Equal-exposure complaint evidence and changes in the reported problem mix

1998 vs 1999 MAZDA 626

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Share shifts show how a vehicle's problem mix changed. They do not measure reliability, and complaint counts are not normalized for sales volume.

First 335 months on market for each model year

Exposure window calculated through Aug 22, 2026

Age-matched reports

▼ 24.9% fewer reports in the equal exposure window

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Component share shift

Bars start at the neutral midpoint. Left means a smaller share; right means a larger share.

View component share data as a table
Component 1998 share 1999 share Share change
ENGINE 18.0% 14.2% ▼ 3.8 pts smaller share
SERVICE BRAKES 0.5% 3.5% ▲ 3.0 pts larger share
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 1.2% 2.8% ▲ 1.7 pts larger share
SUSPENSION 0.2% 1.3% ▲ 1.0 pts larger share
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 1.9% 1.0% ▼ 1.0 pts smaller share
AIR BAGS 2.4% 1.6% ▼ 0.8 pts smaller share
POWER TRAIN 67.8% 68.5% ▲ 0.7 pts larger share
STRUCTURE 0.5% not reported ▼ 0.5 pts smaller share
FUEL SYSTEM 1.0% 0.6% ▼ 0.3 pts smaller share
VISIBILITY not reported 0.3% ▲ 0.3 pts larger share
TIRES 0.7% 0.6% ▼ 0.1 pts smaller share
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 0.2% 0.3% ▲ 0.1 pts larger share
STEERING 0.7% 0.6% ▼ 0.1 pts smaller share
WHEELS 0.2% 0.3% ▲ 0.1 pts larger share
SEAT BELTS 1.0% 1.0% ◆ 0.0 pts unchanged
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 82.0% 84.2% ▲ 2.2 pts larger share

NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-08-22

Recall campaigns

1998 6

Campaign components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, EQUIPMENT, and FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

1999 4

Campaign components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING and SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Safety signals

◆ Fires
5 → 3
◆ Injuries
15 → 4