U.S. public vehicle records

Mazda RX7 problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

126 owner complaints analyzed

3 distinct recall campaigns

135,201 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1979 to 1989 model years. Data updated: 2026-09-30 (September 30, 2026). 28 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Fuel System, Gasoline is the most frequently named component, appearing in 19 of 126 complaints (15.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Fuel system concerns	12	9.5%
Electrical and battery issues	4	3.2%
Braking behavior	3	2.4%
Steering behavior	2	1.6%
Engine operation	1	0.8%

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.

Fuel System, Gasoline

Seat Belts

Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System

Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline

Seat Belts:Front:Retractor

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine

Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery

Component breakdown data
Category	Count
Fuel System, Gasoline	19
Seat Belts	14
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System	13
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood	8
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	8
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor	5
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	4
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery	4

Fuel System, Gasoline: 19; Seat Belts: 14; Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System: 13; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 8; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 8; Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 4; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery: 4

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: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 10; 150,000 and above: 10

100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (10). 98 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

2010

2011

2012

2013

1995: 17; 1996: 16; 1997: 8; 1998: 10; 1999: 3; 2000: 5; 2001: 8; 2002: 20; 2003: 5; 2004: 6; 2005: 6; 2006: 4; 2007: 1; 2008: 3; 2009: 9; 2010: 1; 2011: 2; 2012: 1; 2013: 1

Pattern summary

Fuel System, Gasoline leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 12 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 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 10249119 · 2008-11-18 (November 18, 2008)

1984 MAZDA RX7 WITH ROTARY 13B ENGINE: FUEL SYSTEM PULSATION DAMPER FAILED CAUSING SIGNIFICANT FUEL LEAK ONTO ENGINE. PULSATION DAMPER REQUIRED REPLACEMENT TO CORRECT PROBLEM. OLD PART IS AVAILABLE IF DESIRED. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 52,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10249119 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10512468 · 2013-05-16 (May 16, 2013)

PULSATION DAMPER FAILURE LEAKING FUEL ALL OVER THE HOT EXHAUST THAT THE HEAT CAUGHT MY ENGINE ON FIRE! OVERHEATED AND DAMAGED INJECTOR CONNECTERS DUE TO FIRE BURNING THEM. INJECTORS THEM SELF : BURNT. TOTAL DAMAGE : NEAR $1058. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 155,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10512468 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10054499 · 2004-01-20 (January 20, 2004)

FAULTY OOULSATION DAMPNER.. CAUSED ENGINE FIRE.. APROXIMATE REPAIRE OVER 1000 AND THAT WITH USING USED WIRING HARNESS.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. 113,071 miles reported. Look up ODI 10054499 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 759063 · 2002-03-07 (March 7, 2002)

I AM AN EXPERT ON THE 2ND GENERATION 1986-1991 RX-7 VEHICLES (SEE HTTP://FC3S-PRO.COM). I FIND THESE PULSATION DAMPER FIRES TOO COMMON WITH SERIOUS/EXPENSIVE DAMAGE - TYPICALLY WILL BURN WIRING HARNESS ($1,200) AND ALL FUEL INJECTORS (4X$300) UNDER THE MANIFOLD. MAZDA AND ALL MAZDA DEALERS REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS PROBLEM. I WISH THERE WAS A MANDATORY RECALL ON THIS PART, AS THE POTENTIAL OF ENGINE FIRES IS WAY TOO DANGEROUS. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME. I AM ALSO VERY CLOSE WITH THE INTERNET COMMUNITY OF THESE OWNERS. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 759063 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 700723 · 1998-11-18 (November 18, 1998)

MY HUSBAND WAS KILLED DUE TO REAR IMPACT. HE WAS COMMING HOME FROM WORK, MET ONCOMMING TRAFFIC ON A BRIDGE, LARGE PIECE OF RETREAD (TIRE) IN HIS LANE, COULDN'T GO AROUND IT, VAN AND 18 WHEELER WERE FOLLOWING. HE PUT ON HIS BRAKES, CAME TO A STOP 18 WHEELER HIT VAN, VAN BUMPED MY HUSBANDS CAR (1987 MAXDA RX7) MODERATE DINT IN CENTER BACK OF CAR PUSHED HIM TOTALLY OUT OF ACCIDENT AREA, EXPLODED UPON IMPACT, HIS CAR DID NOT HIT ANY THING ELSE, HE DID NOT RECEIVE ANY OUTHER INJURIES EXCEPT 70% BURN AND 50% WAS 3RD DEGREE, HE LIVED 47 DAYS, I SEE …

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 700723 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 718021 · 2000-01-29 (January 29, 2000)

THE ABS UNIT LEAKS. FROM WHAT I READ ON THE RX7 EMAIL LIST THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THE RX7. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 718021 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10283678 · 2009-09-11 (September 11, 2009)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1982 MAZDA RX7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH SHE LOST THE ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL COULD CAUSE A CRASH. A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS EXCLUDED FROM RECALL# 85V108000, STEERING; THEREFORE, SHE WAS INELIGIBLE FOR A FREE REMEDY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 75,742.

