Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1994 Mazda RX-7
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Engine & Cooling
830.8%
Median failure at 82,000 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
519.2%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 147,900 mi
Suspension
311.5%
Other & Unspecified
27.7%
Median failure at 98,000 miles
Brakes
27.7%
Airbags
27.7%
2 crashes, 0 fires
Electrical System
27.7%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 82,000 mi
Doors, Latches & Locks
13.8%
Body & Structure
13.8%
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.
Jun 1995peak 3Dec 2007
Recalls on the 1994 Mazda RX-7
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.
United States — NHTSA
00E069000
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: MAZDA SPEED RESINOUS HOODS, DESIGNED AND SOLD AS ACCESSORY PARTS FOR MODEL YEAR 1992-1995 RX7 VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JUNE 1, 1997, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 19, 2000.
Risk: A HOOK ON A HOOD STRIKER FOR THE RESINOUS HOOD MAY SEPARATE FROM A BASE PLATE AT THE WELDED PORTION DUE TO INSUFFICIENT WELDING STRENGTH. THE HOOD MAY SUDDENLY OPEN DURING OPERATION, LOSING FRONT VISIBILITY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
96V149000
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
OIL MIST CONTAINED IN THE ENGINE INTAKE AIR CAN COLLECT OVER TIME IN THE BRAKE VACUUM CHECK VALVE PREVENTING THE CHECK VALVE FROM OPENING AT THE SPECIFIED PRESSURE REDUCING POWER ASSIST TO THE BRAKES.
Risk: BRAKE PERFORMANCE CAN BE DIMINISHED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
95V069000
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
RESIDUAL ENGINE HEAT CAN CAUSE PREMATURE DETERIORATION OF THE FUEL HOSE CAUSING THE HOSE TO LEAK. ALSO, REMOVING AND REINSTALLING THE DETERIORATED FUEL HOSES INCREASES THE LIKELIHOOD OF A LEAK.
Risk: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
94V094000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
THE RADIATOR CAP PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE RELEASE PRESSURE IS SET TOO HIGH. THIS CAN CAUSE THE COOLANT TO REACH TEMPERATURES THAT EXCEED THE THERMAL DESIGN LIMITS OF SOME COMPONENTS OF THE COOLANT SYSTEM. SHOULD THIS OCCUR, ENGINE COOLANT CAN LEAK COLLECT ON TOP OF THE ENGINE.
Risk: IF ENGINE COOLANT LEAKS ONTO THE HOT ENGINE EXHAUST MANIFOLD FROM THE TOP OF THE ENGINE, AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE CAN RESULT.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 1996123682 units in Canada
Brakes
OIL MIST CONTAINED IN THE ENGINE INTAKE AIR MAY COLLECT OVER TIME IN THE BRAKE VACUUM CHECK VALVE, PREVENTING THE CHECK VALVE FROM OPENING AT THE SPECIFIED PRESSURE. THIS COULD RESULT IN DIMINISHED BRAKE PERFORMANCE ON THE FIRST TO THIRD ATTEMPTS AFTER THE VEHICLE IS LEFT PARKED OVERNIGHT, AND RESTARTED IN THE MORNING. CORRECTION: THE TWO VACUUM HOSES WILL BE REPLACED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.
Recall 1995067680 units in Canada
Fuel System
RESIDUAL ENGINE HEAT AFTER THE ENGINE IS TURNED OFF MAY CAUSE PREMATURE DETERIORATION OF FUEL HOSE ELASTICITY. THIS MAY LEAD TO A REDUCTION IN THE SEATING PERFORMANCE OF THE FUEL HOSES. IN ADDITION, REMOVING AND REINSTALLING THE DETERIORATED FUEL HOSES MAY CAUSE FUEL SEEPAGE WHICH COULD POSSIBLY RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. CORRECTION: FUEL HOSES WILL BE REPLACED WITH MODIFIED HOSES.
