1987 Mazda RX7 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
42 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
146,100 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1987 model year. Data snapshot: . 11 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 42 complaints (21.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 9.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 4.8% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 2.4% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 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 |
|---|---|
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System | 9 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 7 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 4 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 3 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors | 2 |
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System: 9; Fuel System, Gasoline: 7; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 4; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 3; Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 5 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 5
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 31 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 | 5 |
| 1996 | 1 |
| 2000 | 3 |
| 2001 | 5 |
| 2002 | 12 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2009 | 5 |
| 2012 | 1 |
1995: 5; 1996: 1; 2000: 3; 2001: 5; 2002: 12; 2003: 3; 2004: 2; 2005: 3; 2006: 2; 2009: 5; 2012: 1
Pattern summary
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 4 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 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 10023100 · 2003-06-15 (June 15, 2003)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 152,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10023100 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10267409 · 2009-04-30 (April 30, 2009)
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…
Owner-reported narrative. 44,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10267409 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 759063 · 2002-03-07 (March 7, 2002)
I AM AN EXPERT ON THE 2ND GENERATION 1986-1991 RX-7 VEHICLES (SEE HTTP://FC3S-PRO.COM). I FIND THESE PULSATION DAMPER FIRES TOO COMMON WITH SERIOUS/EXPENSIVE DAMAGE - TYPICALLY WILL BURN WIRING HARNESS ($1,200) AND ALL FUEL INJECTORS (4X$300) UNDER THE MANIFOLD. MAZDA AND ALL MAZDA DEALERS REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS PROBLEM. I WISH THERE WAS A MANDATORY RECALL ON THIS PART, AS THE POTENTIAL OF ENGINE FIRES IS WAY TOO DANGEROUS. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME. I AM ALSO VERY CLOSE WITH THE INTERNET COMMUNITY OF THESE OWNERS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 759063 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 759104 · 2002-03-08 (March 8, 2002)
BURNED ALOT OF THINGS LIKE THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS, INJECTORS, MISC HOSES, INTAKE MANIFOLD, HOOD LINER, ETC. GOOD THING I HAD A FIRE EXTINGUISHER IN THE CAR OR THE WHOLE CAR WOULD HAVE BEEN LOST. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 759104 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 718021 · 2000-01-29 (January 29, 2000)
THE ABS UNIT LEAKS. FROM WHAT I READ ON THE RX7 EMAIL LIST THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THE RX7. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 718021 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 960606 · 1995-02-27 (February 27, 1995)
SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES INTERMITTENTLY. CAUSE OF FAILURE IS STILL UNKNOWN. OWNER HAS (2) VEHICLE WITH SAME FAILURE. 2) ALSO HAVING STEERING FAILURE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 960606 at NHTSA ↗