1997 Mazda 626 Air Bags:frontal Problems

NHTSA component category: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL · data through 07/14/2026

22Air Bags:frontal complaints

6.1%Of all 358 complaints

#2Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How air bags:frontal ranks on this vehicle

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION210 · 58.7%

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL22 · 6.1%

Unspecified / other16 · 4.5%

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE15 · 4.2%

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE14 · 3.9%

Share of the 358 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 1997 Mazda 626 overview page.

What owners report

“WHILE TRAVELING AT 40-45 MPH LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE WHILE TRAVELING OVER GRAVEL, AS A RESULT RAN INTO GAURDRAIL AND TWO STREET SIGNS. UPON IMPACT…”NHTSA complaint 898199 — filed 10/25/2001

“WHILE DRIVING PASSENGER'S AIR BAG INTERMITTENTLY DEPLOYED.”NHTSA complaint 890718 — filed 06/19/2001

“AFTER AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTCHEMICAL FROM THE AIR BAG CAUSES CONSUMER UPPER RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS, SUCH AS SHORTNESS OF BREATH, DIZZINESS AND RAPID HEART BEAT. SEEKING HELP…”NHTSA complaint 890048 — filed 06/08/2001

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Air Bags:frontal complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 1997 Mazda 626 have air bags:frontal problems?

Air Bags:frontal is the #2 most-reported problem area on the 1997 Mazda 626: 22 of 358 complaints on file (6.1%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 1997 Mazda 626 have in total?

358 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 17 involved a crash, 5 involved a fire, 27 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's air bags:frontal category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the AIR BAGS:FRONTAL category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.