RecallMyCar

1998 Mazda 626 Recalls, Complaints & Specs

4 safety recalls list the 1998 Mazda 626, and owners have filed 434 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

4
safety recalls
434
owner complaints to NHTSA
12 / 5
complaints citing a crash / fire
20–26
MPG combined (EPA)

4 safety recalls for the 1998 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. Switch (electrical system)

    NHTSA 15V674000 Reported 1,368,500 vehicles potentially affected Mazda North American Operations

    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.

    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. Mazda's…

  2. Engine (engine and engine cooling)

    NHTSA 00V134000 Reported 31,000 vehicles potentially affected MAZDA NORTH AMERICAN OPERATIONS

    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.

  3. Radio/tape deck/cd etc. (equipment)

    NHTSA 98V243000 Reported 73,000 vehicles potentially affected MAZDA (NORTH AMERICA),INC

    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 circuit.

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

  4. Fuel injection system (fuel system)

    NHTSA 97V228000 Reported 20,000 vehicles potentially affected MAZDA (NORTH AMERICA),INC

    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 overlean condition.

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

434 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 1998 Mazda 626 have filed 434 complaints with NHTSA; 12 describe a crash and 5 describe a fire. Reports cite 15 injuries and 5 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 94,151 miles. Complaints peaked in 2003 with 74 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“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”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, January 8, 2018 · Electrical system

“Takata recall. The transmission cd4e tranny doesn't have switch gears unless you use excessive RPM.”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, May 30, 2017 · Engine

Fuel economy and specs

EPA ratings for the 1998 Mazda 626. Ranges cover every tested configuration.

Combined20–26 mpg
City / Highway18–23 / 24–30
FuelPremium, Regular
EPA classMidsize Cars
Engine4/6 cyl, 2/2.5 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 1998 Mazda 626

How do I know if my 1998 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. 4 campaigns currently list the 1998 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 00V134000).

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.