Owner-reported narrative. 75,742 miles reported. Look up ODI 10283678 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 960606 · 1995-02-27 (February 27, 1995)

SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES INTERMITTENTLY. CAUSE OF FAILURE IS STILL UNKNOWN. OWNER HAS (2) VEHICLE WITH SAME FAILURE. 2) ALSO HAVING STEERING FAILURE.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 960606 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 507655 · 1996-08-19 (August 19, 1996)

IGNITOR/COIL FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 507655 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.

1979

1980

1981

1982

1983

1984

1985

1986

1987

1988

1989

1979: 1; 1980: 1; 1981: 1; 1982: 1; 1983: 1; 1984: 0; 1985: 0; 1986: 1; 1987: 1; 1988: 0; 1989: 1

First model yearSecond model year

Year-by-year records

Mazda RX7 model-year comparison
Model year	Complaints	Recalls	Change in recalls
1979	0	1	Not available
1980	0	1	0
1981	0	1	0
1982	2	1	0
1983	0	1	0
1984	5	0	-1
1985	4	0	0
1986	11	1	+1
1987	50	1	0
1988	24	0	-1
1989	30	1	+1

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

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

Data completeness

126 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.

22.2%Usable mileage28 / 126 records

84.9%Valid incident date107 / 126 records

100.0%Valid filing date126 / 126 records

84.9%Ordered incident and filing dates107 / 126 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	1979	1980	1981	1982	1983	1984	1985	1986	1987	1988	1989
Fuel System, Gasoline	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	240.0% ODI 10248884 · 148,000 mi EVENTS: STARTED NOTICING A STRONG SMELL OF UNBURNED GASOLINE WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. PULLED OFF HIGHWAY INTO TOWN STOPPED IN TRAFFIC. SAW A BIT OF SMOKE LEAKING PAST HOOD. GOT OUT OF CAR (QUICKLY). HAD BYSTANDER CALL 911. ASKED BYSTANDER FOR FIRE EXTINGUISHER. EMPTIED CAR (QUICKLY). FIRE EXTINGUISHER APPEARED. DID NOT OPEN HOOD, SHOT EXTINGUISHER UP, FROM BELOW THE RADIATOR. FIRE OUT. FAILURE: APPEARS THAT THE FUEL PRESSURE DAMPER STARTED LEAKING. SURMISE THAT DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WIND KEPT THE FUEL COOL ENOUGH NOT TO IGNITE, BUT, IN T… Look up ODI 10248884 at NHTSA ↗	125.0% ODI 10104051 · 229,900 mi I HAVE FAILURE OF THE FUEL PULSATION DAMPER. *JB Look up ODI 10104051 at NHTSA ↗	218.2% ODI 10150500 · 160,000 mi FUEL INJECTION PULSATION DAMPENER BEGAN LEAKING. DUE TO IT BEING LOCATED OVER THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD WHICH IS RIGHT OVER THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WHEN IT LEAKS FUEL RUNS DOWN THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD AND ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. WHEN THE CAR IS RUNNING THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD IS EXTREMELY HOT AND THIS PROBLEM LEADS TO MANY FIRES ON THE MAZDA RX7 WHICH CAN AND DO CAUSE DAMAGE THAT RUNS INTO THE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO REPAIR. I SMELLED FUEL WHEN GETTING OUT OF MY CAR AND WAS ABLE TO REPLACE THE FUEL RAIL BEFORE ANY ADDITIONAL DAMAGE OCCURRED. BEC… Look up ODI 10150500 at NHTSA ↗	918.0% ODI 10138389 · 220,201 mi WAS DRIVING DOWN FREEWAY, SPARKS BEGAN TO FLY FROM BEHIND MY CAR. I PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY AND POPPED THE HOOD. THERE WAS A FIRE FROM MY PULSATION DAMPENER. LUCKILY I HAD WATER IN MY CAR, AND WAS ABLE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE QUICKLY. *JB Look up ODI 10138389 at NHTSA ↗	520.8% ODI 10259868 I PURCHASED A 1988 MAZDA RX-7 GXL A FEW WEEKS. TWO DAYS AGO I BEGIN TO SMELL GAS IN THE CABIN. UPON INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE BAY I HAVE FOUND THE PULSATION DAMPER ON THE FUEL RAIL IS LEAKING. I'VE BEEN RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET FOR THE REPLACEMENT PART AND HAVE HAD CONCERN ABOUT HOW I'VE FOUND MORE ARTICLES ON THE CONSISTENT FAILURE OF THIS PART AND ITS POTENTIAL TO LEAD TO FIRE. THE COST OF THIS PART IS $137 AND BECAUSE OF THE WAY MAZDA HAS MADE THE PART I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS PART WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN WITHIN THE LIFETIME OF… Look up ODI 10259868 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Seat Belts	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	1446.7% ODI 509956 MOTORIZED SEAT BELT RETRACTOR INOPERATIVE. Look up ODI 509956 at NHTSA ↗
