Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1997 Mazda 626 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
Car traveling at 70mph. Car unexplainably accelerates and then moderate "pop" heard under hood. Debris noticed falling from car. Car is brought to stop on shoulder. Smoke eminating from under hood. Latch of hood is released to investigate when flames erupt. Engine is on fire. Electric cooling fan was melted and destroyed. Damage to radiator and surrounding components and wiring as well as hood, chassis, and trim paint damage.
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.
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.
Car cannot pass smog test - #10 test box does not exist. After spending $1300, it's been found repeated that 1997 car contains 1998 parts. #10 timing/ground doesn't exist on 1998 but no procedure to smog without it. All other systems passed. Smog referee believes car was manufactured this way but possible dealership altered but they, of course, deny this and state they were able to smog car when they sold to us (since it is impossible to smog the car, it obviously was passed illegally by them). Now we are out $1300 repairs, $12,000 for cost of car, $75 for registration that the state won't give us a sticker for, and no use of a car that sits on the street. Only way to smog is to spend $2500 to replace all the parts to make it all 1997. Car isn't even worth that on top of what was already spent. Someone needs to come forward to take care of this mess. …
I have failed 2 times trying to type this letter of complaint. Well,I have a 1997 Mazda 626 lx 4 cylinder,2 liter engine sedan.,the engine light stays on all thew time now. First time I took it back to granger in garden city,ga and they sent it to fairway fordmazda in abercorn st in savannah,ga. They kept it about 6 weeks and the engine light stayed off about 2 years. Then it started coming back on in February 2005,so I took it to a certified mechanic here in pooler,ga.he cleared the sensors,lasted about 1/2 day,tool\k it back,he said it was number 2 sensor,replaced it,lasted about a day and now it stays on all the time. Number 2 sensor was what it was the first time. I;m also expercing some jerky motion in this car and it could be the transmission. …
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Mazda 626. The contact received notification of NHTSA 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 [phone] (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 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 NHTSA 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 NHTSA 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.
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.
Related recalls
Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
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.
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.
Electrical complaints in other 626 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 1997 Mazda 626?
NHTSA has 32 complaints about the electrical system of the 1997 Mazda 626, 9% of the model year's 358 complaints. The component named most often is ignition › module (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Mazda 626 electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 15V-674 (switch, Oct 19, 2015). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1997 Mazda 626 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 100,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 4 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.