1994 Mazda RX-7: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 18 owner complaints on record; most reports concern engine and engine cooling.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Nov 2000
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 18 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Mazda 1994 rx7 fd3s pulsation dampener failure. Caused loss of fuel and damage to wire harness. The fuel leaked onto and into the wire harness and caused the harness to become saturated, damp and brittle. I also had to pay to replace and install new pulsation dampener, wire harness, intake gasket and a few other parts do to the pulsation dampener failure. I also had to pay for labor. Total was around $1600.00 usd. I am not happy and I hear this damper fails all the time for my local dealer. *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jul 2007
“I have been informed that this is a major cause of engine fires. This should be replaced by the manufacturer. *jb ***dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis****770782”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Sep 2002
“I came extremely close to an engine fire. My engine bay was soaked with fuel. Now half the engine has to be taken out in order to fix this problem. I shouldnt have to fix this. The rx-7 has been around long enough to be able to come up with a suitable fix for this problem. I dont want this to happen again. It is very dangerous. Why is this not on the fuel system recall fix list. It is know to fail.*ak”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Apr 2002
Show 7 more owner reports
“Common failure of fuel plusation damper results in fuel leak under hood and engine fire. Should issue recall and design strong part.*ak”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Mar 2002
“This seems to be a common failure for this car. Not only is it an expensive repair, but from what I understand this 'pulsation damper' failure has lead to many fires in this car. I believe the problem is happening again and I hope I don't have to pay another $500 to have it repaired again. I think that because it is so dangerous and so common in this car, mazda should accept some of the responsibility. *ak”Owner report · Suspension · Mar 2002
“Consumer states: the cooling fans do not come on after the vehicle turned off. The vehicle over heats unless the parking lights are turned on. It get to hot before the fans come on. *nm”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2002
“There was coolant leak from vehicle onto engine. Vehicle was not included in recall 94v094000. Dealer has replaced water pump, radiator hoses and gaskets. *ak *slc”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 2001
“Manufacturer's headquarters had advised consumer that front passenger's side coil spring would not be available from japan until 2 weeks after ordering it. Consumer felt that too much time was spent ordering a part.*ak”Owner report · Suspension · May 2000
“Stricker that latches to hood latch broke off from hood assembly. Consumer felt that hood may fly up while driving. Consumer has same problem as mentioned in recall 00e069000; but this vehicle was not included due to VIN. *ak”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Jan 2000
“Currently having the 4th engine installed due to seal failures. Manufacturer is uncooperative. Previous rx7 had engine fire.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Oct 1999
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: MAZDA SPEED RESINOUS HOODS, DESIGNED AND SOLD AS ACCESSORY PARTS FOR MODEL YEAR 1992-1995 RX7 VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JUNE 1, 1997, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 19, 2000.
Remedy: MAZDA WILL NOTIFY THE RX7 VEHICLE CUSTOMERS TO BRING THEIR VEHICLE TO A MAZDA DEALER TO HAVE THE HOOD STRIKER REPLACED WITH A MODIFIED ONE.
THE RADIATOR CAP PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE RELEASE PRESSURE IS SET TOO HIGH. THIS CAN CAUSE THE COOLANT TO REACH TEMPERATURES THAT EXCEED THE THERMAL DESIGN LIMITS OF SOME COMPONENTS OF THE COOLANT SYSTEM. SHOULD THIS OCCUR, ENGINE COOLANT CAN LEAK COLLECT ON TOP OF THE ENGINE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES AND IF ANY VEHICLE EXHIBITS COOLANT LEAKAGE OR IF THE COOLANT LEVEL HAS DROPPED TO THE POINT WHERE THE COOLANT LOSS WOULD BE SUFFICIENT TO TRIGGER THE COOLANT LEVEL WARNING SYSTEM, COMPONENTS POTENTIALLY SUBJECT TO DETERIORATION FROM OVERHEATING WOULD BE REPLACED. THESE PARTS INCLUDE THE WATER PUMP BEARING HOUSING, THE WATER LEVEL SENSOR AND RADIATOR UPPER HOSE, THE THERMOSTAT GASKET, AND ALL WATER HOSES LOCATED ABOVE THE ENGINE. IN ADDITION, ALL VEHICLES IN WHICH THOSE COMPONENTS ARE REPLACED WOULD ALSO HAVE THE COOLING SYSTEM AND OTHER SYSTEMS THAT CARRY FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS CHECKED TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT ENGINE OVERHEATING HAD NOT CAUSED ANY PROBLEMS IN THOSE SYSTEMS. ANY IDENTIFIED PROBLEMS WILL BE REPAIRED. THE RADIATOR CAP, FILLER CAP, AND FILLER CAP BODY OF ALL RECALLED VEHICLES WILL BE REPLACED BY NEWLY DESIGNED PARTS.
RESIDUAL ENGINE HEAT CAN CAUSE PREMATURE DETERIORATION OF THE FUEL HOSE CAUSING THE HOSE TO LEAK. ALSO, REMOVING AND REINSTALLING THE DETERIORATED FUEL HOSES INCREASES THE LIKELIHOOD OF A LEAK.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL CONTROL UNIT FOR THE ELECTRIC COOLING FAN. THE FAN WILL THEN ACTIVATE AFTER THE ENGINE IS TURNED OFF WHEN THE COOLANT EXCEEDS A SPECIFIED TEMPERATURE. THE FUEL HOSES WILL ALSO BE REPLACED WITH REVISED HOSES.
OIL MIST CONTAINED IN THE ENGINE INTAKE AIR CAN COLLECT OVER TIME IN THE BRAKE VACUUM CHECK VALVE PREVENTING THE CHECK VALVE FROM OPENING AT THE SPECIFIED PRESSURE REDUCING POWER ASSIST TO THE BRAKES.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE TWO VACUUM HOSES, INCLUDING THE CHECK VALVE, WITH MODIFIED HOSES.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1994 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
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 1994 Mazda RX-7 reliable?
NHTSA has 18 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 1994 Mazda RX-7. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling.
Does the 1994 Mazda RX-7 have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch. 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.