR FREE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10138544

80,000 miles · Dec 6, 2004
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment

I HAVE SPENT OVER $2000 TRYING TO GET MY ENGINE LIGHT TO TURN OFF. NOTHING WORKS. NOW I AM BEING FINED FOR NOT PASSING INSPECTION. WHAT IS GOING ON? I HAVE BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM FOR 2 YEARS. AFTER VARIOUS REPAIRS THE LIGHT WOULD FINALLY GO OFF. NOW IT WILL NOT AND HAS BEEN ON FOR OVER 6 MONTHS. I HAVE HAD O2 SENSOR AND CAT SE…

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I HAVE SPENT OVER $2000 TRYING TO GET MY ENGINE LIGHT TO TURN OFF. NOTHING WORKS. NOW I AM BEING FINED FOR NOT PASSING INSPECTION. WHAT IS GOING ON? I HAVE BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM FOR 2 YEARS. AFTER VARIOUS REPAIRS THE LIGHT WOULD FINALLY GO OFF. NOW IT WILL NOT AND HAS BEEN ON FOR OVER 6 MONTHS. I HAVE HAD O2 SENSOR AND CAT SENSOR REPLACED, SINCE THAT IS SUPPOSEDLY WHAT THE CODE WAS. STILL NOTHING AND NOONE SEEMS TO CARE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10102252

85,000 miles · Oct 17, 2004
Electrical System

MY 1998 MAZDA 626 IS UNRELIABLE. IT HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF A DEALERS SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO GET THEM TO FIND OUT WHY IT CUTS OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF OPERATION OR WHY IT WILL ONLY CRANK SPORADICALLY. THEY CHECK, SAY THEY HAVE IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM, CHARGE US FOR A REPAIR (BECAUSE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. IT RARELY WORKS MORE THAN …

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MY 1998 MAZDA 626 IS UNRELIABLE. IT HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF A DEALERS SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO GET THEM TO FIND OUT WHY IT CUTS OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF OPERATION OR WHY IT WILL ONLY CRANK SPORADICALLY. THEY CHECK, SAY THEY HAVE IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM, CHARGE US FOR A REPAIR (BECAUSE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. IT RARELY WORKS MORE THAN A DAY AFTER IT HAS BEEN REPAIRED AND THEN IT IS ON THE BLINK AGAIN. THE REPORTED PROBLEM FROM DAY ONE HAS NOT CHANGED, IT WILL NOT WORK PROPERLY DUE TO FAILURE TO CRANK. WE WANT IT FIXED AND WE EXPECT TRAINED TECHNICIANS TO KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR TO FIX IT. WE HAVE NOW PAID OUT OVER $1000 WITH PARTS AND LABOR AND STILL WE HAVE A CAR THAT WILL NOT WORK. NORTH PARK MAZDA, JACKSON, MS HAS ALL OF THE RECENT SERVICE RECORDS WHICH BACK UP WHAT I HAVE STATED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10095927

Mileage unknown · Oct 7, 2004
Electrical System

WHILE DRIVING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO PLACED IT ON A DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE RESET. CONSUMER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED MORE THAN ONCE AND HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10095448

55,000 miles · Oct 17, 2003
Electrical SystemPower Train

I PURCHASED A CAR IN APRIL 2001 (A USED CAR) AND HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR IT. CAR STARTED GIVING ME PROBLEMS IN 2002 SO I DECIDED TO USE MY EXTENDED WARRANTY TO GET THE CAR FIXED ONCE IT BROKE DOWN ON ME ON THE HIGHWAY; I FOUND OUT THAT THE WARRANTY COMPANY NEVER HEARD OF ME AND THAT MY WARRANTY NEVER EXISTED. THE PLACE T…

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I PURCHASED A CAR IN APRIL 2001 (A USED CAR) AND HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR IT. CAR STARTED GIVING ME PROBLEMS IN 2002 SO I DECIDED TO USE MY EXTENDED WARRANTY TO GET THE CAR FIXED ONCE IT BROKE DOWN ON ME ON THE HIGHWAY; I FOUND OUT THAT THE WARRANTY COMPANY NEVER HEARD OF ME AND THAT MY WARRANTY NEVER EXISTED. THE PLACE THAT I BROUGHT THE CAR FROM WENT OUT OF BUSINESS BECAUSE OF FRAUDULENT ACTIVITIES, BUT THEY DID HAVE ONE OTHER CAR PLACE THAT WAS STILL OPERATING, SO I CALLED THAT PLACE AND EXPLAIN THE PROBLEM TO THEM. THEY ASSURED ME THAT THEY WOULD TAKE CARE OF ME. THEY TRIED TWICE TOO FIX THE PROBLEM AND SUPPOSEDLY FIXED THE PROBLEM, THE CAR IS STILL THE SAME WAY IT WAS WHEN I BROUGHT IT TO THEM. THEY ARE GIVING ME THE RUN AROUND. MY EXTENDED WARRANTY IS SUPPOSE TO LAST 60 MONTHS OR 100,000 METERS WHICH EVER COMES FIRST. I USED MY CAR DAILY BECAUSE I HAVE SMALL CHILDREN AND IT SEEMS LIKE THE COMPANY STILL WONT HONOR THE FAKE WARRANTY THAT I HAVE THAT WAS GIVEN BY THEM. MY TRANSMISSION ON THE CAR IS WORSE THAN BEFORE. THE COMPANY IS DICK GIDRON FORD/CADILLAC. THEY WERE ALL OVER THE NEWS FOR FRAUD. PLEASE HELP. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10043090

Official recalls

4

15V674000 · Electrical System:ignition:switch

Oct 19, 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 vehicles, grease applied to the contact points inside the ignition switch may become conductive and overheat.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the ignition switch overheats there would be an increased risk of a fire.

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 at 1-800-222-5500, option#6. Mazda's number for this recall is 8715J.

00V134000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

May 9, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. AN EXTERNAL SPRING IN THE TIMING BELT TENSIONER COULD BREAK.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE BROKEN SPRING MAY GET CAUGHT IN THE TIMING BELT, RESULTING POSSIBLE ENGINE STALLING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL CHECK THE TENSIONER INSTALLED AND REPLACE IT IF THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH THE AFFECTED TENSIONER.

98V243000 · Equipment:electrical:radio/tape Deck/cd Etc.

Oct 2, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: IF THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN A HOT, HUMID ENVIRONMENT WITH THE WINDOW OPEN AND AIR CONDITIONER RUNNING, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR CONDENSATION TO ENTER THE AUDIO UNIT AND CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE SHORT CIRCUIT OCCURS AT ONE SPECIFIC SET OF TERMINALS, THE SPEAKER CAN OVERHEAT AND IN SOME CASES, CATCH FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL AFFIX ALUMINUM TAPE OVER THE AUDIO UNIT TO PREVENT WATER FROM ENTERING.

97V228000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System

Dec 17, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO A PROGRAMMING ERROR, THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) INSTALLED CAN, UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, TRIGGER A SHIFT IN AIR-FUEL RATIO TO AN OVERLEAN CONDITION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN AN ENGINE STALL, WHICH COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND/OR A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE PCM WITH THE CORRECT ENGINE CONTROL LOGIC.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

SQ98024 · Speedometer Inoperative

Opened Oct 29, 1998 · Closed Sep 10, 1999

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train

SEE RESUME FOR DETAILS.