1987 Mazda RX7
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Have the VIN?
These records cover every 1987 Mazda RX7. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
1 recall names the 1987 Mazda RX7. Newest first.
In areas of heavy usage, road salt may accumulate at surfaces of components of front brake calipers.
Risk and remedy
Risk
This would eventually cause disc pad liner corrosionthat would prevent free movement of disc pads resulting in ineffective brakingof the front brakes.
Remedy
Repair front brake calipers to prevent road salt accumulation.
Owner complaints
51 complaints1 involved a crash23 involved a fire2 injuries1 deaths
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Electrical system · Engine · Fuel/propulsion system
Vehicle caught on fire in engine compartment fire department put it out been sitting ever since
- Electrical system · Engine · Fuel/propulsion system
On 11/07/2012 at approximately 7:15 a.m. While leaving work I noticed smoke coming from behind the radio. I immediately pulled over and realized there was fire coming from the engine compartment. I was able to put it out quickly before it spread. The damage to my car was somewhat substantial under…
On 11/07/2012 at approximately 7:15 a.m. While leaving work I noticed smoke coming from behind the radio. I immediately pulled over and realized there was fire coming from the engine compartment. I was able to put it out quickly before it spread. The damage to my car was somewhat substantial under the intake manifold. I took it to a local repair shop and it was diagnosed, and explained that it's a common issue with this particular model. I did a little more research and found that the issue IS the pulsation dampener that IS attached to the fuel rail mounted under the intake manifold causing it to fail and com-bust. *tr
- Fuel system, gasoline
Why should I die for mazda messed up pulsation dampers that leak and causes fires and kill innocent people. Recall this '!@#$% so I can drive this some god '!@#$% piece of mind. *Tr
- Fuel system, gasoline
First off I thought you guys cared about the cars we drove, then how come you allow this to go on without a recall it amazes me how stupid you guys have to be to let this one just slid on by. My damper IS leaking fuel right as I type this to you. If I drive my car it may catch fire and kill…
First off I thought you guys cared about the cars we drove, then how come you allow this to go on without a recall it amazes me how stupid you guys have to be to let this one just slid on by. My damper IS leaking fuel right as I type this to you. If I drive my car it may catch fire and kill innocent victims. Please make this problem a safety recall for dealerships to fix at their own expense. This failure IS extremely common on 86-88 mazda RX7'S, and mazda knows about it. Why should I have to pay for keeping my vehicle safe if it IS their problem. So many victims, should I be the next one? Please make this a manditory recall so I can make my car roadworthy once more. I am affraid that my car will catch fire in the near future. The pulsation damper IS mounted to the fuel rail of all RX7'S and all RX7'S have a risk of burning to the ground. I have seen so many cars like mine in the local junk yards, blood on the driver's seat, fire damage everywhere. Mazda even made an improvement on the replacement piece so that it will never leak again. I need that new damper right now! *Tr
- Fuel system, gasoline
I routinely started the car for a nice sunday drive and while I was waiting for the car to warm up I noticed fuel leaking on the ground. I immediately shut the car off and discovered that fuel had leaked all over the top of the engine and was running down the side and onto the exhaust. The fuel…
I routinely started the car for a nice sunday drive and while I was waiting for the car to warm up I noticed fuel leaking on the ground. I immediately shut the car off and discovered that fuel had leaked all over the top of the engine and was running down the side and onto the exhaust. The fuel leak was coming from the fuel pulsation damper located on the primary fuel injector rail. I can buy a replacement part which will fix the problem, however, I have heard many complaints about this part failing on a regular basis so in order to reduce the risk of a fire due to a leaking position damper it IS a good idea to replace it every 2 years. If this hadn't happened in my driveway I might be an unfortunate victim of a car fire. *Tr
- Fuel system, gasoline
I own a 1987 mazda RX-7 turbo II with 44,500miles on it, the pulsation damper on the fuel rail started leaking and left a small puddle of fuel on top of the engine, and on the floor. I have read that the pulsation damper often fails in these cars causing fires. I would like mazda to recall this…
I own a 1987 mazda RX-7 turbo II with 44,500miles on it, the pulsation damper on the fuel rail started leaking and left a small puddle of fuel on top of the engine, and on the floor. I have read that the pulsation damper often fails in these cars causing fires. I would like mazda to recall this part and issue me a new/updated/safe part. I have already replaced the failed pulsation damper with a banjo bolt to eliminate all chances of a possible fire/fuel leak. But I think mazda used a pulsation damper for a reason, and I would like to keep my RX-7 as original as possible. *Tr
