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1997 Mazda 626Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 358 owner complaints about the 1997 Mazda 626, most often about the power train. It is covered by 3 safety recalls, and for recall 15V-674 the manufacturer reports only 1% of affected cars repaired.

35
CarFlaw IndexUse caution1.9× the 626 median · #4 of 17 years by complaints
Safety recalls3Lowest repair rate 1%Owner complaints35845 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage92kPower train, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through December 8, 2018. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1997 Mazda 626 has problems

358 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Power train2334
Engine and engine cooling392
Air bags3622
Electrical system325
Service brakes, hydraulic142
Vehicle speed control92
Steering82
Equipment81
Tires51
11 other systems282

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

3 recalls

1997 Mazda 626 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

1%repaired · 2017 Q1

Ignition: switch

Recall 15V-674 · Oct 19, 2015 · 1,368,500 vehicles · 8,332 repaired

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Mazda.

Mileage at failure

When do power train problems start?

92kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 132 power train complaints. 65% were reported before 100,000 miles.

Only 45% of complaints for this model year include a mileage.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
9under 30k miles86under 100k miles46100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs

What owners say repairs cost

Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.

Power train

30 owners mentioned a cost

$2,500median

Middle half: $2,000 – $2,950

If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.

Best & worst years

1997 vs. every other 626 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the 626 median. How we score

'79'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1997 Mazda 626 safety ratings

1997 Mazda 626 DX 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

1997 Mazda 626 side barrier test, NHTSA
Side barrierNot rated
  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1997 Mazda 626, and the recalls they led to.

  1. OVERSENSITIVE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENTRQ02004 · closed Aug 19, 2002
    Led to recall 98V-249
  2. SPEEDOMETER INOPERATIVESQ98024 · closed Sep 10, 1999
    Led to recall 99I005000
In owners' words

What 626 owners report

Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

LEFT HOME TO GO TO WORK MADE IT ABOUT 3 MILES FROM MY HOME AND MY TRANSMISSION QUIT WORKING AS I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF A HWY. I WAS TURNING ONTO FROM A SIDE STREET. I WAS ABOUT HIT AS MY MAZDA WOULD NOT GO AND QUIT WORKING ON A BLIND CORNER. *TR
Complaint 10714440 · May 4, 2015 · 131,212 miles
WE RECENTLY BOUGHT OR MAZDA 626 FROM A DEALER WE WERE TOLD THAT WE WERE GETTING A QUALITY CAR. WE WERE FOOLED. WITH IN THE FIRST WEEK WE HAD TO BUY PART AFTER PART.CHANGE THE TRANS FLUID, CHANGE THE DISTRIBUTOR, SPARK PLUG WIRES, SPARK PLUGS, ROUTER MOTOR, IGNITION COIL, CLEAN FUEL INJECTORS,…
Complaint 10535068 · Aug 13, 2013 · 11,678 miles
CPSC#I1190531A. 1997 MAZDA 626. CONSUMER STATED WHEN SHE BROUGHT THE CAR IT HAD SEVERE TRANSMISSION ISSUES, AND BEGAN SMOKING SEVERELY ONCE TAKEN THE SPEED LIMIT. SHE ALSO STATED IT RESULTED IN BEING TOWED ON THE 6TH DAY OF HAVING THE VEHICLE PURCHASED. *LN
Complaint 10461608 · Jun 13, 2012

Own a 1997 626?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.