Mazda RX-7 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
83 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
89,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1987 to 1995 model years. Data snapshot: . 25 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 83 complaints (10.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 4 | 4.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 4.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 3.6% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 2.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 9 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 8 |
| Seat Belts | 8 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System | 6 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 5 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 4 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 4 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 9; Fuel System, Gasoline: 8; Seat Belts: 8; Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System: 6; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 5; Electrical System: 4; Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery: 4; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 8 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 7 |
| 150,000 and above | 4 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 8; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 4
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 58 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 13 |
| 1996 | 13 |
| 2000 | 13 |
| 2001 | 8 |
| 2002 | 12 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
1995: 13; 1996: 13; 2000: 13; 2001: 8; 2002: 12; 2003: 2; 2004: 3; 2005: 2; 2006: 2; 2007: 2; 2008: 1; 2009: 2; 2011: 1; 2012: 2; 2014: 2; 2015: 1; 2016: 1; 2017: 1; 2021: 1; 2022: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 717889 · 2000-01-26 (January 26, 2000)
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 CONTR…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 717889 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 735719 · 2000-11-04 (November 4, 2000)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 735719 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10149916 · 2006-02-09 (February 9, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND LEFT IDLING, UPON RETURNING THERE WAS FIRE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THERE WERE NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION THE INSURANCE COMPANY DETERMINED THE FIRE STARTED IN THE AREA AROUND THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR WIRING. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FILED A REPORT. THE FIRE DESTROYED THE VEHICLE AND THE CONTACT'S HOME.
Owner-reported narrative. 106,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10149916 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10149918 · 2006-02-09 (February 9, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE GOING UP HILL. LATER, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. AFTER LIFTING THE HOOD FLAMES CAME OUT. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AFTERWARDS TO ENSURE IT WAS CONTAINED. UPON INSPECTION THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE FIRE STARTED IN THE AREA AROUND THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR WIRING. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP AWAITING REPAIRS.
Owner-reported narrative. 36,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10149918 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 560419 · 2001-03-19 (March 19, 2001)
THE VEHICLE IS DEVELOPING A FUEL LEAK, CONSUMER STATES THE FUEL INJECTOR O RINGS LEAK ALSO. NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 560419 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 867813 · 2000-08-15 (August 15, 2000)
THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK THAT LED TO A FIRE, MECHANIC SAID A SCREW CAME LOOSE, ALLOWING GAS TO LEAK ONTO MANIFOLD, WHICH A CAUSED FIRE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 867813 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 859187 · 2000-03-24 (March 24, 2000)
VEHICLE EXPERIENCES INTERMITTENT STALLING WHILE DRIVING OR AT A STAND STILL. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN / OUT OF DEALER ON FOUR OCCASIONS, AND PROBLEMS STILL OCCURRING, WHEN AIR CONDITIONING IS ON THE PROBLEM IS MORE SEVERE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 859187 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 556889 · 2000-10-26 (October 26, 2000)
MOTOR WAS REPLACED AT IN 1995 AT 15,000. FIVE YEARS LATER AND 15,000 MILES THE MOTOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN, THE VEHICLE STALLS, OWNER HAS BEEN TOLD BY MECHANICS, THAT THE APEX SEAL IS PARTIALLY COLLAPSED, WHICH IS THE SAME REASON THE MOTOR WAS REPLACED IN 1995. *CJ
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 556889 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1987 | 0 |
| 1990 | 1 |
| 1991 | 1 |
| 1993 | 3 |
| 1994 | 3 |
| 1995 | 1 |
1987: 0; 1990: 1; 1991: 1; 1993: 3; 1994: 3; 1995: 1