1989 Mazda 323
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Have the VIN?
These records cover every 1989 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 1989 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
38 complaints2 involved a crash3 involved a fire1 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Electrical system › 12v/24v/48v battery · Engine and engine cooling · Service brakes, hydraulic
The alternator quit which caused the cooling fan to stop , the heat light didnt come on so the car ran hot and exploded the radiator, the top of the radiator cracked and spewed out all of the water , the brakes failed twice and had to replace the master cylinder and rear brakes ,
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Mechanic was informed by mazda to carefully observe belt tension. Mechanic feels that mazda's design on the crankshaft has too little metal left after the front jounal to provide adequate strength for crank not to break over long period of time. Crankshaft IS cut down a lot from the journal size.…
Mechanic was informed by mazda to carefully observe belt tension. Mechanic feels that mazda's design on the crankshaft has too little metal left after the front jounal to provide adequate strength for crank not to break over long period of time. Crankshaft IS cut down a lot from the journal size. Mechanic noted that mazda has a service bullentin in reference to accesory belt tensions and feels that mazda IS not wanting to admit that crankshaft IS too small. Diameter of shaft lends itself to permature failure due to metal fatigue. Mechanic noted other reports on nhtsa website in reference to this problem. Felt notice needs to be out there. Properly sized crankshafts with proper lubrication do not break. They are reused in motor cores for rebuilding. This resulted in a purchase of a new engine, not a rebulit, from mazda.*ak
- Suspension
Right/left tires are jerking real bad when traveling at about 60 mph. *ak
- Suspension › Front
While driving at 50 mph there IS vibration within the steeing wheel and the steering IS off center. *Ak
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
Consumer has a vehcle where neither one of the rear restraint belts work. Dealer has been contacted. *ak
- Vehicle speed control
Vehicle shifted from park to drive and experienced sudden acceleration resulting in vehicle collision.
- Steering › Linkages › Knuckle › Spindle › Arm · Wheels › Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
While driving the left rear wheel came out due to spindle breaking off. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
The crankshaft pulley bolt broke, without warning, causing engine failure. please describe details.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
The crankshakt has been replaced at four different times . *ak
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood · Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
Driving at speed 65mph, vehicle overheated, under the hood compartment fire, faulty fuel pump, causing the vehicle to explode. *ak
- Vehicle speed control
When driving the vheilce suddenly accelerated, causing the consumer to have an accident.*ak *slc
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
The driver's side seat belt retractor locks up when trying to retract it back manually . Please describe .*ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Automatic transmission failure, also vehicle overheated. *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Drivers seat belt buckle came unbuckled when hit from behind, causing injuries to driver. *Dsh
- Suspension › Rear › Axle › Spindle
Wheel spindle broke, causing wheel to fall off. *Dsh
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Plastic guide in seat belt latch broke, making it hard to latch seat belt.(95v103005) *dsh
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
#Ea95-005 the front passenger and driver side seat belt buckle are broken. tt the dealer states that no decisions have been made regarding a recall, however there IS a recall, 95v103005. *slc
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
#95V103005 the passenger side seat belt buckle broke. tt
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
The drivers side seatbelt buckle does not latch and IS not covered in the recall. Please describe. tt
- Fuel system, gasoline
Consumer was driving and car caught on fire . tt
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Vehicles driver side seat belt female portion broke. tt
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
The passenger side seat belt buckle broke . *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
The driver side seat belt buckle come loose when lock. tt
- Fuel system, gasoline › Carburetor system
Manifold IS cracked; noisy; affects engine. tt
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Driver's shoulder/lap belt buckle does not catch; when engaged, will disengage with slight movement. 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.
- 54319Pre-painting preparations for front and rear bumpers.
- 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.