1987 Mazda RX7: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10006849 · 2003-02-13 (February 13, 2003)
*OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT* A FIRE ORIGINATED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *JG *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006849 at NHTSA ↗
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 10023102 · 2003-06-15 (June 15, 2003)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 145,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10023102 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10058167 · 2004-02-14 (February 14, 2004)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 146,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10058167 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10059011 · 2004-02-26 (February 26, 2004)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 154,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10059011 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10116232 · 2005-04-01 (April 1, 2005)
PULSATION DAMPER FAILS ON MY 1987 RX-7, CAUSES ENGINE FIRE AND TURNS A 300 DOLLAR REPAIR INTO OVER A THOUSAND DOLLARS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10116232 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10129334 · 2005-07-19 (July 19, 2005)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10129334 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10138389 · 2005-10-03 (October 3, 2005)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 220,201 miles reported. Look up ODI 10138389 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
87V160000 · Service Brakes, Air:Disc:Caliper
Reported: 1987-10-14 (October 14, 1987)
IN AREAS OF HEAVY USAGE, ROAD SALT MAY ACCUMULATE AT SURFACES OF COMPONENTS OF FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