The vehicle experienced a problem with the headlight switch which was replaced a year ago. Now the headlights and tail lights switch are inoperable. Problem was due to broken wire connector inside of the switch.*jb
1997 Mazda 626 electrical complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 32 of 32, newest first, as owners wrote them.
In addition to smelling gas - the radio and antenna doesn't work. Now the sunroof won't close all the way. The check engine light comes on more often than not since I had the car. The key sometimes won't fit into door lock and even though the car looks brand new and has been well taken care off - it just seems to fall apart. The glove compartment lock fell apart but the biggest thing is the sunroof won't close all the way. This is my 3rd mazda and I will never buy another one.
Vehicle horn stuck, went to press down to use horn and it would not stop when released.
After running the car for a short period (drove a few miles). Upon turning off the ignition, a fire started from behind the steering column inside of the cab. My mother (87 years old) was driving this car and barely escaped before the entire car was engulfed in flames. The car is a total loss. This car had 19000 original miles and I was the only owner. The car never had been worked on for any electrical problem and was never in any accident.
1997 mazda 626 lx - transmission, catalytic converter, oxygen sensor, and computer have all been repaired in a span of 11 months. The car does not have 80,000 miles on it!
Battery cable clamps are too loose for the battery pole
Consumer states vehicle has stalled numerous times, 2 times due to spillage from a cup that's in the cup holder, dealer installed a cover to protect PCM, vehicle has also stalled 3 other times with no explanation, possibly an electical problem, however check engine light was also illuminated, stalling could also be related to engine problem.
O/d off light began blinking after 30 min of driving, dealership replaced cpu, next week same problem--when blinking begins the car jerks from 1st to 2nd gear and resets after car turned off--after several times it begins driving rougher and rougher in 1st and 2nd gear.( dot number: )
The transmission went out in sept. Of 2000. The car has been servised by university mazda front brakes wearing engine light , battery and shift console problems. The car is a lemon.*ak( dot number: )
The electrical module failed (computer) causing the vehicle to shut down, was told by the dealer that this would not be cover under warrenty because something had spilled into it. Consumer believes this happened by design since the module is located immediatly forward and below the cup holder making it possible for things to spill into this location. Nlm
Vehicle was in repair shop. Computer chip and sensor had to be replaced. Also, overdrive light kept blinking, and transmission malfunctioned and has to be rebuilt. *ak
This car has been in the shop five times for the same symptoms, the car runs very rough, stalls, no acceleration etc. In november, 1998 (25,657 miles), jim ellis mazda in atlanta diagnosed the problem as being a defective powertrain control module. This part was replaced under warranty. At 63,000 miles, the power train control module goes bad again. However, this time, the dealer service representative as well as the "mazda" representative stated that the reason the part was bad was due to me spilling a drink on it and thus breaking it. It should be noted that the part has an 80,000 mile warranty, which becomes and void if the part is damaged through owner negligence. To my astonishment, the service representative told me that the power train control module is located directly under the drink holder near the gear shift. The unprotected location of this critical part under a drink holder is exceeding hazardous to human life because when the power train control module breaks down, the car does not run. Locating this critical electonic part under a drink holder is extremely dangerous and in my opinion requires an investigation by the federal safety agency. Imagine if some of my grandchilden spilled a drink on the interstate? It should be noted that the mazda representives acknowledged to me that this is a design flaw, but, in my case, since I spilled a drink on the control module, it invalidated the warranty. However, they were gracious enough to release my car to me by me paying 1/2 of the repair costs as a gesture of goodwill. Since a representative with mazda acknolwedged that this is a design flaw, I would have to assume that other people have complained about it and that mazda is aware of the problem. Please take this matter seriously and investigate this complaint. The car barely runs with a defective power train control module. With this part being so easily susceptible to "drink" damage, this is a disaster waiting to happen.
Was driving at 55mph when the interior system went out, eg., instrument panel/dome lights. Another driver indicated no tail lights on vehicle. The headlights were working. Checked the manual, all are connected to one fuse, but the fuse did not blow. Took to dealer & mechanic noticed fuse which was not blown. Indicated it was electrical system. Wiring.
Fuel injection malfunctioned, causing car to stall. When starting up, wouldn't turn over , would open gas tank then car would start sometimes. Put in shop took 30days to get part then within the same year. The alternator failed now within a year. The same problem is arising. It been in the shop 5 times since I purchased the vehicle a little over 2 years ago.
Dealer refused to look at it as a warranty repair and advised me to take it back to other mazda deale where new transmission was installed and car was diagnosed for other ignition related problems.
No summary listed for this vehicle.
Door trim panel falling off on several occasions.
Battery failed 5 times.
Vehicle takes too long to start,and one can hear the starter kicking or striking for about 20 seconds. But when turned on again, engine starts right away.
Transmission failed.
Vehicle started on own, with no key in ignition, shut down then started again. Vehicle then began smoking under hood and from wheel hubs.
The location of the horn buttons, makes it difficult for the driver to press the horn. Mazda was notified about the design and stated that design was changed in the 98 models.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 1997 Mazda 626?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history