One problem related to gas recirculation valve (egr valve) has been reported for the 1998 Mazda 626. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Tl- caller owns a 1998 Mazda. Current mileage 140000. Caller does not know failure mileage. While driving down street at 3mph the car shut off. Warning lights came on afterwards. Car would not start back up. He pushed car back to his home. Mechanic came over next day and noticed spring tensioner was broken ;this was replaced in 2000 under recall 00v134000 . Weather was warm approximatley 82 degrees. Ktf.