1998 Mazda 626: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 434 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (71% of complaints); the 2000 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2015
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 434 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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”Owner report · Power Train · Jan 2017
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Feb 2016
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2015
Show 7 more owner reports
“I was driving 60mph slowing down to the speed limit which was 55 all of a sudden something popped there was nothing on the road and my steering wheel locked the car went in to the wall and flipped over twice. Everything on the vehicle was damaged including the windows. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Dec 2014
“Transmission problems! Right now the car is at the mechanic having the transmission replaced. I know I am not the only one with this problem, please do something. Right now replacing it for a rebuilt one is $1,100, but being a manufacturer problem, it may not last another year. I am the 3rd owner, so I am not sure how many more times this transmission have been repaired or replaced, but when I bought it was working well. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Jul 2011
“I bought a mazda 626 1998 and it had 116,000 miles on it the transmission o/d light began to flash and then it started shifting hard then oil started to burn and I had to install a external transmission cooler this only lasted for a while and then the transmission shifted hard and oil went everywhere. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Jan 2011
“While driving exit the highway, the engine shut down. Push to the side and could not restart the car. After toll back to home, we can start the car next day. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jul 2010
“Tl*the contact owns a 1998 mazda 626lx. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start and at times would stall. Approximately one year ago, the vehicle was taken to the dealer where they replaced the timing belt. The problem continued. The current mileage was approximately 198,000 and the failure mileage was 187,000. The vehicle was at the dealer awaiting repairs.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · May 2010
“Tl- the contact has 1998 mazda 626. The contact stated that there is a recall and the campaign number is 00v134000 that their vehicle is not a part of. The contact stated that the dealer stated there is a recall for this but the vehicle was not involved. The contact had the timing belt tension spring break causing the vehicle to stall. The contact was pulling out of a drvie way and traveling 5mph at the time. The vehicle had 114000 miles at the time of the failure and 11400 miles currently. Updated 06/25/10. *lj updated 07/27/10*j”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 2010
“105,626 original mileage. Coming from a long highway drive. Car began to rev really high. Transmission was slipping. O/d light began blinking. Crawled the vehicle to repair shop. Was told there was a complete failure of the transmission. Transmission was rebuilt. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Nov 2009
When filing, owners marked a crash in 12 of these complaints and injuries in 15 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 campaigns
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.
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.
CERTAIN SPX FILTRAN FUEL FILTERS WITH A 45-DEGREE ANGLE INLET TUBE, MODEL 800F350-S1, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT FILTERS FOR 1993-1997 FORD PROBE,1993-2001 MAZDA 626 AND MX-6, AND 1983-1994 LOYAL, 3-DOOR COUPE, HATCHBACK, SEDAN, WAGON, BRAT, DL, GL, GL-10, RX, XT, AND XT6 PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH EFI OR TURBO ENGINES. THESE FILTERS ARE PACKAGED AS WIX, NAPA, AND CARQUEST BRAND FUEL FILTERS. CERTAIN SPX FILTRAN FUEL FILTERS WITH A 90-DEGREE ANGLE INLET TUBE, MODEL 800F300-S2, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT FILTERS FOR 19983-1994 SUBARU VEHICLES WITH EFI OR TURBO ENGINES. THESE FILTERS ARE PACKAGED AS WIX, NAPA, AND CARQUEST BRAND FUEL FILTERS. FUEL MAY LEAK FROM THE FILTER DUE TO NON-CONFORMING BRAZING WELDS WHERE THE INLET TUBE IS CONNECTED TO THE FILTER CAN.
Remedy: SPX WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND PROVIDE A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN SEPTEMBER 27, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MR. CHRIS GREESON AT 704-869-3733 OR CONTACT THE WIX INFORMATION HOTLINE AT 800-949-6698.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL AFFIX ALUMINUM TAPE OVER THE AUDIO UNIT TO PREVENT WATER FROM ENTERING.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. AN EXTERNAL SPRING IN THE TIMING BELT TENSIONER COULD BREAK.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL CHECK THE TENSIONER INSTALLED AND REPLACE IT IF THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH THE AFFECTED TENSIONER.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE PCM WITH THE CORRECT ENGINE CONTROL LOGIC.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1998 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact 626 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Mazda 626 reliable?
NHTSA has 434 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 1998 Mazda 626. The most complained-about area is power train (71% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1998 Mazda 626 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 89,278 miles or less.
Does the 1998 Mazda 626 have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning electrical system:ignition:switch. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.