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	19.1% ODI 759454 NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK Look up ODI 759454 at NHTSA ↗	1020.0% ODI 739371 DAMPENER FAILS AND LEAKS FUEL ONTO HOT ENGINE. I SMELLED MINE AND REPLACED BEFORE DAMAGE OCCURRED. NOW IT HAS FAILED AGAIN. SAME HEAVY SMELL OF FUEL AND CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. NEW DAMPENER ORDERED. Look up ODI 739371 at NHTSA ↗	28.3% ODI 10206159 (1) NO LEADING EVENTS (2)PULSATION DAMPER FAILED/BROKEN: LOW COMPRESSION IN THE FRONT ROTOR; LOW POWER OVER ALL; CONSTANT SMELL OF RAW/UNBURNT FUEL; INCREASED POWER LOSS AT 3650 R.P.M. LASTING UNTIL WELL AFTER 4500 R.P.M.(SECONDARY FUEL INJECTORS FIRING); 133 MILE TO 16.9 GALLONS OF FUEL (7.86 MILES TO A GALLON); PROBLEM IDENTIFIED BEFORE FIRE BROKE OUT; ZERO DAMAGE (EXCEPT LEAKING PULSATION DAMPER) (3) REPLACED PULSATION DAMPER WITH "BANJO BOLT"; PULSATION DAMPER REMOVED FROM SYSTEM. *JB Look up ODI 10206159 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	240.0% ODI 897215 AFTER PARKING VEHICE SMELLED SMOKE. SOON AFTERWARDS, FLAMES STARTED. SECOND TIME, WHILE TRAVELING SMELED SMOKE INSIDE OF VEHICLE. CONSUMER PULLED VEHICLE OVER, AND NOTICED FIRE UNDER HOOD. CONSUMER PUT FIRE OUT. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURHTER INFORMATION.*AK Look up ODI 897215 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	36.0% ODI 725298 VEHICLE ENGINE FIRE AT IDLE SPEED WHILE STOPPED, VEHICLE OCCUPIED, RAW FUEL CAUGHT FIRE UNDERHOOD,DAMAGED MANY FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENTS,CAUSED MINOR BURNS TO OCCUPANT/OPERATOR. *AK Look up ODI 725298 at NHTSA ↗	312.5% ODI 537850 ENGINE WIRING HARNESS CAUSED FIRE WHICH DAMAGED THE ENGINE. Look up ODI 537850 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	510.0% ODI 10155088 · 121,338 mi DRIVING HOME FROM MY PARENTS HOUSE I NOTICED MY GAS LIGHT COME ON ON THE FREEWAY. I WAS A LITTLE CONFUSED BECAUSE I HAD JUST PUT GAS IN THE TANK. I PULLED OFF ONCE I HAD GOTTEN DOWN ON A SIDE STREET NEAR A GAS STATION TO HAVE A LOOK TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON. IMMEDIATELY AS I GOT OUT I NOTICED BLACK SMOKE COMING OUT THE HOOD. I RAN INTO THE GAS STATION GRABBED A FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND ANOTHER GUY RAN OUT WITH ME AND WHEN I POPPED THE HOOD THE ENGINE WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAME. AFTER PUTTING IT OUT I HAD TO GET MY FRIEND TO HELP ME TOW I… Look up ODI 10155088 at NHTSA ↗	14.2% ODI 513050 ENGINE FIRE. Look up ODI 513050 at NHTSA ↗	26.7% ODI 543149 ENGINE FIRE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). Look up ODI 543149 at NHTSA ↗
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	24.0% ODI 801666 DRIVER'S SHOULDER/LAP BELT DOES NOT RETRACT PROPERLY, DOES NOT GRAB OCCUPANT AS DESIGNED/DOES NOT RETRACTNWHEB UNOCCUPIED EITHER. *AK Look up ODI 801666 at NHTSA ↗	14.2% ODI 832238 SEAT BELT ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WILL NOT COME OUT OF THE RETRACTOR. SOMETIMES THE SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WILL LOCK AND SOMETIMES IT WILL NOT. DEALER IS AWARE OF SITUATION. THE SEAT BELTS HAVE NOT BEEN CORRECTED AT THIS TIME. *AK Look up ODI 832238 at NHTSA ↗	26.7% ODI 510984 PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT RETRACTOR INOPERATIVE. Look up ODI 510984 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	12.0% ODI 10006849 OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT A FIRE ORIGINATED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. JG JB Look up ODI 10006849 at NHTSA ↗	14.2% ODI 829862 WHEN WARM THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF. IT FLOODS ITSELF WHEN TRYING TO RESTART. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS, DEALER CANNOT REPAIR IT. AK ML Look up ODI 829862 at NHTSA ↗	26.7% ODI 501597 ENGINE REPLACED DUE TO DEFECT. *SD Look up ODI 501597 at NHTSA ↗
