Model year record

1997 Mazda 626

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 451 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 15V674000

Electrical system: ignition: switch

Component
Electrical system: ignition: switch
Manufacturer
Mazda North American Operations
Vehicles affected
1,368,500
Reported to NHTSA
2015-10-19
Owners notified
2015-12-17

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

If the ignition switch overheats there would be an increased risk of a fire.

Manufacturer 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 number for this recall is 8715J.

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V249000

Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive

Component
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive
Manufacturer
MAZDA (NORTH AMERICA),INC
Vehicles affected
213,000
Reported to NHTSA
1998-10-08
Owners notified
1999-01-04

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE SAS SENSOR UNIT. THESE VEHICLES CAN EXPERIENCE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS IN MINOR UNDERCARRIAGE IMPACTS.

Safety risk

UNEXPECTED AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN RESULT IN OCCUPANT INJURY.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE SAS UNIT TO REDUCE THE PROBABILITY OF UNNECESSARY DEPLOYMENTS IN LOW SPEED UNDERCARRIAGE IMPACTS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V206001

Engine and engine cooling: engine

Component
Engine and engine cooling: engine
Manufacturer
MAZDA (NORTH AMERICA),INC
Vehicles affected
40,000
Reported to NHTSA
1998-09-08
Owners notified
1998-11-20

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. AN EXTERNAL SPRING IN THE TIMING BELT TENSIONER CAN BREAK AND GET CAUGHT IN THE TIMING BELT.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN POSSIBLE ENGINE STALLING.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TENSIONER AND REPLACE IT IF NECESSARY.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Power train: automatic transmission21090,300 mi
Air bags: frontal2280,000 mi
Unknown or other16105,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine1580,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline14
Electrical system1165,000 mi
Air bags1084,200 mi
Power train895,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission8
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter699,200 mi
Vehicle speed control695,000 mi
Equipment515,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines5109,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module459,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module4
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip4
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc4
Tires4
Air bags: side/window3
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery3
Electrical system: ignition3
Engine and engine cooling3
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor366,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system3
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift387,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components3
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads3
Electrical system: horn2
Electrical system: starter assembly2
Electrical system: wiring2
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood2100,313 mi
Engine2147,400 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system298,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system2
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control266,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner260,161 mi
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft2120,625 mi
Seat belts2
Seats2
Service brakes, hydraulic2
Steering299,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system260,000 mi
Suspension267,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal272,796 mi
Visibility: windshield2
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery: cables1
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1
Electrical system: ignition: switch1120,105 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly1
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys1
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1
Exterior lighting: brake lights1
Exterior lighting: headlights191,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch144,044 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal1
Fuel/propulsion system111,678 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1
Power train: axle assembly1106,000 mi
Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)1
Seat belts: front: webbing1
Seats: front assembly: head restraint1
Seats: front assembly: recliner1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist1
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device1
Steering: gear box: shaft pitman1116,459 mi
Steering: rack and pinion1
Structure: body: door1
Structure: frame and members1
Suspension: front1
Suspension: rear: shock absorber1
Tires: tread/belt1
Vehicle speed control: cruise control1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core189,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls1
Wheels1

The 1996 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1998 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.