RecallMyCar

1988 Mazda 626 Recalls, Complaints & Specs

6 safety recalls list the 1988 Mazda 626, and owners have filed 45 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

6
safety recalls
45
owner complaints to NHTSA
1 / 3
complaints citing a crash / fire
19–24
MPG combined (EPA)

6 safety recalls for the 1988 Mazda 626

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Door (structure)

    NHTSA 93V174000 Reported 244,000 vehicles potentially affected MAZDA (NORTH AMERICA),INC

    Resin molded front handles fail at the door latch actuating rod attachment, freeing the rod to fall inside the door frame. Subsequent lowering of the associated window may force the actuating rod downward and release the door latch.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the door handle/latch assembly.

  2. Seat belts

    NHTSA 88V063000 Reported 42,810 vehicles potentially affected MAZDA (NORTH AMERICA),INC

    The drive spring that drives the automatic belt may break.

    Remedy: Replace automatic shoulder belt.

  3. Accelerator pedal (vehicle speed control)

    NHTSA 88V022000 Reported 72,883 vehicles potentially affected MAZDA (NORTH AMERICA),INC

    At ambient temperatures below 0 degree f, frost may accumulate within the throttle body under extended constant speed operation.

    Remedy: Install a new type thermostat designed to raise the coolant temperature and warm the throttle body to a level above freezing.

  4. Shoes/linings (service brakes)

    NHTSA 87V196000 Reported 14,807 vehicles potentially affected MAZDA (NORTH AMERICA),INC

    Vehicles equipped with rear brake drums transported by train may experience separation of the brake shoe from the wheel brake cylinder piston.

    Remedy: All vehicles will be inspected and if no separation is found grease will be applied to the component interface to lower friction and avoid subsequent relative motion. If separation is found the wheel brake cylinder…

  5. Tank assembly (fuel system)

    NHTSA 87V186000 Reported 33,868 vehicles potentially affected MAZDA (NORTH AMERICA),INC

    Fuel tank fixing band retention is not sufficient, allowing the band to rub against the fuel tank by vehicle vibrations.

    Remedy: Repair fuel fixing band by installing a rubber sheet.

  6. Linkages (vehicle speed control)

    NHTSA 87V149000 Reported 400 vehicles potentially affected MAZDA (NORTH AMERICA),INC

    Floor mat could interfere with release of accelerator pedal due to improper shape of mat.

    Remedy: Remove present mat and replace with new improved mat.

45 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 1988 Mazda 626 have filed 45 complaints with NHTSA; 1 describe a crash and 3 describe a fire. Reports cite 1 injury and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 50,000 miles. Complaints peaked in 1995 with 16 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“1. Bought a 1998 mazda 626 lx. 2. At 56000 miles, engine needed a new header. 3. At 57000 miles, starter motor failed. 3. At 60000 miles, transmission failed. 4. Currently at 70000 miles, need new exh”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, July 4, 2005 · Electrical system

“While driving the front of vehicle caught on fire due to fuel lines. *ak consumer states that the fire progressed to the rear underside from center third of underside, the passenger was injured when b”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, May 28, 2002 · Fuel system, gasoline

Fuel economy and specs

EPA ratings for the 1988 Mazda 626/MX-6. Ranges cover every tested configuration.

Combined19–24 mpg
City / Highway17–21 / 23–28
FuelPremium, Regular
EPA classMidsize Cars
Engine4 cyl, 2.2 L
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd; Manual 5-spd

Compare Mazda 626 model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Mazda 626 model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1979 Mazda 62620
1980 Mazda 62620
1981 Mazda 62620
1982 Mazda 62620
1983 Mazda 62602
1984 Mazda 62603
1985 Mazda 62606
1986 Mazda 626216
1987 Mazda 626129
1988 Mazda 626645
1989 Mazda 626142
1990 Mazda 626144
1991 Mazda 626162
1992 Mazda 626019
1993 Mazda 6261122
1994 Mazda 6262282
1995 Mazda 6262488
1996 Mazda 6262359
1997 Mazda 6263358
1998 Mazda 6264434
1999 Mazda 6262318
2000 Mazda 6261217
2001 Mazda 6260188
2002 Mazda 626087
2003 Mazda 62609

Checking a specific 1988 Mazda 626

How do I know if my 1988 Mazda 626 has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 6 campaigns currently list the 1988 Mazda 626; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Mazda dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 87V149000).

What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?

A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.

Other Mazda models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.