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Model Year Problem Record

Mazda 626 1997 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 1997 Mazda 626: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

358Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
3Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
2Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
30Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Power Train242 complaints

242 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Engine44 complaints

44 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 98V206001.

Air Bags38 complaints

38 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 98V249000.

Electrical System32 complaints

32 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 15V674000.

Brakes18 complaints

18 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other16 complaints

16 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

15V674000Reported October 19, 2015 - 1,368,500 vehicles potentially affected

Electrical System. Recall covering the electrical system system, reported to NHTSA on October 19, 2015. The campaign covers an estimated 1,368,500 vehicles across all affected models.

98V206001Reported September 8, 1998 - 40,000 vehicles potentially affected

Engine. Recall covering the engine system, reported to NHTSA on September 8, 1998. The campaign covers an estimated 40,000 vehicles across all affected models.

98V249000Reported October 8, 1998 - 213,000 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on October 8, 1998. The campaign covers an estimated 213,000 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

RQ02004Opened February 8, 2002 - Closed August 19, 2002

OVERSENSITIVE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. Resulted in recall campaign 98V249000.

SQ98024Opened October 29, 1998 - Closed September 10, 1999

SPEEDOMETER INOPERATIVE. Resulted in recall campaign 99I005000.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

19977
199827
199923
200021
200141
200234
200343
200444
200549
200621
200711
200821
20095
20111
20121
20131
20151
20164
20172
20181
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.