1981 Mazda RX7: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
0 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1981 model year. Data updated: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
No owner complaints are recorded for this selection. A complaint can name multiple components.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
No usable records for this chart.
| Category | Count |
|---|
No records.
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 0 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.
No usable records for this chart.
| Category | Count |
|---|
No records.
Pattern summary
There is not enough complaint evidence to summarize patterns.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
85V108000 · Steering
Reported: 1985-09-04 (September 4, 1985)
IN CERTAIN HIGH SALT AREAS, THE IDLER ARM IS EXPOSED TO ROAD SALT WHICH CAUSES THE DUST SEAL TO DETERIORATE RESULTING IN IDLER ARM PIN CORROSION. THIS CAUSES THE PIN TO FREEZE AND BREAK. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: A BROKEN IDLER ARM PIN COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: REPLACE PIN WITH ONE OF IMPROVED CORROSION RESISTANT QUALITY.
NHTSA campaign record ↗Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
0 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.
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.
| Component | 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 240.0%ODI 10248884 · 148,000 miEVENTS: 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… | 125.0%ODI 10104051 · 229,900 miI HAVE FAILURE OF THE FUEL PULSATION DAMPER. *JB | 218.2%ODI 10150500 · 160,000 miFUEL 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… | 918.0%ODI 10138389 · 220,201 miWAS 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 | 520.8%ODI 10259868I 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… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Seat Belts | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo 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% |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 19.1% | 1020.0%ODI 739371DAMPENER 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. | 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 | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 240.0%ODI 897215AFTER 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 | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 36.0%ODI 725298VEHICLE 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 | 312.5% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo 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 miDRIVING 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… | 14.2% | 26.7% |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo 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 801666DRIVER'S SHOULDER/LAP BELT DOES NOT RETRACT PROPERLY, DOES NOT GRAB OCCUPANT AS DESIGNED/DOES NOT RETRACTNWHEB UNOCCUPIED EITHER. *AK | 14.2%ODI 832238SEAT 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 | 26.7% |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo 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 | 14.2%ODI 829862WHEN WARM THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF. IT FLOODS ITSELF WHEN TRYING TO RESTART. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS, DEALER CANNOT REPAIR IT. *AK *ML | 26.7% |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo 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 miRECENTLY 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 | 24.0%ODI 759079PULSATION DAMPER LEAKS FUEL OUT THE SCREW HOLE ADJUSTMENT ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. IT IS THE #1 CAUSE OF RX-7 FIRES.*AK | 14.2%ODI 10047366 · 188,000 miTHE 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 | 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 | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No usable records for this analysis. | ||||
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
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
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 (partial) | 0 | 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.
1988: 0 complaints · 1989: 1 complaints
| 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
| 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 |
|---|
| No usable records for this analysis. |
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.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.