Mazda RX-7 — Recalls, Reliability, Specs & VIN Decoder

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. *tr

Engine fire. (ohio traffic crash report).

94 v 094 000/engine cooling system: a fire started in the engine compartment while driving 30-35 mph. Dealer and manufacturer have not been notified. Feel free to provide any further. Information.*ak

Vehicle caught fire due to leaking engine coolant and gas line.

Rear exhaust caught on fire, melting the plastic molding on the bumper and above. *ak

Exhaust muffler loose causing rattle noise. Yh

Consumer states that while driving at 55 mph the vehicle caught on fire.*ak

There was an engine explosion which led to a fire while driving vehicle, dealer replaced engine prior to this incident. Tt

When sitting at stop light car engine caught on fire. Please describe details. Tt

The engine caught on fire because of a leak of gasoline. Tt

The pulsation damper rubber seal ruptured due to bad placement and design. The vehicle began leaking fuel right over the extremely hot manifold and sparked a small engin fire. In the process of extinquishing the fire, my right had was burned. I was able to extinguish the fire quickly enough so the damage was minimal.*ak

Common failure of fuel plusation damper results in fuel leak under hood and engine fire. Should issue recall and design strong part.*ak

I noticed white smoke coming into the car while driving to work. I stopped the car right away and opened the hood to see the back of the engine on fire. I put the fire out with a fire extinguisher and had the car towed to a mazda rotary engine specialist. I was informed by the mechanic that the fire was a result of the faulty factory fuel line and the fuel injection system, which are a well known problem by mazda mechanics. The mechanic told me that these fires happen quite frequently in 1993-1996 rx-7's as well as in the prior body style. I could have been seriously injured from this incident, and my car now needs over $3,000 worth of repairs, all due to a known problem that has never been recalled. Please help me. Dt

Pulsation dampers fail on almost all fi mazda rx-7s. *ak

There was a fuel leak that led to a fire, mechanic said a screw came loose, allowing gas to leak onto manifold, which a caused fire. *ak

Fuel line leaked due to cracked line resulting in fire. Yh

Vehicle caught fire due to leaking engine coolant and gas line.

Fuel lines fittings failed causing leak, prior to recall notice resulting in fire (95v069000). Yh

Consumer was driving and car caught on fire . Tt

After recall #95v069000 performed 9/94, owner noticed fumes. On 3/24/95 vehicle caught fire. Please describe details. Tt

My seatbelt motor and rail has a recall that the dealer confirmed it when I took it to them. My seatbelts get stuck sometimes causing safety concerns. The recall sent in 1996 from Mazda states the cable can wear sufficiently that the cable which retracts the buckle assembly will jam in the rail making it inoperative, if a collision the occupants will not be properly restrained.Recall states the dealer will extend warranty and replace shoulder belt rail and motor for the life of the vehicle. I took my car around October of 2021 they had the car and confirmed recall said they will call me when they get the parts, it’s September of 2022 and I haven’t gotten a call from them, when I call they tell me they don’t have them yet or say they know nothing regarding this car. Can someone help me to get this recall taken care of since I still own the car and have safety concerns with the seatbelts. Sometimes they get struck and don’t want to release properly.

The contact owns a 1991 Mazda RX-7. The contact stated that the front driver's and passenger's side automatic seat belts failed to retract when the doors are opened. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that they had the parts to repair the front passenger's side seat belt but not the parts for the front driver's side seat belt. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 96V173000 (Seat Belts). The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.

I am heavily concerned with the major safety issues of my beloved mazda and need your help. My seat belt retractors are broken (emergency), the horns do not work (emergency), my rear windshield wiper and fluids do not work (visibility), my brake light is on(emergency), and my pulsation damper is leaking fuel (fire hazard). I have read many stories about rx7's that would catch on fire due to the fuel pulsation dampers leaking fuel onto the engine, eventually igniting their whole car to ashes. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 1991 mazda rx7. The contact stated that the vehicle was installed with an automatic seat belt that did not function at all. The vehicle was repaired under nhtsa campaign id number 96v173000 (seat belts:front:webbing) in 1997. The contact was informed that the seat belt would be covered under warranty for the life of the vehicle. The dealer stated that the vehicle would not be repaired. The mazda customer service manager stated that he would consult with the contact at a later date. The purchase date and number of cylinders were unknown. The current mileage was 127,980 and failure mileage was 127,940.

Front seat belts were not retracting. This made it impossible for front passengers to wear seat belts. Recall 96v17000 was issued on this problem; however, dealer refused to repair the seat belts because this vehicle was not included in the recall due to vin. *ak

Shoulder belt mechanism failed.

Shoulder belt buckle opened when struck from behind.

Set belt retractor jams.

The driver's side automatic shoulder belt is stuck in the forward position. *ak

Automatic shoulder strap on driver's side inoperative, cable comes off track and out of molding.

