Model year guide

1998 Mazda 626

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1998 Mazda 626 is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 10 on record.

1998 Mazda 626 — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

1998 Mazda 626 at a glance

Safety recalls6
Owner complaints438
Combined22 mpg
Typical price$800

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

1998 Mazda 626 recalls 6

Electrical System:ignition:switch NHTSA Campaign #15V674000 · 19/10/2015

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.

Fix: 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.

Exterior Lighting NHTSA Campaign #09E012000 · 07/04/2009

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Fuel System, Gasoline NHTSA Campaign #05E065000 · 05/10/2005

CERTAIN SPX FILTRAN FUEL FILTERS WITH A 45-DEGREE ANGLE INLET TUBE, MODEL 800F350-S1, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT FILTERS FOR 1993-1997 FORD PROBE,1993-2001 MAZDA 626 AND MX-6, AND 1983-1994 LOYAL, 3-DOOR COUPE, HATCHBACK, SEDAN, WAGON, BRAT, DL, GL, GL-10, RX, XT, AND XT6 PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH EFI OR TURBO ENGINES. THESE FILTERS ARE PACKAGED AS WIX, NAPA, AND CARQUEST BRAND FUEL FILTERS. CERTAIN SPX FILTRAN FUEL FILT…

Fix: SPX WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND PROVIDE A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN SEPTEMBER 27, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MR. CHRIS GREESON AT 704-869-3733 OR CONTACT THE WIX INFORMATION HOTLINE AT 800-949-6698.

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine NHTSA Campaign #00V134000 · 09/05/2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. AN EXTERNAL SPRING IN THE TIMING BELT TENSIONER COULD BREAK.

Fix: DEALERS WILL CHECK THE TENSIONER INSTALLED AND REPLACE IT IF THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH THE AFFECTED TENSIONER.

Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System NHTSA Campaign #97V228000 · 17/12/1997

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.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE PCM WITH THE CORRECT ENGINE CONTROL LOGIC.

Equipment:electrical:radio/tape Deck/cd Etc. NHTSA Campaign #98V243000 · 02/10/1998

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.

Fix: DEALERS WILL AFFIX ALUMINUM TAPE OVER THE AUDIO UNIT TO PREVENT WATER FROM ENTERING.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

1998 Mazda 626 common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 438 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.

1998 Mazda 626 MPG & running costs

Combined22 mpg
City20 mpg
Highway26 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,138

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 1998 Mazda 626 worth?

Low
$500
Typical price
$800
High
$1,500

From 6 comparable 1998 Mazda 626 listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1998 Mazda 626 costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$15,690
Fuel only$15,690
Per mile$0.21

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

1998 Mazda 626 trims & engines on record

Trims
LX · DX · ES
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl 113 hp · 2.5L 6-cyl 153 hp

1998 Mazda 626 vehicles on record

1998 Mazda 626 1998 Mazda 626 DX1YVGF22C7W5693039 1998 Mazda 626 1998 Mazda 626 LX1YVGF22C8W5751627 1998 Mazda 626 1998 Mazda 626 DX1YVGF22C7W5700586 1998 Mazda 626 1998 Mazda 626 LX1YVGF22C0W5728794 1998 Mazda 626 1998 Mazda 626 LX1YVGF22C4W5709293 1998 Mazda 626 LX1YVGF22C2W5770335 1998 Mazda 626 1998 Mazda 626 DX1YVGF22C4W5746375 1998 Mazda 626 1998 Mazda 626 ES1YVGF22D0W5714807 1998 Mazda 626 1998 Mazda 626 ES1YVGF22D2W5740244 1998 Mazda 626 LX1YVGF22C2W5774594

Other Mazda 626 model years

2002 2001 2000 1999 1997 1996 1995

1998 Mazda 626 — frequently asked questions

Does the 1998 Mazda 626 have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls for the 1998 Mazda 626. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 1998 Mazda 626?

Based on 438 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are power train, engine and engine cooling, electrical system.

What gas mileage does the 1998 Mazda 626 get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 1998 Mazda 626 at about 22 mpg combined (20 city / 26 highway).

How much is a 1998 Mazda 626 worth?

Comparable 1998 Mazda 626 listings run roughly $500–$1,500, typically around $800 (from 6 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.