Four problems related to ignition have been reported for the 1997 Mazda 626. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
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.
Difficulty starting vehicle due to faulty spark plug wires.
Vehicle started on own, with no key in ignition, shut down then started again. Vehicle then began smoking under hood and from wheel hubs.
Dealer refused to look at it as a warranty repair and advised me to take it back to other Mazda deale where new transmission was installed and car was diagnosed for other ignition related problems.