Since owning the mazda 626 I have had a very big problem the transmission slipping. It will slip going into second gear. If its below 60 degrees the car wont shift into drive until the motor gets hot enough. The car is like this every single day and does it every time it is driven. Also the interior lights work somtimes on and off and the back windows wont roll down from the driver button
The worst 1998 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.
- Transmission313
- Engine83
- Electrical12
- Airbags11
- Acceleration10
- Tires6
- Fuel system5
- Seats5
- Steering5
- Seat belts4
- Body3
- Brakes2
- Lights1
- Suspension1
- Visibility1
- Wheels1
Specific symptoms reported on the 1998 Mazda 626
Transmission failure 126Stalling 42Slipping 35Jerking 30Check engine light 22Overheating 13Hesitation 9Loss of power 6Won't shift 6Won't start 6Engine failure 5Harsh shifting 5
Recalls 4
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
Engine and engine cooling: engine
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. An external spring in the timing belt tensioner could break.
- Risk
- The broken spring may get caught in the timing belt, resulting possible engine stalling.
- Remedy
- Dealers will check the tensioner installed and replace it if the vehicle is equipped with the affected tensioner.
Recall number 00V134000 · Recall details
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/cd etc.
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: if the vehicle is operated in a hot, humid environment with the window open and air conditioner running, it is possible for condensation to enter the audio unit and cause a short circuit.
- Risk
- If the short circuit occurs at one specific set of terminals, the speaker can overheat and in some cases, catch fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will affix aluminum tape over the audio unit to prevent water from entering.
Recall number 98V243000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Due to a programming error, the powertrain control module (PCM) installed can, under certain driving conditions, trigger a shift in air-fuel ratio to an overlean condition.
- Risk
- This condition can result in an engine stall, which could lead to loss of vehicle control and/or a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will reprogram the PCM with the correct engine control logic.
Recall number 97V228000 · Recall details
See all 4 recalls for the 1998 Mazda 626
Defect investigations
Speedometer inoperative
See resume for details.
SQ98024
Technical service bulletins for the 1998 Mazda 626 102
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Some customers may experience a squeaking noise may be heard from the exhaust manifold when the idle speed...
- In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer.
- This service bulletin provides testing and charging procedures in order to promote proper battery...
- Some customers may complain of signs of oil on the struts or shock absorbers
- Accessory instructions can be found on OneMazda under Dealer Resources
- The Mazda DCA-8000 is required for all warranty battery testing
- Battery Maintenance: This service bulletin provides testing and charging procedures in order to promote...
- Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Cooler and Lines Flushing Procedure: Automatic Transaxle/Transmission...
- This service bulletin provides information regarding the proper use of the driverâs floor mat to avoid...
- Accessory instructions can be found on OneMazda under Dealer Resources
1998 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 | 19-23 | 26-30 | 22-26 |
| 2.5L 6‑cyl | FWD | 18-19 | 24-25 | 20-21 |
What 1998 Mazda 626 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Takata recall. The transmission cd4e tranny doesn't have switch gears unless you use excessive RPM.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 mazda 626. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start and the ignition failed to release the key. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v674000 (electrical system) and stated that the part needed for the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 173,735. Parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 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 stated that the check engine warning light and other warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle also made a warning sound and emitted a burning odor from the front end. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue.
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.
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.
Tl*the contact owns a 1998 mazda 626lx. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start and at times would stall. Approximately one year ago, the vehicle was taken to the dealer where they replaced the timing belt. The problem continued. The current mileage was approximately 198,000 and the failure mileage was 187,000. The vehicle was at the dealer awaiting repairs.
105,626 original mileage. Coming from a long highway drive. Car began to rev really high. Transmission was slipping. O/d light began blinking. Crawled the vehicle to repair shop. Was told there was a complete failure of the transmission. Transmission was rebuilt.
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.
While driving exit the highway, the engine shut down. Push to the side and could not restart the car. After toll back to home, we can start the car next day.
Compare the 1998 Mazda 626
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Questions about the 1998 Mazda 626
Is the 1998 Mazda 626 reliable?
Owners have filed 433 complaints about the 1998 Mazda 626, 5.0 times a typical 626 model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1998 Mazda 626?
Transmission and drivetrain, with 313 complaints, typically around 89,400 miles. Next is engine (83).
How many recalls does the 1998 Mazda 626 have?
4 recalls, covering electrical system, engine and engine cooling and equipment.
What year does the Mazda 626 have bad transmission?
The Mazda 626 model years with the most transmission complaints are 1995 (337 complaints), 1998 (313 complaints) and 1996 (240 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 1998 Mazda 626 get?
Official estimates for the 1998 Mazda 626 range from 20 to 26 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 19-23 city and 26-30 highway.
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