Model year record

1997 Mazda 626 recalls & problems

The 1997 Mazda 626 has 4 safety recalls and 358 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (244 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls

Complaints358filed by owners

Crashes · fires17 · 5reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths27 · 0reported in complaints

1997 Mazda 626 in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Electrical systemOct 19, 2015

Ignition › Switch

Recall 15V6740001,368,500 vehicles

Problem: 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. In the affected vehicles, grease applied to the contact points inside the ignition switch may become conductive and overheat.
Risk: If the ignition switch overheats there would be an increased risk of a fire.
Fix: 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. Mazda's number for this recall is 8715J.

Fuel system, gasolineOct 5, 2005

Fuel system, gasoline

Recall 05E06500042,962 vehicles

Problem: 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 COUPE, HATCHBACK, SEDAN, WAGON, BRAT, DL, GL, GL-10, RX, XT, AND XT6 PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH EFI OR TURBO ENGINES. THESE FILTERS ARE PACKAGED AS WIX, NAPA, AND CARQUEST BRAND FUEL FILTERS. CERTAIN SPX FILTRAN FUEL FILTERS WITH A 90-DEGREE ANGLE INLET TUBE, MODEL 800F300-S2, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT FILTERS FOR 19983-1994 SUBARU VEHICLES WITH EFI OR TURBO ENGINES. THESE FILTERS ARE PACKAGED AS WIX, NAPA, AND CARQUEST BRAND FUEL FILTERS. FUEL MAY LEAK FROM THE FILTER DUE TO NON-CONFORMING BRAZING WELDS WHERE THE INLET TUBE IS CONNECTED TO THE FILTER CAN.
Risk: IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A VEHICLE FIRE CAN OCCUR.
Fix: 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 800-949-6698.

Air bagsOct 8, 1998

Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive

Recall 98V249000213,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE SAS SENSOR UNIT. THESE VEHICLES CAN EXPERIENCE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS IN MINOR UNDERCARRIAGE IMPACTS.
Risk: UNEXPECTED AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN RESULT IN OCCUPANT INJURY.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE SAS UNIT TO REDUCE THE PROBABILITY OF UNNECESSARY DEPLOYMENTS IN LOW SPEED UNDERCARRIAGE IMPACTS.

Engine and engine coolingSep 8, 1998

Engine

Recall 98V20600140,000 vehicles

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. AN EXTERNAL SPRING IN THE TIMING BELT TENSIONER CAN BREAK AND GET CAUGHT IN THE TIMING BELT.
Risk: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN POSSIBLE ENGINE STALLING.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TENSIONER AND REPLACE IT IF NECESSARY.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

1997 Mazda 626 DX 4-DR.

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

626

26mpg combined

City / highway	23 / 31 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel

626

24mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 29 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel

626

20mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $4,100/year to fuel

626

20mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2.5 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $4,100/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Manual transmission	244	2	0	7	92,000 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Engine › Gasoline	43	1	1	0	80,000 mi
Air bagsFrontal; Frontal › Sensor/control module	39	11	1	21	84,200 mi
Electrical systemIgnition › Module; Ignition	32	1	4	0	83,156 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Disc	18	2	0	1	—
Unknown or other	16	0	1	0	—
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal; Cruise control	9	2	0	1	95,000 mi
SteeringHydraulic power assist system; Steering wheel/handle bar	8	1	0	4	99,000 mi
EquipmentAppliance › Air conditioner; Electrical › Radio/tape deck/cd etc.	8	0	1	0	62,580 mi
TiresTread/belt	5	1	0	0	—
SuspensionFront; Rear › Shock absorber	4	0	0	0	—
SeatsFront assembly › Head restraint; Front assembly › Recliner	4	1	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Electrical system
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). WHEN YOU LET THE CAR SIT AND NOT RUN IT WILL NOT FLASH BUT AFTER DRIVING AMD NOT GETTING ANY SPEED IT DOES IT AGAIN.
Dec 1, 2018 · 147,400 miles
Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MAZDA 626. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V674000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED FIVE STAR MAZDA AT (478) 841-9275 (LOCATED AT 3068 RIVERSIDE DR, MACON, GA 31210) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE DEALER WOULD CALL THE CONTACT. THE DEALER DID NOT CONFIRM THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Oct 19, 2015
Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MAZDA 626. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A RECALL RESOLUTION REGARDING REPLACING THE IGNITION SWITCH. AFTER THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED, THE ENGINE INTERMITTENTLY FAILED TO START WHEN THE CONTACT TURNED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE RECALL DETAILS WERE NOT PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,105.
Dec 1, 2016 · 120,105 miles
Electrical system
SEE UPLOADED PDF DOCUMENT.
Mar 15, 2016
Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MAZDA 626. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Apr 11, 2016
Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MAZDA 626. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V674000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Oct 22, 2015
Air bagsCrash1 injury
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. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Aug 22, 2011 · 80,000 miles
Power train
LEFT HOME TO GO TO WORK MADE IT ABOUT 3 MILES FROM MY HOME AND MY TRANSMISSION QUIT WORKING AS I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF A HWY. I WAS TURNING ONTO FROM A SIDE STREET. I WAS ABOUT HIT AS MY MAZDA WOULD NOT GO AND QUIT WORKING ON A BLIND CORNER. *TR
Nov 14, 2014 · 131,212 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

OVERSENSITIVE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENTClosedLed to recall 98V249000
There is no summary currently available
RQ02004 · opened Feb 8, 2002 · closed Aug 19, 2002
SPEEDOMETER INOPERATIVEClosedLed to recall 99I005000
SEE RESUME FOR DETAILS.
SQ98024 · opened Oct 29, 1998 · closed Sep 10, 1999