The pulsation damper rubber seal ruptured due to bad placement and design. The vehicle began leaking fuel right over the extremely hot manifold and sparked a small engin fire. In the process of extinquishing the fire, my right had was burned. I was able to extinguish the fire quickly enough so the damage was minimal.*ak

Common failure of fuel plusation damper results in fuel leak under hood and engine fire. Should issue recall and design strong part.*ak

I noticed white smoke coming into the car while driving to work. I stopped the car right away and opened the hood to see the back of the engine on fire. I put the fire out with a fire extinguisher and had the car towed to a mazda rotary engine specialist. I was informed by the mechanic that the fire was a result of the faulty factory fuel line and the fuel injection system, which are a well known problem by mazda mechanics. The mechanic told me that these fires happen quite frequently in 1993-1996 rx-7's as well as in the prior body style. I could have been seriously injured from this incident, and my car now needs over $3,000 worth of repairs, all due to a known problem that has never been recalled. Please help me. Dt

Pulsation dampers fail on almost all fi mazda rx-7s. *ak

There was a fuel leak that led to a fire, mechanic said a screw came loose, allowing gas to leak onto manifold, which a caused fire. *ak

Fuel line leaked due to cracked line resulting in fire. Yh

Vehicle caught fire due to leaking engine coolant and gas line.

Consumer was driving and car caught on fire . Tt

After recall #95v069000 performed 9/94, owner noticed fumes. On 3/24/95 vehicle caught fire. Please describe details. Tt

Fuel lines/hoses; non-metallic leaked fuel on hot engine, resulting in a fire prior to recall (95v-069). *ak

Intersection collision. The mazda was hit on the right front quarter panel and spun around into a tree. The car then burst into flames. *ak

Vehicle impacted at 6:00 position and 12:00 position, vehicle caught on fire. *ak

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.

Tl*the contact owns a 1993 mazda rx7. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked when it caught on fire. The local fire department was notified. The contactwas unsure as to what caused the fire, but stated that he smelled gas fumes before the fire occurred. The current and failure mileages were 50,000.*ak

Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle was started and left idling, upon returning there was fire coming from under the hood. There were no previous problems with the vehicle. Upon inspection the insurance company determined the fire started in the area around the battery and alternator wiring. The fire department filed a report. The fire destroyed the vehicle and the contact's home.

Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle lost power while going up hill. Later, while the vehicle was parked in a parking lot smoke came from under the hood. After lifting the hood flames came out. The fire was extinguished by a fire extinguisher. The fire department was contacted afterwards to ensure it was contained. Upon inspection the dealership determined the fire started in the area around the battery and alternator wiring. The vehicle is currently at the dealership awaiting repairs.

At stop light noticed brownish/gray smoke coming through vents & from under the hood. Pulled to side & lifted hood. Noticed flames in area of the intake manifold (engine). Fire department called & put flames out. Vehicle was totaled. *ak reported to mechanic at the dealership that there was a strong odor of gas since jan. 19, 1995, however they were unable to indicate source or find any problem prior to fire. *mjs

I hope i have contacted the correct website address. If not please forgive me. I have the occasion to drive many different types of vehicles made by many manufacturers, and feel i have found a major safety shortcoming. On more than one occasion, i have had the need to sound the horn. The problem is that the horn button is in a different location on each car. It is often hard to find as well which can be a problem when you have to react swiftly. I believe the ntsa should standardize the horn location and design, and require manufacturer's of automobiles to comply. The horn button should be large ( like a ford taurus not like a jeep grand cherokee), easy to find and in the same location on all vehicles. I believe this safety feature would reduce accidents and possibly save lives. Thank you for your consideration. .......brian slocum, rt2 box163, millbrook, ny 12545. *ak

Drove vehicle about 3 miles, engine began running rough. Went back home and cut vehicle off, saw smoke and raised the hood and fire was coming from underneath the hood of vehicle. *ak

Alternator shorted, causing fire.

Vehilcle had a tire blowout traveling at approximately 65mph. Vehicle spun 3 to 4 times causing front and side damage. (tiresize: p225/50r16)

Wet condition the car has not stopping ability, due to wide tires in the rain.

Original tires on the vehicle do not handle well in wet conditions, resulting in vehicle slipping off of road into trees.

Tire blew out due to error in assembly. *sd

On sunday evening 5/23/04 at 10:00 pm i experienced a tire failure/tread separation on the left rear tire of my car while driving 65 mph on i-95 north in harford county, md. Considerable damage was sustained by the car, but it did not roll, and there was no other property damage. The tire was a pacemark radial sr60, size p205/60r15 90s, made in brazil but purchased at a service station in montgomery county, maryland. There is some reference on the internet that this tire company is a subsuduary of kelly springfield.*ak

Tires were worn. Nlm

X trac, p185/70r13, dot ple8fxlr3501, replacement tire with 1000 miles on a 1985 mazda rx7. Steelbelt of driver front tire broke while driving, causing the tire to come off vehicle. No injuries, damage to vehicle was $1875.00. Consumer is seeking compensation for damage. *ak *tt

Windshield chipped. Nlm

The automatic driver side retractor has failed on two occasion and windshield wiper switch has failed. Please describe . *ak

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. *ak

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. *ak

Windshield wiper switch only works on 1 speed. Wipers do not stop in the down position.

Windshield wiper switch defective, causing poor visibility.

The consumer has been experiencing problems with the defroster, as well as windshield wiper motor. Windshield wipers work intermittently. Also, defroster has problems blowing hot air. The manufacturer has been contacted. *ak

Passengers inside door handle broke due to being made of plastic, injuring driver. *dsh

Recall 00 e 069 000. Stricker has separated causing hood to stay open. Recall was issued for after market parts only.*ak

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 box opens unexpectedly/middle console material peels off and squeaking noise from under hood.

Squeal under hood of vehicle.

Paint is peeling off the vehicle. *ak

Both door handles have broken and been replaced several times regardless of weather. Please describe details. Tt