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NHTSA vehicle safety data

1997 Mazda 626 Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 1997 Mazda 626 has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 358 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Mazda dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1997 Mazda 626, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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1997 Mazda 626 owner complaints

Owners have filed 358 complaints with NHTSA about the 1997 Mazda 626, describing incidents dated November 20, 1996 to December 1, 2018.

Most-cited components

  • Power Train 229 complaints
  • Engine 41 complaints
  • Air Bags 36 complaints
  • Electrical System 30 complaints
  • Unknown or Other 15 complaints
  • Equipment 14 complaints

Of the 358 complaints on file, 17 report a crash and 6 a fire; across all 358 complaints, owners report 27 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11157034 · Filed

    THE VEHICLE IS STALLING DURING ACCELERATION AND AFTER. SOMETIMES IT'S STOPS AND CLEAR ITSELF UP AND THEN THROWS ITSELF INTO OVERDRIVE (O/D OFF LIGHTS STARTS FLASHING) ALL WHILE DRIVING IT IN THE STREET(CITY AND INTERSTATE). WHEN YOU LET THE CAR SIT AND NOT RUN IT WILL NOT FLASH BUT AFTER DRIVING AMD…

  • ODI #11021570 · Filed

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MAZDA 626. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V674000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT…

  • ODI #10948408 · Filed

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MAZDA 626. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A RECALL RESOLUTION REGARDING REPLACING THE IGNITION SWITCH. AFTER THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED, THE ENGINE INTERMITTENTLY FAILED TO START WHEN THE CONTACT TURNED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS…

Read all 358 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 1997 Mazda 626 in 2 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Ignition Switch may Overheat

NHTSA #15V674000 · Electrical System — Ignition — Switch · NHTSA notice

Reported October 19, 2015 · Mazda North American Operations

Potentially affected: 1,368,500 vehicles

Repair completion: 0.62% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Mazda campaign 8715J · Owners notified December 17, 2015 · Vehicles built September 1, 1992 – June 26, 1997 (per NHTSA)

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 consequence

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

FUEL FILTER LEAKS

NHTSA #05E065000 · Fuel System, Gasoline · NHTSA notice

Reported October 5, 2005 · SPX FILTRAN

Potentially affected: 42,962 vehicles

Owners notified September 27, 2005

Defect description

CERTAIN SPX FILTRAN FUEL FILTERS WITH A 45-DEGREE ANGLE INLET TUBE, MODEL 800F350-S1, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT FILTERS FOR 1993-1997 FORD PROBE,1993-2001 MAZDA 626 AND MX-6, AND 1983-1994 LOYAL, 3-DOOR COUPE, HATCHBACK, SEDAN, WAGON, BRAT, DL, GL, GL-10, RX, XT, AND XT6 PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH EFI OR TURBO ENGINES. THESE FILTERS ARE PACKAGED AS WIX, NAPA, AND CARQUEST BRAND FUEL FILTERS. CERTAIN SPX FILTRAN FUEL FILTERS WITH A 90-DEGREE ANGLE INLET TUBE, MODEL 800F300-S2, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT FILTERS FOR 19983-1994 SUBARU VEHICLES WITH EFI OR TURBO ENGINES. THESE FILTERS ARE PACKAGED AS WIX, NAPA, AND CARQUEST BRAND FUEL FILTERS. FUEL MAY LEAK FROM THE FILTER DUE TO NON-CONFORMING BRAZING WELDS WHERE THE INLET TUBE IS CONNECTED TO THE FILTER CAN.

Safety consequence

IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A VEHICLE FIRE CAN OCCUR.

Manufacturer remedy

SPX WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND PROVIDE A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN SEPTEMBER 27, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MR. CHRIS GREESON AT 704-869-3733 OR CONTACT THE WIX INFORMATION HOTLINE AT 800-949-6698.

Notes

CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236; (TTY:1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

MAZDA/AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT

NHTSA #98V249000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Sensor/Control Module-Inactive · NHTSA notice

Reported October 8, 1998 · MAZDA (NORTH AMERICA),INC

Potentially affected: 213,000 vehicles

Owners notified January 4, 1999 · Vehicles built June 1, 1994 – September 10, 1996 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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

Safety consequence

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.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JANUARY 1999.OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACTMAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

MAZDA/TIMING BELT

NHTSA #98V206001 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Engine · NHTSA notice

Reported September 8, 1998 · MAZDA (NORTH AMERICA),INC

Potentially affected: 40,000 vehicles

Owners notified November 20, 1998 · Vehicles built December 11, 1996 – June 26, 1997 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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

Safety consequence

THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN POSSIBLE ENGINE STALLING.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TENSIONER AND REPLACE IT IF NECESSARY.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 1998.OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (-1888-327-4236).

Other Mazda 626 model years

Check your 1997 Mazda 626 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Mazda 626 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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