34 of the
61 complaints about the 1987 Mazda RX7 are about the
fuel system — 56% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
153,000 miles.
F
34
Complaints
1
Crashes
16
Fires
1
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Fuel Injection System
1132.4%
Fuel System, Gasoline
926.5%
Injectors
38.8%
Delivery
25.9%
Carburetor System
25.9%
Hoses, Lines/Piping, AND Fittings
25.9%
Tank Assembly
12.9%
Fuel Pump
12.9%
Fuel System, Other
12.9%
Fuel Gauge System
12.9%
What owners said
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
at 178,983 milesOntario, CAFire
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
ON 11/07/2012 AT APPROXIMATELY 7:15 A.M. WHILE LEAVING WORK I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM BEHIND THE RADIO. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND REALIZED THERE WAS FIRE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I WAS ABLE TO PUT IT OUT QUICKLY BEFORE IT SPREAD. THE DAMAGE TO MY CAR WAS SOMEWHAT SUBSTANTIAL UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED, AND EXPLAINED THAT IT'S A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS PARTICULAR MODEL. I DID A LITTLE MORE RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THE ISSUE IS THE PULSATION DAMPENER THAT IS ATTACHED TO THE FUEL RAIL MOUNTED UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CAUSING IT TO FAIL AND COM-BUST.
NHTSA complaint #10483752 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Goodyear, AZ
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
FIRST OFF I THOUGHT YOU GUYS CARED ABOUT THE CARS WE DROVE, THEN HOW COME YOU ALLOW THIS TO GO ON WITHOUT A RECALL IT AMAZES ME HOW STUPID YOU GUYS HAVE TO BE TO LET THIS ONE JUST SLID ON BY. MY DAMPER IS LEAKING FUEL RIGHT AS I TYPE THIS TO YOU. IF I DRIVE MY CAR IT MAY CATCH FIRE AND KILL INNOCENT VICTIMS. PLEASE MAKE THIS PROBLEM A SAFETY RECALL FOR DEALERSHIPS TO FIX AT THEIR OWN EXPENSE. THIS FAILURE IS EXTREMELY COMMON ON 86-88 MAZDA RX7'S, AND MAZDA KNOWS ABOUT IT. WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO PAY FOR KEEPING MY VEHICLE SAFE IF IT IS THEIR PROBLEM. SO MANY VICTIMS, SHOULD I BE THE NEXT ONE? PLEASE MAKE THIS A MANDITORY RECALL SO I CAN MAKE MY CAR ROADWORTHY ONCE MORE. I AM AFFRAID THAT MY CAR WILL CATCH FIRE IN THE NEAR FUTURE. THE PULSATION DAMPER IS MOUNTED TO THE FUEL RAIL OF ALL RX7'S AND ALL RX7'S HAVE A RISK OF BURNING TO THE GROUND. I HAVE SEEN SO MANY CARS LIKE MINE IN THE LOCAL JUNK YARDS, BLOOD ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT, FIRE DAMAGE EVERYWHERE. MAZDA EVEN MADE AN IMPROVEMENT ON THE REPLACEMENT PIECE SO THAT IT WILL NEVER LEAK AGAIN. I NEED THAT NEW DAMPER RIGHT NOW!
NHTSA complaint #10287280 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Goodyear, AZ
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
WHY SHOULD I DIE FOR MAZDA MESSED UP PULSATION DAMPERS THAT LEAK AND CAUSES FIRES AND KILL INNOCENT PEOPLE. RECALL THIS '!@#$% SO I CAN DRIVE THIS SOME GOD '!@#$% PIECE OF MIND.
