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 3Jun 2010
NHTSA investigations into the 1989 Mazda RX7
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.
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
96V173000
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
THE RAIL OF THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT CAN WEAR SUFFICIENTLY SUCH THAT THE CABLE WHICH RETRACTS THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY WILL BECOME JAMMED IN THE RAIL RENDERING THE SHOULDER BELT INOPERATIVE.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE COLLISION, THE OCCUPANT WOULD NOT BE ADEQUATELY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Stockbridge, GAFire1 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY DOING 63 MPH WHEN I SMELLED A FUNNY SMELL I PULLED OVER AND THE FRONT OF MY CAR WAS ON FIRE. THE PULSATION DAMPER FAILED CAUSING SERIOUS ENGINE DAMAGE AND ALMOST COST ME MY LIFE IF IT WASN'T FOR OTHER MOTORIST I WOULD NOT BE HERE MY ARM WAS SLIGHTLY BURNED BUT IT QUICKLY HEALED I HAVE NOT CURRENTLY HAD THE CAR REPAIRED IM SEEKING A BEST ESTIMATE FOR THE REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #10214354 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, ILFire1 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE FIRE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT).
NHTSA complaint #543149 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Northfield, VT
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
I OWN A 1989 MAZDA RX 7. I RECENTLY SAW A RECALL ON THE FORD RECALL WEB SITE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 96V173000, FRONT WEBBING FOR RX'S MANUFACTURED BETWEEN 12/24/88 TO 05/31/91. I HAVE THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM ON MY SEATS. I CONTACTED A LOCAL DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT MY RX WAS NOT IN THE GROUP FOR THE RECALL. THE DEALER DID THIS BY VIN # , [XXX] , AND STATED MY CAR DID NOT FALL IN THE RECALL. THE DEALER PROVIDED A PRINT OUT SHOWING MY RX WAS MANUFACTURED, 01/10/89. I FEEL THAT THE PROBLEM IS WITHIN THE RANGE OF THE RECALL, MY VEHICLE IS AN RX7, AND MANUFACTURED IN THE RANGE OF THE RECALL. I AM REQUESTING HELP IN RESOLVING THIS PROBLEM. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR UPDATED 07/08/11.
NHTSA complaint #10335347 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stockbridge, GAFire1 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY DOING 63 MPH WHEN I SMELLED A FUNNY SMELL I PULLED OVER AND THE FRONT OF MY CAR WAS ON FIRE. THE PULSATION DAMPER FAILED CAUSING SERIOUS ENGINE DAMAGE AND ALMOST COST ME MY LIFE IF IT WASN'T FOR OTHER MOTORIST I WOULD NOT BE HERE MY ARM WAS SLIGHTLY BURNED BUT IT QUICKLY HEALED I HAVE NOT CURRENTLY HAD THE CAR REPAIRED IM SEEKING A BEST ESTIMATE FOR THE REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #10214354 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 95,000 milesHilo, HI
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
DT: THE CONTACT STATED PREVIOUSLY HAD RECALL 96V173000 REPAIR WORK PERFORMED ON THE SEAT BELTS: FRONT: WEBBING. HOWEVER THE FAILURE RECURRED AND NO ADDITIONAL REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. THE DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED, AND THEY CLAIMED SINCE THE RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE THEY COULD DO. *AK UPDATED 1/23/2006 -
NHTSA complaint #10145939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Anchorage, AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
"HEADLIGHT HARNESS" MELTED AND KNOCKED OUT "HEADLIGHT SWITCH"...KNOWN PROBLEM AND COMMON, NOT RECOGNIZED BY MAZDA AS WORTHY OF BEING FIXED. TAKES OUT DRIVING LIGHTS, AND INTERIOR LIGHTS, WHICH IS VERY UNSAFE AT NIGHT IN DARK REGIONS. CONTACTED LOCAL MAZDA DEALER, WAS TOLD IT WAS NEVER RECALLED OR ANYTHING. NLM
NHTSA complaint #759846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Santa Monica, CA
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
THIS IS A KNOWN COMMON PROBLEM AMONG THE 1987-1991 RX-7 OWNERS. SPEED ADJUSTER FOR THE WINDSHIELD ONLY OPERATE AT THE TOP SPEED. RENDERING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO USE IN THE LIGHT SPRINKLE; HAVE TO KEEP TURNING IT ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #746449 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Potomac, MD
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRING
WHILE IN USE THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS MALFUNCTION WHICH MAY CAUSE VISUAL DIFFICULTY, AND MAY RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. DEALER WILL REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD WIPER SWITCH. ALSO KNOWN PROBLEMS WITH THIS WIPER SWITCH WHICH COST ABOUT $500 TO REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #832700 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, ILFire1 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE FIRE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT).
