The 1997 Mazda 626 has 45 engine complaints filed with NHTSA — 10% of the year's total, and roughly flat versus the prior model year.
45
Engine complaints
10%
Share of year
1
Crash-involved
1
Related recalls
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. AN EXTERNAL SPRING IN THE TIMING BELT TENSIONER CAN BREAK AND GET CAUGHT IN THE TIMING BELT.
Consequence
THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN POSSIBLE ENGINE STALLING.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TENSIONER AND REPLACE IT IF NECESSARY.
“COLLISION WAS CAUSE BY LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO ENGINE STALLING. CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM THE MFR. CONCERNING MAZDA/TIMING BELT # 98V-206.001. CONSUMER BELIEVED THAT WAS THE CAUSE OF VEHICLE STALLING AND THEN BEING OUT OF CONTROL. *AK”
NHTSA has 45 complaints about the 1997 Mazda 626 engine — 10% of all complaints filed for that model year.
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the engine: 98V206001.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.