Complaints
499
Crashes
15
Fires
6
Injuries
18
Fatalities
10
Recalls
1
Worst 1998 Mazda 626 Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#1278 complaints
Automatic Transmission
Avg mileage:99,320 mi
Crash-related:1
Fires:2
#242 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
Avg mileage:90,175 mi
#314 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys
Avg mileage:77,437 mi
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1998 Mazda 626.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automatic Transmission | 278 | 1 | 2 | 99,320 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 42 | — | — | 90,175 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys | 14 | — | — | 77,437 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 13 | — | — | 80,694 mi | |
| Manual Transmission | 12 | — | — | 87,741 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 11 | — | — | 91,533 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 10 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 9 | — | 1 | 111,956 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 8 | 5 | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 8 | — | — | 150,000 mi | |
| Tire Defects | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Airbags | 3 | 3 | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Cooling Unit And Lines | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Other Equipment | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Electrical | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc. | 2 | — | 2 | — | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl) | 2 | — | — | — |
Automatic Transmission
278
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
2
Avg Miles
99,320
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
42
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
90,175
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys
14
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
77,437
Transmission / Drivetrain
13
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
80,694
Manual Transmission
12
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
87,741
Engine & Cooling
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
91,533
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical Faults
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
111,956
Air Bags:Frontal
8
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
150,000
Tire Defects
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Airbags
3
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Cooling Unit And Lines
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Axle Assembly
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat-Related Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tires:Tread/Belt
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine Problems
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Other Equipment
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Electrical
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc.
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
—
Gasoline Fuel System
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl)
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1998 Mazda 626. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Recalls for 1998 Mazda 626
1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting ~1,368,500 vehicles.
15V674000Electrical System:ignition:switch
~1,368,500 affectedMazda 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.
Other Mazda 626 Years
1998 Mazda 626 — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1998 Mazda 626 reliable?
Verdict: High Complaint Volume. The 1998 Mazda 626 has 499 NHTSA complaints, 15 crash-related, and 1 recall campaign. The most common issue is Automatic Transmission with 278 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1998 Mazda 626?
Top reported problems: Automatic Transmission (278 complaints, avg 99,320 mi); Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine (42 complaints, avg 90,175 mi); Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys (14 complaints, avg 77,437 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1998 Mazda 626?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 97,671 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1998 Mazda 626?
NHTSA complaints for the 1998 Mazda 626 include 15 crash-related reports, 6 fire reports, 18 injuries, and 10 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1998 Mazda 626 have any recalls?
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 1,368,500 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 1998 Mazda 626?
This year has a higher-than-normal complaint volume. It's not an automatic no, but focus inspection on the top reported issue (automatic transmission) and verify open recalls have been addressed.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Mazda 626 reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1998 Mazda 626
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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