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	19.1% ODI 10131796 · 223 mi RECENTLY PURCHASED THE CAR WITH A REBUILT MOTOR, BUT SEVERAL OLD PARTS WERE NOT REPLACED. OCCASIONALLY GAS FUMES ENTER THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. LOOKING AT THE PLACEMENT OF THE FUEL PULSATION DAMPNER, ONCE IT LEAKS IT WILL DRIP UNBURNED FUEL DIRECTLY ONTO THE MOTOR, RESULTING IN AN ENGINE FIRE. I WILL ORDER A NEW FUEL PULSATION DAMPNER AND WILL BE READY TO REPLACE THAT ONE ONCE IT FAILS. *JB Look up ODI 10131796 at NHTSA ↗	24.0% ODI 759079 PULSATION DAMPER LEAKS FUEL OUT THE SCREW HOLE ADJUSTMENT ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. IT IS THE #1 CAUSE OF RX-7 FIRES.*AK Look up ODI 759079 at NHTSA ↗	14.2% ODI 10047366 · 188,000 mi THE PULSATION DAMPER ON MY MAZDA RX7 1988 GXL SCREW WORKED ITS WAY OUT AND I WAS GETTING FUEL SPILL ALL OVER MY ENGINE COMPARTMENT. HAD I NOT NOTICED THE FUEL SMELL AND FOUND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS THEN MY CAR MAY HAVE BURNED IT SELF UP IN AN UNDER THE HOOD FIRE. *LA Look up ODI 10047366 at NHTSA ↗	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
Fuel System, Gasoline	130,752–196,800 mi	148,000 mi	11	ODI 10248884 · 148,000 mi EVENTS: STARTED NOTICING A STRONG SMELL OF UNBURNED GASOLINE WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. PULLED OFF HIGHWAY INTO TOWN STOPPED IN TRAFFIC. SAW A BIT OF SMOKE LEAKING PAST HOOD. GOT OUT OF CAR (QUICKLY). HAD BYSTANDER CALL 911. ASKED BYSTANDER FOR FIRE EXTINGUISHER. EMPTIED CAR (QUICKLY). FIRE EXTINGUISHER APPEARED. DID NOT OPEN HOOD, SHOT EXTINGUISHER UP, FROM BELOW THE RADIATOR. FIRE OUT. FAILURE: APPEARS THAT THE FUEL PRESSURE DAMPER STARTED LEAKING. SURMISE THAT DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WIND KEPT THE FUEL COOL ENOUGH NOT TO IGNITE, BUT, IN T… Look up ODI 10248884 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10249119 · 52,000 mi 1984 MAZDA RX7 WITH ROTARY 13B ENGINE: FUEL SYSTEM PULSATION DAMPER FAILED CAUSING SIGNIFICANT FUEL LEAK ONTO ENGINE. PULSATION DAMPER REQUIRED REPLACEMENT TO CORRECT PROBLEM. OLD PART IS AVAILABLE IF DESIRED. TR Look up ODI 10249119 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10104051 · 229,900 mi I HAVE FAILURE OF THE FUEL PULSATION DAMPER. JB Look up ODI 10104051 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	Too few reports for a range	121,338 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10155088 · 121,338 mi DRIVING HOME FROM MY PARENTS HOUSE I NOTICED MY GAS LIGHT COME ON ON THE FREEWAY. I WAS A LITTLE CONFUSED BECAUSE I HAD JUST PUT GAS IN THE TANK. I PULLED OFF ONCE I HAD GOTTEN DOWN ON A SIDE STREET NEAR A GAS STATION TO HAVE A LOOK TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON. IMMEDIATELY AS I GOT OUT I NOTICED BLACK SMOKE COMING OUT THE HOOD. I RAN INTO THE GAS STATION GRABBED A FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND ANOTHER GUY RAN OUT WITH ME AND WHEN I POPPED THE HOOD THE ENGINE WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAME. AFTER PUTTING IT OUT I HAD TO GET MY FRIEND TO HELP ME TOW I… Look up ODI 10155088 at NHTSA ↗
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery	Too few reports for a range	94,112 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10131796 · 223 mi RECENTLY PURCHASED THE CAR WITH A REBUILT MOTOR, BUT SEVERAL OLD PARTS WERE NOT REPLACED. OCCASIONALLY GAS FUMES ENTER THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. LOOKING AT THE PLACEMENT OF THE FUEL PULSATION DAMPNER, ONCE IT LEAKS IT WILL DRIP UNBURNED FUEL DIRECTLY ONTO THE MOTOR, RESULTING IN AN ENGINE FIRE. I WILL ORDER A NEW FUEL PULSATION DAMPNER AND WILL BE READY TO REPLACE THAT ONE ONCE IT FAILS. JB Look up ODI 10131796 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10047366 · 188,000 mi THE PULSATION DAMPER ON MY MAZDA RX7 1988 GXL SCREW WORKED ITS WAY OUT AND I WAS GETTING FUEL SPILL ALL OVER MY ENGINE COMPARTMENT. HAD I NOT NOTICED THE FUEL SMELL AND FOUND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS THEN MY CAR MAY HAVE BURNED IT SELF UP IN AN UNDER THE HOOD FIRE. LA Look up ODI 10047366 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
2024-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
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 (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