NHTSA complaint #543149 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ST. Antonio, TX
SEAT BELTS
THE CONSUMER HAS RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FOR AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELTS. SINCE RECEIVING THE LETTER, NO PARTS HAS BEEN AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. RECALL NUMBER 96V173000.
NHTSA complaint #831857 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, TX
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WINDSHIELD WIPER SWITCH ONLY WORKS ON 1 SPEED. WIPERS DO NOT STOP IN THE DOWN POSITION.
NHTSA complaint #540666 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hull, GA
SEAT BELTS
OWNER STATES THAT RECEVIED A RECALL NOTICE FOR SHOULDER BELTS, BUT HAS BEEN UNABLE TO GET WORK DONE BECAUSE OF NO PARTS. ALSO DEALER PULLED HIS SEAT BELT APART AND DID NOT COMPLETE WORK BECAUSE OF NO PARTS. 96V173000.
NHTSA complaint #810380 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NHTSA complaint #515950 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mission, TX
SEAT BELTS
OWNER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE #96V17300 FOR AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELTS. TOOK TO DEALER & HAD REPAIRS DONE; PROBLEM W/SHOULDER BELT HAS REOCCURRED A SHORT TIME LATER; DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #809233 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Charlestown, SC
SEAT BELTS
NO PARTS FOR SHOULDER BEL, TMANUFACTURER TOLD CUSTOMER THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW WHEN MORE PARTS WOULD BE COMING IN.
NHTSA complaint #807425 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Coram, NY
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT RETRACTOR INOPERATIVE.
NHTSA complaint #510984 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austerlitz, NY
SEAT BELTS
MOTORIZED SEAT BELT RETRACTOR INOPERATIVE.
NHTSA complaint #509956 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Poulsbo, WA
SEAT BELTS
DRIVER'S SIDE MOTORBELT FAILED TO MOVE IN FORWARD POSITION DUE TO STRIPPED TRACK.
NHTSA complaint #510068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sanford, FL
SEAT BELTS
FAILURE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT, THE SHOULDER BELT WAS IN THE MIDWAY POSITION PRIOR TO RECALL (96V-173).
NHTSA complaint #804366 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Casper, WY
SEAT BELTS
THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT IS INOPERATIVE. THE SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETRACT TOWARDS THE BODY WHEN THE DOOR IS CLOSED.
NHTSA complaint #804394 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Castro Valley, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND THE ABS BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON , TOOK TO DEALER THE OIL WAS LEAKING . PLEASE DESCRIBE .
NHTSA complaint #803001 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Castro Valley, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND THE ABS BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON , TOOK TO DEALER THE OIL WAS LEAKING . PLEASE DESCRIBE .
NHTSA complaint #803001 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Margate, FL
SEAT BELTS
FAILURE OF THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT RETRACTORS, THE SEAT BELT IS IN THE RETRACTING POSITION, PE96-027.
NHTSA complaint #801409 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Addison, IL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE REPLACED DUE TO DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #501597 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
South Windso, CT
SEAT BELTS
THE AUTOMATIC SEATBELT FOR THE DRIVER DOES NOT GO UP AND DOWN THE TRACK. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
NHTSA complaint #968931 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
South Windso, CT
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THE MOTOR HAS BLOWN IN CAR WHILE DRIVING. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
NHTSA complaint #968935 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Jose, CA
SEAT BELTS
LAP/SHOULDER BELT ON DRIVER SIDE FAILED DUE FAULTY CABLE THAT BROKE. TT
NHTSA complaint #967635 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.