1998 Mazda 626 Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 1%of 434 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 138,645miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the steering of the 1998 Mazda 626, 1% of the 434 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 138,645 miles. 2 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.
“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“I was driving 60mph slowing down to the speed limit which was 55 all of a sudden something popped there was nothing on the road and my steering wheel locked the car went in to the wall and flipped over twice. Everything on the vehicle was damaged including the windows.”
NHTSA complaint #10664887, filed 2014-12“Steering rack gear broke in two with no warning, car went out of control, crossed highway, down a small embankment and into the trees (narrowly missing an oncoming small truck). My wife was driving and was suffered aggravation to existing back and leg problems. She said she heard a clunk and the car took off across the road. At first she thought she hit something in the road to cause the car to go out of control. I checked the car out at the towing companies lot that night and determined that the left front control arm was loose under the rubber boot on the drivers side of the car. …”
NHTSA complaint #727108, filed 2000-08“Consumer checked tire before a trip and noticed abnormal wear on both rear tires near the sidewall, the tread was worn all around both tires, upon returning home consumer discovered that there were no more treads on the tires (bridgestone protenza p205/60r15 90h). Nlm”
NHTSA complaint #554619, filed 2000-09Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 2 | 2% |
| 2001 | 3 | 2% |
| 2000 | 5 | 2% |
| 1999 | 3 | 1% |
| 1998 | 5 | 1% |
| 1997 | 8 | 2% |
| 1996 | 7 | 2% |
| 1995 | 8 | 2% |
| 1994 | 4 | 1% |
| 1993 | 7 | 6% |
| 1991 | 3 | 5% |
| 1990 | 1 | 2% |
| 1989 | 1 | 2% |
| 1986 | 1 | 6% |
Other parts of the 1998 Mazda 626
313 complaintsEngine cooling
81 complaintsElectrical system
12 complaintsAir bags
11 complaintsVehicle speed control
10 complaintsOther or unknown
9 complaintsTires
7 complaintsEquipment
6 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsSeats
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