RoadVitals

1994 Mazda RX-7

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.
18
Latest Dec 22, 2007
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.
4
Latest Nov 6, 2000
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.
0
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
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 18 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1994 Mazda RX-7, most frequently naming the engine, fuel system and suspension categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 22 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

  • Engine631.6%
  • Fuel system421.1%
  • Suspension315.8%
  • Electrical210.5%
  • Brakes15.3%
  • Body & structure15.3%
  • Interior & seats15.3%
  • Airbags15.3%

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

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

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
00E069000

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

Nov 6, 2000
16 units potentially affected
The defect: EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: MAZDA SPEED RESINOUS HOODS, DESIGNED AND SOLD AS ACCESSORY PARTS FOR MODEL YEAR 1992-1995 RX7 VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JUNE 1, 1997, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 19, 2000.
The risk: A HOOK ON A HOOD STRIKER FOR THE RESINOUS HOOD MAY SEPARATE FROM A BASE PLATE AT THE WELDED PORTION DUE TO INSUFFICIENT WELDING STRENGTH. THE HOOD MAY SUDDENLY OPEN DURING OPERATION, LOSING FRONT VISIBILITY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: MAZDA WILL NOTIFY THE RX7 VEHICLE CUSTOMERS TO BRING THEIR VEHICLE TO A MAZDA DEALER TO HAVE THE HOOD STRIKER REPLACED WITH A MODIFIED ONE.
MAZDA NORTH AMERICAN OPERATIONSView on NHTSA.gov
96V149000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Aug 2, 1996
13,900 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: BRAKE PERFORMANCE CAN BE DIMINISHED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE TWO VACUUM HOSES, INCLUDING THE CHECK VALVE, WITH MODIFIED HOSES.
MAZDA (NORTH AMERICA),INCView on NHTSA.gov
95V069000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Mar 30, 1995
13,400 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL CONTROL UNIT FOR THE ELECTRIC COOLING FAN. THE FAN WILL THEN ACTIVATE AFTER THE ENGINE IS TURNED OFF WHEN THE COOLANT EXCEEDS A SPECIFIED TEMPERATURE. THE FUEL HOSES WILL ALSO BE REPLACED WITH REVISED HOSES.
MAZDA (NORTH AMERICA),INCView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 18
Fuel system
Filed Dec 22, 2007

MAZDA 1994 RX7 FD3S PULSATION DAMPENER FAILURE. CAUSED LOSS OF FUEL AND DAMAGE TO WIRE HARNESS. THE FUEL LEAKED ONTO AND INTO THE WIRE HARNESS AND CAUSED THE HARNESS TO BECOME SATURATED, DAMP AND BRITTLE. I ALSO HAD TO PAY TO REPLACE AND INSTALL NEW PULSATION DAMPENER, WIRE HARNESS, INTAKE GASKET AND A FEW OTHER PARTS DO TO THE PULSATION DAMPENER FAILURE. I ALSO HAD TO PAY FOR LABOR. TOTAL WAS AROUND $1600.00 USD. I AM NOT HAPPY AND I HEAR THIS DAMPER FAILS ALL THE TIME FOR MY LOCAL DEALER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10212593
Incident
Jul 27, 2007
Mileage
147,900 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed May 11, 2005

CONSUMER STATES: THE COOLING FANS DO NOT COME ON AFTER THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE OVER HEATS UNLESS THE PARKING LIGHTS ARE TURNED ON. IT GET TO HOT BEFORE THE FANS COME ON. *NM

NHTSA ID
10120639
Incident
Jan 15, 2002
Mileage
82,000 mi
Filed Dec 23, 2002

I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THIS IS A MAJOR CAUSE OF ENGINE FIRES. THIS SHOULD BE REPLACED BY THE MANUFACTURER. *JB ***DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS****770782

NHTSA ID
10006638
Incident
Sep 1, 2002
Mileage
98,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Apr 25, 2002

THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON FAILURE FOR THIS CAR. NOT ONLY IS IT AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR, BUT FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND THIS 'PULSATION DAMPER' FAILURE HAS LEAD TO MANY FIRES IN THIS CAR. I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM IS HAPPENING AGAIN AND I HOPE I DON'T HAVE TO PAY ANOTHER $500 TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AGAIN. I THINK THAT BECAUSE IT IS SO DANGEROUS AND SO COMMON IN THIS CAR, MAZDA SHOULD ACCEPT SOME OF THE RESPONSIBILITY. *AK

NHTSA ID
761191
Incident
Mar 1, 2002
Fuel system
Filed Apr 10, 2002

I CAME EXTREMELY CLOSE TO AN ENGINE FIRE. MY ENGINE BAY WAS SOAKED WITH FUEL. NOW HALF THE ENGINE HAS TO BE TAKEN OUT IN ORDER TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. I SHOULDNT HAVE TO FIX THIS. THE RX-7 HAS BEEN AROUND LONG ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO COME UP WITH A SUITABLE FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM. I DONT WANT THIS TO HAPPEN AGAIN. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS. WHY IS THIS NOT ON THE FUEL SYSTEM RECALL FIX LIST. IT IS KNOW TO FAIL.*AK

NHTSA ID
760531
Incident
Apr 10, 2002
Fuel system
Filed Mar 7, 2002
Fire reported

COMMON FAILURE OF FUEL PLUSATION DAMPER RESULTS IN FUEL LEAK UNDER HOOD AND ENGINE FIRE. SHOULD ISSUE RECALL AND DESIGN STRONG PART.*AK

NHTSA ID
759069
Incident
Mar 6, 2002
Engine
Filed Feb 21, 2001

THERE WAS COOLANT LEAK FROM VEHICLE ONTO ENGINE. VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 94V094000. DEALER HAS REPLACED WATER PUMP, RADIATOR HOSES AND GASKETS. *AK *SLC

NHTSA ID
880971
Incident
Feb 15, 2001
Interior & seats
Filed Jan 18, 2001

STRICKER THAT LATCHES TO HOOD LATCH BROKE OFF FROM HOOD ASSEMBLY. CONSUMER FELT THAT HOOD MAY FLY UP WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER HAS SAME PROBLEM AS MENTIONED IN RECALL 00E069000; BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *AK

NHTSA ID
878493
Incident
Jan 18, 2000

Manufacturer communications

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

MT-002-22

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Radio Unlocking Codes.

00-003-19-3583

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; EQUIPMENT; FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

In support of the new MRT distribution, Mazda will ship to dealers a new Dual Purpose Diagnostic Leak Detector beginning March, 2019. Training videos will be posted to MGSS shortly and Workshop Manual procedures will be revised gradually.

09-009-19-3566

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer. NOTE: Tampering with a motor vehicle odometer is strictly prohibited by Federal, and State laws. It is the dealer's responsibility to comply with Federal, State, and local laws concerning odometer and related documentation requirements when providing a repair or replacement. Mazda vehicles are manufactured with tamper-proof speedometers. When a speedometer is replaced, the new speedometer will read zero (0) miles. This procedure is extremely important to accurately represent actual vehicle mileage. Prior to speedometer removal, complete the information required on the "Speedometer Replacement Label". Labels can only be ordered through Mazda eStore. In an effort to achieve a higher level of Customer Experience and retain the value of Mazda's vehicles, MNAO Warranty Operations is allowing all Mazda dealers to utilize a third party, SPECMO Enterprises, Inc., for Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) odometer setting service. With the use of SPECMO's services, it is possible that the odometer will be set between 10 to 31 miles over the odometer mileage at the time of replacement for both warranty and customer pay repairs. Please make sure that the customer is aware that there may be a slight variance to the odometer, in which case the customer may have to accept the slightly higher mileage. Since odometer setting service is not part of the warranty repair, it is not warrantable nor required, but optional. However, Mazda Warranty policy provides after-warranty assistance (AWA) or DSA that can be utilized to cover this service expense.

