1988 Mazda 626 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 9%of 45 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 50,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1988 Mazda 626, 9% of the 45 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 50,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 miles“When driving at any speed transmission is slipping, and there is some noise coming from vehicle. Consumer brought vehicle into the repair shop. After being repaired, the noise came back.dealer can't determine the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #835654, filed 1999-03Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 1 | 11% |
| 2002 | 70 | 80% |
| 2001 | 139 | 74% |
| 2000 | 160 | 74% |
| 1999 | 233 | 73% |
| 1998 | 313 | 72% |
| 1997 | 233 | 65% |
| 1996 | 239 | 67% |
| 1995 | 337 | 69% |
| 1994 | 177 | 63% |
| 1993 | 42 | 34% |
| 1992 | 5 | 26% |
| 1991 | 11 | 18% |
| 1990 | 4 | 9% |
| 1989 | 11 | 26% |
| 1988 | 4 | 9% |
| 1987 | 2 | 7% |
| 1986 | 1 | 6% |
| 1985 | 1 | 17% |
Other parts of the 1988 Mazda 626
25 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
5 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsEngine cooling
3 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
1 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1988 Mazda 626
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology