Model year record

1998 Mazda 626

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 499 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 00V134000

Engine and engine cooling: engine

Component
Engine and engine cooling: engine
Manufacturer
MAZDA NORTH AMERICAN OPERATIONS
Vehicles affected
31,000
Reported to NHTSA
2000-05-09
Owners notified
2000-09-28

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. AN EXTERNAL SPRING IN THE TIMING BELT TENSIONER COULD BREAK.

Safety risk

THE BROKEN SPRING MAY GET CAUGHT IN THE TIMING BELT, RESULTING POSSIBLE ENGINE STALLING.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL CHECK THE TENSIONER INSTALLED AND REPLACE IT IF THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH THE AFFECTED TENSIONER.

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V243000

Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.

Component
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.
Manufacturer
MAZDA (NORTH AMERICA),INC
Vehicles affected
73,000
Reported to NHTSA
1998-10-02
Owners notified
1998-12-03

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

IF THE SHORT CIRCUIT OCCURS AT ONE SPECIFIC SET OF TERMINALS, THE SPEAKER CAN OVERHEAT AND IN SOME CASES, CATCH FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL AFFIX ALUMINUM TAPE OVER THE AUDIO UNIT TO PREVENT WATER FROM ENTERING.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V228000

Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system
Manufacturer
MAZDA (NORTH AMERICA),INC
Vehicles affected
20,000
Reported to NHTSA
1997-12-17
Owners notified
1998-01-15

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN AN ENGINE STALL, WHICH COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND/OR A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE PCM WITH THE CORRECT ENGINE CONTROL LOGIC.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Power train: automatic transmission27890,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine4285,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys1480,515 mi
Power train1375,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission1289,600 mi
Engine and engine cooling1188,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline10
Electrical system980,000 mi
Unknown or other980,000 mi
Air bags: frontal8
Vehicle speed control8150,000 mi
Tires5
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly463,081 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)450,000 mi
Air bags3
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system380,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines377,999 mi
Power train: axle assembly363,081 mi
Seats3
Tires: tread/belt3
Electrical system: ignition2138,645 mi
Engine2150,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control2
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor280,000 mi
Equipment280,000 mi
Equipment: electrical270,600 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.220,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline2103,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system290,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)2
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1
Electrical system: wiring180,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash180,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: hoses/lines/piping/fittings1
Engine and engine cooling: engine: other fuel types: turbo/supercharger1
Exterior lighting: headlights1
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system1
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift153,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch1
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter1
Power train: clutch assembly1
Power train: manual transmission: shift pattern indicator155,000 mi
Seat belts: front1
Seat belts: front: anchorage1
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1
Seat belts: rear/other1
Seats: front assembly: head restraint1
Seats: front assembly: recliner1
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum1
Steering1
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)1
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections1138,645 mi
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly1
Steering: rack and pinion1
Structure1
Structure: body1
Structure: frame and members1
Suspension1
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1
Vehicle speed control: cruise control1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1
Wheels1

The 1997 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1999 model has about 1.5 times as many 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.