Mazda RX-7 recall history and complaint patterns

Comprehensive recall and complaint data for the Mazda RX-7, sourced from official National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) records.

Last updated: (NHTSA data snapshot)

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At a Glance

Total Recalls 17
Total Complaints 349
Years Covered 1979–1995

Stats focus on model years from 1960 onwards. Earlier years appear in the detailed table below where data exists.

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Get plain-language explanations of recalls and complaints for the Mazda RX-7. Powered by AI, backed by NHTSA data.

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Important: This assistant provides context from aggregated NHTSA data. Always check your specific VIN on NHTSA.gov for vehicle-specific recall information.

Key Takeaways

A quick scan of where recalls and complaints concentrate for the Mazda RX-7, based on aggregated NHTSA counts and campaign metadata.

Recall Themes

Instead of listing long campaign narratives, this groups recall campaigns into a few recurring areas. Each theme links back to official notices as evidence.

Brakes

2 campaigns · Years: 1986–1987, 1993–1995

These campaigns relate to braking system components that can affect stopping performance or warning behavior.

Official notices (evidence):
  • 96V149000 · Service brakes, hydraulic: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
  • 87V160000 · Service brakes, air: Caliper

Engine and cooling

1 campaign · Years: 1993–1994

These campaigns relate to engine or cooling components where failures can lead to stalling or overheating risk.

Official notices (evidence):
  • 94V094000 · Engine and engine cooling: Cooling system

Fuel and emissions

1 campaign · Years: 1993–1994

These campaigns relate to fuel delivery or emissions components where leaks or failures can raise safety risk.

Official notices (evidence):
  • 95V069000 · Fuel system, gasoline: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Seats and restraints

1 campaign · Years: 1989–1991

These campaigns relate to seats, belts, airbags restraint integration, or child restraint anchoring components.

Official notices (evidence):

Steering and suspension

1 campaign · Years: 1979–1983

These campaigns relate to steering or suspension components that can affect vehicle control or stability.

Official notices (evidence):

Most Reported Issues

Across all model years, the most frequently reported areas for the Mazda RX-7 in NHTSA complaint data are Seat belts, Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline, Fuel system, gasoline.

Jump to Model Year

Year-by-Year Overview

Each row shows how often this model appears in NHTSA recalls and consumer complaints for a given model year. These are counts of campaigns and complaints, not risk predictions.

Model Year Recalls Complaints Details
1995 1 4 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Tires, Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline.
1994 3 26 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system, Air bags:frontal, Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline.
1993 3 111 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline, Engine and engine cooling:cooling system, Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings.
1991 1 30 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Seat belts, Seat belts:front:retractor, Fuel system, gasoline.
1990 1 31 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Seat belts, Seat belts:front:retractor, Seat belts:front:webbing.
1989 1 32 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Seat belts, Engine and engine cooling:engine, Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline.
1988 0 27 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Fuel system, gasoline, Electrical system:wiring:front underhood, Fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system:fuel rail.
1987 0 3 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system, Fuel system, gasoline, Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline.
1987 1 61 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system, Fuel system, gasoline, Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline.
1986 1 13 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Equipment:mechanical:accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift, Fuel system, gasoline, Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings.
1985 0 4 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system:ignition, Equipment:appliance:air conditioner, Tires:tread/belt.
1984 0 5 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system:wiring:front underhood, Fuel system, gasoline, Electrical system:alternator/generator/regulator.
1983 1 0 Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1982 1 2 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Wheels, Steering.
1981 1 0 Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1980 1 0 Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1979 1 0 Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.

What to Do Next

Check Your VIN on NHTSA.gov

Recall Evidence by Year

A compact evidence view of recall campaigns that include this model. The default text is an original summary line, with official notice text available on demand.

Most common areas involved: Service brakes , Steering and Seat belts

Show recall evidence by year

1995

  • Service brakes, hydraulic: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings: Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (96V149000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: 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.

1994

  • Engine and engine cooling: Cooling system: Safety recall involving the engine and engine cooling area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (94V094000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: 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.
  • Fuel system, gasoline: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings: Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (95V069000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: 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.
  • Service brakes, hydraulic: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings: Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (96V149000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: 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.

1993

  • Engine and engine cooling: Cooling system: Safety recall involving the engine and engine cooling area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (94V094000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: 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.
  • Fuel system, gasoline: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings: Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (95V069000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: 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.
  • Service brakes, hydraulic: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings: Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (96V149000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: 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.

1991

  • Seat belts: Webbing: Safety recall involving the seat belts area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (96V173000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: 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.

1990

  • Seat belts: Webbing: Safety recall involving the seat belts area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (96V173000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: 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.

1989

  • Seat belts: Webbing: Safety recall involving the seat belts area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (96V173000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: 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.

1987

  • Service brakes, air: Caliper: Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (87V160000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: In areas of heavy usage, road salt may accumulate at surfaces of components of front brake calipers.

1986

  • Service brakes, air: Caliper: Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (87V160000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: In areas of heavy usage, road salt may accumulate at surfaces of components of front brake calipers.

1983

  • Steering: Safety recall involving the steering area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (85V108000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: In certain high salt areas, the idler arm is exposed to road salt which causes the dust seal to deteriorate resulting in idler arm pin corrosion. This causes the pin to freeze and break. Consequence of defect: a broken idler arm pin could result in loss of steering control and may cause an accide

1982

  • Steering: Safety recall involving the steering area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (85V108000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: In certain high salt areas, the idler arm is exposed to road salt which causes the dust seal to deteriorate resulting in idler arm pin corrosion. This causes the pin to freeze and break. Consequence of defect: a broken idler arm pin could result in loss of steering control and may cause an accide

1981

  • Steering: Safety recall involving the steering area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (85V108000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: In certain high salt areas, the idler arm is exposed to road salt which causes the dust seal to deteriorate resulting in idler arm pin corrosion. This causes the pin to freeze and break. Consequence of defect: a broken idler arm pin could result in loss of steering control and may cause an accide

1980

  • Steering: Safety recall involving the steering area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (85V108000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: In certain high salt areas, the idler arm is exposed to road salt which causes the dust seal to deteriorate resulting in idler arm pin corrosion. This causes the pin to freeze and break. Consequence of defect: a broken idler arm pin could result in loss of steering control and may cause an accide

1979

  • Steering: Safety recall involving the steering area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (85V108000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: In certain high salt areas, the idler arm is exposed to road salt which causes the dust seal to deteriorate resulting in idler arm pin corrosion. This causes the pin to freeze and break. Consequence of defect: a broken idler arm pin could result in loss of steering control and may cause an accide

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⚠️ Important Safety Information

Recall Explained provides independent analysis of official NHTSA data. This site does not replace the official NHTSA VIN lookup and should not be treated as legal or safety advice for your specific vehicle.

For any safety concerns: Always check your VIN on the official NHTSA site and contact an authorized dealer.

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