MYRModel Year Report

1988 Mazda 626

▲ Better than typical
1988 Mazda 626
RENDERED 2026-09-16T05:49:38.203Z

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Mazda 626 Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1988 highlighted. 1983: 2 complaints 1983 1984: 3 complaints 1985: 6 complaints 1986: 16 complaints 1986 1987: 29 complaints 1988: 46 complaints 1988 1989: 42 complaints 1989 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 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%

54% of complaints: seat belts — 25 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing retractor and webbing.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 15%

15% of complaints: electrical system — 7 distinct reports on file, 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. *AK *ML

NHTSA ODI report, 19990806

FIRE STARTED UNDER HOOD. POSSIBLY AROUND FUEL FILTER AND/OR WIRING HARNESS AREA. RESULTED IN SEVERE FIRE THAT TOTALED THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI report, 19981110

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 SYSTEM

NHTSA ODI report, 20050704

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 11%

11% of complaints: latches/locks/linkages — 5 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing latch.

POWER TRAIN 11%

11% of complaints: power train — 5 distinct reports on file, 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, 19991114

TRANSMISSION FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI report, 19941019

STRUCTURE 9%

9% of complaints: structure — 4 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing door.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19870917 — vehicle speed control

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.

Campaign 87V149000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19880115 — service brakes, hydraulic

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 WHEEL

Campaign 87V196000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19880115 — fuel system, gasoline

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.

Campaign 87V186000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19880422 — vehicle speed control

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.

Campaign 88V022000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19880429 — seat belts

THE DRIVE SPRING THAT DRIVES THE AUTOMATIC BELT MAY BREAK.

Remedy: REPLACE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT.

Campaign 88V063000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19910618 — PE (closed 19911021)

THROTTLE STICKING

I 19920602 — PE (closed 19920925)

INADVERTENT DOOR OPENING

I 19920925 — EA (closed 19931130)

INADVERTENT DOOR OPENING

R 19940429 — structure

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 DOWN

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DOOR HANDLE/LATCH ASSEMBLY.

Campaign 93V174000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1988 Mazda 626 — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for seat belts issues (25 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (7 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for latches/locks/linkages issues (5 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 87V149000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 87V196000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 87V186000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 88V022000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 88V063000 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 93V174000 (structure) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1989 ▲ 1990 ▲ 1991

WORST YEARS

■ 1995 ■ 1998 ◆ 1996

See all years ranked →

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 2026-09-15 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.