VehicleVerdict

1998 Mazda 626 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 499 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 8.6 times the median 626 year — the 1998 model ranks #2 of 25 626 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 10 deaths and 18 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

The trouble concentrates in one system: transmission issues account for 64% of all reports (320 of 499), far ahead of engine at 92.

499

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

1

Investigations

15

Crash-involved

6

Fires reported

18

Injuries

10

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1998 compare to other 626 years?

626 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted587 complaints1979: 0 complaints1980: 0 complaints1981: 0 complaints1982: 0 complaints1983: 2 complaints1984: 4 complaints1985: 7 complaints1986: 20 complaints1987: 40 complaints1988: 58 complaints1989: 48 complaints1990: 62 complaints1991: 99 complaints1992: 24 complaints1993: 202 complaints1994: 353 complaints1995: 587 complaints1996: 426 complaints1997: 451 complaints1998: 499 complaints1999: 372 complaints2000: 280 complaints2001: 235 complaints2002: 99 complaints2003: 9 complaints
626 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all 626 years to avoid →

What are the most common 1998 Mazda 626 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission32064%
Engine9218%
Electrical System184%
Airbags112%
Other112%
Speed Control102%
Tires & Wheels92%
Seats51%
Fuel System51%
Steering51%
Seat Belts41%
Body & Structure31%
Brakes31%
Visibility & Wipers10%
Suspension10%
Lighting10%

Does the 1998 Mazda 626 have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

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.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

05E065000Fuel SystemOctober 5, 2005 · 42,962 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A VEHICLE FIRE CAN OCCUR.

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.

00V134000EngineMay 9, 2000 · 31,000 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. AN EXTERNAL SPRING IN THE TIMING BELT TENSIONER COULD BREAK.

Consequence

THE BROKEN SPRING MAY GET CAUGHT IN THE TIMING BELT, RESULTING POSSIBLE ENGINE STALLING.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL CHECK THE TENSIONER INSTALLED AND REPLACE IT IF THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH THE AFFECTED TENSIONER.

98V243000Electrical SystemOctober 2, 1998 · 73,000 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

IF THE SHORT CIRCUIT OCCURS AT ONE SPECIFIC SET OF TERMINALS, THE SPEAKER CAN OVERHEAT AND IN SOME CASES, CATCH FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL AFFIX ALUMINUM TAPE OVER THE AUDIO UNIT TO PREVENT WATER FROM ENTERING.

97V228000Fuel SystemDecember 17, 1997 · 20,000 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN AN ENGINE STALL, WHICH COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND/OR A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE PCM WITH THE CORRECT ENGINE CONTROL LOGIC.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TRANSMISSION SLIPPING, OD LIGHT BLINKING, TRANSMISSION FLUID BOILING OUT OF DIP STICK AREA, COVERING MOTOR WHICH THEN STARTED BURNING WITH LOTS OF SMOKE. TOOK IT TO TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP THEY CHANGED THE FILTER AND FLUID, NOW IT DOING THE SAME THING. I'M SCARED TO DRIVE IT! *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 23, 2004 · fire

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 23, 2016 · fire

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MAZDA 626. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT HER RADIO WAS INOPERATIVE ACCOMPANIED BY A HEATING SENSATION. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD FAIL TO START. SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER IN REFERENCE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98V243000 (EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.),…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 17, 2001 · fire

“I JUST FINISHED PAYING FOR THE SECOND TRANSMISSION IN MY 1998 MAZDA 626. THE ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION WENT 93,000 MILES BEFORE COMPLETE FAILURE. THAT UNIT WAS REPLACED WITH A USED TRANSMISSION AND IT FAILED AT 105,000 MILES. I HAD THE SECOND FAILURE REBUILT AT A COST OF $2,100, THE FIRST USED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · May 14, 2006

“WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION WHICH CAUSED A CHAIN REACTION. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER AND TWO OTHER PASSENGERS SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES AND WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · March 13, 2004 · crash

1998 Mazda 626 — common questions

Is the 1998 Mazda 626 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 499 complaints put the 1998 model at #2 of 25 626 years. It is one of the 626 years to avoid.

What are the most common 1998 626 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (320 complaints), engine (92 complaints), electrical system (18 complaints).

Does the 1998 Mazda 626 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 1998 Mazda 626. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1998 Mazda 626 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Mazda 626 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the 626 years to avoid are 1995, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1999, 1994, 2000, 2001, 1993, 2002, 1991. The cleanest record among 626 years belongs to 1982.

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.