1988: 0 complaints · 1989: 1 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
1988	0	0	0
1989	0	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
1988	22	2	0
1989	24	6	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	Fuel System, Gasoline	Seat Belts	Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System	Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood	Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	Seat Belts:Front:Retractor	Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery
Fuel System, Gasoline	—	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Seat Belts	0	—	0	0	0	0	0	0
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System	0	0	—	0	0	0	0	0
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood	0	0	0	—	0	0	0	0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	0	0	0	0	—	0	0	0
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor	0	0	0	0	0	—	0	0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	0	0	0	0	0	0	—	0
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery	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

3 patterns with matching reports.

Fuel smell or leak mentions

19 mentions · 15.1% of complaints

Median mileage: 130,752 mi (8 usable records).

ODI 10249119 · 52,000 mi

Look up ODI 10249119 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10150500 · 160,000 mi

FUEL INJECTION PULSATION DAMPENER BEGAN LEAKING. DUE TO IT BEING LOCATED OVER THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD WHICH IS RIGHT OVER THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WHEN IT LEAKS FUEL RUNS DOWN THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD AND ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. WHEN THE CAR IS RUNNING THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD IS EXTREMELY HOT AND THIS PROBLEM LEADS TO MANY FIRES ON THE MAZDA RX7 WHICH CAN AND DO CAUSE DAMAGE THAT RUNS INTO THE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO REPAIR. I SMELLED FUEL WHEN GETTING OUT OF MY CAR AND WAS ABLE TO REPLACE THE FUEL RAIL BEFORE ANY ADDITIONAL DAMAGE OCCURRED. BEC…

Look up ODI 10150500 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10023100 · 152,000 mi

THE PULSATION DAMPENER ON THE 1986-1988 MAZDA RX-7'S CAN FAIL. THE PIECE IS MADE FROM PLASTIC WHICH BECOMES BRITTLE AND FAILS. THIS WILL CAUSE A FUEL LEAK IN THE ENGINE BAY AND CAUSE A POSSIBLE FIRE. *NLM

Look up ODI 10023100 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

1 mentions · 0.8% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 507655

IGNITOR/COIL FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL. *AK

Look up ODI 507655 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

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

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

1 mentions · 0.8% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 960606

SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES INTERMITTENTLY. CAUSE OF FAILURE IS STILL UNKNOWN. OWNER HAS (2) VEHICLE WITH SAME FAILURE. 2) ALSO HAVING STEERING FAILURE.

Look up ODI 960606 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

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