MYRModel Year Report

1997 Mazda 626

◆ Worse than typical
1997 Mazda 626
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had 30% to 100% more 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
358
Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 1997

Investigations
2

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Power train

68% of complaints

Complaints per year

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

1997: 358 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.

Power train

68% · 242 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Cpsc#I1190531A. 1997 Mazda 626. Consumer stated when she brought the car it had severe transmission issues, and began smoking severely once taken the speed limit.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-06-13

Also filed under Engine

Engine and engine cooling

12% · 42 reports

Most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

CRASHFIRE
Show complaint excerpts

The vehicle stalled, and then caught on fire.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-02-19

Air bags

11% · 38 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owned a 1997 Mazda 626. While at a stop, another vehicle lost control and crashed into the front of the contact's vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained chest and back injuries that required medical attention.

NHTSA ODI report, 2016-04-07

When getting into the car air bags deployed without cause, causing injuries and damage.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-09-17

The left tire went over a curb and only the driver's side airbag deployed. The passenger's airbag did not deploy. Dealer cannot determine problem.

NHTSA ODI report, 1998-02-24

Electrical system

9% · 32 reports

Most commonly citing module and ignition.

CRASHFIRE
Show complaint excerpts

The vehicle is stalling during acceleration and after. Sometimes it's stops and clear itself up and then throws itself into overdrive (O/d off lights starts flashing) all while driving it in the street(City and interstate).

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-12-08

Also filed under Engine and vehicle speed control

Service brakes

5% · 18 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASHINJURY

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. ▮
    1997Complaint volume 358 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. I
    1998-10-29SQClosed 1999-09-10 Speedometer inoperative
  3. R
    1998-11-20Engine and engine cooling98V206001 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. An external spring in the timing belt tensioner can break and get caught in the timing belt.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the tensioner and replace it if necessary.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    1999-01-04Air bags98V249000 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with the sas sensor unit. These vehicles can experience air bag deployments in minor undercarriage impacts.

    Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the sas unit to reduce the probability of unnecessary deployments in low speed undercarriage impacts.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. I
    2002-02-08Recall queryClosed 2002-08-19 Oversensitive airbag deployment
  6. R
    2005-09-27Fuel system, gasoline05E065000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2015-12-17Electrical system15V674000 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.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1997 Mazda 626 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 242 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 42 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 38 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 98V206001 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 98V249000 · Air bags
  • Recall 05E065000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 15V674000 · Electrical system
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1997 Mazda 626 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 Mazda 626 is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Mazda 626?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 68% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1997 Mazda 626 have?
4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.