U.S. public vehicle records

1987 Mazda RX7: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

50 owner complaints analyzed

1 distinct recall campaigns

146,100 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1987 model year. Data updated: 2026-09-30 (September 30, 2026). 11 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 10 of 50 complaints (20.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Fuel system concerns	4	8.0%
Braking behavior	2	4.0%
Electrical and battery issues	2	4.0%
Steering behavior	1	2.0%

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:Fuel Injection System

Fuel System, Gasoline

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline

Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood

Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors

Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System

Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery

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

Component breakdown data
Category	Count
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System	10
Fuel System, Gasoline	9
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	5
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood	3
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors	3
Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System	2
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery	2
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings	2

Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System: 10; Fuel System, Gasoline: 9; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 5; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 3; Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors: 3; Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings: 2

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: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 5

100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 39 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

2009

2012

1995: 5; 1996: 2; 1997: 3; 1998: 3; 1999: 1; 2000: 3; 2001: 5; 2002: 12; 2003: 3; 2004: 2; 2005: 3; 2006: 2; 2009: 5; 2012: 1

Pattern summary

Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 4 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 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.

Examples from the source records

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

Owner report 10006849 · 2003-02-13 (February 13, 2003)

*OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT* A FIRE ORIGINATED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *JG *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006849 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10023100 · 2003-06-15 (June 15, 2003)

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

Owner-reported narrative. 152,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10023100 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10023102 · 2003-06-15 (June 15, 2003)

THE WINDSHIELD WIPER SWITCH FAILS OVER TIME. SYMPTOMS START WITH INTERMEDIATE SETTINGS FAILING FOLLOWED BY THE CONSTANT 1 AND 2 SETTINGS FAILING. THE WIPER WILL ALSO NOT RETURN TO ITS ORIGINAL POSITION AFTER BEING TURNED OFF. THIS MIGHT BE DUE TO THE RELAY IN THE SWITCH FAILING. *NLM

Owner-reported narrative. 145,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10023102 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10058167 · 2004-02-14 (February 14, 2004)

I HAVE A 1987 RX7 NA, THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE THE OTHER DAY AND I LUCKILY HAD AN EXTINGUISHER TO PUT IT OUT WITH OR I WOULD HAVE BEEN TOAST. MOST LIKELY A FAULTY PULSATION DAMPER OR A SHORT IN SOME OF THE WIRES, I AM NOT SURE.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. 146,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10058167 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10059011 · 2004-02-26 (February 26, 2004)

MY PULSATION DAMPER WENT OUT AND I SMELLED FUMES WITHIN MY CAR. LUCKILY I GOT OFF TO CHECK AND FOUND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE, THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL AND HAVE IT FIXED WHERE IT WON'T BE A PROBLEM TO RISK ANYONES LIFE. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 154,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10059011 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10116232 · 2005-04-01 (April 1, 2005)

PULSATION DAMPER FAILS ON MY 1987 RX-7, CAUSES ENGINE FIRE AND TURNS A 300 DOLLAR REPAIR INTO OVER A THOUSAND DOLLARS. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10116232 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10129334 · 2005-07-19 (July 19, 2005)

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THAT HE OWNS A 1987 MAZDA RX7. HE STATES A RECALL CAME OUT NHTSA CAMPAIGN 05V317000. CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS HAVING THE SAME TYPE OF PROBLEMS WITH HIS GAS GAUGE WORKING INTERMEDIATELY AND A FUEL LEAKAGE. JUST RECENTLY HE REPLACED THE RADIATOR WITH A NEW ONE. TOOK VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND THEY TOLD HIM THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM WOULD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE NO FUEL WAS GETTING TO THE LINES. ALSO, THE MODULATOR NEEDS=ED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS NOT GETTING A SPARK. HE REPLACED ALTERNATOR AND STARTER. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10129334 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10138389 · 2005-10-03 (October 3, 2005)

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

Owner-reported narrative. 220,201 miles reported. Look up ODI 10138389 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

87V160000 · Service Brakes, Air:Disc:Caliper

Reported: 1987-10-14 (October 14, 1987)

IN AREAS OF HEAVY USAGE, ROAD SALT MAY ACCUMULATE AT SURFACES OF COMPONENTS OF FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS.

Consequence: THIS WOULD EVENTUALLY CAUSE DISC PAD LINER CORROSIONTHAT WOULD PREVENT FREE MOVEMENT OF DISC PADS RESULTING IN INEFFECTIVE BRAKINGOF THE FRONT BRAKES.

Remedy: REPAIR FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS TO PREVENT ROAD SALT ACCUMULATION.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

