MYRModel Year Report

1998 Mazda 626

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1998 Mazda 626
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints of 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
434
Recalls
6

Campaigns on file for 1998

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Power train

74% 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 1995 1996: 359 complaints 1997: 358 complaints 1998: 434 complaints 1998 434 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 1998: 434 complaints 1998 434 1999: 318 complaints 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 1998: 434 complaints 1998 434 1999: 318 complaints 1999 2000: 217 complaints 2000 2001: 188 complaints 2001 2002: 87 complaints 2002 2003: 9 complaints 2003

1998: 434 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

74% · 319 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASHFIREINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

Transmission failure. I have been reading all types of posts from websites saying the same thing about the poor transmissions in the Mazda 626. How could you disregard the quality of a part thats so vital to a newly manufactured car?

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-07-08

The transmission system malfunctioned, causing engine stalling/surging and accleration which resulted in an accident. Cause unknown. Dealer cannot determine problem. Please provide details.

NHTSA ODI report, 1999-02-17

Since owning the Mazda 626 I have had a very big problem the transmission slipping. It will slip going into second gear. If its below 60 degrees the car wont shift into drive until the motor gets hot enough.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-01-08

Also filed under Electrical system

Engine and engine cooling

21% · 90 reports

Most commonly citing engine and belts and associated pulleys.

Electrical system

3% · 14 reports

Most commonly citing ignition and interior/under dash.

FIREDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

I purchased a car in April 2001 (A used car) and have an extended warranty for it.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-10-17

Air bags

3% · 11 reports

Most commonly citing frontal.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

While traveling about 35MPH on the highway and without prior warning.another vehicle made a sudden stop causing the consumer to hit her from behind. Upon impact, driver's side air bag didn't deploy.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-07-08

False deployment of air bag caused injury to consumer upon collision, upon inspection concluded possible undercarriage damage. Nlm

NHTSA ODI report, 1999-06-08

Consumer was in an accident with another car on 17 dec 98, and air bags did not deploy. Also, passenger's seat belt inertia device did not lock.

NHTSA ODI report, 1998-12-18

Vehicle speed control

2% · 10 reports

Most commonly citing cruise control and accelerator pedal.

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

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

  1. ▮
    1998Complaint volume 434 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    1998-01-15Fuel system, gasoline97V228000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the PCM with the correct engine control logic.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. I
    1998-10-29SQClosed 1999-09-10 Speedometer inoperative
  4. R
    1998-12-03Equipment98V243000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will affix aluminum tape over the audio unit to prevent water from entering.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2000-09-28Engine and engine cooling00V134000 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. An external spring in the timing belt tensioner could break.

    Remedy: Dealers will check the tensioner installed and replace it if the vehicle is equipped with the affected tensioner.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  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
    2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. 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

1998 Mazda 626 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 319 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 90 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 14 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 97V228000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 98V243000 · Equipment
  • Recall 00V134000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 05E065000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
  • 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 1998 Mazda 626 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 Mazda 626 is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Mazda 626?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 74% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1998 Mazda 626 have?
6 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.