RideTruth

Owner report · 1998 model year

1998 Mazda 626

View garageCompare this car
1998 Mazda 626
Crash-test image: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), U.S. Department of Transportation.

The Verdict

Worst problem area

Transmission & Drivetrain

Transmission & Drivetrain leads by volume: 313 of 434 complaints (72%) mention it.

Complaints filed rose from 358 in 1997 to 434 in 1998.

Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology

At a glance

NHTSA complaints
434
Recall campaigns
6
EPA fuel cost per year
$2,400–$3,850
Combined MPG
20–26

Complaints by model year

  1. 3591996
  2. 3581997
  3. 4341998
  4. 3181999
  5. 2172000

Where owners report problems

  1. Transmission & Drivetrain313 (72%)
  2. Engine83 (19%)
  3. Airbags & Restraints15 (3%)
  4. Other13 (3%)
  5. Electrical12 (3%)
  6. Driver Assistance & Speed Control10 (2%)
Advertisement

Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History

Fuel cost, fuel economy, and complaint history by model-yearScroll sideways to see all 5 years. Fuel figures show the range across trims for years with more than one EPA-rated configuration.
Category19961997199819992000vs. 1998 Midsize Cars
Annual fuel cost ($)2,400–3,8502,400–3,8502,400–3,8502,400–3,8502,500–3,850
Combined MPG20–2620–2620–2620–2620–25
City / Highway MPG18–23 / 24–3118–23 / 24–3118–23 / 24–3018–23 / 24–3018–23 / 24–29
CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi)342–444342–444342–444342–444355–444
Complaints filed359358434318217Not compared
Recalls issued34642Not compared
Crash-involved complaints351712116Not compared
Fire-involved complaints26530Not compared
Injuries reported138271547Not compared
Deaths reported990500Not compared
Configurations compared44444

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 1998 Mazda 626 have?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.

What is the most common complaint about the 1998 Mazda 626?

Transmission & Drivetrain: 313 of 434 NHTSA complaints (72%) mention it.

What gas mileage does the 1998 Mazda 626 get?

EPA rates it 20–26 MPG combined across 4 configurations.

How much does it cost to fuel a 1998 Mazda 626?

EPA estimates $2,400–$3,850 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.

Similar Vehicles

EPA-Rated Configurations (4)

Every EPA-rated configuration on this page, one row each.A number tagged (low) or (high) is this page’s own cost-table figure of that name, above.
ConfigurationTransmissionCylindersDisplacementDrivetrainFuel TypeVehicle ClassCityHighwayCombinedAnnual Fuel CostCO₂
Configuration 1Automatic 4-spd42.0LFront-Wheel DriveRegularMidsize Cars19 mpg26 mpg22 mpg$2,850404 g/mi
Configuration 2Manual 5-spd42.0LFront-Wheel DriveRegularMidsize Cars23 mpg (high)30 mpg (high)26 mpg (high)$2,400 (low)342 g/mi (low)
Configuration 3Automatic 4-spd62.5LFront-Wheel DrivePremiumMidsize Cars18 mpg (low)24 mpg (low)20 mpg (low)$3,850 (high)444 g/mi (high)
Configuration 4Manual 5-spd62.5LFront-Wheel DrivePremiumMidsize Cars19 mpg25 mpg21 mpg$3,700423 g/mi

Complaints by Category

Complaints by category, in the same fixed order on every page
CategoryComplaintsCrash-InvolvedFire-InvolvedInjuriesDeaths
Engine830100
Transmission & Drivetrain3131215
Fuel System50000
Electrical120105
Brakes20000
Steering52020
Suspension, Wheels & Tires91020
Airbags & Restraints158090
Driver Assistance & Speed Control100000
Body, Seats & Latches83040
Visibility & Lighting20000
Other130200

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 (6)

  • 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.

  • EXTERIOR LIGHTING

    Campaign 09E012000 · Apr 7, 2009

    Defect
    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, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
    Consequence
    DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
    Remedy
    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.

  • FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

    Campaign 05E065000 · Oct 5, 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.

  • ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

    Campaign 00V134000 · May 9, 2000

    Defect
    VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. AN EXTERNAL SPRING IN THE TIMING BELT TENSIONER COULD BREAK.
    Consequence
    THE BROKEN SPRING MAY GET CAUGHT IN THE TIMING BELT, RESULTING POSSIBLE ENGINE STALLING.
    Remedy
    DEALERS WILL CHECK THE TENSIONER INSTALLED AND REPLACE IT IF THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH THE AFFECTED TENSIONER.

  • EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

    Campaign 98V243000 · Oct 2, 1998

    Defect
    VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: IF THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED IN A HOT, HUMID ENVIRONMENT WITH THE WINDOW OPEN AND AIR CONDITIONER RUNNING, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR CONDENSATION TO ENTER THE AUDIO UNIT AND CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT.
    Consequence
    IF THE SHORT CIRCUIT OCCURS AT ONE SPECIFIC SET OF TERMINALS, THE SPEAKER CAN OVERHEAT AND IN SOME CASES, CATCH FIRE.
    Remedy
    DEALERS WILL AFFIX ALUMINUM TAPE OVER THE AUDIO UNIT TO PREVENT WATER FROM ENTERING.

  • FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

    Campaign 97V228000 · Dec 17, 1997

    Defect
    VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO A PROGRAMMING ERROR, THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) INSTALLED CAN, UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, TRIGGER A SHIFT IN AIR-FUEL RATIO TO AN OVERLEAN CONDITION.
    Consequence
    THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN AN ENGINE STALL, WHICH COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND/OR A VEHICLE CRASH.
    Remedy
    DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE PCM WITH THE CORRECT ENGINE CONTROL LOGIC.