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.
The worst 1997 Mazda 626 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Transmission233
- Engine41
- Airbags36
- Electrical32
- Brakes14
- Acceleration9
- Steering8
- Tires5
- Lights4
- Seats4
- Suspension4
- Visibility4
- Fuel system3
- Seat belts3
- Body2
- Locks1
- Wheels1
Specific symptoms reported on the 1997 Mazda 626
Transmission failure 79Check engine light 30Jerking 28Stalling 25Slipping 13Overheating 12Won't shift 7No deployment 6Engine failure 6Hesitation 6
Trouble codes owners of the 1997 Mazda 626 mention
P1783 2
Recalls 3
Electrical system: ignition: switch
- What is wrong
- Mazda 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, 1993-1997 MX-6, and 1993-1998 626 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, grease applied to the contact points inside the ignition switch may become conductive and overheat.
- Risk
- If the ignition switch overheats there would be an increased risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. The recall began on December 17, 2015. Owners may contact Mazda Customer Experience Center at 1‑800‑222‑5500, option#6. Mazda's number for this recall is 8715J.
Recall number 15V674000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with the sas sensor unit. These vehicles can experience air bag deployments in minor undercarriage impacts.
- Risk
- Unexpected air bag deployment can result in occupant injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will reprogram the sas unit to reduce the probability of unnecessary deployments in low speed undercarriage impacts.
Recall number 98V249000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: engine
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. An external spring in the timing belt tensioner can break and get caught in the timing belt.
- Risk
- This condition can result in possible engine stalling.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the tensioner and replace it if necessary.
Recall number 98V206001 · Recall details
See all 3 recalls for the 1997 Mazda 626
Defect investigations
Oversensitive airbag deployment
There is no summary currently available
RQ02004
Speedometer inoperative
See resume for details.
SQ98024
Technical service bulletins for the 1997 Mazda 626 82
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This service bulletin provides testing and charging procedures in order to promote proper battery...
- This service bulletin provides information regarding the proper use of the driverâs floor mat to avoid...
- The Mazda DCA-8000PM is required for all warranty battery testing
- In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer
- In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer
- In support of the new MRT distribution, Mazda will ship to dealers a new Dual Purpose Diagnostic Leak...
- In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer
- On some vehicles, a sulfur smell or 'rotten egg' odor may be noticed coming from the exhaust system
- This service bulletin provides information regarding the proper use of the driver's floor mat to avoid...
- The Mazda GR8-1291 is required for all warranty battery testing
1997 Mazda 626 fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | FWD | 21-23 | 29-31 | 24-26 |
| 2.5L 6‑cyl | FWD | 18 | 24 | 20 |
What 1997 Mazda 626 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 mazda 626. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v674000 (electrical system); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called five star mazda at (478) 841-9275 (located at 3068 riverside dr, macon, ga 31210) and was informed that the dealer would call the contact. The dealer did not confirm that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 mazda 626. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer for a recall resolution regarding replacing the ignition switch. After the ignition switch was replaced, the engine intermittently failed to start when the contact turned the key in the ignition. The manufacturer was not notified. The recall details were not provided. The failure mileage was 120,105.
See uploaded pdf document.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 mazda 626. The contact received a recall notification for the electrical system; however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The federal safety agency campaign number was unknown. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 mazda 626. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v674000 (electrical system); however, the part to do the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* the contact owned a 1997 mazda 626. While at a stop, another vehicle lost control and crashed into the front of the contact's vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained chest and back injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed and destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000.
Left home to go to work made it about 3 miles from my home and my transmission quit working as I was in the middle of a hwy. I was turning onto from a side street. I was about hit as my mazda would not go and quit working on a blind corner.
We recently bought or mazda 626 from a dealer we were told that we were getting a quality car. We were fooled. With in the first week we had to buy part after part.change the trans fluid, change the distributor , spark plug wires, spark plugs, router motor, ignition coil, clean fuel injectors , replace fuel filter, still need to get a trans cooler as soon as I can. It took us a few years to save for a car. We trusted a dealer and got screwed! We have no money left and a car we can only use on a limited basis. We thought after loosing our income then our former car to repossession with only $50.00 left on it, then our home gets foreclosed on, and the loss of a father, and sister in a two year time frame was enough. Nope we buy a car with so many defects it crazy, I can believe these cars a even aloud to be sold to anyone. Face it they are death traps and anyone who owns one should get them replaced at manufacture cost.
Cpsc#i1190531a. 1997 mazda 626. Consumer stated when she brought the car it had severe transmission issues, and began smoking severely once taken the speed limit. She also stated it resulted in being towed on the 6th day of having the vehicle purchased.
Compare the 1997 Mazda 626
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Questions about the 1997 Mazda 626
Is the 1997 Mazda 626 reliable?
Owners have filed 358 complaints about the 1997 Mazda 626, 4.1 times a typical 626 model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1997 Mazda 626?
Transmission and drivetrain, with 233 complaints, typically around 92,000 miles. Next is engine (41).
How many recalls does the 1997 Mazda 626 have?
3 recalls, covering electrical system, air bags and engine and engine cooling.
What gas mileage does the 1997 Mazda 626 get?
Official estimates for the 1997 Mazda 626 range from 20 to 26 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 21-23 city and 29-31 highway.
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