Major Problems with Mazda RX-7 Derived from Complaints & Recalls

Learn about the common problems with a used Mazda RX-7 to avoid purchasing a bad year of the model.

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Best and Worst Years for Mazda RX-7

Explore the chart showing how many complaints have been filed for each year of Mazda RX-7.

Model Year	Complaints
1994 RX-7	18
1993 RX-7	82

Worst 3 Mazda RX-7 complaints

1993 Mazda RX-7 DOOR Victims: 1

1993 Mazda RX-7 AIR BAGS Victims: 1

1993 Mazda RX-7 TIRES Victims: 1

Browse Mazda RX-7 complaints by category

Problems with GASOLINE, SEAT BELTS and FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM are the most frequent issues recorded by the NHTSA from Mazda RX-7 owners.

Problem Category	Number of Problems
GASOLINE > ENGINE > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING engine fire. (ohio traffic crash report)....	28 ~ 5778 miles
SEAT BELTS motorized seat belt retractor inoperative....	25 ~ 16602 miles
FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM > FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE the lower intake manifolds supplied oem on these cars consistently fail. the material used by the manufacture has since changed...	21 ~ 18488 miles
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE poor fuel system recall repair causing vacuum line to come off. *sd...	16 ~ 113708 miles
RETRACTOR > FRONT > SEAT BELTS passenger's seat belt retractor inoperative....	12 ~ 12571 miles
FRONT UNDERHOOD > WIRING > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM drove vehicle about 3 miles engine began running rough. went back home and cut vehicle off saw smoke and raised	11 ~ 28500 miles
COOLING SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING engine coolant tank failed causing fluid leak. *ak...	11 ~ 1080 miles
HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS > DELIVERY > FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE while fuel system is pressurized fuel leaked out of the top of pulsation damper prior to/after recall repairs could lead	10 ~ 25267 miles
DELIVERY > FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE vehicle caught fire due to leaking engine coolant and gas line....	8
WEBBING > FRONT > SEAT BELTS dt: the contact stated previously had recall 96v173000 repair work performed on the seat belts: front: webbing. however the failure...	7 ~ 47706 miles
ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM alternator shortened out causing fire....	7 ~ 23750 miles
UNKNOWN OR OTHER unspecified....	6 ~ 37363 miles
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM tl*the contact owns a 1993 mazda rx7. the contact stated that the vehicle was parked when it caught on fire....	5 ~ 104766 miles
ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC consumer was driving and the abs brake light came on took to dealer the oil was leaking . please describe	5
ENGINE > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING engine replaced due to defect. *sd...	5
12V/24V/48V BATTERY > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM battery exploded causing electrical system failure including power door locks which caused driver to be locked inside of vehicle. *skd...	5 ~ 28500 miles
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING engine malfunction....	5 ~ 45200 miles
FUEL RAIL > FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM > FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE under normal driving conditions the pulsation damener on the primary fuel rail failed spraying fuel over the entire engine bay...	4 ~ 81667 miles
MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE > EXHAUST SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING the vehicle had an exhaust leak in the area of the exhaust manifold and/or gasket....	4
BUCKLE ASSEMBLY > FRONT > SEAT BELTS driver's side seat belt buckle failure latching mechanism is broken. tt...	4
FAN > COOLING SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING electric short within the fan system caused a fire. *sd...	4
EXHAUST SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING rear exhaust caught on fire melting the plastic molding on the bumper and above. *ak...	4
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM vehicle caught on fire in engine compartment fire department put it out been sitting ever since...	3 ~ 80610 miles
ENGINE drove on highway and vehicle started to smoke. pulled off an exit opened hood and flames were coming out from...	3 ~ 108548 miles
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER fuel pustation dampner spontaneously failed and began spraying a 6" stream of fuel under the upper intake manifold. thank god...	3 ~ 126250 miles
INJECTORS > FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM > FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE fuel injectors not pulsating....	3
SWITCH/WIRING > WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER > VISIBILITY windshield wiper switch defective causing poor visibility....	3
TIRES battery replaced due to battery acid leaking onto engine. *sd...	3
TURBO/SUPERCHARGER > GASOLINE > ENGINE battery replaced due to battery acid leaking onto engine. *sd...	3
HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS > COOLING SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING vehicle caught fire due to leaking engine coolant and gas line....	3
DOOR > BODY > STRUCTURE passengers inside door handle broke due to being made of plastic injuring driver. *dsh...	3
CARBURETOR SYSTEM > FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE burned alot of things like the engine wiring harness injectors misc hoses intake manifold hood liner etc. good thing i	2
TANK ASSEMBLY > STORAGE > FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE there was a fuel leak that led to a fire mechanic said a screw came loose allowing gas to leak	2
EXTERIOR LIGHTING the lighting assembly melted from normal operation causing the light not to function. this could lead to a fire. this	2
MANUAL TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN 5 speed transmission failed....	2
PADS > DISC > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS fuel lines fittings failed causing leak prior to recall notice resulting in fire (95v069000). yh...	2
HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS > DELIVERY > FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER fuel lines fittings failed causing leak prior to recall notice resulting in fire (95v069000). yh...	2 ~ 15 miles
HOOD > BODY > STRUCTURE 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	2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL cruise control button malfunctioned....	2
MODULE > IGNITION > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM failed electronic control unit caused sudden acceleration/accident. *dh...	2