Recall 1994092577 units in Canada
Engine
THE PRESSURE AT WHICH THE RADIATOR CAP PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE RELEASES THE BUILD UP OF COOLING SYSTEM PRESSURE IS SET TOO HIGH. THIS CAN RESULT IN EXCESSIVE COOLANT TEMPERATURE AND COOLING SYSTEM LEAKS. LEAKING COOLANT MIXTURE CAN COLLECT ON THE TOP OF THE ENGINE, WHERE SOME OF THE WATER CAN EVAPORATE, INCREASING THE CONCENTRATION OF THE COOLANT. IF THE COOLANT THEN LEAKS ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD, AN ENGINE FIRE CAN RESULT. CORRECTION: VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED AND THE RADIATOR CAP AND THE FILLER CAP BODY WILL BE REPLACED. VEHICLES EXHIBITING LEAKAGE SUFFICIENT TO TRIGGER THE COOLANT LEVEL WARNING SYSTEM WILL HAVE THE FOLLOWING COMPONENTS REPLACED: WATER PUMP BEARING HOUSING, WATER LEVEL SENSOR AND UPPER RADIATOR HOSE, THERMOSTAT GASKET, AND ALL WATER HOSES LOCATED ABOVE THE ENGINE.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Foster City, CAFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
COMMON FAILURE OF FUEL PLUSATION DAMPER RESULTS IN FUEL LEAK UNDER HOOD AND ENGINE FIRE. SHOULD ISSUE RECALL AND DESIGN STRONG PART.
NHTSA complaint #759069 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Warren, NJFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK, DRIVING UNDER VERY NORMAL CONDITIONS. I HAD THE FOLLOWING ACCESSORIES ON AT THE TIME OF THE FIRE. HEATER, RADIO, REAR DEFROSTER, AND MAYBE THE HEADLIGHTS. I WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WHEN SMOKE STARTED TO COME OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I PULLED OVER TURNED OFF THE CAR AND SLOWLY OPENED THE HOOD TO FIND THE MAIN FUSE BOX (CONNECTED TO THE BATTERY) ON FIRE. THERE WERE FLAMES ABOUT 4-5 INCHES HIGH. I WAS ABLE TO BLOW THE FIRE OUT. I THEN LET THE CAR REST FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES. AFTER THAT I STARTED THE CAR AND DROVE IT HOME. AFTER THE FIRE, ANY TIME ANY ELECTRICAL ACCESSORY IS TURNED ON (BLINKER, LIGHTS, HEATER, A/C, BRAKES) THE "CHARGE" AND "ABS" WARNING LIGHTS COME ON, AND SO DO THE WARNING LIGHTS BUILT INTO THE OIL PRESSURE, FUEL LEVEL, AND WATER TEMP GAUGES. THE FIRE DAMAGED THE ONE END OF THE FUSE BOX WITH THE 120 AMP FUSE AS WELL AS SOME SURROUNDING WIRES AND CONNECTORS, AND THE UNDERHOOD INSULATION WHICH WAS BURNED BY THE FLAMES.
NHTSA complaint #713471 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TXCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WENT OVER A CLIFF, HIT SOME TREES AND THE DRIVERS AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. TT
NHTSA complaint #966480 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TXCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WENT OVER A CLIFF HIT SOME TREES AND THE PASSENGERS AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. TT
NHTSA complaint #966480 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 147,900 milesCitrus Hieghts, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
MAZDA 1994 RX7 FD3S PULSATION DAMPENER FAILURE. CAUSED LOSS OF FUEL AND DAMAGE TO WIRE HARNESS. THE FUEL LEAKED ONTO AND INTO THE WIRE HARNESS AND CAUSED THE HARNESS TO BECOME SATURATED, DAMP AND BRITTLE. I ALSO HAD TO PAY TO REPLACE AND INSTALL NEW PULSATION DAMPENER, WIRE HARNESS, INTAKE GASKET AND A FEW OTHER PARTS DO TO THE PULSATION DAMPENER FAILURE. I ALSO HAD TO PAY FOR LABOR. TOTAL WAS AROUND $1600.00 USD. I AM NOT HAPPY AND I HEAR THIS DAMPER FAILS ALL THE TIME FOR MY LOCAL DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #10212593 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 147,900 milesCitrus Hieghts, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
MAZDA 1994 RX7 FD3S PULSATION DAMPENER FAILURE. CAUSED LOSS OF FUEL AND DAMAGE TO WIRE HARNESS. THE FUEL LEAKED ONTO AND INTO THE WIRE HARNESS AND CAUSED THE HARNESS TO BECOME SATURATED, DAMP AND BRITTLE. I ALSO HAD TO PAY TO REPLACE AND INSTALL NEW PULSATION DAMPENER, WIRE HARNESS, INTAKE GASKET AND A FEW OTHER PARTS DO TO THE PULSATION DAMPENER FAILURE. I ALSO HAD TO PAY FOR LABOR. TOTAL WAS AROUND $1600.00 USD. I AM NOT HAPPY AND I HEAR THIS DAMPER FAILS ALL THE TIME FOR MY LOCAL DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #10212593 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 82,000 milesBallwin, MO
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CONSUMER STATES: THE COOLING FANS DO NOT COME ON AFTER THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE OVER HEATS UNLESS THE PARKING LIGHTS ARE TURNED ON. IT GET TO HOT BEFORE THE FANS COME ON.
