Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 1997 Mazda 626
NHTSA data on file today
The 1997 Mazda 626 has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 358 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #15V674000 Ignition Switch may Overheat NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #05E065000 FUEL FILTER LEAKS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #98V249000 MAZDA/AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #98V206001 MAZDA/TIMING BELT NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Power Train 229 complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 39 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).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $4,500–$8,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 1997 Mazda 626 experiences notable power train issues, reflected in high owner complaints. Other concerns include engine cooling and electrical system issues. Four recall campaigns address significant problems, but the volume of complaints suggests ongoing reliability concerns. Overall, data indicates below-average reliability.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power train | Unknown | $800–$2,500 | very common |
| Engine cooling | Unknown | $400–$1,500 | occasional |
| Electrical system | Unknown | $200–$800 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes
- Brake fluid replacement
- Coolant flush
- Transmission service
- Timing belt replacement
- Spark plug replacement
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Unusual engine noises
- Transmission slipping
- Overheating
- Dashboard warning lights
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 1997 Mazda 626 at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.