MYRModel Year Report

1988 Mazda 626

▲ Better than typical
1988 Mazda 626
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:41:28.616Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
46
Recalls
6

Campaigns on file for 1988

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Seat belts

54% of complaints

Complaints per year

1983: 2 complaints 1983 1984: 3 complaints 1985: 6 complaints 1986: 16 complaints 1987: 29 complaints 1988: 46 complaints 1988 46 1989: 42 complaints 1990: 45 complaints 1991: 64 complaints 1992: 19 complaints 1992 1993: 124 complaints 1994: 285 complaints 1995: 488 complaints 1995 1996: 359 complaints 1997: 358 complaints 1998: 434 complaints 1998 1999: 318 complaints 2000: 217 complaints 2001: 188 complaints 2001 2002: 87 complaints 2003: 9 complaints
1983: 2 complaints 1983 1984: 3 complaints 1985: 6 complaints 1985 1986: 16 complaints 1987: 29 complaints 1988: 46 complaints 1988 46 1989: 42 complaints 1990: 45 complaints 1991: 64 complaints 1991 1992: 19 complaints 1993: 124 complaints 1993 1994: 285 complaints 1995: 488 complaints 1995 1996: 359 complaints 1997: 358 complaints 1997 1998: 434 complaints 1999: 318 complaints 1999 2000: 217 complaints 2001: 188 complaints 2001 2002: 87 complaints 2003: 9 complaints 2003
1983: 2 complaints 1983 1984: 3 complaints 1984 1985: 6 complaints 1985 1986: 16 complaints 1986 1987: 29 complaints 1987 1988: 46 complaints 1988 46 1989: 42 complaints 1989 1990: 45 complaints 1990 1991: 64 complaints 1991 1992: 19 complaints 1992 1993: 124 complaints 1993 1994: 285 complaints 1994 1995: 488 complaints 1995 1996: 359 complaints 1996 1997: 358 complaints 1997 1998: 434 complaints 1998 1999: 318 complaints 1999 2000: 217 complaints 2000 2001: 188 complaints 2001 2002: 87 complaints 2002 2003: 9 complaints 2003

1988: 46 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19810
19820
19832
19843
19856
198616
198729
198846
198942
199045
199164
199219
1993124
1994285
1995488
1996359
1997358
1998434
1999318
2000217
2001188
200287
20039

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Seat belts

54% · 25 reports

Most commonly citing retractor and webbing.

Electrical system

15% · 7 reports

Most commonly citing fuses and circuit breakers and front underhood.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Just parked vehicle & left. Neighbors knocked on door to inform owner vehicle was on fire. Fire department called & put flames out. Was informed the battery was cause of fire. There was no prior warning.

NHTSA ODI report, 1999-08-06

Fire started under hood. Possibly around fuel filter and/or wiring harness area. Resulted in severe fire that totaled the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 1998-11-10

1. Bought a 1998 Mazda 626 lx. 2. At 56000 miles, engine needed a new header. 3. At 57000 miles, starter motor failed. 3. At 60000 miles, transmission failed. 4. Currently at 70000 miles, need new exhaust…

NHTSA ODI report, 2005-07-04

Latches/locks/linkages

11% · 5 reports

Most commonly citing latch.

Power train

11% · 5 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and axle assembly.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

Front axle of car rusted completel,y and broke apart while driving. *ak( DOT number: )

NHTSA ODI report, 1999-11-14

Transmission failure.

NHTSA ODI report, 1994-10-19

Structure

9% · 4 reports

Most commonly citing door.

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    1987-09-17Vehicle speed control87V149000 Floor mat could interfere with release of accelerator pedal due to improper shape of mat.

    Remedy: Remove present mat and replace with new improved mat.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    1988-01-15Service brakes, hydraulic87V196000 Vehicles equipped with rear brake drums transported by train may experience separation of the brake shoe from the wheel brake cylinder piston.

    Remedy: All vehicles will be inspected and if no separation is found grease will be applied to the component interface to lower friction and avoid subsequent relative motion. If separation is found the…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    1988-01-15Fuel system, gasoline87V186000 Fuel tank fixing band retention is not sufficient, allowing the band to rub against the fuel tank by vehicle vibrations.

    Remedy: Repair fuel fixing band by installing a rubber sheet.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    1988-04-22Vehicle speed control88V022000 At ambient temperatures below 0 degree f, frost may accumulate within the throttle body under extended constant speed operation.

    Remedy: Install a new type thermostat designed to raise the coolant temperature and warm the throttle body to a level above freezing.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    1988-04-29Seat belts88V063000 The drive spring that drives the automatic belt may break.

    Remedy: Replace automatic shoulder belt.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. I
    1991-06-18Preliminary evaluationClosed 1991-10-21 Throttle sticking
  7. I
    1992-06-02Preliminary evaluationClosed 1992-09-25 Inadvertent door opening
  8. I
    1992-09-25Engineering analysisClosed 1993-11-30 Inadvertent door opening
  9. R
    1994-04-29Structure93V174000 Resin molded front handles fail at the door latch actuating rod attachment, freeing the rod to fall inside the door frame. Subsequent lowering of the associated window may force the actuating rod…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the door handle/latch assembly.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1988 Mazda 626 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Seat belts: 25 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 7 reports on file for this year.
  • Latches/locks/linkages: 5 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 87V149000 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 87V196000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 87V186000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 88V022000 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 88V063000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 93V174000 · Structure
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1988 Mazda 626 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1988 Mazda 626 is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1988 Mazda 626?
The most-reported component is seat belts, accounting for 54% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1988 Mazda 626 have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.