1998 Mazda 626 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 3%of 434 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 85,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the electrical system of the 1998 Mazda 626, 3% of the 434 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 85,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
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.
“I have spent over $2000 trying to get my engine light to turn off. Nothing works. Now I am being fined for not passing inspection. What is going on? I have been having this problem for 2 years. After various repairs the light would finally go off. Now it will not and has been on for over 6 months. I have had o2 sensor and cat sensor replaced, since that is supposedly what the code was. Still nothing and noone seems to care.”
NHTSA complaint #10102252, filed 2004-12, 80,000 miles“1998 Mazda 626 lx 2.0l 4cylinder engine. Returning back to the guest house after dropping a friend off at the airport that evening, after getting off the interstate, I heard a crack (followed by a grinding noise) from the passenger's side of the engine. Within moments as I slowed the car to a safe spot, I heard a whipping noise from the same region. That later happened to be the serpentine and alternator belts both broke just after exiting the interstate, the engine and battery lights came on at once.., and then, immediately after that, the engine stopped working. …”
NHTSA complaint #10216999, filed 2008-02, 138,645 miles“My 1998 Mazda 626 is unreliable. It has been in and out of a dealers service department to get them to find out why it cuts off in the middle of operation or why it will only crank sporadically. They check, say they have identified the problem, charge us for a repair (because it is out of warranty. It rarely works more than a day after it has been repaired and then it is on the blink again. The reported problem from day one has not changed, it will not work properly due to failure to crank. We want it fixed and we expect trained technicians to know what to look for to fix it. …”
NHTSA complaint #10095927, filed 2004-10, 85,000 miles“I purchased a car in april 2001 (a used car) and have an extended warranty for it. Car started giving me problems in 2002 so I decided to use my extended warranty to get the car fixed once it broke down on me on the highway; I found out that the warranty company never heard of me and that my warranty never existed. The place that I brought the car from went out of business because of fraudulent activities, but they did have one other car place that was still operating, so I called that place and explain the problem to them. They assured me that they would take care of me. …”
NHTSA complaint #10043090, filed 2003-10, 55,000 miles“Dt: the caller said the transmission needed to be replaced. While driving the engine revved without warning. The caller said it would happen mostly in stop and go traffic. She had the vehicle towed to a mechanic shop. Dealer said she needed to get a different year transmission, and she will have to update the computer. Manufacturer said there was no recall on her vehicle and offered no help for free.”
NHTSA complaint #10138544, filed 2005-10, 78,000 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
- 98V243000Oct 2, 1998Vehicle description: if the vehicle is operated in a hot, humid environment with the window open and air conditioner running, it is possible for condensation…Covers: Mazda 626 1998
Related service bulletins
- 10217209Jul 18, 2022In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer.
- 10215274Jun 22, 2022This 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…
- 10209778Mar 17, 2022The Mazda DCA-8000 is required for all warranty battery testing. If the Mazda DCA-8000 is not used, incorrect battery testing may result in unnecessary battery replacement. Use…
- 10205994Dec 21, 2021Battery Maintenance: This service bulletin provides testing and charging procedures in order to promote proper battery maintenance, to deliver new vehicles with fully charged…
- 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…
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 1998 Mazda 626
313 complaintsEngine cooling
81 complaintsAir bags
11 complaintsVehicle speed control
10 complaintsOther or unknown
9 complaintsTires
7 complaintsEquipment
6 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsSeats
5 complaintsSteering
5 complaintsSeat belts
4 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 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