09-034-18-3430a

EQUIPMENT; VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer. NOTE: Tampering with a motor vehicle odometer is strictly prohibited by Federal, and State laws. It is the dealer's responsibility to comply with Federal, State, and local laws concerning odometer and related documentation requirements when providing a repair or replacement. Mazda vehicles are manufactured with tamper-proof speedometers. When a speedometer is replaced, the new speedometer will read zero (0) miles. This procedure is extremely important to accurately represent actual vehicle mileage. Prior to speedometer removal, complete the information required on the "Speedometer Replacement Label". Labels can only be ordered through Mazda eStore. In an effort to achieve a higher level of Customer Experience and retain the value of Mazda's vehicles, MNAO Warranty Operations is allowing all Mazda dealers to utilize a third party, SPECMO Enterprises, Inc., for Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) odometer setting service. With the use of SPECMO's services, it is possible that the odometer will be set between 10 to 31 miles over the odometer mileage at the time of replacement for both warranty and customer pay repairs. Please make sure that the customer is aware that there may be a slight variance to the odometer, in which case the customer may have to accept the slightly higher mileage. Since odometer setting service is not part of the warranty repair, it is not warrantable nor required, but optional. However, Mazda Warranty policy provides after- warranty assistance (AWA) or DSA that can be utilized to cover this service expense.

09-034-18-3430

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer. NOTE: Tampering with a motor vehicle odometer is strictly prohibited by Federal, and State laws. It is the dealer's responsibility to comply with Federal, State, and local laws concerning odometer and related documentation requirements when providing a repair or replacement. Mazda vehicles are manufactured with tamper-proof speedometers. When a speedometer is replaced, the new speedometer will read zero (0) miles. This procedure is extremely important to accurately represent actual vehicle mileage. Prior to speedometer removal, complete the information required on the "Speedometer Replacement Label". Labels can only be ordered through Mazda eStore. In an effort to achieve a higher level of Customer Experience and retain the value of Mazda's vehicles, MNAO Warranty Operations is allowing all Mazda dealers to utilize a third party, SPECMO Enterprises, Inc., for Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) odometer setting service. With the use of SPECMO's services, it is possible that the odometer will be set between 10 to 31 miles over the odometer mileage at the time of replacement for both warranty and customer pay repairs. Please make sure that the customer is aware that there may be a slight variance to the odometer, in which case the customer may have to accept the slightly higher mileage. Since odometer setting service is not part of the warranty repair, it is not warrantable nor required, but optional. However, Mazda Warranty policy provides after-warranty assistance (AWA) or DSA that can be utilized to cover this service expense.

09-035-17-3080

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL; EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer. NOTE: Tampering with a motor vehicle odometer is strictly prohibited by Federal, and State laws. It is the dealer?s responsibility to comply with Federal, State, and local laws concerning odometerand related documentation requirements when providing a repair or replacement. Mazda vehicles are manufactured with tamper-proof speedometers. When a speedometer is replaced, the new speedometer will read zero (0) miles. This procedure is extremely important to accurately represent actual vehicle mileage. Prior to speedometer removal, complete the information required on the ?SpeedometerReplacement Label?.Labels can only be ordered through Mazda eStore. In an effort to achieve a higher level of Customer Experience and retain the value of Mazda?s vehicles, MNAO Warranty Operations is allowing all Mazda dealers to utilize a third party, SPECMO Enterprises, Inc., for Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) odometer setting service.With the use of SPECMO?s services, a Mazda dealer can get the odometer setting updated to reflect the correct mileage at the time of replacement for both warranty and customer pay repairs, therefore resulting in a higher level of customer satisfaction. Since odometer setting service is not part of the warranty repair, it is not warrantable nor required, but optional. However, Mazda Warranty policy provides after- warranty assistance (AWA) or DSA that can be utilized to cover this service expense.

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 RX-7 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1998000—
1997000—
1996000—
1995220—
1994Viewing184052.6
1993824167.3
1992011—
1991221147.1
1990282152.9
1989301146.6
1988240050.8
1987511058.2
1986111057.7
1985400—
1984500—
1983010—
1982210—
1981010—
1980010—
1979010—
1978000—
1973000—

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.