1988 Mazda 626 Problems
- Complaints
- 45filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 50,000miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 6campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 22 mpgcombined, 2.2L 4-cyl FWD · 19 city / 26 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1988 Mazda 626 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 45 consumer complaints for the 1988 Mazda 626. The part named most often is seat belts, with 25 complaints (56% of the total), followed by latches, locks and linkages (5) and electrical system (4). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 50,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 3 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Seat belts complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Seat belts25 56%
- Electrical system4 8.9%
- Body and structure4 8.9%
- Engine cooling3 6.7%
- Fuel system3 6.7%
- Brakes1 2.2%
Also reported: Suspension (1).
Example complaints
Seat belts: “Whenever the door is opened and the sunvisor has not been returned to its locked position the automatic seatbelt catches on the visor and breaks it while retracting. I have broken three and would have broken more if I had not disconnected the automatic seatbelt. I consider this remedy to be unacceptable.”
NHTSA complaint #707963, filed 1999-06Latches, locks and linkages: “Front door locks repaired under recall several years ago -- now drivers' side door lock has failed in exactly the manner described in recall notice -- lowering drivers' window caused door to unlatch and fly open!”
NHTSA complaint #709964, filed 1999-08Electrical system: “1. Bought a 1998 Mazda 626 lx. 2. At 56000 miles, engine needed a new header. 3. At 57000 miles, starter motor failed. 3. At 60000 miles, transmission failed. 4. Currently at 70000 miles, need new exhaust system”
NHTSA complaint #10127374, filed 2005-07, 50,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
0% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 50,000 and 50,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1988 Mazda 626 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 626/MX-6 FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 21 | 28 | 24 | $2,800 |
| 626/MX-6 FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 19 | 26 | 22 | $3,050 |
| 626/MX-6 FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,900 |
| 626/MX-6 FWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 17 | 23 | 19 | $4,350 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 93V174000Oct 29, 1993Structure › Body › DoorCovers: Mazda 626 1988–1991, 929 1988–1989
Resin molded front handles fail at the door latch actuating rod attachment, freeing the rod to fall inside the door frame. Subsequent lowering of the associated window may force the actuating rod downward and release the door latch.
- 88V063000Apr 14, 1988Seat beltsCovers: Mazda 626 1988
The drive spring that drives the automatic belt may break.
- 88V022000Feb 22, 1988Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedalCovers: Mazda 626 1988, MX-6 1988
At ambient temperatures below 0 degree f, frost may accumulate within the throttle body under extended constant speed operation.
- 87V196000Dec 29, 1987Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Drum › Shoes/liningsCovers: Mazda 626 1988, MX-6 1988
Vehicles equipped with rear brake drums transported by train may experience separation of the brake shoe from the wheel brake cylinder piston.
- 87V186000Dec 7, 1987Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assemblyCovers: Mazda 626 1988, MX-6 1988
Fuel tank fixing band retention is not sufficient, allowing the band to rub against the fuel tank by vehicle vibrations.
- 87V149000Sep 17, 1987Vehicle speed control › LinkagesCovers: Mazda 626 1988, MX-6 1988
Floor mat could interfere with release of accelerator pedal due to improper shape of mat.
Recall details for the 1988 Mazda 626 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- EA92031Inadvertent door openingClosed · Sep 25, 1992
- PE92050Inadvertent door openingClosed · Jun 2, 1992
- PE91088Throttle stickingClosed · Jun 18, 1991
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1988 Mazda 626.
Other model years of the Mazda 626
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 9 | 18,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2002 | 87 | 72,600 | 0 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 188 | 78,346 | 0 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2000 | 217 | 81,100 | 1 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 318 | 80,000 | 2 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 434 | 89,155 | 4 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 358 | 90,000 | 3 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 359 | 95,000 | 2 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 488 | 102,262 | 2 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 282 | 112,000 | 2 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 122 | 106,000 | 1 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 19 | 155,506 | 0 | — | 22 | — | Stable |
| 1991 | 62 | 131,000 | 1 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 44 | 121,416 | 1 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 42 | 60,000 | 1 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 45 | 50,000 | 6 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1987 | 29 | 38,423 | 1 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1986 | 16 | 235,000 | 2 | — | 23 | — | Stable |
| 1985 | 6 | — | 0 | — | 25 | — | Not enough data |
All Mazda 626 model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1988 Mazda 626 have?
NHTSA recorded 45 consumer complaints for the 1988 Mazda 626 as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1988 Mazda 626 is reported most often?
Seat belts is named most often, in 25 complaints (56% of the total), followed by latches, locks and linkages with 5.
Has the 1988 Mazda 626 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1988 Mazda 626 get?
The EPA rates the 1988 Mazda 626 (626/MX-6, 2.2L 4-cyl) at 22 mpg combined, 19 city and 26 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,050 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1988 Mazda 626 reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 50,000 miles and the middle half falls between 50,000 and 50,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.