AIR BAGS was involved in a head on collision and airbag did not deploy. approx. $14 000 in frontal damage to my	2 ~ 25988 miles
IGNITION > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM intermittent stalling. *ak...	2
WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER > VISIBILITY windshield wiper switch only works on 1 speed. wipers do not stop in the down position....	2
MOTOR > WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER > VISIBILITY this is a known common problem among the 1987-1991 rx-7 owners. speed adjuster for the windshield only operate at the...	2
VISIBILITY/WIPER i am heavily concerned with the major safety issues of my beloved mazda and need your help. my seat belt...	1
EQUIPMENT under normal driving conditions the pulsation damener on the primary fuel rail failed spraying fuel over the entire engine bay...	1 ~ 153000 miles
TREAD/BELT > TIRES on sunday evening 5/23/04 at 10:00 pm i experienced a tire failure/tread separation on the left rear tire of my...	1
WIRING > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM i have a 1987 rx7 na the engine caught on fire the other day and i luckily had an extinguisher...	1 ~ 146100 miles
TURBO/SUPERCHARGER > OTHER FUEL TYPES > ENGINE oil line to turbo's collapsed causing the inner coolers to be flooded with oil. this was caused by the apex...	1 ~ 31000 miles
STARTER ASSEMBLY > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM dt: the contact states that he owns a 1987 mazda rx7. he states a recall came out nhtsa campaign 05v317000....	1
FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM > STORAGE > FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER dt: the contact states that he owns a 1987 mazda rx7. he states a recall came out nhtsa campaign 05v317000....	1
FRONT > SUSPENSION this seems to be a common failure for this car. not only is it an expensive repair but from what...	1
INTERIOR/UNDER DASH > WIRING > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM headlight harness melted and knocked out "headlight switch"...known problem and common not recognized by mazda as worthy of being fixed....	1
TAIL LIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING as i was driving home one evening at approximately 11:30pm in my 1991 mazda rx7 my interior gauge lights suddenly...	1
BACK UP LIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING as i was driving home one evening at approximately 11:30pm in my 1991 mazda rx7 my interior gauge lights suddenly...	1
COIL SPRINGS > SPRINGS > FRONT manufacturer's headquarters had advised consumer that front passenger's side coil spring would not be available from japan until 2 weeks	1
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN when changing from 2nd to 3rd 3rd to 4th gear engine making a loud noise (rpm go up) the car	1
LATCH > HOOD > LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES stricker that latches to hood latch broke off from hood assembly. consumer felt that hood may fly up while driving.	1
WHEELS wheels cracked (not just coating) on spokes close to center of the wheel. i believe this happens on 93 wheels	1
ROTOR > DISC > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS fuel lines fittings failed causing leak prior to recall notice resulting in fire (95v069000). yh...	1
POWER ASSIST > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC abs brakes dont work until car warms up.in addition in addition vacuum lines and check valve were replaced a sper	1
DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM > VISIBILITY the consumer has been experiencing problems with the defroster as well as windshield wiper motor. windshield wipers work intermittently. also	1
BODY > STRUCTURE 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	1
CLUTCH ASSEMBLY > POWER TRAIN 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	1
TRUNK LID > BODY > STRUCTURE 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	1
SEATS alternator shorted out and caused the car to catch on fire....	1
SHOCK ABSORBER > REAR > SUSPENSION egr valve failed twice also replaced rear shock/oilpressure sensor. *ak...	1
GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE) > EMISSION CONTROL > EXHAUST SYSTEM egr valve failed twice also replaced rear shock/oilpressure sensor. *ak...	1
FRAME AND MEMBERS > STRUCTURE paint is peeling off the vehicle. *ak...	1
ACCESSORY SCISSOR/SCREW/BOTTLE JACK/LIFT > MECHANICAL > EQUIPMENT bearings in jack came out while jacking up car causing a loud snapping noise/car to fall down. *sd...	1
RADIATOR ASSEMBLY > COOLING SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING engine coolant cap cracked leaking coolant prior to recall (94v-095). *ak...	1
FRONTAL > AIR BAGS went over a cliff hit some trees and the drivers air bag did not deploy. tt...	1
HORN > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM i hope i have contacted the correct website address. if not please forgive me. i have the occasion to drive...	1
WINDSHIELD > VISIBILITY defectively designed computer chip caused engine to stall when a/c unit is operating. mazda refuses to repair under warranty. nlm...	1
AIR CONDITIONER > APPLIANCE > EQUIPMENT when air conditoning is used vehicle stalls. also there is a loss steering power. computer module has been replaced but	1
FUEL PUMP > DELIVERY > FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE fuel pump shut off valve puts too much pressure not allowing pressure to back off flooding engine preventing starting. please	1
FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS > WIRING > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM vehicle's headlight light switch circuit board module overheats and starts fire.the lights turn and off intermitently with no warning.the headlight	1
CALIPER > DISC > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS the brake pad failed....	1
HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM > STEERING when air conditoning is used vehicle stalls. also there is a loss steering power. computer module has been replaced but	1
RECLINER > FRONT ASSEMBLY > SEATS fuel pump shut off valve puts too much pressure not allowing pressure to back off flooding engine preventing starting. please	1
PUMP > HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST > STEERING engine light came on vehicle stalled several tiimes replace power steering pump....	1

FAQ

What year Mazda RX-7 is the most reliable?

Speaking of the models produced in the last 2 years, Mazda RX-7 models of 1994, 1993 year of manufacture have had the least number of complaints.

What year was a bad year for Mazda RX-7?

Mazda RX-7 models of 1993 and 1994 are probably the years to be avoided like the plague due to a higher than an average number of issues reported.

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