NHTSA complaint #10120639 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 82,000 milesBallwin, MO
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CONSUMER STATES: THE COOLING FANS DO NOT COME ON AFTER THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE OVER HEATS UNLESS THE PARKING LIGHTS ARE TURNED ON. IT GET TO HOT BEFORE THE FANS COME ON.
NHTSA complaint #10120639 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 98,000 milesJacksonville, FL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THIS IS A MAJOR CAUSE OF ENGINE FIRES. THIS SHOULD BE REPLACED BY THE MANUFACTURER. *JB ***DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS****770782
NHTSA complaint #10006638 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LAS Vegas, NV
SUSPENSION:FRONT
THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON FAILURE FOR THIS CAR. NOT ONLY IS IT AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR, BUT FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND THIS 'PULSATION DAMPER' FAILURE HAS LEAD TO MANY FIRES IN THIS CAR. I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM IS HAPPENING AGAIN AND I HOPE I DON'T HAVE TO PAY ANOTHER $500 TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AGAIN. I THINK THAT BECAUSE IT IS SO DANGEROUS AND SO COMMON IN THIS CAR, MAZDA SHOULD ACCEPT SOME OF THE RESPONSIBILITY.
NHTSA complaint #761191 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Smyrna, TN
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
I CAME EXTREMELY CLOSE TO AN ENGINE FIRE. MY ENGINE BAY WAS SOAKED WITH FUEL. NOW HALF THE ENGINE HAS TO BE TAKEN OUT IN ORDER TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. I SHOULDNT HAVE TO FIX THIS. THE RX-7 HAS BEEN AROUND LONG ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO COME UP WITH A SUITABLE FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM. I DONT WANT THIS TO HAPPEN AGAIN. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS. WHY IS THIS NOT ON THE FUEL SYSTEM RECALL FIX LIST. IT IS KNOW TO FAIL.
NHTSA complaint #760531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Foster City, CAFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
COMMON FAILURE OF FUEL PLUSATION DAMPER RESULTS IN FUEL LEAK UNDER HOOD AND ENGINE FIRE. SHOULD ISSUE RECALL AND DESIGN STRONG PART.
NHTSA complaint #759069 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lees Summit, MO
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THERE WAS COOLANT LEAK FROM VEHICLE ONTO ENGINE. VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 94V094000. DEALER HAS REPLACED WATER PUMP, RADIATOR HOSES AND GASKETS. *AK *SLC
NHTSA complaint #880971 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lees Summit, MO
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
THERE WAS COOLANT LEAK FROM VEHICLE ONTO ENGINE. VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 94V094000. DEALER HAS REPLACED WATER PUMP, RADIATOR HOSES AND GASKETS. *AK *SLC
NHTSA complaint #880971 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lees Summit, MO
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS
THERE WAS COOLANT LEAK FROM VEHICLE ONTO ENGINE. VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 94V094000. DEALER HAS REPLACED WATER PUMP, RADIATOR HOSES AND GASKETS. *AK *SLC
NHTSA complaint #880971 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Denio, NV
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
STRICKER THAT LATCHES TO HOOD LATCH BROKE OFF FROM HOOD ASSEMBLY. CONSUMER FELT THAT HOOD MAY FLY UP WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER HAS SAME PROBLEM AS MENTIONED IN RECALL 00E069000; BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN.
NHTSA complaint #878493 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Santa Clara, CA
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD
RECALL 00 E 069 000. STRICKER HAS SEPARATED CAUSING HOOD TO STAY OPEN. RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR AFTER MARKET PARTS ONLY.
