U.S. public vehicle records

Mazda RX-7 problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

153 owner complaints analyzed

4 distinct recall campaigns

89,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1987 to 1995 model years. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 25 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline is the most frequently named component, appearing in 19 of 153 complaints (12.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Engine operation	9	5.9%
Braking behavior	6	3.9%
Electrical and battery issues	6	3.9%
Fuel system concerns	4	2.6%
Transmission and shifting	2	1.3%
Steering behavior	2	1.3%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline

Seat Belts

Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System

Fuel System, Gasoline

Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System

Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings

Seat Belts:Front:Retractor

Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator

Component breakdown data
Category	Count
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	19
Seat Belts	16
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System	10
Fuel System, Gasoline	8
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System	8
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings	7
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor	7
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator	6

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 19; Seat Belts: 16; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 10; Fuel System, Gasoline: 8; Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System: 8; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings: 7; Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 7; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 6

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 8; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 4

75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 128 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2011

2012

2014

2015

2016

2017

2021

2022

1995: 13; 1996: 31; 1997: 20; 1998: 13; 1999: 19; 2000: 13; 2001: 8; 2002: 12; 2003: 2; 2004: 3; 2005: 2; 2006: 2; 2007: 2; 2008: 1; 2009: 2; 2011: 1; 2012: 2; 2014: 2; 2015: 1; 2016: 1; 2017: 1; 2021: 1; 2022: 1

Pattern summary

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 9 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 6 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 511710 · 1996-12-02 (December 2, 1996)

INTERMITTENT STALLING. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 511710 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 518804 · 1997-08-11 (August 11, 1997)

TURBO-CHARGER HOUSING HAS NUMEROUS CRACKS FROM UNKNOWN SOURCES, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 518804 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 717889 · 2000-01-26 (January 26, 2000)

ANTI-LOCK BRAKE UNIT LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. STARTED ABOUT 5/5/97. LEAKS WITH CAR PARKED, MAY LEAK WHILE DRIVING. STARTED GRADUALLY, NOW LOSES ABOUT TWO OUNCES PER WEEK. IF BRAKE FLUID LEVEL GETS TOO LOW WHILE DRIVING, IT CAN PREVENT PROPER BRAKE OPERATION AND INCREASE THE RISK OF ACCIDENT. THE ABS UNIT IS LOCATED NEAR THE ENGINE EXHAUST AND JUST AFT OF THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. I SUSPECT THAT BRAKE FLUID MAY DRIP ON THE HEATED EXHAUST SYSTEM; PERHAPS THIS COULD CAUSE A FIRE. IF DRIPPING BRAKE FLUID GOT ON THE TIRE, IT COULD REDUCE TRACTION AND CONTR…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 717889 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 735719 · 2000-11-04 (November 4, 2000)

THE ABS HAS NOT FAILED, BUT IT LEAKS PROFUSLY. I NEED TO REPLACE ABOUT 1 OZ OF BRAKE FLUID PER WEEK. THE DEALER'S PRICE FOR A REPLACEMENT ABS UNIT (THEY WON'T REBUILD IT) IS A CRIME AT $2745!! IF THIS IS A CHRONIC PROBLEM (AND IT SOUNDS LIKE IT IS), THEY SHOULD BE MORE REASONABLE $!*AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 735719 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10149916 · 2006-02-09 (February 9, 2006)

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND LEFT IDLING, UPON RETURNING THERE WAS FIRE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THERE WERE NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION THE INSURANCE COMPANY DETERMINED THE FIRE STARTED IN THE AREA AROUND THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR WIRING. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FILED A REPORT. THE FIRE DESTROYED THE VEHICLE AND THE CONTACT'S HOME.

Owner-reported narrative. 106,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10149916 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10149918 · 2006-02-09 (February 9, 2006)

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE GOING UP HILL. LATER, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. AFTER LIFTING THE HOOD FLAMES CAME OUT. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AFTERWARDS TO ENSURE IT WAS CONTAINED. UPON INSPECTION THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE FIRE STARTED IN THE AREA AROUND THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR WIRING. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP AWAITING REPAIRS.