NHTSA complaint #10287286 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 127,504 milesInola, OK
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
I ROUTINELY STARTED THE CAR FOR A NICE SUNDAY DRIVE AND WHILE I WAS WAITING FOR THE CAR TO WARM UP I NOTICED FUEL LEAKING ON THE GROUND. I IMMEDIATELY SHUT THE CAR OFF AND DISCOVERED THAT FUEL HAD LEAKED ALL OVER THE TOP OF THE ENGINE AND WAS RUNNING DOWN THE SIDE AND ONTO THE EXHAUST. THE FUEL LEAK WAS COMING FROM THE FUEL PULSATION DAMPER LOCATED ON THE PRIMARY FUEL INJECTOR RAIL. I CAN BUY A REPLACEMENT PART WHICH WILL FIX THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER, I HAVE HEARD MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PART FAILING ON A REGULAR BASIS SO IN ORDER TO REDUCE THE RISK OF A FIRE DUE TO A LEAKING POSITION DAMPER IT IS A GOOD IDEA TO REPLACE IT EVERY 2 YEARS. IF THIS HADN'T HAPPENED IN MY DRIVEWAY I MIGHT BE AN UNFORTUNATE VICTIM OF A CAR FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10278350 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 44,500 milesLake Villa, IL
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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 RX-7 AS ORIGINAL AS POSSIBLE.
NHTSA complaint #10267409 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 193,600 milesVisalia, CAFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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. ONLY FOR THE SAME THING TO HAPPEN AGAIN MINUS THE FIRE. I SCREWED IT BACK IN AND TIGHTENED IT THE BEST I COULD AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN. AT THIS POINT I WAS HOME SO I LOOKED AROUND THE GARAGE AND FOUND A FUEL RAIL FROM A 91 HONDA CIVIC AND I TOOK THE FUEL DAMPER OFF AND REMOVED THE SCREW CLEANED IT AND REPLACED THE O-RING ON IT. I THEN REPLACED THE ONE ON MY MAZDA WITH THE HONDA ONE ITS HELD FOR GOING ON 6 MONTHS NOW. NO MORE LEAKS.
NHTSA complaint #10255122 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 135,402 milesOcoee, FLFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10157074 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 220,201 milesSaskatoon, 00Fire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #10138389 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tucson, AZ
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10129334 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tucson, AZ
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
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.
NHTSA complaint #10129334 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LAS Vegas, NVFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
PULSATION DAMPER FAILS ON MY 1987 RX-7, CAUSES ENGINE FIRE AND TURNS A 300 DOLLAR REPAIR INTO OVER A THOUSAND DOLLARS.
NHTSA complaint #10116232 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 154,000 milesLOS Angeles, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
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.
NHTSA complaint #10059011 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 152,000 milesGretna, LA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
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
NHTSA complaint #10023100 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Baxter, MN
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ENGINE STARTED RUNNING ERRATIC. DRIVER PULLED VEHICLE OVER TO CHECK UNDER THE HOOD. THE PULSATION DAMPNER THAT CONTROLS THE FUEL GOING INTO THE ENGINE HAD CAME UNDONE AND FUEL WAS LEAKING ALL OVER THE ENGINE. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. TS
NHTSA complaint #8022491 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lawrenceville, GAFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
EVERY 2ND GEN RX-7 ASIDE FROM THE 1990 & 1991S THAT I HAVE SEEN HAVE FAILED. NOT ALL HAVE BURNED. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY.
NHTSA complaint #760284 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lawrenceville, GAFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
EVERY 2ND GEN RX-7 ASIDE FROM THE 1990 & 1991S THAT I HAVE SEEN HAVE FAILED. NOT ALL HAVE BURNED. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY.
