NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Buckle Assembly
1961.3%
Engine
39.7%
Retractor
39.7%
Automatic Transmission
26.5%
Spindle
13.2%
ARM
13.2%
Carburetor System
13.2%
Gasoline
13.2%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Feb 1995peak 5Apr 2004
NHTSA investigations into the 1989 Mazda 323
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
EA95005Opened 10 Mar 1995Closed 1 Aug 1995SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
TAKATA SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE
Recalls on the 1989 Mazda 323
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 199508548,568 units in Canada
Seats And Restraints
THE (Takata) ABS PLASTIC FRONT SEAT BELT RELEASE BUTTONS ON THESE VEHICLES MAY BREAK ALLOWING PLASTIC PIECES TO FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY. IF THIS SHOULD HAPPEN, A NO LATCH, FALSE LATCH OR FAILURE TO UNLATCH CONDITION COULD OCCUR CREATING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH OR SUDDEN STOP. CORRECTION: FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLES WILL BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED AS NECESSARY.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Cedar Hill, TXFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
DRIVING AT SPEED 65MPH, VEHICLE OVERHEATED, UNDER THE HOOD COMPARTMENT FIRE, FAULTY FUEL PUMP, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO EXPLODE.
NHTSA complaint #803239 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cedar Hill, TXFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
DRIVING AT SPEED 65MPH, VEHICLE OVERHEATED, UNDER THE HOOD COMPARTMENT FIRE, FAULTY FUEL PUMP, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO EXPLODE.
NHTSA complaint #803239 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Harrisburg, PACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHEN DRIVING THE VHEILCE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT.*AK *SLC
NHTSA complaint #802035 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
East Meadow, NYFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE . TT
NHTSA complaint #973117 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Evansville, INCrash1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
CONSUMER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT BROAD SIDE A CAR THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT DIDN'T RESTRAINT ME ON IMPACT CAR WAS TOTALED. TT
NHTSA complaint #964002 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Corpus Chris, TXFire
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
ENGINE; CAR HAD THREE FIRE FROM TRANSMISSION FLUID FALLING ON THE TRANSMISSION. TT
NHTSA complaint #959591 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 178,000 milesWinnsboro, LA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
THE ALTERNATOR QUIT WHICH CAUSED THE COOLING FAN TO STOP , THE HEAT LIGHT DIDNT COME ON SO THE CAR RAN HOT AND EXPLODED THE RADIATOR, THE TOP OF THE RADIATOR CRACKED AND SPEWED OUT ALL OF THE WATER , THE BRAKES FAILED TWICE AND HAD TO REPLACE THE MASTER CYLINDER AND REAR BRAKES ,
NHTSA complaint #10068899 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 178,000 milesWinnsboro, LA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE ALTERNATOR QUIT WHICH CAUSED THE COOLING FAN TO STOP , THE HEAT LIGHT DIDNT COME ON SO THE CAR RAN HOT AND EXPLODED THE RADIATOR, THE TOP OF THE RADIATOR CRACKED AND SPEWED OUT ALL OF THE WATER , THE BRAKES FAILED TWICE AND HAD TO REPLACE THE MASTER CYLINDER AND REAR BRAKES ,
NHTSA complaint #10068899 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 178,000 milesWinnsboro, LA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THE ALTERNATOR QUIT WHICH CAUSED THE COOLING FAN TO STOP , THE HEAT LIGHT DIDNT COME ON SO THE CAR RAN HOT AND EXPLODED THE RADIATOR, THE TOP OF THE RADIATOR CRACKED AND SPEWED OUT ALL OF THE WATER , THE BRAKES FAILED TWICE AND HAD TO REPLACE THE MASTER CYLINDER AND REAR BRAKES ,
NHTSA complaint #10068899 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Baton Rouge, LA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
MECHANIC WAS INFORMED BY MAZDA TO CAREFULLY OBSERVE BELT TENSION. MECHANIC FEELS THAT MAZDA'S DESIGN ON THE CRANKSHAFT HAS TOO LITTLE METAL LEFT AFTER THE FRONT JOUNAL TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE STRENGTH FOR CRANK NOT TO BREAK OVER LONG PERIOD OF TIME. CRANKSHAFT IS CUT DOWN A LOT FROM THE JOURNAL SIZE. MECHANIC NOTED THAT MAZDA HAS A SERVICE BULLENTIN IN REFERENCE TO ACCESORY BELT TENSIONS AND FEELS THAT MAZDA IS NOT WANTING TO ADMIT THAT CRANKSHAFT IS TOO SMALL. DIAMETER OF SHAFT LENDS ITSELF TO PERMATURE FAILURE DUE TO METAL FATIGUE. MECHANIC NOTED OTHER REPORTS ON NHTSA WEBSITE IN REFERENCE TO THIS PROBLEM. FELT NOTICE NEEDS TO BE OUT THERE. PROPERLY SIZED CRANKSHAFTS WITH PROPER LUBRICATION DO NOT BREAK. THEY ARE REUSED IN MOTOR CORES FOR REBUILDING. THIS RESULTED IN A PURCHASE OF A NEW ENGINE, NOT A REBULIT, FROM MAZDA.