Owner-reported narrative. 36,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10149918 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 560419 · 2001-03-19 (March 19, 2001)

THE VEHICLE IS DEVELOPING A FUEL LEAK, CONSUMER STATES THE FUEL INJECTOR O RINGS LEAK ALSO. NLM

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 560419 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 842575 · 1999-07-19 (July 19, 1999)

WHILE DRIVING THERE IS A GAS ODOR WHICH CAUSES THE OCCUPANT TO BECOME SICK . ALSO, IT MAY CAUSE A FIRE IF THERE IS A FUEL LEAK. DEALER REPLACED FUEL INJECTORS/FUEL LINES, ETC., BUT PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURRING. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION AND VIN#. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 842575 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 541462 · 1998-09-15 (September 15, 1998)

5 SPEED TRANSMISSION FAILED.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 541462 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 541562 · 1998-09-21 (September 21, 1998)

TRANSMISSION FIFTH GEAR SYNCHRONIZER FAILURE.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 541562 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 531491 · 1998-02-26 (February 26, 1998)

ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIIMES, REPLACE POWER STEERING PUMP.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 531491 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 825031 · 1998-07-06 (July 6, 1998)

WHEN AIR CONDITONING IS USED VEHICLE STALLS. ALSO THERE IS A LOSS STEERING POWER. COMPUTER MODULE HAS BEEN REPLACED, BUT PROBLEM REMAINS. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 825031 at NHTSA ↗

Compare model years

Recalls by model year

All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.

From yearThrough year

Recall campaigns

Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.

1987

1990

1991

1993

1994

1995

1987: 0; 1990: 1; 1991: 1; 1993: 3; 1994: 3; 1995: 1

First model yearSecond model year

Year-by-year records

Mazda RX-7 model-year comparison
Model year	Complaints	Recalls	Change in recalls
1987	1	0	Not available
1990	28	1	Not available
1991	22	1	0
1993	82	3	Not available
1994	18	3	0
1995	2	1	-2

