1998 Mazda 626

Complaint history

When NHTSA received these reports. Changes in reporting alone do not establish a change in failure rates.

Problems owners report

Listed groups have at least 3 complaints. The page includes the 20 largest groups plus any additional flagged groups; some complaints are not assigned to a group.

AI groups complaints by meaning; the groups are approximate. Share ratio compares the problem’s share of this vehicle’s complaints with its share on other vehicles over the last 24 months (shown from 3 recent complaints). A 2× ratio means twice the complaint share, not twice the failure risk. Flags mark unusual shares or recent surges after an AI review of the complaint content. “First signal” does not mean the pattern has persisted continuously.How recall estimates are calculated.

Recalls

• NHTSA recall #15V674000October 19, 20151,368,500 vehicles affected

  electrical system: ignition: switch

  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.

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

  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.

• NHTSA recall #00V134000May 9, 200031,000 vehicles affected

  engine and engine cooling: engine

  Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. An external spring in the timing belt tensioner could break.

  The broken spring may get caught in the timing belt, resulting possible engine stalling.

  Remedy

  Dealers will check the tensioner installed and replace it if the vehicle is equipped with the affected tensioner.

• NHTSA recall #98V243000October 2, 199873,000 vehicles affected

  equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/cd etc.

  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.

  If the short circuit occurs at one specific set of terminals, the speaker Can overheat and in some cases, catch fire.

  Remedy

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

• NHTSA recall #97V228000December 17, 199720,000 vehicles affected

  fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system

  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.

  This condition Can result in an engine stall, which could lead to loss of vehicle control and/or a vehicle crash.

  Remedy

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

Other model years

• 1987 29
• 1988 45
• 1989 42
• 1990 44
• 1991 62
• 1993 122
• 1994 282
• 1995 488
• 1996 359
• 1997 358
• 1998
• 1999 318
• 2000 217
• 2001 188
• 2002 87