1997 Mazda 626
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Transmission & Drivetrain
Transmission & Drivetrain leads by volume: 233 of 358 complaints (65%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (20) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 359 in 1996 to 358 in 1997.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | vs. 1997 Midsize Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,400–3,900 | 2,400–3,900 | 2,400–3,900 | 2,400–3,900 | 2,400–3,900 | |
| Combined MPG | 20–26 | 20–26 | 20–26 | 20–26 | 20–26 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 18–23 / 24–31 | 18–23 / 24–31 | 18–23 / 24–31 | 18–23 / 24–30 | 18–23 / 24–30 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 342–444 | 342–444 | 342–444 | 342–444 | 342–444 | |
| Complaints filed | 488 | 359 | 358 | 434 | 318 | |
| Recalls issued | 4 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 4 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 43 | 35 | 17 | 12 | 11 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 8 | 2 | 6 | 5 | 3 | |
| Injuries reported | 40 | 138 | 27 | 15 | 4 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 99 | 0 | 5 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 1997 Mazda 626 have?
4 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 1997 Mazda 626?
Transmission & Drivetrain: 233 of 358 NHTSA complaints (65%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1997 Mazda 626 get?
EPA rates it 20–26 MPG combined across 4 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1997 Mazda 626?
EPA estimates $2,400–$3,900 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (4)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 21 mpg | 29 mpg | 24 mpg | $2,600 | 370 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 23 mpg (high) | 31 mpg (high) | 26 mpg (high) | $2,400 (low) | 342 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars | 18 mpg (low) | 24 mpg (low) | 20 mpg (low) | $3,900 (high) | 444 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars | 18 mpg (low) | 24 mpg (low) | 20 mpg (low) | $3,900 (high) | 444 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 41 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 233 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 32 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 14 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 8 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 39 | 11 | 1 | 20 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 9 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 8 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Other | 21 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (4)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH · Campaign 15V674000 · Oct 19, 2015
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE · Campaign 05E065000 · Oct 6, 2005
Defect: 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.
Consequence: IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A VEHICLE FIRE CAN OCCUR.
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.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE · Campaign 98V249000 · Oct 13, 1998
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE SAS SENSOR UNIT. THESE VEHICLES CAN EXPERIENCE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS IN MINOR UNDERCARRIAGE IMPACTS.
Consequence: UNEXPECTED AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN RESULT IN OCCUPANT INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE SAS UNIT TO REDUCE THE PROBABILITY OF UNNECESSARY DEPLOYMENTS IN LOW SPEED UNDERCARRIAGE IMPACTS.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE · Campaign 98V206001 · Sep 9, 1998
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. AN EXTERNAL SPRING IN THE TIMING BELT TENSIONER CAN BREAK AND GET CAUGHT IN THE TIMING BELT.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN POSSIBLE ENGINE STALLING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TENSIONER AND REPLACE IT IF NECESSARY.