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

153 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

16.3%Usable mileage25 / 153 records

80.4%Valid incident date123 / 153 records

100.0%Valid filing date153 / 153 records

80.4%Ordered incident and filing dates123 / 153 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	1987	1990	1991	1993	1994	1995
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	310.7% ODI 483159 ENGINE FAILURE. *AW Look up ODI 483159 at NHTSA ↗	14.5% ODI 520446 ENGINE FAILED. Look up ODI 520446 at NHTSA ↗	1214.6% ODI 524345 ENGINE FAILED DUE TO OVERHEATING CAUSED BY ANTIFREEZE LEAKING OUT ONTO ENGINE. Look up ODI 524345 at NHTSA ↗	211.1% ODI 713854 CURRENTLY HAVING THE 4TH ENGINE INSTALLED DUE TO SEAL FAILURES. MANUFACTURER IS UNCOOPERATIVE. PREVIOUS RX7 HAD ENGINE FIRE. Look up ODI 713854 at NHTSA ↗	150.0% ODI 556889 MOTOR WAS REPLACED AT IN 1995 AT 15,000. FIVE YEARS LATER AND 15,000 MILES THE MOTOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN, THE VEHICLE STALLS, OWNER HAS BEEN TOLD BY MECHANICS, THAT THE APEX SEAL IS PARTIALLY COLLAPSED, WHICH IS THE SAME REASON THE MOTOR WAS REPLACED IN 1995. *CJ Look up ODI 556889 at NHTSA ↗
Seat Belts	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	828.6% ODI 10258464 · 81,000 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 MAZDA RX7. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER SIDE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT RETRACTORS WERE INOPERATIVE. THE MALFUNCTIONS OCCURRED FROM EXCESSIVE WEAR AND PREVENTS THE WEBBING FROM BEING EXTRACTED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 96V173000 (SEAT BELTS,FRONT;WEBBING), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000 AND CURRENT MILEAG… Look up ODI 10258464 at NHTSA ↗	836.4% ODI 10654098 I AM HEAVILY CONCERNED WITH THE MAJOR SAFETY ISSUES OF MY BELOVED MAZDA AND NEED YOUR HELP. MY SEAT BELT RETRACTORS ARE BROKEN (EMERGENCY), THE HORNS DO NOT WORK (EMERGENCY), MY REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER AND FLUIDS DO NOT WORK (VISIBILITY), MY BRAKE LIGHT IS ON(EMERGENCY), AND MY PULSATION DAMPER IS LEAKING FUEL (FIRE HAZARD). I HAVE READ MANY STORIES ABOUT RX7'S THAT WOULD CATCH ON FIRE DUE TO THE FUEL PULSATION DAMPERS LEAKING FUEL ONTO THE ENGINE, EVENTUALLY IGNITING THEIR WHOLE CAR TO ASHES. *TR Look up ODI 10654098 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	911.0% ODI 10040629 · 10,800 mi THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NHTSA#94-V-094-000 ON MAY 1997 ON THE RADIATOR CAP PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE. THE RELEASE PRESSURE WAS SET TOO HIGH WHICH COULD CAUSE THE COOLANT TO REACH TEMPERATURES THAT EXCEED THERMAL DESIGN LIMITS OF SOME COMPONENTS OF THE COOLANT SYSTEM. SHOULD THIS OCCUR THE ENGINE COOLANT COULD LEAK DIRECTLY ON TOP OF THE ENGINE. THE CONSUMER STATED THIS RECALL FAILED. *NLM THE RECALL WAS PARTIALLY COMPLETED. BOTH REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF THE COOLING SYSTEM INCLUDING THE WATER PUMP WHICH WAS NOT DONE BECAUSE THE VEHIC… Look up ODI 10040629 at NHTSA ↗	15.6% ODI 880971 THERE WAS COOLANT LEAK FROM VEHICLE ONTO ENGINE. VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 94V094000. DEALER HAS REPLACED WATER PUMP, RADIATOR HOSES AND GASKETS. AK SLC Look up ODI 880971 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Fuel System, Gasoline	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	313.6% ODI 10386960 · 211,000 mi MAZDA'S RX-7 MODEL FC3S FROM MODEL YEAR 1986-1992'S FUEL PULSATION DAMPER HAS AN ISSUE THAT IT WILL LEAK, SINCE THE DEVICE SITS ON TOP OF THE ENGINE SO IF THE TIMING IS RIGHT, AN ENGINE FIRE WILL START. IT IS A VERY WELL KNOWN ISSUE IN THE RX-7 COMMUNITY. IM SURPRISED NO ONE EVER FILED A COMPLAIN OVER THIS. 1986-1988'S FUEL PULSATION DAMPER IS VERY PRONE TO THIS DEFECT, THEY CHANGED THE DESIGN AND USE THEM ON LATER MODEL YEAR OF RX-7 FROM 1989-1992, BUT IT WILL STILL LEAK. *TR Look up ODI 10386960 at NHTSA ↗	44.9% ODI 488451 POOR FUEL SYSTEM RECALL REPAIR, CAUSING VACUUM LINE TO COME OFF. *SD Look up ODI 488451 at NHTSA ↗	15.6% ODI 10212593 · 147,900 mi MAZDA 1994 RX7 FD3S PULSATION DAMPENER FAILURE. CAUSED LOSS OF FUEL AND DAMAGE TO WIRE HARNESS. THE FUEL LEAKED ONTO AND INTO THE WIRE HARNESS AND CAUSED THE HARNESS TO BECOME SATURATED, DAMP AND BRITTLE. I ALSO HAD TO PAY TO REPLACE AND INSTALL NEW PULSATION DAMPENER, WIRE HARNESS, INTAKE GASKET AND A FEW OTHER PARTS DO TO THE PULSATION DAMPENER FAILURE. I ALSO HAD TO PAY FOR LABOR. TOTAL WAS AROUND $1600.00 USD. I AM NOT HAPPY AND I HEAR THIS DAMPER FAILS ALL THE TIME FOR MY LOCAL DEALER. *TR Look up ODI 10212593 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	13.6% ODI 764067 PUSATION DAMPNER ON PRIMARY FUEL DELIVERY RAIL DIAPHRAM FAILURE. GASOLINE LEAKAGE IN LARGE QUANTITIES