RoadVitals

1988 Mazda 929

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 Nov 19, 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.
2
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.
3
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.
3
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 34 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1988 Mazda 929, most frequently naming the seat belts, body & structure and fuel system categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 3 NHTSA investigations name it; and 6 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 belts1027.0%
  • Body & structure718.9%
  • Fuel system513.5%
  • Interior & seats410.8%
  • Brakes410.8%
  • Transmission25.4%
  • Driver assistance25.4%
  • Electrical25.4%

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

2 campaigns 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
93V174000

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

Oct 29, 1993
244,000 units potentially affected
The defect: RESIN MOLDED FRONT HANDLES FAIL AT THE DOOR LATCH ACTUATING ROD ATTACHMENT, FREEING THE ROD TO FALL INSIDE THE DOOR FRAME. SUBSEQUENT LOWERING OF THE ASSOCIATED WINDOW MAY FORCE THE ACTUATING ROD DOWNWARD AND RELEASE THE DOOR LATCH.
The risk: INADVERTENT ACTUATION OF THE DOOR LATCH CAUSES THE DOORTO OPEN UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN OCCUPANT FALLING OUT OF THEVEHICLE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DOOR HANDLE/LATCH ASSEMBLY.
MAZDA (NORTH AMERICA),INCView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

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

EA92031ClosedEngineering Analysis

INADVERTENT DOOR OPENING

Opened Sep 25, 1992
Closed Nov 30, 1993

There is no summary currently available

STRUCTURELed to recall 93V174000
PE92050ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

INADVERTENT DOOR OPENING

Opened Jun 2, 1992
Closed Sep 25, 1992

There is no summary currently available

STRUCTURE
PE91088ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

THROTTLE STICKING

Opened Jun 18, 1991
Closed Oct 21, 1991

There is no summary currently available

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 34
Fuel system
Filed Nov 19, 2003

WHEN I START THE CAR IN THE MORNING IT IDLES ABOUT 2000 RPM THEN DROPS TO 1000 RPM AND REVS BACK UP TO 1800 RPM AND CONTINUES PULSATE IN NEUTRAL EVERY SECOND UNTIL YOU PUT IT IN DRIVE. IN DRIVE IT REMAINS IDLING AT 1500 RPM UNTIL YOU SHUT IT OFF AND RESTART. IF THE ENGINE IS NOT WARM ENOUGH IT STARTS OVER DOING THE SAME THING OTHERWISE IT BEGINS TO IDLE CORRECTLY. WITH THE IDLE HIGH IT MAKES IT VERY HARD TO STOP THE CAR. WHAT CAN BE DONE?*AK

NHTSA ID
10047196
Incident
Nov 19, 2003
Mileage
197,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Dec 20, 2000

VERY STRONG FUEL VAPOR BOTH INTERNAL/EXTERNAL THIRD OCCURRENCE. FIRST TWO, BOTH RESULTED IN REPLACING FUEL RAIL AND ALL INJECTOR SEALS. *AK

NHTSA ID
738064
Incident
Dec 12, 2000
Transmission
Filed Oct 2, 2000

MAZDA SEAMS TO HAVE A HISTORY OF TRANSMISSION FAILERS WHAT CAN THE MAZDA OWNER DO WHEN MAZDA DOES NOT WANT TO COME CLEAN CHECK OUT HTTP://WWW.CARCAST.COM/CC/CONFERENCE/ I ALSO HAVE A 626/TURBO WITH A BAD TRANSMISSION. *AK

NHTSA ID
733276
Engine
Filed May 15, 2000

WHILE DRIVING TIMING BELT SHEARED OFF FOR THE SIXTH TIME WITHOUT A WARNING. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN THROUGH A TOTAL OF 8 BELTS. DEALER/MANUFACTURER CONTACTED. *AK *ML

NHTSA ID
861918
Incident
May 23, 1995
Body & structure
Filed May 3, 1999

ALL 4 DOOR HANDLES ON THE OUTSIDE BROKE. THE DOORS CANNOT BE OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE DEALER. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. RECALL# 93V174000, DOES NOT INCLUDE REAR DOOR HANDLES. *AK

NHTSA ID
837371
Fuel system
Filed Feb 23, 1999

THIS FAILURE ONLY HAPPENS BELOW 20DEG F. PROBLEM GOES AWAY WHEN ENGINE WARM. ON VERY COLD STARTUP, FUEL DRIPS RAPIDLY AND VISIBLY FROM BOTTOM OF PRESSURE REGULATOR TO VALVE COVER. SEE ODI ID'S 380248, 437128, 416832, 825336, 946072, 956814, 979475. TURKEY DEALERS LET CAR WARM IN GARAGE BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO LOCATE PROBLEM. PROBLEM ONLY OCCURS WHEN PART AND/OR FUEL IS UNCOMFORTABLY COLD. MY DEALER SAID "YOU HAVE A GAS LEAK" WHEN I DROVE IN. 2 HOURS LATER THEY CHARGED $25 AND SAID THERE WAS NO GAS LEAK, EVEN THOUGH I POINTED TO THE PART WHICH DRIPS.

NHTSA ID
703640
Incident
Dec 18, 1998
Body & structure
Filed Feb 4, 1999

THE RIGHT REAR OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE CANNOT OPEN DOOR. DEALER SAYS THAT REAR DOOR HANDLES ARE NOT PART OF RECALL 93V174000. *AK

NHTSA ID
834494
BrakesFuel system
Filed Jul 13, 1998

CONSUMER EXPERIENCED FUEL VAPOR SMELL COMING INTO THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE DEALER SHOP THREE TIMES BEFORE CORRECTION WAS MADE, BUT ALL COST WAS TO THE CONSUMER. *AK THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM WAS REPLACED, CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT THE ONLY REPAIRS NEEDED WERE THE REPLACEMENT OF AN OLD/CRACKED RUBBER TUBING AND TO RETIGHTEN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD BOLTS OR THE HEAD BOLTS. WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED, CONSUMER STATES IT FEELS LIKE DRIVING OVER A BUMPY ROAD, DEALER REPLACED FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PADS, RESURFACED ROTORS, AND PACKED WHEEL BEARINGS, AT AN EARLIER TIME THE TWO FRONT ROTORS HAD BEEN REPLACED. *SLC

NHTSA ID
825336
Incident
Jul 6, 1994

Manufacturer communications

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

00598

SEAT BELTS

INFORMATION REGARDING SEAT BELT EXTENDERS. *YC

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

001/93

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

HARD SHIFT, R-TYPE TRANSMISSION. *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 929 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1995310—
1994121049.6
1993191043.4
1992350037.4
1991181149.9
1990121247.1
1989362249.1
1988Viewing342354.0
1987001—
1986001—

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.