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1986 Mazda RX-7Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 11 owner complaints about the 1986 Mazda RX-7, most often about the fuel system, gasoline. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints117 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage80kFuel system, gasoline, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 16, 2013. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1986 Mazda RX-7 has problems

11 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Fuel system, gasoline52
Fuel system, other22
Equipment10
Fuel/propulsion system11
Electrical system11
Structure10
Vehicle speed control11

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

1986 Mazda RX-7 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Disc: caliper

Recall 87V-160 · Oct 14, 1987 · 17,850 vehicles

Risk. THIS WOULD EVENTUALLY CAUSE DISC PAD LINER CORROSIONTHAT WOULD PREVENT FREE MOVEMENT OF DISC PADS RESULTING IN INEFFECTIVE BRAKINGOF THE FRONT BRAKES.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Mazda.

Best & worst years

1986 vs. every other RX-7 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the RX-7 median. How we score

'79'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'93'94'95
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
In owners' words

What RX-7 owners report

Recent fuel system, gasoline complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

FUEL INJECTION PULSATION DAMPENER BEGAN LEAKING. DUE TO IT BEING LOCATED OVER THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD WHICH IS RIGHT OVER THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WHEN IT LEAKS FUEL RUNS DOWN THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD AND ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. WHEN THE CAR IS RUNNING THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD IS EXTREMELY HOT AND…
Complaint 10150500 · Feb 17, 2006 · 160,000 miles
RECENTLY PURCHASED THE CAR WITH A REBUILT MOTOR, BUT SEVERAL OLD PARTS WERE NOT REPLACED. OCCASIONALLY GAS FUMES ENTER THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. LOOKING AT THE PLACEMENT OF THE FUEL PULSATION DAMPNER, ONCE IT LEAKS IT WILL DRIP UNBURNED FUEL DIRECTLY ONTO THE MOTOR, RESULTING IN AN ENGINE FIRE. I…
Complaint 10131796 · Aug 6, 2005 · 223 miles

Own a 1986 RX-7?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.