RIGHT ABOVE HOT ENGINE. VERY SERIOUS FIRE HAZARD.. SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM ON RX-7'S IN GENERAL. PERHAPS MAZDA SHOULD HAVE PLAED THE PD AWAY FROM THE ENGINE. EXCESSIVE HEAT MAY HAVE HARDENED DIAPHRAM TO POINT OF BREAKAGE. FUALTY DESIGN. *AK Look up ODI 764067 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	44.9% ODI 713333 THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLDS SUPPLIED OEM ON THESE CARS CONSISTENTLY FAIL. THE MATERIAL USED BY THE MANUFACTURE HAS SINCE CHANGED TO COMPENSATE FOR THEIR MISTAKE HOWEVER, ALL OF THE OWNERS OF THESE CARS ARE FORCED TO PAY THE COST OF REPAIR FOR THEIR POOR DESIGN. AT LEAST 90% OF THESE CARS HAVE HAD TO HAVE THIS PART REPLACED AND I AM POSITIVE THAT THAT NUMBER WILL INCREASE TO 100% OF THE VEHICLES ON THE ROAD. SOME COMPENSATION SHOULD BE MADE. Look up ODI 713333 at NHTSA ↗	316.7% ODI 10212593 · 147,900 mi MAZDA 1994 RX7 FD3S PULSATION DAMPENER FAILURE. CAUSED LOSS OF FUEL AND DAMAGE TO WIRE HARNESS. THE FUEL LEAKED ONTO AND INTO THE WIRE HARNESS AND CAUSED THE HARNESS TO BECOME SATURATED, DAMP AND BRITTLE. I ALSO HAD TO PAY TO REPLACE AND INSTALL NEW PULSATION DAMPENER, WIRE HARNESS, INTAKE GASKET AND A FEW OTHER PARTS DO TO THE PULSATION DAMPENER FAILURE. I ALSO HAD TO PAY FOR LABOR. TOTAL WAS AROUND $1600.00 USD. I AM NOT HAPPY AND I HEAR THIS DAMPER FAILS ALL THE TIME FOR MY LOCAL DEALER. *TR Look up ODI 10212593 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	78.5% ODI 524391 WHILE FUEL SYSTEM IS PRESSURIZED FUEL LEAKED OUT OF THE TOP OF PULSATION DAMPER PRIOR TO/AFTER RECALL REPAIRS, COULD LEAD TO A FIRE (95V-069). *AK Look up ODI 524391 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	414.3% ODI 562504 THE PASSENGER SIDE BELT RETRACTOR IS JAMMED IN THE RAIL AND THE CABLE IS EXPOSED, THE CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, WHO THEN STATED THAT THE REPAIR COST WOULD BE $100, CONSUMER THEN INFORMED THE DEALER THAT THIS IS A RECALL ITEM (96V173000) WITH A LIFETIME WARRANTY, CONSUMER STATES THE DEALERS ATTITUDE THEN CHANGE, THE DEALER THEN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO REMAIN AT THE DEALER THE ENTIRE DAY.*YH Look up ODI 562504 at NHTSA ↗	313.6% ODI 10053563 · 88,000 mi FRONT SEAT BELTS WERE NOT RETRACTING. THIS MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR FRONT PASSENGERS TO WEAR SEAT BELTS. RECALL 96V17000 WAS ISSUED ON THIS PROBLEM; HOWEVER, DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE SEAT BELTS BECAUSE THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK Look up ODI 10053563 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	67.3% ODI 10149916 · 106,000 mi DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND LEFT IDLING, UPON RETURNING THERE WAS FIRE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THERE WERE NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION THE INSURANCE COMPANY DETERMINED THE FIRE STARTED IN THE AREA AROUND THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR WIRING. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FILED A REPORT. THE FIRE DESTROYED THE VEHICLE AND THE CONTACT'S HOME. Look up ODI 10149916 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
Seat Belts	Too few reports for a range	106,000 mi	3 (sparse)	ODI 10258464 · 81,000 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 MAZDA RX7. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER SIDE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT RETRACTORS WERE INOPERATIVE. THE MALFUNCTIONS OCCURRED FROM EXCESSIVE WEAR AND PREVENTS THE WEBBING FROM BEING EXTRACTED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 96V173000 (SEAT BELTS,FRONT;WEBBING), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000 AND CURRENT MILEAG… Look up ODI 10258464 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10735427 · 151,426 mi THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED FOR MY CAR FOR THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT ON 02-17-1997, CAMPAIGN # 68702. MINE WAS ORIGINALLY REPAIRED ON 05-23-2006. IT HAS SINCE FAILED AGAIN AND MY LOCAL MAZDA DEALER, # 23963, RAN A REPORT SHOWING THAT THE STATUS WAS CLOSED BECAUSE IT WAS FIXED ONCE. AS A SAFETY ISSUE, I THOUGHT THAT THIS RECALL COVERED THE PROBLEM FOR THE CAR'S LIFETIME, AT LEAST FOR THE ORIGINAL OWNER WHICH I AM. I WOULD LIKE YOUR HELP RESOLVING THIS ISSUE AS THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, THE ONE PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED, IS NOT … Look up ODI 10735427 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11439995 · 106,000 mi The contact owns a 1991 Mazda RX-7. The contact stated that the front driver's and passenger's side automatic seat belts failed to retract when the doors are opened. