1998 Mazda 626 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 313about this part
- Share
- 72%of 434 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 89,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 313 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1998 Mazda 626, 72% of the 434 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 89,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I bought a Mazda 626 1998 and it had 116,000 miles on it the transmission o/d light began to flash and then it started shifting hard then oil started to burn and I had to install a external transmission cooler this only lasted for a while and then the transmission shifted hard and oil went everywhere.”
NHTSA complaint #10379972, filed 2011-02, 116,000 miles“I have a 1998 Mazda 626 with 120,000 miles on it. I have had the original tranny rebuilt once then replaced with a new transmission and now it has been sitting for 6 months with another transmission failure. This time the transmission malfunctioning has cost me a very good job. This is insane and it is my understanding that this is a very common problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10236795, filed 2008-08, 120,000 miles“Transmission problems! Right now the car is at the mechanic having the transmission replaced. I know I am not the only one with this problem, please do something. Right now replacing it for a rebuilt one is $1,100, but being a manufacturer problem, it may not last another year. I am the 3rd owner, so I am not sure how many more times this transmission have been repaired or replaced, but when I bought it was working well.”
NHTSA complaint #10441168, filed 2011-12, 160,000 miles“Well this is the second time I have had to replace my transmission due to poor design. This is a dangerous problem and very costly. Mazda says there is nothing wrong with there transmissions goin out every year or two. Well I am upset that neither the government nor Mazda has done anything about it? Just glad I will never have this problem again.”
NHTSA complaint #10114273, filed 2005-03, 137,000 miles“I had my first Mazda 626 transmission fail at 65,000 miles and I got it replaced, and then at 120,000 my transmission needed to be reaplced again. Therewas obviously something wrong with the Mazda 626 transmission, and there should be a recall and some financial compensation to all those who have had problems.”
NHTSA complaint #10194824, filed 2007-06, 65,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10222564Sep 26, 2022Some customers may experience a squeaking noise may be heard from the exhaust manifold when the idle speed drops from fast idle to normal idle speed during cold start. This is…
- 10206002Dec 8, 2021Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Cooler and Lines Flushing Procedure: Automatic Transaxle/Transmission (A/T) oil cooler and lines must be power flushed completely before an…
- 10013965Jun 1, 2004Programmable module installation. ( 2004 mazda b series)
Transmission 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 1998 Mazda 626
81 complaintsElectrical system
12 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 30, 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