- Fuel system, gasoline
I own an 87 RX-7 n/a. There were no events leading to the failure I filled up at the gas station and drove off after about an hour and a half I smelled fuel. So I pulled over to inspect I shut off the motor and the smell came from under the hood. I quickly opened the hood and to my surprise there…
I own an 87 RX-7 n/a. There were no events leading to the failure I filled up at the gas station and drove off after about an hour and a half I smelled fuel. So I pulled over to inspect I shut off the motor and the smell came from under the hood. I quickly opened the hood and to my surprise there was a small flame. Luckily I was able to put it out using my shirt. The culprit was the fuel pulsation damper the screw had fallen out of the end of it and into the cap letting the engine cool I then put the screw back into place and continued driving. Only for the same thing to happen again minus the fire. I screwed it back in and tightened it the best I could and it happened again. At this point I was home so I looked around the garage and found a fuel rail from a 91 honda civic and I took the fuel damper off and removed the screw cleaned it and replaced the o-ring on it. I then replaced the one on my mazda with the honda one its held for going on 6 months now. No more leaks. *Tr
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
My pulsation dampner on my 1987 mazda RX7 IS failing. it IS a very weak part and easily susceptible to failure. The pulsation dampner in my car has failed and allowed gas to leak into the engine bay and onto the hot exhaust, thereby resulting in a fire. it was caught early and not serious, but I smelled burning gas and luckily found the problem before it ignited other gas. *Nm
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Driving home from my parents house I noticed my gas light come on on the freeway. I was a little confused because I had just put gas in the tank. I pulled off once I had gotten down on a side street near a gas station to have a look to see what was going on. immediately as I got out I noticed…
Driving home from my parents house I noticed my gas light come on on the freeway. I was a little confused because I had just put gas in the tank. I pulled off once I had gotten down on a side street near a gas station to have a look to see what was going on. immediately as I got out I noticed black smoke coming out the hood. I ran into the gas station grabbed a fire extinguisher and another guy ran out with me and when I popped the hood the engine was completely engulfed in flame. after putting it out I had to get my friend to help me tow it back to my parents where it still sits totaled. after a bit of investigating I came to the discovery my pulsation dampers on my 1987 RX7 had leaked gas directly onto the engine and exhaust manifold catching the entire compartment on fire. I also investigated other instances of this happening and this seems to be a fairly common occurrence on the RX7, especially years 1986 to 1988. with this I would like to request a recall and reimbursement of damages for the victims of pulsation damper failer resulting in engine fire. *jb
- Fuel system, gasoline
Was driving down freeway, sparks began to fly from behind my car. I pulled over immediately and popped the hood. there was a fire from my pulsation dampener. luckily I had water in my car, and was able to put out the fire quickly. *Jb
- Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator · Electrical system › Starter assembly · Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly · Fuel system, other › Storage › Fuel gauge system
Dt: the contact states that he owns a 1987 mazda RX7. He states a recall came out nhtsa campaign 05v317000. Contact's vehicle was having the same type of problems with his gas gauge working intermediately and a fuel leakage. just recently he replaced the radiator with a new one. Took vehicle to…
Dt: the contact states that he owns a 1987 mazda RX7. He states a recall came out nhtsa campaign 05v317000. Contact's vehicle was having the same type of problems with his gas gauge working intermediately and a fuel leakage. just recently he replaced the radiator with a new one. Took vehicle to a mechanic and they told him that the fuel system would needed to be replaced because no fuel was getting to the lines. Also, the modulator needs=ed to be replaced because it was not getting a spark. He replaced alternator and starter. *Ak
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
Pulsation damper fails on my 1987 RX-7, causes engine fire and turns a 300 dollar repair into over a thousand dollars. *Ak
- Fuel system, other
My pulsation damper went out and I smelled fumes within my car. Luckily I got off to check and found out what the problem was. This IS very unsafe, there should be a recall and have it fixed where it won't be a problem to risk anyones life. *ak
- Electrical system › Wiring
