1990 Mazda RX-7
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Mazda › RX-7 › 1990
These records cover every 1990 Mazda RX-7. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
2 recalls name the 1990 Mazda RX-7. Newest first.
The rail of the automatic shoulder belt can wear sufficiently such that the cable which retracts the buckle assembly will become jammed in the rail rendering the shoulder belt inoperative.
Risk and remedy
Risk
In the event of a vehicle collision, the occupant would not be adequately restrained increasing the risk of personal injury.
Remedy
Dealers will replace inoperative shoulder belts. mazda has extended the warranty coverage on the driver and passenger automatic shoulder belt rail and motor for the life of the vehicle.
Threaded inflator components may have been damaged during assembly which may allow components to separate when inflator receives a signal to deploy the air bag.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Inflator component separation allows hot combustion gases to escape into the passenger compartment which could result in injuries to vehicle occupants.
Remedy
Replace air bag modules containing potentially defective inflators.
Owner complaints
28 complaints2 involved a fire
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Seat belts
There was a recall issued for my car for the automatic shoulder belt on 02-17-1997, campaign # 68702. Mine was originally repaired on 05-23-2006. It has since failed again and my local mazda dealer, # 23963, ran a report showing that the status was closed because it was fixed once. As a safety…
There was a recall issued for my car for the automatic shoulder belt on 02-17-1997, campaign # 68702. Mine was originally repaired on 05-23-2006. It has since failed again and my local mazda dealer, # 23963, ran a report showing that the status was closed because it was fixed once. As a safety issue, I thought that this recall covered the problem for the car's lifetime, at least for the original owner which I am. I would like your help resolving this issue as the automatic shoulder belt on the driver's side, the one previously repaired, IS not working again. Thanks, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(B)(6).' *jb
- Seat belts
Tl*the contact owns a 1990 mazda RX7. while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed that the front driver's and passenger side automatic shoulder belt retractors were inoperative. the malfunctions occurred from excessive wear and prevents the webbing from being extracted. the vin was not…
Tl*the contact owns a 1990 mazda RX7. while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed that the front driver's and passenger side automatic shoulder belt retractors were inoperative. the malfunctions occurred from excessive wear and prevents the webbing from being extracted. the vin was not included in nhtsa campaign ID number 96v173000 (seat belts,front;webbing), although the failures were identical. the authorized dealer was notified of the failures and the vehicle has not been repaired. the failure mileage was 81,000 and current mileage was 82,000.
- Seat belts › Front › Webbing
Tl*the contact owns a 1990 mazda RX7. the contact stated that the front driver's and passenger side automatic shoulder belt failed to retract. the shoulder belt was inoperative. the authorized dealer was notified of the failure and stated that the vin was not included in nhtsa campaign ID number…
Tl*the contact owns a 1990 mazda RX7. the contact stated that the front driver's and passenger side automatic shoulder belt failed to retract. the shoulder belt was inoperative. the authorized dealer was notified of the failure and stated that the vin was not included in nhtsa campaign ID number 96v173000 (seat belts:front,webbing), although the failures were identical. the failure mileage was 81,000 and current mileage was 82,000. updated 3/16/09 *cn updated 03/19/09. *Jb
- Equipment · Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system › Fuel rail
Under normal driving conditions, the pulsation damener on the primary fuel rail failed, spraying fuel over the entire engine bay, which resulted in a fire of the compartment, which was quickly extinguished via handheld fire extinguisher. the part was replaced, at a high cost, due to the fact that the whole fuel rail must be replaced to correct the problem. *nm
- Seat belts › Front › Webbing
Dealership refused to honor the automatic shoulder belt recall 96v173000. The defect already occurred, but the dealership indicated that it was not the same failure as stated in the recall.*ak
- Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system
Pusation dampner on primary fuel delivery rail diaphram failure. gasoline leakage in large quantities right above hot engine. very serious fire hazard.. seems to be a common problem on RX-7'S in general. perhaps mazda should have plaed the pd away from the engine. excessive heat may have hardened diaphram to point of breakage. fualty design. *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
The passenger side belt retractor IS jammed in the rail and the cable IS exposed, the consumer took vehicle to dealer, who then stated that the repair cost would be $100, consumer then informed the dealer that this IS a recall item (96v173000) with a lifetime warranty, consumer states the dealers attitude then change, the dealer then stated that the vehicle needed to remain at the dealer the entire day.*yh
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
