Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 Mazda 626 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 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 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.
1998 Mazda 626 lx 2.0l 4cylinder engine. Returning back to the guest house after dropping a friend off at the airport that evening, after getting off the interstate, I heard a crack (followed by a grinding noise) from the passenger's side of the engine. Within moments as I slowed the car to a safe spot, I heard a whipping noise from the same region. That later happened to be the serpentine and alternator belts both broke just after exiting the interstate, the engine and battery lights came on at once.., and then, immediately after that, the engine stopped working. I called my insurance and had my car towed to the guest house. The car was looked at and the diagnoses were the gears in the water pump were broken which froze the alternator belt, the alternator belt-now stiffened- shredded and mangled the serpentine belt. Then the serpentine belt tore along the grooved lines. …
My daughter was driving the car in heavy traffic when it stalled and lost all power. It would not start and it was towed to a shop where it was found that the timing belt had broken and caused much damage. We had to have the following replaced: cylinder head gasket, timing belt, timing belt tensioner, idler, spark plugs, thermostat, 2 drive belts, and the water pump. It cost us almost $1,700 to get it repaired. I have owned this car since it was new and have lived at the same address and was never notified of any recall before this happened. I have heard that there have been many other people that have had the same problems but their cars were not included in the recall... Only ones with certain VIN numbers. I believe it is a problem with all 1998 626 models.
Since approximately June, 2002, the immobilizer has been turning off the engine immediately after I start the car, even though the alarm is deactivated. I usually have to wait 24 hours or so for the alarm to reset itself. This occurs every 2 months or so, but when it happens, it continues to occur for several days. It has happened even when the car wasn't locked. June, 2002, replaced battery; dec. 2002, installed new fuel pump; jan. 2003, installed fuel pump again; April, 2003, bought new key and clicker; sept. 2003, dealer wants to replace immobilizer @ nearly $800. All of these repairs are at dealer's request, and are interspersed with many tows and alarm resets.
Re: technical service bulletin# NHTSA 00V134000/recall 00V134000: timing belt tensioner spring defect. I have a 1998 Mazda 626 VIN#[redacted]. On 10-27-03 I had to take my car in for service because the timing belt tensioner spring broke causing damage to the timing belt. The technician informed me that there was a recall on this. I call Mazda and gave them all the information and they said that there was nothing they could do. I think that Mazda should have to pay for this! It was a recall.
Dt: on September 22, 2005, consumer's vehicle was cut off and it lost power, the vehicle was hard to steer it and lost the brakes. Recall 00v134ooo was issued . It states the external spring in the timing belt tensioner could break and be caught in the timing belt, resulting in stalling; however, this vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN. . The vehicle is at the dealer, and they are saying this is what happened to vehicle. There was no forewarning and no noise. It was running so rough that the vehicle shut off within a few seconds.
Tl contact owns a 1998 Mazda 626. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the engine light illuminated and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed and the contact was informed that the tension spring on the timing belt failed, causing the vehicle to stall. The dealer stated that his VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 00V134000 (engine and engine cooling:engine) and would not reimburse him for the repair. The contact filed a formal complaint with the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 80,000 and current mileage is 87,000.
On December 2004, my car did not start, aaa towed the car to belfi's auto and truck repair inc. 162 south main st. Lodi, nj. 07644 [phone]). After diagnosing the problem to be the timing belt suspension spring the mechanic informed me that there was a recall for this problem, upon contacting Mazda corporation I was told that the recall did not include my VIN#. I had the repair done by belfi's auto shop. The recall was for the 1998 Mazda 626, why isn't my vehicle included in that recall being that it is the exact same model?
Tl- the contact has 1998 Mazda 626. The contact stated that there is a recall and the campaign number is 00V134000 that their vehicle is not a part of. The contact stated that the dealer stated there is a recall for this but the vehicle was not involved. The contact had the timing belt tension spring break causing the vehicle to stall. The contact was pulling out of a drvie way and traveling 5mph at the time. The vehicle had 114000 miles at the time of the failure and 11400 miles currently. Updated 06/25/10. Updated 07/27/10*j
I have spent over $2000 trying to get my engine light to turn off. Nothing works. Now I am being fined for not passing inspection. What is going on? I have been having this problem for 2 years. After various repairs the light would finally go off. Now it will not and has been on for over 6 months. I have had o2 sensor and cat sensor replaced, since that is supposedly what the code was. Still nothing and noone seems to care.
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. An external spring in the timing belt tensioner could break.
Remedy: Dealers will check the tensioner installed and replace it if the vehicle is equipped with the affected tensioner.
Engine complaints in other 626 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 1998 Mazda 626?
NHTSA has 83 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 1998 Mazda 626, 19% of the model year's 434 complaints. The component named most often is engine (42 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Mazda 626 engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 00V-134 (engine, May 9, 2000). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1998 Mazda 626 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 87,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.