RoadVitals

1988 Mazda 626

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
45
Latest Jul 4, 2005
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
6
Latest Oct 29, 1993
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
3
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
4
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 45 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1988 Mazda 626, most frequently naming the seat belts, body & structure and interior & seats categories. 6 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 3 NHTSA investigations name it; and 4 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Seat belts2545.5%
  • Body & structure59.1%
  • Interior & seats59.1%
  • Electrical47.3%
  • Engine47.3%
  • Fuel system35.5%
  • Transmission35.5%
  • Visibility23.6%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

6 campaigns cover this model year

View all 6

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
93V174000

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

Oct 29, 1993
244,000 units potentially affected
The defect: RESIN MOLDED FRONT HANDLES FAIL AT THE DOOR LATCH ACTUATING ROD ATTACHMENT, FREEING THE ROD TO FALL INSIDE THE DOOR FRAME. SUBSEQUENT LOWERING OF THE ASSOCIATED WINDOW MAY FORCE THE ACTUATING ROD DOWNWARD AND RELEASE THE DOOR LATCH.
The risk: INADVERTENT ACTUATION OF THE DOOR LATCH CAUSES THE DOORTO OPEN UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN OCCUPANT FALLING OUT OF THEVEHICLE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DOOR HANDLE/LATCH ASSEMBLY.
MAZDA (NORTH AMERICA),INCView on NHTSA.gov
88V063000

SEAT BELTS

Apr 14, 1988
42,810 units potentially affected
The defect: THE DRIVE SPRING THAT DRIVES THE AUTOMATIC BELT MAY BREAK.
The risk: THIS WOULD PREVENT FULL FORWARD MOVEMENT OF THE SEAT BELTANCHORAGE FROM THE LOCK POSITION WHEN THE DOOR IS OPENED.
The remedy: REPLACE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT.
MAZDA (NORTH AMERICA),INCView on NHTSA.gov
88V022000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

Feb 22, 1988
72,883 units potentially affected
The defect: AT AMBIENT TEMPERATURES BELOW 0 DEGREE F, FROST MAY ACCUMULATE WITHIN THE THROTTLE BODY UNDER EXTENDED CONSTANT SPEED OPERATION.
The risk: FROST ACCUMULATION ON THE THROTTLE VALVE MAY PREVENT THEVALVE FROM RETURNING SMOOTHLY.
The remedy: INSTALL A NEW TYPE THERMOSTAT DESIGNED TO RAISE THE COOLANT TEMPERATURE AND WARM THE THROTTLE BODY TO A LEVEL ABOVE FREEZING.
MAZDA (NORTH AMERICA),INCView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA92031ClosedEngineering Analysis

INADVERTENT DOOR OPENING

Opened Sep 25, 1992
Closed Nov 30, 1993

There is no summary currently available

STRUCTURELed to recall 93V174000
PE92050ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

INADVERTENT DOOR OPENING

Opened Jun 2, 1992
Closed Sep 25, 1992

There is no summary currently available

STRUCTURE
PE91088ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

THROTTLE STICKING

Opened Jun 18, 1991
Closed Oct 21, 1991

There is no summary currently available

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 45
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine+1 more
Filed Jul 4, 2005

1. BOUGHT A 1998 MAZDA 626 LX. 2. AT 56000 MILES, ENGINE NEEDED A NEW HEADER. 3. AT 57000 MILES, STARTER MOTOR FAILED. 3. AT 60000 MILES, TRANSMISSION FAILED. 4. CURRENTLY AT 70000 MILES, NEED NEW EXHAUST SYSTEM

NHTSA ID
10127374
Incident
Jun 25, 2005
Mileage
50,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 29, 2003

DEFECTIVE TAILPIPE CAUSED CARBON MONOXIDE TO ENTER VEHICLE'S INTERIOR CABIN RESULTING IN CONSUMER CONTRACTING CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING. DEALER DIAGNOSED SEVERAL HOLES ALONG TOP OF TAILPIPE BETWEEN THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND THE MUFFLER. PH TOP SEAM OF EXHAUST PIPE HAD ROTTEN OUT BETWEEN CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND MUFFLER. *TT

NHTSA ID
10004874
Incident
Jan 7, 2003
Fuel system
Filed May 28, 2002
Fire reported1 injury reported

WHILE DRIVING THE FRONT OF VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO FUEL LINES. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE FIRE PROGRESSED TO THE REAR UNDERSIDE FROM CENTER THIRD OF UNDERSIDE, THE PASSENGER WAS INJURED WHEN BEING ESCORTED OUT OF THE VEHICLE. *SLC

NHTSA ID
8010516
Incident
Mar 26, 2002
Body & structureInterior & seatsVisibility
Filed Dec 18, 2001

TRUNK LID WILL OPEN WHILE DRIVING, THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES. DEALER DETERMINED AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. *AK *JB

NHTSA ID
8000852
Incident
Jul 1, 2001
Seat belts
Filed Dec 5, 2001

RECALL 88 V 063 000/PASSIVE RESTRAINT BELT: BOTH DRIVER'SAND PASSENGER'S MOTOR BELTS FAILED TO OPERATE. DEALER WAS CONTACTED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THERECALL DUE TO VIN. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS MATTER.*AK

NHTSA ID
899894
Incident
Dec 5, 2001
Seat belts
Filed May 24, 2000

AUTOMATIC MOTORIZED SHOULDER RESTRAINTS FAIL TO COMPLETE CYCLE UPON ENGINE START-UP CHOKING PASSENGER. UPON OPENING DOOR AT STOP, RESTRAINTS FAIL TO DISENGAGE TRAPPING OCCUPANT UNTIL MANUALLY DISCONNECTED . RECALL AT DEALER FAILED TO YIELD VIN MATCH. ALSO TOLD VEHICLE TOO OLD TO REPAIR. PROBLEM EXISTS ANYWAY, DUE TO SAME MANUFACTURER DEFECT AS IN CAMPAIGN 88V06300. CAN CAUSE INJURY TO OCUCPANTS. *AK

NHTSA ID
723128
Incident
Jun 1, 1998
Interior & seats
Filed Nov 15, 1999

PASSENGER DOOR NOT ABLE TO BE OPENED FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. *AK

NHTSA ID
714788
Incident
Oct 29, 1999
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 14, 1999
Crash reported

FRONT AXLE OF CAR RUSTED COMPLETEL,Y AND BROKE APART WHILE DRIVING. *AK( DOT NUMBER: )

NHTSA ID
714769
Incident
Nov 13, 1999

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

008/97

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

USE OF A/C TRACER DYE. *TW

007/97T

AIR BAGS

PARTS REPLACEMENT AFTER AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. *TW

001/97G

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

MAINTENANCE FREE BATTERY - DIAGNOSTIC AND CHARGING PROCEDURE. *TW

003/97G

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS

WIPER MOTOR INOPERATIVE - CIRCUIT BREAKER ACTIVATION. *TW

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Mazda 626 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2003900—
2002870037.2
20011881044.0
20002172046.6
19993184050.3
19984346156.8
19973584260.8
19963593464.6
19954884465.9
19942824260.1
19931222156.5
1992191043.6
1991622258.2
1990442254.8
1989422257.9
1988Viewing456361.1
1987291152.6
1986162151.1
1985600—
1984300—
1983200—
1982020—
1981020—
1980020—
1979020—
1978000—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.