Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 438 complaints with NHTSA about the 1998 Mazda 626, and it carries 6 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 282 | 64% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 63 | 14% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 11 | 3% |
| Air bags | 10 | 2% |
| Power train | 9 | 2% |
| Tires | 8 | 2% |
| Vehicle speed control | 6 | 1% |
| Unknown or other | 5 | 1% |
| Power train | 4 | 1% |
| Seat belts | 4 | 1% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
SINCE OWNING THE MAZDA 626 I HAVE HAD A VERY BIG PROBLEM THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. IT WILL SLIP GOING INTO SECOND GEAR. IF ITS BELOW 60 DEGREES THE CAR WONT SHIFT INTO DRIVE UNTIL THE MOTOR GETS HOT ENOUGH. THE CAR IS L
NHTSA complaint: Power train
TAKATA RECALL. THE TRANSMISSION CD4E TRANNY DOESN'T HAVE SWITCH GEARS UNLESS YOU USE EXCESSIVE RPM.
NHTSA complaint: Power train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MAZDA 626. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THE IGNITION FAILED TO RELEASE THE KEY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V674000 (ELECTRICAL SYS
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 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 MANUFACTUR
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
I WAS DRIVING 60MPH SLOWING DOWN TO THE SPEED LIMIT WHICH WAS 55 ALL OF A SUDDEN SOMETHING POPPED THERE WAS NOTHING ON THE ROAD AND MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED THE CAR WENT IN TO THE WALL AND FLIPPED OVER TWICE. EVERYTHING
NHTSA complaint: Steering
TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS! RIGHT NOW THE CAR IS AT THE MECHANIC HAVING THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. I KNOW I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM, PLEASE DO SOMETHING. RIGHT NOW REPLACING IT FOR A REBUILT ONE IS $1,100, BUT B
NHTSA complaint: Power train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 MAZDA 626LX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND AT TIMES WOULD STALL. APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR AGO, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY REPLACED THE TIMING BELT. T
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
105,626 ORIGINAL MILEAGE. COMING FROM A LONG HIGHWAY DRIVE. CAR BEGAN TO REV REALLY HIGH. TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING. O/D LIGHT BEGAN BLINKING. CRAWLED THE VEHICLE TO REPAIR SHOP. WAS TOLD THERE WAS A COMPLETE FAILURE OF
NHTSA complaint: Power train
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 1998 Mazda 626. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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 co
Risk: If the ignition switch overheats there would be an increased risk of a fire.
Fix: 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,
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
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 TUR
Risk: IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A VEHICLE FIRE CAN OCCUR.
Fix: 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 800-949-6
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. AN EXTERNAL SPRING IN THE TIMING BELT TENSIONER COULD BREAK.
Risk: THE BROKEN SPRING MAY GET CAUGHT IN THE TIMING BELT, RESULTING POSSIBLE ENGINE STALLING.
Fix: DEALERS WILL CHECK THE TENSIONER INSTALLED AND REPLACE IT IF THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH THE AFFECTED TENSIONER.
| Reliability raw | 52 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 68 | good |
| Maintenance | 82 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 90 | excellent |
| Performance | 45 | below average |
| Efficiency | 47 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 438 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 282 of them (64%). There are 6 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 52/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 68/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1998 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 66/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.