The ABS has not failed, but it leaks profusly. I need to replace about 1 oz of brake fluid per week. the dealer's price for a replacement ABS unit (they won't rebuild it) IS a crime at $2745!! if this IS a chronic problem (and it sounds like it IS), they should be more reasonable $!*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline · Tires
Tires were worn. Nlm
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Nhtsa campaign ID number: 96v173000. I contacted both my local mazda dealer and mazda themselves. They informed me that the recall was over and had already been done on the vehicle in 1996 and was not applicable for recall now. they quoted me a price over $1000 to fix it, which at this time IS not feasable. from what I understand from this recall IS it IS a lifetime recall not a 1 time deal??*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
Exhaust manifold IS leaking carbon monoxide into the cabin of vehicle, causing a health hazard. dealer IS aware of defect. Consumer claims he IS aware of other vehicles of the same model that have this defect. *ak *ML
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Anti-lock brake unit leaking brake fluid. Started about 5/5/97. Leaks with car parked, may leak while driving. Started gradually, now loses about two ounces per week. If brake fluid level gets too low while driving, it can prevent proper brake operation and increase the risk of accident. The ABS…
Anti-lock brake unit leaking brake fluid. Started about 5/5/97. Leaks with car parked, may leak while driving. Started gradually, now loses about two ounces per week. If brake fluid level gets too low while driving, it can prevent proper brake operation and increase the risk of accident. The ABS unit IS located near the engine exhaust and just aft of the right front wheel. I suspect that brake fluid may drip on the heated exhaust system; perhaps this could cause a fire. If dripping brake fluid got on the tire, it could reduce traction and contribute to an accident. All of these possibilities comprise safety hazards. In addition, I have checked multiple sources for used ABS units and all original units located also leak. This IS apparently a common problem. Some owners have removed and bypassed the ABS unit to stop the leak. This IS probably also unsafe. I suggest that the manufacturer should replace all such defective ABS units as a safety measure.
- Seat belts
Received notice 96v173000 3 months ago. Been calling dealership off/on ever since. Been informed no parts available for seat belts. Would notify when belt parts are available. *ak
- Seat belts
Had received recall 996v173000 over 3months ago & contacted dealer. Been checking off & on for 3months. Called last week & wa s informed no parts were available, and did not know when they would be available for repairs to automatic shoulder belt. Manufacturer only did a small amount, and was not sure if he will do any more. *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
Shoulder belts broke to the point were they don't retract, and are laying in the back seat of the vehicle. Dealer has been contacted. *ak
- Seat belts
Pass. Seat belt retractor inoperative, internal failure, replaced pass. Seat belt retractor.
- Electrical system › Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers
Vehicle's headlight light switch circuit board module overheats and starts fire.the lights turn and off intermitently with no warning.the headlight switch IS defective. *ak
- Seat belts
The driver's side seat belt retractor sometimes works, took back to dealer after receivg I recall # 96v173000 ; done seat retractor repairs, dealer said it the latch that IS causing the problems, not the retractors. *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Webbing
Shoulder belts are not working after being taken to dealer. *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
The seat belts will not extend from retractors. the active seat belt stopped half way between the locked and unlocked position. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Engine has failed at 40,200 miles because the apex seals have eroded. Vehicle has been properly maintained and garage stored.
- Seat belts › Front › Webbing
Sycamore ford mazda said they know nothing about the recall and mazda manufacturer said the consumer IS not included, but he received notice and his shoulder belt IS broken. please describe details. *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Shoulder belt will not disengage.
- Seat belts
The automatic seat belt will not release when you press the release clip. Under investigation pe 96 027. *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
#Pe96-027, the driver's side seat belt retractor stopped working . *ak consumer states on both occasions, the retractor jammed just before turning down b pillar, consumer replaced it hiself the first time and noticed that the cable jumbed off the take-up spool. *slc
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Mazda RX7 automatic seat belt failure
Malfunction of the automatic seat belt system
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.
- 10213425Speedometer replacement procedure
- 603907Experiencing oil leak at rear stationary gear o-ring / on - car replacement procedure.
- 603882Subject on passive seat belt retractor switch.
- 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.
- 39688Hard shift, r-type transmission.
Every Mazda RX-7 model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.