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

Data completeness

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

22.0%Usable mileage11 / 50 records

86.0%Valid incident date43 / 50 records

100.0%Valid filing date50 / 50 records

86.0%Ordered incident and filing dates43 / 50 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	Too few reports for a range	160,552 mi	4 (sparse)	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 ↗ ODI 10255122 · 193,600 mi I OWN AN 87 RX-7 N/A. THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING TO THE FAILURE I FILLED UP AT THE GAS STATION AND DROVE OFF AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR AND A HALF I SMELLED FUEL. SO I PULLED OVER TO INSPECT I SHUT OFF THE MOTOR AND THE SMELL CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I QUICKLY OPENED THE HOOD AND TO MY SURPRISE THERE WAS A SMALL FLAME. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO PUT IT OUT USING MY SHIRT. THE CULPRIT WAS THE FUEL PULSATION DAMPER THE SCREW HAD FALLEN OUT OF THE END OF IT AND INTO THE CAP LETTING THE ENGINE COOL I THEN PUT THE SCREW BACK INTO PLACE AND CONTINUED DRIVING.… Look up ODI 10255122 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10267409 · 44,500 mi I OWN A 1987 MAZDA RX-7 TURBO II WITH 44,500MILES ON IT, THE PULSATION DAMPER ON THE FUEL RAIL STARTED LEAKING AND LEFT A SMALL PUDDLE OF FUEL ON TOP OF THE ENGINE, AND ON THE FLOOR. I HAVE READ THAT THE PULSATION DAMPER OFTEN FAILS IN THESE CARS CAUSING FIRES. I WOULD LIKE MAZDA TO RECALL THIS PART AND ISSUE ME A NEW/UPDATED/SAFE PART. I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED THE FAILED PULSATION DAMPER WITH A BANJO BOLT TO ELIMINATE ALL CHANCES OF A POSSIBLE FIRE/FUEL LEAK. BUT I THINK MAZDA USED A PULSATION DAMPER FOR A REASON, AND I WOULD LIKE TO KEEP MY… Look up ODI 10267409 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:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings	Too few reports for a range	143,701 mi	2 (sparse)	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 ↗ ODI 10157074 · 135,402 mi MY PULSATION DAMPNER ON MY 1987 MAZDA RX7 IS FAILING. IT IS A VERY WEAK PART AND EASILY SUSCEPTIBLE TO FAILURE. THE PULSATION DAMPNER IN MY CAR HAS FAILED AND ALLOWED GAS TO LEAK INTO THE ENGINE BAY AND ONTO THE HOT EXHAUST, THEREBY RESULTING IN A FIRE. IT WAS CAUGHT EARLY AND NOT SERIOUS, BUT I SMELLED BURNING GAS AND LUCKILY FOUND THE PROBLEM BEFORE IT IGNITED OTHER GAS. NM Look up ODI 10157074 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:Fuel Injection System	Fuel System, Gasoline	Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood	Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors	Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System	Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery	Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System	—	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Fuel System, Gasoline	0	—	0	0	0	0	0	0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	0	0	—	0	0	0	0	0
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood	0	0	0	—	2 ODI 759063 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 Look up ODI 759063 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 759104 BURNED ALOT OF THINGS LIKE THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS, INJECTORS, MISC HOSES, INTAKE MANIFOLD, HOOD LINER, ETC. GOOD THING I HAD A FIRE EXTINGUISHER IN THE CAR OR THE WHOLE CAR WOULD HAVE BEEN LOST. AK Look up ODI 759104 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 759104 BURNED ALOT OF THINGS LIKE THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS, INJECTORS, MISC HOSES, INTAKE MANIFOLD, HOOD LINER, ETC. GOOD THING I HAD A FIRE EXTINGUISHER IN THE CAR OR THE WHOLE CAR WOULD HAVE BEEN LOST. *AK Look up ODI 759104 at NHTSA ↗	0	0
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors	0	0	0	2 ODI 759063 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 Look up ODI 759063 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 759104 BURNED ALOT OF THINGS LIKE THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS, INJECTORS, MISC HOSES, INTAKE MANIFOLD, HOOD LINER, ETC. GOOD THING I HAD A FIRE EXTINGUISHER IN THE CAR OR THE WHOLE CAR WOULD HAVE BEEN LOST. AK Look up ODI 759104 at NHTSA ↗	—	1 ODI 759104 BURNED ALOT OF THINGS LIKE THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS, INJECTORS, MISC HOSES, INTAKE MANIFOLD, HOOD LINER, ETC. GOOD THING I HAD A FIRE EXTINGUISHER IN THE CAR OR THE WHOLE CAR WOULD HAVE BEEN LOST. *AK Look up ODI 759104 at NHTSA ↗	0	0
Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System	0	0	0	1 ODI 759104 BURNED ALOT OF THINGS LIKE THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS, INJECTORS, MISC HOSES, INTAKE MANIFOLD, HOOD LINER, ETC. GOOD THING I HAD A FIRE EXTINGUISHER IN THE CAR OR THE WHOLE CAR WOULD HAVE BEEN LOST. *AK Look up ODI 759104 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 759104 BURNED ALOT OF THINGS LIKE THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS, INJECTORS, MISC HOSES, INTAKE MANIFOLD, HOOD LINER, ETC. GOOD THING I HAD A FIRE EXTINGUISHER IN THE CAR OR THE WHOLE CAR WOULD HAVE BEEN LOST. *AK Look up ODI 759104 at NHTSA ↗	—	0	0
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery	0	0	0	0	0	0	—	0
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings	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

2 patterns with matching reports.

Fuel smell or leak mentions

11 mentions · 22.0% of complaints

Median mileage: 139,752 mi (4 usable records).

ODI 10023100 · 152,000 mi

Look up ODI 10023100 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10129334

Look up ODI 10129334 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10255122 · 193,600 mi

I OWN AN 87 RX-7 N/A. THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING TO THE FAILURE I FILLED UP AT THE GAS STATION AND DROVE OFF AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR AND A HALF I SMELLED FUEL. SO I PULLED OVER TO INSPECT I SHUT OFF THE MOTOR AND THE SMELL CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I QUICKLY OPENED THE HOOD AND TO MY SURPRISE THERE WAS A SMALL FLAME. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO PUT IT OUT USING MY SHIRT. THE CULPRIT WAS THE FUEL PULSATION DAMPER THE SCREW HAD FALLEN OUT OF THE END OF IT AND INTO THE CAP LETTING THE ENGINE COOL I THEN PUT THE SCREW BACK INTO PLACE AND CONTINUED DRIVING.…

Look up ODI 10255122 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

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

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

1 mentions · 2.0% 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