1998 Mazda 626
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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 0 |
| 1981 | 0 |
| 1982 | 0 |
| 1983 | 2 |
| 1984 | 3 |
| 1985 | 6 |
| 1986 | 16 |
| 1987 | 29 |
| 1988 | 45 |
| 1989 | 42 |
| 1990 | 44 |
| 1991 | 62 |
| 1992 | 19 |
| 1993 | 122 |
| 1994 | 282 |
| 1995 | 488 |
| 1996 | 359 |
| 1997 | 358 |
| 1998 | 434 |
| 1999 | 318 |
| 2000 | 217 |
| 2001 | 188 |
| 2002 | 87 |
| 2003 | 9 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
64% of complaints: power train — 277 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow 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, 20030708
THE TRANSMISSION SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING ENGINE STALLING/SURGING AND ACCLERATION WHICH RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA ODI report, 19990217
10% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 42 distinct reports on file.
3% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 14 distinct reports on file.
3% of complaints: power train — 13 distinct reports on file.
Show complaint excerpts
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, 20180108
3% of complaints: power train — 12 distinct reports on file.
SAFETY TIMELINE
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 OVE
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE PCM WITH THE CORRECT ENGINE CONTROL LOGIC.
Campaign 97V228000 — check if this car was fixed
SPEEDOMETER INOPERATIVE
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 SHORT
Remedy: DEALERS WILL AFFIX ALUMINUM TAPE OVER THE AUDIO UNIT TO PREVENT WATER FROM ENTERING.
Campaign 98V243000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 00V134000 — check if this car was fixed
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
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 CONF
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.
Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed
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
1998 Mazda 626 — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for power train issues (277 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (42 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (14 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 97V228000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 98V243000 (equipment) has been completed.
- Verify recall 00V134000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
- Verify recall 05E065000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V674000 (electrical system) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST 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:automatic transmission, accounting for 64% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1998 Mazda 626 have?
6 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.