VehicleVerdict

1997 Mazda 626 electrical system problems

The 1997 Mazda 626 has 33 electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA — 7% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

33

Electrical System complaints

7%

Share of year

1

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Electrical System complaints by year

Related recalls

15V674000Electrical SystemOctober 19, 2015 · 1,368,500 units

Defect

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

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.

What owners report

CAR TRAVELING AT 70MPH. CAR UNEXPLAINABLY ACCELERATES AND THEN MODERATE "POP" HEARD UNDER HOOD. DEBRIS NOTICED FALLING FROM CAR. CAR IS BROUGHT TO STOP ON SHOULDER. SMOKE EMINATING FROM UNDER HOOD. LATCH OF HOOD IS RELEASED TO INVESTIGATE WHEN FLAMES ERUPT. ENGINE IS ON FIRE. ELECTRIC COOLING FAN…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 30, 2004 · fire

Common questions

How many electrical system complaints does the 1997 Mazda 626 have?

NHTSA has 33 complaints about the 1997 Mazda 626 electrical system — 7% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1997 Mazda 626 electrical system?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the electrical system: 15V674000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.