NHTSA complaint #738381 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Denton, TX
SUSPENSION
RIGHT/LEFT TIRES ARE JERKING REAL BAD WHEN TRAVELING AT ABOUT 60 MPH.
NHTSA complaint #850014 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jamica, NY
SUSPENSION:FRONT
WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH THERE IS VIBRATION WITHIN THE STEEING WHEEL AND THE STEERING IS OFF CENTER.
NHTSA complaint #846269 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Maynardville, TN
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
CONSUMER HAS A VEHCLE WHERE NEITHER ONE OF THE REAR RESTRAINT BELTS WORK. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #829824 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Narberth, PA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
VEHICLE SHIFTED FROM PARK TO DRIVE AND EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION RESULTING IN VEHICLE COLLISION.
NHTSA complaint #541052 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Biscayne Park, FL
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
WHILE DRIVING THE LEFT REAR WHEEL CAME OUT DUE TO BOLTS DETACHING.
NHTSA complaint #533367 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Biscayne Park, FL
STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM
WHILE DRIVING THE LEFT REAR WHEEL CAME OUT DUE TO SPINDLE BREAKING OFF.
NHTSA complaint #533367 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Philadelphia, PA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT BROKE, WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING ENGINE FAILURE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #816063 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Saginaw, MN
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE CRANKSHAKT HAS BEEN REPLACED AT FOUR DIFFERENT TIMES .
NHTSA complaint #808645 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cedar Hill, TXFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
DRIVING AT SPEED 65MPH, VEHICLE OVERHEATED, UNDER THE HOOD COMPARTMENT FIRE, FAULTY FUEL PUMP, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO EXPLODE.
NHTSA complaint #803239 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cedar Hill, TXFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
DRIVING AT SPEED 65MPH, VEHICLE OVERHEATED, UNDER THE HOOD COMPARTMENT FIRE, FAULTY FUEL PUMP, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO EXPLODE.
NHTSA complaint #803239 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Harrisburg, PACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHEN DRIVING THE VHEILCE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT.*AK *SLC
NHTSA complaint #802035 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
South Gate, CA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR LOCKS UP WHEN TRYING TO RETRACT IT BACK MANUALLY . PLEASE DESCRIBE .
NHTSA complaint #801696 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lancaster, CA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE, ALSO VEHICLE OVERHEATED.
NHTSA complaint #507413 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Grand Rapi, MI
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
DRIVERS SEAT BELT BUCKLE CAME UNBUCKLED WHEN HIT FROM BEHIND, CAUSING INJURIES TO DRIVER. *DSH
NHTSA complaint #503038 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Jose, CA
SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:SPINDLE
WHEEL SPINDLE BROKE, CAUSING WHEEL TO FALL OFF. *DSH
NHTSA complaint #503016 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Provo, UT
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
PLASTIC GUIDE IN SEAT BELT LATCH BROKE, MAKING IT HARD TO LATCH SEAT BELT.(95V103005) *DSH
NHTSA complaint #490988 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sebago Lake, ME
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
#EA95-005 THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE ARE BROKEN. TT THE DEALER STATES THAT NO DECISIONS HAVE BEEN MADE REGARDING A RECALL, HOWEVER THERE IS A RECALL, 95V103005. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #975790 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Narrows, VA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
#95V103005 THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE BROKE. TT
NHTSA complaint #973765 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Bedford, MA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
THE DRIVERS SIDE SEATBELT BUCKLE DOES NOT LATCH AND IS NOT COVERED IN THE RECALL. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
NHTSA complaint #973516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
East Meadow, NYFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE . TT
NHTSA complaint #973117 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sayreville, NJ
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
VEHICLES DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT FEMALE PORTION BROKE. TT
NHTSA complaint #970855 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.