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that they had the parts to repair the front passenger's side seat belt but not the parts for the front driver's side seat belt. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 96V173000 (Seat Belts). The… Look up ODI 11439995 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System	Too few reports for a range	10,800 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10040629 · 10,800 mi THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NHTSA#94-V-094-000 ON MAY 1997 ON THE RADIATOR CAP PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE. THE RELEASE PRESSURE WAS SET TOO HIGH WHICH COULD CAUSE THE COOLANT TO REACH TEMPERATURES THAT EXCEED THERMAL DESIGN LIMITS OF SOME COMPONENTS OF THE COOLANT SYSTEM. SHOULD THIS OCCUR THE ENGINE COOLANT COULD LEAK DIRECTLY ON TOP OF THE ENGINE. THE CONSUMER STATED THIS RECALL FAILED. *NLM THE RECALL WAS PARTIALLY COMPLETED. BOTH REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF THE COOLING SYSTEM INCLUDING THE WATER PUMP WHICH WAS NOT DONE BECAUSE THE VEHIC… Look up ODI 10040629 at NHTSA ↗
Fuel System, Gasoline	144,000–150,000 mi	147,900 mi	5	ODI 10386960 · 211,000 mi MAZDA'S RX-7 MODEL FC3S FROM MODEL YEAR 1986-1992'S FUEL PULSATION DAMPER HAS AN ISSUE THAT IT WILL LEAK, SINCE THE DEVICE SITS ON TOP OF THE ENGINE SO IF THE TIMING IS RIGHT, AN ENGINE FIRE WILL START. IT IS A VERY WELL KNOWN ISSUE IN THE RX-7 COMMUNITY. IM SURPRISED NO ONE EVER FILED A COMPLAIN OVER THIS. 1986-1988'S FUEL PULSATION DAMPER IS VERY PRONE TO THIS DEFECT, THEY CHANGED THE DESIGN AND USE THEM ON LATER MODEL YEAR OF RX-7 FROM 1989-1992, BUT IT WILL STILL LEAK. TR Look up ODI 10386960 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10451712 · 144,000 mi TL THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 MAZDA RX7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, ALL OF THE WARNING LAMPS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT IGNITED INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 144,000. . UPDATED 03/26/12 BF THE CONSUMER STATED PRIOR TO THE FIRE, THE ENGINE STARTED MISFIRING WHILE D… Look up ODI 10451712 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10579077 · 150,000 mi PULSATION DAMPER FAILURE. LEAKED FUEL. CAUSED ENGINE FIRE. JS Look up ODI 10579077 at NHTSA ↗
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System	Too few reports for a range	147,900 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10212593 · 147,900 mi MAZDA 1994 RX7 FD3S PULSATION DAMPENER FAILURE. CAUSED LOSS OF FUEL AND DAMAGE TO WIRE HARNESS. THE FUEL LEAKED ONTO AND INTO THE WIRE HARNESS AND CAUSED THE HARNESS TO BECOME SATURATED, DAMP AND BRITTLE. I ALSO HAD TO PAY TO REPLACE AND INSTALL NEW PULSATION DAMPENER, WIRE HARNESS, INTAKE GASKET AND A FEW OTHER PARTS DO TO THE PULSATION DAMPENER FAILURE. I ALSO HAD TO PAY FOR LABOR. TOTAL WAS AROUND $1600.00 USD. I AM NOT HAPPY AND I HEAR THIS DAMPER FAILS ALL THE TIME FOR MY LOCAL DEALER. *TR Look up ODI 10212593 at NHTSA ↗
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor	Too few reports for a range	88,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10053563 · 88,000 mi FRONT SEAT BELTS WERE NOT RETRACTING. THIS MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR FRONT PASSENGERS TO WEAR SEAT BELTS. RECALL 96V17000 WAS ISSUED ON THIS PROBLEM; HOWEVER, DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE SEAT BELTS BECAUSE THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK Look up ODI 10053563 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator	Too few reports for a range	71,250 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10149916 · 106,000 mi DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND LEFT IDLING, UPON RETURNING THERE WAS FIRE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THERE WERE NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION THE INSURANCE COMPANY DETERMINED THE FIRE STARTED IN THE AREA AROUND THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR WIRING. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FILED A REPORT. THE FIRE DESTROYED THE VEHICLE AND THE CONTACT'S HOME. Look up ODI 10149916 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10149918 · 36,500 mi DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE GOING UP HILL. LATER, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. AFTER LIFTING THE HOOD FLAMES CAME OUT. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AFTERWARDS TO ENSURE IT WAS CONTAINED. UPON INSPECTION THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE FIRE STARTED IN THE AREA AROUND THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR WIRING. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP AWAITING REPAIRS. Look up ODI 10149918 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)	None	No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

