1991 Mazda RX-7: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 22 owner complaints on record; most reports concern seat belts.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Sep 1996
1
recalls
22
owner complaints
2
fire reports
-
typical failure mileage, mi
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
2 fire reports
Common problems
Computed from 22 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
Limited data: only 22 complaints on record for this model year - too few for percentage statistics. Bars show raw report counts; read them as individual owner reports, not reliability rates. For a fuller picture, check nearby model years.
Seat Belts12 complaints
Fuel System, Gasoline (fuel pump, tank, lines)2 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling (engine, radiator, overheating)2 complaints
Structure (body, frame, doors, rust)1 complaint
Exterior Lighting (headlights, taillights)1 complaint
Fuel/Propulsion System (fuel pump, tank, lines)1 complaint
“The contact owns a 1991 Mazda RX-7. The contact stated that the front driver's and passenger's side automatic seat belts failed to retract when the doors are opened. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that they had the parts to repair the front passenger's side seat belt but not the parts for the front driver's side seat belt. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 96V173000 (Seat Belts). The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Nov 2021
“I am heavily concerned with the major safety issues of my beloved mazda and need your help. My seat belt retractors are broken (emergency), the horns do not work (emergency), my rear windshield wiper and fluids do not work (visibility), my brake light is on(emergency), and my pulsation damper is leaking fuel (fire hazard). I have read many stories about rx7's that would catch on fire due to the fuel pulsation dampers leaking fuel onto the engine, eventually igniting their whole car to ashes. *tr”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Nov 2014
“Mazda's rx-7 model fc3s from model year 1986-1992's fuel pulsation damper has an issue that it will leak, since the device sits on top of the engine so if the timing is right, an engine fire will start. It is a very well known issue in the rx-7 community. Im surprised no one ever filed a complain over this. 1986-1988's fuel pulsation damper is very prone to this defect, they changed the design and use them on later model year of rx-7 from 1989-1992, but it will still leak. *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Feb 2011
Show 6 more owner reports
“Tl*the contact owns a 1991 mazda rx7. The contact stated that the vehicle was installed with an automatic seat belt that did not function at all. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign id number 96v173000 (seat belts:front:webbing) in 1997. The contact was informed that the seat belt would be covered under warranty for the life of the vehicle. The dealer stated that the vehicle would not be repaired. The mazda customer service manager stated that he would consult with the contact at a later date. The purchase date and number of cylinders were unknown. The current mileage was 127,980 and failure mileage was 127,940.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jan 2008
“On sunday evening 5/23/04 at 10:00 pm I experienced a tire failure/tread separation on the left rear tire of my car while driving 65 mph on I-95 north in harford county, md. Considerable damage was sustained by the car, but it did not roll, and there was no other property damage. The tire was a pacemark radial sr60, size p205/60r15 90s, made in brazil but purchased at a service station in montgomery county, maryland. There is some reference on the internet that this tire company is a subsuduary of kelly springfield.*ak”Owner report · Tires · May 2004
“Front seat belts were not retracting. This made it impossible for front passengers to wear seat belts. Recall 96v17000 was issued on this problem; however, dealer refused to repair the seat belts because this vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN. *ak”Owner report · Seat Belts · Dec 2003
“Due to defective fuel rail, connected to fuel injection system, leaks fuel onto engine compartment, which may have cause a fire. Common problem. Dealer needed to replace fuel rail. *ak there was excessive fuel smell around the vehicle with the hood closed. The fuel rail and exhaust manifold are on the same side. *yh”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jan 2001
“As I was driving home one evening at approximately 11:30pm in my 1991 mazda rx7, my interior gauge lights suddenly went out. I pulled over to check the other lights on the outside of my car. The parking lights, tail lights and all side marker lights were not working. I checked for a blown fuse and the fuse was ok. I have talked with my "mazda" mechanic and he said that he has come across many rx7's that have the same problem.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jul 2000
“Paint on hood and roof of vehicle is peeling. Have heard from other people with similar problem. My mazda dealer's body shop has said they have painted other cars with the same problem do to improper adhesi ve procedures used at factory, when painting vehilce originally.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Oct 1995
Recalls - 1 campaign
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING96V173000 · Sep 1996
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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1991 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
FuelGasoline
Body stylesConvertible/Cabriolet · Coupe
How other years compare
Check your exact RX-7 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1991 Mazda RX-7 reliable?
NHTSA has 22 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 1991 Mazda RX-7. The most complained-about area is seat belts.
Does the 1991 Mazda RX-7 have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning seat belts:front:webbing. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.