1997 Mazda 626 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 32about this part
- Share
- 9%of 358 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 83,156miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 32 complaints about the electrical system of the 1997 Mazda 626, 9% of the 358 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 83,156 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I have failed 2 times trying to type this letter of complaint. Well,I have a 1997 Mazda 626 lx 4 cylinder,2 liter engine sedan.,the engine light stays on all thew time now. First time I took it back to granger in garden city,ga and they sent it to fairway fordmazda in abercorn st in savannah,ga. They kept it about 6 weeks and the engine light stayed off about 2 years. …”
NHTSA complaint #10116819, filed 2005-04, 46,000 miles“After running the car for a short period (drove a few miles). Upon turning off the ignition, a fire started from behind the steering column inside of the cab. My mother (87 years old) was driving this car and barely escaped before the entire car was engulfed in flames. The car is a total loss. This car had 19000 original miles and I was the only owner. The car never had been worked on for any electrical problem and was never in any accident.”
NHTSA complaint #10051080, filed 2003-12, 19,000 miles“The vehicle is stalling during acceleration and after. Sometimes it's stops and clear itself up and then throws itself into overdrive (o/d off lights starts flashing) all while driving it in the street(city and interstate). When you let the car sit and not run it will not flash but after driving amd not getting any speed it does it again.”
NHTSA complaint #11157034, filed 2018-12, 147,400 miles“Car traveling at 70mph. Car unexplainably accelerates and then moderate pop heard under hood. Debris noticed falling from car. Car is brought to stop on shoulder. Smoke eminating from under hood. Latch of hood is released to investigate when flames erupt. Engine is on fire. Electric cooling fan was melted and destroyed. Damage to radiator and surrounding components and wiring as well as hood, chassis, and trim paint damage.”
NHTSA complaint #10068141, filed 2004-05, 100,313 miles“Car cannot pass smog test - #10 test box does not exist. After spending $1300, it's been found repeated that 1997 car contains 1998 parts. #10 timing/ground doesn't exist on 1998 but no procedure to smog without it. All other systems passed. Smog referee believes car was manufactured this way but possible dealership altered but they, of course, deny this and state they were able to smog car when they sold to us (since it is impossible to smog the car, it obviously was passed illegally by them). …”
NHTSA complaint #10142076, filed 2005-11, 100,970 milesRelated recalls
- 15V674000Oct 19, 2015Mazda 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…Covers: Mazda 626 1993–1998, MPV 1989–1998, Protege 1990–1998 +4 more
Related service bulletins
- 10200933Aug 24, 2021This service bulletin provides testing and charging procedures in order to promote proper battery maintenance, to deliver new vehicles with fully charged batteries, and to reduce…
- 10188016Feb 8, 2021This service bulletin provides testing and charging procedures in order to promote proper battery maintenance, to deliver new vehicles with fully charged batteries, and to reduce…
- 10188015Feb 8, 2021The Mazda DCA-8000PM is required for all warranty battery testing. If the Mazda DCA-8000PM is not used, incorrect battery testing may result in unnecessary battery replacement…
- 10186703Jan 21, 2021In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer
- 10170661Jan 9, 2020In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer. NOTE: Tampering with a motor vehicle odometer is strictly prohibited by…
- 10153339Jan 14, 2019In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer. NOTE: Tampering with a motor vehicle odometer is strictly prohibited by…
- 10153309Jan 2, 2019The Mazda GR8-1291 is required for all warranty battery testing. If the Mazda GR8-1291 is not used, incorrect battery testing may result in unnecessary battery replacement. Use…
- 10153308Jan 2, 2019This service bulletin provides testing and charging procedures in order to promote proper battery maintenance, to deliver new vehicles with fully charged batteries, and to reduce…
- 10134929Mar 26, 2018The Mazda GR8-1291 is required for all warranty battery testing. If the Mazda GR8-1291 is not used, incorrect battery testing may result in unnecessary battery replacement. Use…
- 10134928Mar 26, 2018This service bulletin provides testing and charging procedures in order to promote proper battery maintenance, to deliver new vehicles with fully charged batteries, and to reduce…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 1 | 11% |
| 2002 | 4 | 5% |
| 2001 | 6 | 3% |
| 2000 | 7 | 3% |
| 1999 | 11 | 3% |
| 1998 | 12 | 3% |
| 1997 | 32 | 9% |
| 1996 | 12 | 3% |
| 1995 | 19 | 4% |
| 1994 | 24 | 9% |
| 1993 | 17 | 14% |
| 1991 | 2 | 3% |
| 1990 | 4 | 9% |
| 1989 | 1 | 2% |
| 1988 | 4 | 9% |
| 1987 | 13 | 45% |
| 1986 | 5 | 31% |
| 1985 | 1 | 17% |
Other parts of the 1997 Mazda 626
233 complaintsEngine cooling
39 complaintsAir bags
36 complaintsOther or unknown
16 complaintsBrakes
14 complaintsVehicle speed control
9 complaintsEquipment
8 complaintsSteering
8 complaintsTires
5 complaintsExterior lighting
4 complaintsSeats
4 complaintsSuspension
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Mazda 626
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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