NHTSA complaint #760284 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lawrenceville, GA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
THE STARTER HAD GIVEN OUT. I AND A FRIEND WERE IN THE PROCESS OF REPLACING IT. THE FRIEND SMELLED GAS. I GOT UNDER THE CAR, AND SMELLED GAS ALSO. WE DECIDED NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE SOURCE OF THE SMELL WAS DETERMINED. AFTER REMOVING THE INTAKE PLENUM, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE GAS LEAK WAS FROM THE PULSATION DAMPER, A COMPONENT BOLTED TO THE END OF THE PRIMARY INJECTORS FUEL RAIL. IT WAS LEAKING ONTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE, NEAR THE TOP. SINCE THE ENGINE IS OVAL, THE GAS WAS RUNNING DOWN THE SIDE OF THE ENGINE TOWARD THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD, WHICH BECOMES EXTREMELY HOT WHEN A ROTARY ENGINE IS RUNNING. ALTHOUGH THIS HAD NOT HAPPENED YET, AS THE LEAK BECAME WORSE THE GAS WOULD HAVE IGNITED, PUTTING THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER IN THE CAR AT GREAT PERIL. THIS COMPONENT SHOULD BE ENGINEERED IN SUCH A WAY THAT IT DOES NOT LEAK, EVEN IF IT FAILS. THERE ARE MANY INCIDENTS WHERE A VEHICLE HAS BEEN COMPLETELY DESTROYED BY FIRE AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE OF THIS PULSATION DAMPER.
NHTSA complaint #760274 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Diego, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #759609 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Guilford, CTFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
MY DAMPER IS LEAKING FUEL RIGHT AS I TYPE THIS TO YOU. IF I DRIVE MY CAR IT MAY CATCH FIRE AND KILL INOCENT VICTIMS. PLEASE MAKE THIS PROBLEM A SAFETY RECALL FOR DEALERSHIPS TO FIX AT THEIR OWN EXPENSE. THIS FAILURE IS EXTREMELY COMMON ON 86-88 MAZDA RX7'S, AND MAZDA KNOWS ABOUT IT. WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO PAY FOR KEEPING MY VEHICLE SAFE IF IT IS THEIR PROBLEM. SO MANY VICTIMS, SHOULD I BE THE NEXT ONE? PLEASE MAKE THIS A MANDITORY RECALL SO I CAN MAKE MY CAR ROADWORTHY ONCE MORE. I AM AFFRAID THAT MY CAR WILL CATCH FIRE IN THE NEAR FUTURE. THE PULSATION DAMPER IS MOUNTED TO THE FUEL RAIL OF ALL RX7'S AND ALL RX7'S HAVE A RISK OF BURNING TO THE GROUND. I HAVE SEEN SO MANY CARS LIKE MINE IN THE LOCAL JUNK YARDS, BLOOD ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT, FIREDAMAGE EVERYWHERE. MAZDA EVEN MADE AN IMPROVEMENT ON THE REPLACEMENT PIECE SO THAT IT WILL NEVER LEAK AGAIN. I NEED THAT NEW DAMPER RIGHT NOW!.
NHTSA complaint #759645 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Glendale, AZFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
PULSATION DAMPNER FAILED, CAUSING A GAS LEAK AND SMALL ENGINE FIRE. I WAS LUCKY AND HAD A FIRE EXTINGUISHER HANDY.
NHTSA complaint #759520 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rockville, MD
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
THE SMALL SCREW IN THE END OF THE PULSATION DAMPER HAD FALLEN OUT. OTHER PERSONS WITH THIS FAILURE HAVE HAD FIRES AS A RESULT OF THIS. IN MY CASE, I SIMPLY REPLACED THE PART. IT FAILED AGAIN ABOUT TWO YEARS LATER... AGAIN, NO FIRE, BUT IT WAS LEAKING GAS.
NHTSA complaint #759458 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Warner Robins GA, GA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
IT WAS CAUGHT IN TIME BUT COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #759188 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Evansville, INFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
PULSATION DAMPER LEAKS FUEL OUT THE SCREW HOLE ADJUSTMENT ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. IT IS THE #1 CAUSE OF RX-7 FIRES.
NHTSA complaint #759079 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #759104 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EL Paso, TXFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #759104 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #759063 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Boise, IDFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #742384 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dawsonville, GA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #739371 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOS Angeles, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
AT 130,000 MILES FUEL DAMPER EXPERIENCED FUEL LEAKAGE. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER.
NHTSA complaint #877734 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Toledo, OH
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
WHEN STARTING VEHICLE AFTER SHORT TRIPS THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM FLOODED, CAUSE UKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #849499 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.