1994: 2 complaints · 1995: 1 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
1994	0	1	2
1995	1	1	1

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
1994	16	2	0
1995	1	1	0

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
Component	Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	Seat Belts	Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System	Fuel System, Gasoline	Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System	Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings	Seat Belts:Front:Retractor	Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	—	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Seat Belts	0	—	0	0	0	0	0	0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System	0	0	—	0	0	1 ODI 549441 VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO LEAKING ENGINE COOLANT AND GAS LINE. Look up ODI 549441 at NHTSA ↗	0	0
Fuel System, Gasoline	0	0	0	—	1 ODI 10212593 · 147,900 mi MAZDA 1994 RX7 FD3S PULSATION DAMPENER FAILURE. CAUSED LOSS OF FUEL AND DAMAGE TO WIRE HARNESS. THE FUEL LEAKED ONTO AND INTO THE WIRE HARNESS AND CAUSED THE HARNESS TO BECOME SATURATED, DAMP AND BRITTLE. I ALSO HAD TO PAY TO REPLACE AND INSTALL NEW PULSATION DAMPENER, WIRE HARNESS, INTAKE GASKET AND A FEW OTHER PARTS DO TO THE PULSATION DAMPENER FAILURE. I ALSO HAD TO PAY FOR LABOR. TOTAL WAS AROUND $1600.00 USD. I AM NOT HAPPY AND I HEAR THIS DAMPER FAILS ALL THE TIME FOR MY LOCAL DEALER. *TR Look up ODI 10212593 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System	0	0	0	1 ODI 10212593 · 147,900 mi MAZDA 1994 RX7 FD3S PULSATION DAMPENER FAILURE. CAUSED LOSS OF FUEL AND DAMAGE TO WIRE HARNESS. THE FUEL LEAKED ONTO AND INTO THE WIRE HARNESS AND CAUSED THE HARNESS TO BECOME SATURATED, DAMP AND BRITTLE. I ALSO HAD TO PAY TO REPLACE AND INSTALL NEW PULSATION DAMPENER, WIRE HARNESS, INTAKE GASKET AND A FEW OTHER PARTS DO TO THE PULSATION DAMPENER FAILURE. I ALSO HAD TO PAY FOR LABOR. TOTAL WAS AROUND $1600.00 USD. I AM NOT HAPPY AND I HEAR THIS DAMPER FAILS ALL THE TIME FOR MY LOCAL DEALER. *TR Look up ODI 10212593 at NHTSA ↗	—	0	0	0
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings	0	0	1 ODI 549441 VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO LEAKING ENGINE COOLANT AND GAS LINE. Look up ODI 549441 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	—	0	0
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor	0	0	0	0	0	0	—	0
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

Search patterns

5 patterns with matching reports.

