1988 Mazda 323
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Have the VIN?
These records cover every 1988 Mazda 323. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
1 recall names the 1988 Mazda 323. Newest first.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
The safety belts would not provide adequate protection to an occupant in a vehicle crash.
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.
Owner complaints
34 complaints2 involved a crash4 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
While driving about 60 mph on the highway and without warning vehicle stalled. *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
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
- Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
The seat belt does not catch (hold) properly which could result in injury if and accident occured. *yc
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Crankshaft broke.
- Seat belts
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.
- Seat belts
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
- Power train › Automatic transmission · Power train › Automatic transmission › Torque converter
Automatic transmission and torque converter failure. vehicle does not run properly even after repair.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump · Power train › Automatic transmission › Torque converter · Power train › Axle assembly · Power train › Driveline › Differential unit
Valve body failed.
- Parking brake · Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Seat belt locking mechanism cracked and the emergency brake does not release.
- Seat belts › Rear/other
Rear seat belts failed.
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Received recall letter #96v103000 about a year ago, dealer still doesn't have parts, the driver's side seat belt buckle IS not working . Please describe . *ak
- Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
Driver's seat back collapsed during rear end collision, causing injury.
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Owner received recall notice in february, called dealer and was told the parts were not available. recall #95v103005. *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Owner received recall notice a year ago, dealer says they still do not have parts in. please describe. *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
The time it has taken for recall notifications to go out has been excessive. tt
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
#95V103005 the driver side seat belt buckle IS hard to lock . tt
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Consumer feel its excessive time to repair recall on seat belt buckles. tt
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
Passenger side seat belt retractor did not hold belt causing passenger to hit the windshield and recieve serious injury. tt
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Red release button cracked rendering seat belt unlatchable. tt
- Seat belts
Vehicle hit from behind; driver's shoulder portion of seat belt did not grab/catch. tt
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Driver seat belt buckle does not latch. tt
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Consumer was driving and make a quit stop and the seat belt buckle came loose. tt
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
The front passenger and driver side seat belt buckle wouldn't connect. tt
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Passengers front seat buckle broke and locking mechanism malfunctioned. tt
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Front seat belts will not latch. tt
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Takata seat belt buckle failure
There is no summary currently available
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 52520Parts replacement after airbag deployment.
- 52503Maintenance free battery - diagnostic and charging procedure.
- 52497Use of a/c tracer dye.
- 52492Wiper motor inoperative - circuit breaker activation.
Every Mazda 323 model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.