NHTSA complaint #878308 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Escondido, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
PULSATION DAMPER ON FUEL RAIL LEAKS FUEL ONTO ENGINE AND WIRING.
NHTSA complaint #738844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MT Prospect, IL
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
MANUFACTURER'S HEADQUARTERS HAD ADVISED CONSUMER THAT FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE COIL SPRING WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE FROM JAPAN UNTIL 2 WEEKS AFTER ORDERING IT. CONSUMER FELT THAT TOO MUCH TIME WAS SPENT ORDERING A PART.
NHTSA complaint #862834 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Lauderdale, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE EXPERIENCES INTERMITTENT STALLING WHILE DRIVING OR AT A STAND STILL. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN / OUT OF DEALER ON FOUR OCCASIONS, AND PROBLEMS STILL OCCURRING, WHEN AIR CONDITIONING IS ON THE PROBLEM IS MORE SEVERE.
NHTSA complaint #859187 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cedar Park, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
CURRENTLY HAVING THE 4TH ENGINE INSTALLED DUE TO SEAL FAILURES. MANUFACTURER IS UNCOOPERATIVE. PREVIOUS RX7 HAD ENGINE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #713854 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Warren, NJFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK, DRIVING UNDER VERY NORMAL CONDITIONS. I HAD THE FOLLOWING ACCESSORIES ON AT THE TIME OF THE FIRE. HEATER, RADIO, REAR DEFROSTER, AND MAYBE THE HEADLIGHTS. I WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WHEN SMOKE STARTED TO COME OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I PULLED OVER TURNED OFF THE CAR AND SLOWLY OPENED THE HOOD TO FIND THE MAIN FUSE BOX (CONNECTED TO THE BATTERY) ON FIRE. THERE WERE FLAMES ABOUT 4-5 INCHES HIGH. I WAS ABLE TO BLOW THE FIRE OUT. I THEN LET THE CAR REST FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES. AFTER THAT I STARTED THE CAR AND DROVE IT HOME. AFTER THE FIRE, ANY TIME ANY ELECTRICAL ACCESSORY IS TURNED ON (BLINKER, LIGHTS, HEATER, A/C, BRAKES) THE "CHARGE" AND "ABS" WARNING LIGHTS COME ON, AND SO DO THE WARNING LIGHTS BUILT INTO THE OIL PRESSURE, FUEL LEVEL, AND WATER TEMP GAUGES. THE FIRE DAMAGED THE ONE END OF THE FUSE BOX WITH THE 120 AMP FUSE AS WELL AS SOME SURROUNDING WIRES AND CONNECTORS, AND THE UNDERHOOD INSULATION WHICH WAS BURNED BY THE FLAMES.
NHTSA complaint #713471 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Somerville, NJ
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET MADE OUT OF CARDBOARD NEW ONE METAL REPAIRMAN SAID "90% OF THESE CARS HAVE THIS PROBLEM" AND I WAS TOLD BY PETER FARREL RACING THAT THIS IS A NORMAL OCCURENCE AT 60 OR 70 THOUSAND MILES THIS PART IS OBVIOSLY FAULTY
NHTSA complaint #709370 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vacaville, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS BRAKES DONT WORK UNTIL CAR WARMS UP.IN ADDITION, IN ADDITION, VACUUM LINES AND CHECK VALVE WERE REPLACED A SPER RECALL (96V-149.000).
NHTSA complaint #526865 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vacaville, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST
ABS BRAKES DONT WORK UNTIL CAR WARMS UP.IN ADDITION, IN ADDITION, VACUUM LINES AND CHECK VALVE WERE REPLACED A SPER RECALL (96V-149.000).
NHTSA complaint #526865 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Madison, WI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)
EGR VALVE FAILED TWICE, ALSO REPLACED REAR SHOCK/OILPRESSURE SENSOR.
NHTSA complaint #508013 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Madison, WI
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
EGR VALVE FAILED TWICE, ALSO REPLACED REAR SHOCK/OILPRESSURE SENSOR.
NHTSA complaint #508013 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Madison, WI
SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER
EGR VALVE FAILED TWICE, ALSO REPLACED REAR SHOCK/OILPRESSURE SENSOR.
NHTSA complaint #508013 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TXCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WENT OVER A CLIFF, HIT SOME TREES AND THE DRIVERS AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. TT
NHTSA complaint #966480 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.