NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 360 owner complaints for the 1997 Mazda 6 Series. Most complaints involve power train (230) and engine and engine cooling (39).
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.
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 FILTERS WITH A 90-DEGREE ANGLE INLET TUBE, MODEL 800F300-S2, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT FILTERS FOR 19983-1994 SUBARU VEHICLES WITH EFI OR TURBO ENGINES. THESE FILTERS ARE PACKAGED AS WIX, NAPA, AND CARQUEST BRAND FUEL FILTERS. FUEL MAY LEAK FROM THE FILTER DUE TO NON-CONFORMING BRAZING WELDS WHERE THE INLET TUBE IS CONNECTED TO THE FILTER CAN.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE SAS SENSOR UNIT. THESE VEHICLES CAN EXPERIENCE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTS IN MINOR UNDERCARRIAGE IMPACTS.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“LEFT HOME TO GO TO WORK MADE IT ABOUT 3 MILES FROM MY HOME AND MY TRANSMISSION QUIT WORKING AS I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF A HWY. I WAS TURNING ONTO FROM A SIDE STREET. I WAS ABOUT HIT AS MY MAZDA WOULD NOT GO AND QUIT WORKING ON A BLIND CORNER. *TR”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MAZDA 626. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED ON APRIL 16, 2007. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC ,WHO DETERMINED THAT THE TIMING BELT TENSIONER WAS CAUSING EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE BELT. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS RECALL # 98V206001 CONCERNING ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING ON, AND HE SHOULD CALL THE MAZDA MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THIS VEHICLEWAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE RECALL WAS NOT REMEDIED PREVIOUSLY. THE CONTACT ARRIVED AT A MAZDA DEALER FOR RECALL REPAIRS, WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THAT THIS VEHICLERWAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. HE SHOWED THE DEALER A COPY OF THE RECALL NOTICE, AND THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BRANDED WITH NO WARRANTY. THE DEALER REFUSED TO PERFORM RECALL REPAIRS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 83,936, AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.*AK”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1997 MAZDA 626. WHILE AT A STOP, ANOTHER VEHICLE LOST CONTROL AND CRASHED INTO THE FRONT OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED CHEST AND BACK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.”
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
4 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 360 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (230), engine and engine cooling (39), air bags (36). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.