Fuel smell or leak mentions

11 mentions · 7.2% of complaints

Median mileage: 135,000 mi (5 usable records).

ODI 10451712 · 144,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 MAZDA RX7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, ALL OF THE WARNING LAMPS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT IGNITED INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 144,000. . UPDATED 03/26/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED PRIOR TO THE FIRE, THE ENGINE STARTED MISFIRING WHILE D…

Look up ODI 10451712 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10006667 · 135,000 mi

FUEL PUSTATION DAMPNER SPONTANEOUSLY FAILED AND BEGAN SPRAYING A 6" STREAM OF FUEL UNDER THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD. THANK GOD I NOTICED THE SMELL OR THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A VERY NASTY ENGINE FIRE. THE FUEL LEAKS DOWN FROM THE FPD AND RUNS OFF ONTO THE TURBO ASSEMBLY. SCC ***DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS***770788

Look up ODI 10006667 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10188435 · 50,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 MAZDA RX7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACTWAS UNSURE AS TO WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE, BUT STATED THAT HE SMELLED GAS FUMES BEFORE THE FIRE OCCURRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 50,000.*AK

Look up ODI 10188435 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(fuel leak\w*|gas leak\w*|gas(?:oline)? smell|smell\w* (?:of )?(?:fuel|gas))\b

Stalling or loss of power

10 mentions · 6.5% of complaints

Median mileage: 36,500 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10149918 · 36,500 mi

Look up ODI 10149918 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 511710

INTERMITTENT STALLING. *AK

Look up ODI 511710 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 518804

TURBO-CHARGER HOUSING HAS NUMEROUS CRACKS FROM UNKNOWN SOURCES, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER. *AK

Look up ODI 518804 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b

Hard or delayed shifting

2 mentions · 1.3% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 534890

VEHICLE EXPERIENCES INTERMITTENT STALLING/CLUTCH SLIPPING/JERKING/BUCKING EVEN AFTER TURBO WAS REPLACED/DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S DOOR HANDLES LOOSENED/CLUNKING NOISE WHEN WINDOW COMES DOWN/GLOVE BOX OPENS UNEXPECTEDLY/MIDDLE CONSOLE MATERIAL PEELS OFF AND SQUEAKING NOISE FROM UNDER HOOD.

Look up ODI 534890 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 721748

WHEN CHANGING FROM 2ND TO 3RD, 3RD TO 4TH GEAR, ENGINE MAKING A LOUD NOISE (RPM GO UP), THE CAR IS JERKING. *AK

Look up ODI 721748 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

2 mentions · 1.3% of complaints

Median mileage: 144,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10451712 · 144,000 mi

Look up ODI 10451712 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 713471

I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK, DRIVING UNDER VERY NORMAL CONDITIONS. I HAD THE FOLLOWING ACCESSORIES ON AT THE TIME OF THE FIRE. HEATER, RADIO, REAR DEFROSTER, AND MAYBE THE HEADLIGHTS. I WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WHEN SMOKE STARTED TO COME OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I PULLED OVER TURNED OFF THE CAR AND SLOWLY OPENED THE HOOD TO FIND THE MAIN FUSE BOX (CONNECTED TO THE BATTERY) ON FIRE. THERE WERE FLAMES ABOUT 4-5 INCHES HIGH. I WAS ABLE TO BLOW THE FIRE OUT. I THEN LET THE CAR REST FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES. AFTER THAT I STARTED THE CAR AND DR…

Look up ODI 713471 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b

Steering assistance concerns

1 mentions · 0.7% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 531491

ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIIMES, REPLACE POWER STEERING PUMP.

Look up ODI 531491 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(power steer\w*|steering assist\w*|steering lock\w*|steering wheel lock\w*)\b