MYRModel Year Report

1997 Mazda 626

◆ Worse than typical
1997 Mazda 626
BUILT 2026-08-02

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Mazda 626 Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1997 highlighted. 1980: 0 complaints 1980 1981: 0 complaints 1982: 0 complaints 1983: 2 complaints 1983 1984: 3 complaints 1985: 6 complaints 1986: 16 complaints 1986 1987: 29 complaints 1988: 45 complaints 1989: 42 complaints 1989 1990: 44 complaints 1991: 62 complaints 1992: 19 complaints 1992 1993: 122 complaints 1994: 282 complaints 1995: 488 complaints 1995 1996: 359 complaints 1997: 358 complaints 1997 1998: 434 complaints 1998 1999: 318 complaints 2000: 217 complaints 2001: 188 complaints 2001 2002: 87 complaints 2003: 9 complaints 2003
1997: 358 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19810
19820
19832
19843
19856
198616
198729
198845
198942
199044
199162
199219
1993122
1994282
1995488
1996359
1997358
1998434
1999318
2000217
2001188
200287
20039

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

POWER TRAIN 58%

58% of complaints: power train — 209 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
AIR BAGS 6%

6% of complaints: air bags — 21 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

WHEN GETTING INTO THE CAR AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT CAUSE, CAUSING INJURIES AND DAMAGE. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20020917

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. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19980224

WHILE DRIVING, WITHOUT VEHICLE COLLISION OCCURRING, THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK CONSUMER STATES DEALER INFORMED HIM THAT CONSUMER HIT A POT HOLE CAUSING DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAGS AND THAT IT WAS NORMAL.

NHTSA ODI report, 19971015

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 4%

4% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 15 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

THE VEHICLE STALLED, AND THEN CAUGHT ON FIRE.*JB

NHTSA ODI report, 20030219

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 4%

4% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 13 distinct reports on file.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 3%

3% of complaints: electrical system — 11 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
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, 20181208

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 1997 — complaint volume: 358
I 19981029 — SQ (closed 19990910)

SPEEDOMETER INOPERATIVE

R 19981120 — engine and engine cooling

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.

Campaign 98V206001 — check if this car was fixed

R 19990104 — air bags

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.

Campaign 98V249000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20020208 — RQ (closed 20020819)

OVERSENSITIVE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT

R 20050927 — fuel system, gasoline

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 COU

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 800-949-6

Campaign 05E065000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20151217 — electrical system

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.

Campaign 15V674000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1997 Mazda 626 — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for power train issues (209 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (21 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (15 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 98V206001 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 98V249000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 05E065000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V674000 (electrical system) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1989 ▲ 1990 ▲ 1988

WORST YEARS

■ 1995 ■ 1998 ◆ 1996

See all years ranked →

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:automatic transmission, accounting for 58% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1997 Mazda 626 have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.