RoadVitals

1988 Mazda 323

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
34
Latest Oct 23, 2003
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest May 24, 1995
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2
4 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 34 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1988 Mazda 323, most frequently naming the seat belts, engine and transmission categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 4 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Seat belts2873.7%
  • Engine410.5%
  • Transmission25.3%
  • Powertrain (other)12.6%
  • Interior & seats12.6%
  • Fuel system12.6%
  • Brakes12.6%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
95V103005

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

May 24, 1995
360,433 units potentially affected
The defect: THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
The risk: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, AND THEN PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS A SIGN OF BREAKING OR CRACKING OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CONTACT THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER IS DEVELOPING A REMEDY DESIGNED TO PREVENT FAILURE OF THE BUTTONS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY BROKEN.
MAZDA (NORTH AMERICA),INCView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA95005ClosedEngineering Analysis

TAKATA SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE

Opened Mar 10, 1995
Closed Aug 1, 1995

There is no summary currently available

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLYLed to recall 95V103005

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 34
Engine
Filed Oct 23, 2003

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE STALLED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10044618
Incident
Oct 23, 2003
Mileage
222,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Jul 11, 2003

NHTSA RECALL 95-V-103-005 CONCERNING FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY. CONSUMER STATED THIS RECALL WAS DONE ON 1997. HOWEVER RECALL FAILED.*AK

NHTSA ID
10027063
Incident
Jul 11, 2003
Seat belts
Filed Oct 22, 1999

THE SEAT BELT DOES NOT CATCH (HOLD) PROPERLY WHICH COULD RESULT IN INJURY IF AND ACCIDENT OCCURED. *YC

NHTSA ID
851520
Incident
Sep 22, 1999
Seat belts
Filed Dec 16, 1998

THE REAR SEAT BELTS FAIL TO WORK PROPERLY. WHENEVER THE CSS IS IN USED, & BUCKLED IN, THE LOCKING MECHANISM WOULD POP OUT & RELEASE THE BELT. CSS IS NOT SECURED.

NHTSA ID
832386
Incident
Nov 25, 1998
Seat belts
Filed Nov 20, 1998

REAR SEAT BELT WILL NOT STAY FASTENED WHEN ADJUSTED; BELT UNLOOSED ITSELF. REASON UNKNOWN. RECALL NOTICE RECEIVED, DEALER DOES NOT HAVE PARTS TO PERFORM RECALL REPAIRS. *AK *ML

NHTSA ID
831148
Incident
Sep 12, 1998
Transmission
Filed Sep 8, 1998

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND TORQUE CONVERTER FAILURE. VEHICLE DOES NOT RUN PROPERLY EVEN AFTER REPAIR.

NHTSA ID
780521
EngineFuel systemPowertrain (other)+1 more
Filed Oct 24, 1997

TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED THREE TIMES.

NHTSA ID
523816
Incident
May 29, 1996
BrakesSeat belts
Filed Feb 2, 1997

SEAT BELT LOCKING MECHANISM CRACKED AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE DOES NOT RELEASE.

NHTSA ID
546599
Incident
Jan 1, 1995

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

008/97

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

USE OF A/C TRACER DYE. *TW

007/97T

AIR BAGS

PARTS REPLACEMENT AFTER AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. *TW

001/97G

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

MAINTENANCE FREE BATTERY - DIAGNOSTIC AND CHARGING PROCEDURE. *TW

003/97G

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS

WIPER MOTOR INOPERATIVE - CIRCUIT BREAKER ACTIVATION. *TW

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Mazda 323 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2001000—
2000000—
1999000—
1998000—
1997000—
1996000—
1995410—
1994112151.0
1993102142.6
1992152157.6
1991202252.4
1990192261.4
1989381151.4
1988Viewing341151.2
1987800—
1986400—
1985000—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.