repaired · 2017 Q1
Ignition: switch
Risk. If the ignition switch overheats there would be an increased risk of a fire.
1998 Mazda 626Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 434 owner complaints about the 1998 Mazda 626, most often about the power train. It is covered by 4 safety recalls, and for recall 15V-674 the manufacturer reports only 1% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 8, 2018. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 1998 Mazda 626 has problems
434 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
313Power train5 crash/fire/injury
81Engine and engine cooling
12Electrical system
11Air bags
10Vehicle speed control
7Tires
6Equipment
5Seats
5Fuel system, gasoline
209 other systems
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 313 | 5 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 81 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 12 | 2 |
| Air bags | 11 | 9 |
| Vehicle speed control | 10 | 0 |
| Tires | 7 | 1 |
| Equipment | 6 | 2 |
| Seats | 5 | 2 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 5 | 0 |
| 9 other systems | 20 | 6 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
4 recalls
1998 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.
no report yet
Engine and engine cooling: engine
Risk. THE BROKEN SPRING MAY GET CAUGHT IN THE TIMING BELT, RESULTING POSSIBLE ENGINE STALLING.
no report yet
Electrical: radio/tape deck/cd etc.
Risk. IF THE SHORT CIRCUIT OCCURS AT ONE SPECIFIC SET OF TERMINALS, THE SPEAKER CAN OVERHEAT AND IN SOME CASES, CATCH FIRE.
no report yet
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system
Risk. THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN AN ENGINE STALL, WHICH COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND/OR A VEHICLE CRASH.
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?
89kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 184 power train complaints. 63% were reported before 100,000 miles.
3under 30k miles115under 100k miles69100k 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
59 owners mentioned a cost$2,400median
Middle half: $2,000 – $2,700
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
1998 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
1998 Mazda 626 safety ratings
1998 Mazda 626 DX 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Side barrierNot rated
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 1998 Mazda 626, and the recalls they led to.
- SPEEDOMETER INOPERATIVELed to recall 99I005000
In owners' words
What 626 owners report
Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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…
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,…
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
Own a 1998 626?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.