I have a 1987 RX7 na, the engine caught on fire the other day and I luckily had an extinguisher to put it out with or I would have been toast. Most likely a faulty pulsation damper or a short in some of the wires, I am not sure.*ak
- Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Switch/wiring
The windshield wiper switch fails over time. Symptoms start with intermediate settings failing followed by the constant 1 and 2 settings failing. The wiper will also not return to its original position after being turned off. This might be due to the relay in the switch failing. *nlm
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
The pulsation dampener on the 1986-1988 mazda RX-7'S can fail. The piece IS made from plastic which becomes brittle and fails. This will cause a fuel leak in the engine bay and cause a possible fire. *nlm
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
*Ohio traffic crash report* a fire originated from the engine compartment. *Jg *jb
- Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system
While driving the vehicle engine started running erratic. driver pulled vehicle over to check under the hood. the pulsation dampner that controls the fuel going into the engine had came undone and fuel was leaking all over the engine. please provide more details. ts
- Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system
Every 2ND gen RX-7 aside from the 1990 & 1991s that I have seen have failed. not all have burned. no safety defect listed in summary. *Ak
- Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system
The starter had given out. I and a friend were in the process of replacing it. the friend smelled gas. I got under the car, and smelled gas also. we decided not to drive the vehicle until the source of the smell was determined. after removing the intake plenum, it was determined that the gas…
The starter had given out. I and a friend were in the process of replacing it. the friend smelled gas. I got under the car, and smelled gas also. we decided not to drive the vehicle until the source of the smell was determined. after removing the intake plenum, it was determined that the gas leak was from the pulsation damper, a component bolted to the end of the primary injectors fuel rail. it was leaking onto the passenger side of the engine, near the top. since the engine IS oval, the gas was running down the side of the engine toward the exhaust manifold, which becomes extremely hot when a rotary engine IS running. although this had not happened yet, as the leak became worse the gas would have ignited, putting the driver and passenger in the car at great peril. this component should be engineered in such a way that it does not leak, even if it fails. there are many incidents where a vehicle has been completely destroyed by fire as a result of the failure of this pulsation damper.*ak
- Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system
My damper IS leaking fuel right as I type this to you. if I drive my car it may catch fire and kill inocent victims. please make this problem a safety recall for dealerships to fix at their own expense. this failure IS extremely common on 86-88 mazda RX7'S, and mazda knows about it. why should…
My damper IS leaking fuel right as I type this to you. if I drive my car it may catch fire and kill inocent victims. please make this problem a safety recall for dealerships to fix at their own expense. this failure IS extremely common on 86-88 mazda RX7'S, and mazda knows about it. why should I have to pay for keeping my vehicle safe if it IS their problem. so many victims, should I be the next one? please make this a manditory recall so I can make my car roadworthy once more. I am affraid that my car will catch fire in the near future. the pulsation damper IS mounted to the fuel rail of all RX7'S and all RX7'S have a risk of burning to the ground. I have seen so many cars like mine in the local junk yards, blood on the driver's seat, firedamage everywhere. mazda even made an improvement on the replacement piece so that it will never leak again. I need that new damper right now!. *Ak
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery
No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak
- Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system
Pulsation dampner failed, causing a gas leak and small engine fire. I was lucky and had a fire extinguisher handy.*ak
- Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system
The small screw in the end of the pulsation damper had fallen out. other persons with this failure have had fires as a result of this. in my case, I simply replaced the part. it failed again about two years later... Again, no fire, but it was leaking gas. *Ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Moderate fuel leak. replaced to avoid engine compartment fire. car does not run like it did before. no power above 3500 rpm.*ak
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.
- 603907Experiencing oil leak at rear stationary gear o-ring / on - car replacement procedure.
- 52503Maintenance free battery - diagnostic and charging procedure.
- 52497Use of a/c tracer dye.
- 52492Wiper motor inoperative - circuit breaker activation.
- 39688Hard shift, r-type transmission.
Every Mazda RX7 model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.