1987 Mazda RX-7Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 51 owner complaints about the 1987 Mazda RX-7, most often about the fuel system, gasoline. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

CarFlaw IndexUse caution1.5× the RX-7 median · #2 of 8 years by complaints

Safety recalls1Free fix at dealers Owner complaints5126 with a crash, fire or injury Typical failure mileage144kFuel system, gasoline, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 26, 2017. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1987 Mazda RX-7 has problems

51 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

29Fuel system, gasoline13 crash/fire/injury

9Engine and engine cooling6 crash/fire/injury

7Electrical system6 crash/fire/injury

3Seat belts

2Service brakes, hydraulic

2Visibility

2Engine

2Fuel/propulsion system

2Fuel system, other

11 other systems

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.

Complaints by system
System	Complaints	Crash, fire or injury
Fuel system, gasoline	29	13
Engine and engine cooling	9	6
Electrical system	7	6
Seat belts	3	0
Service brakes, hydraulic	2	0
Visibility	2	0
Engine	2	2
Fuel/propulsion system	2	2
Fuel system, other	2	0
1 other systems	1	0

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

1 recall

1987 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

1987 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

0 0 0 2 0 5 4 11 51 24 30 28 22 82 18 2

'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.

WHY SHOULD I DIE FOR MAZDA MESSED UP PULSATION DAMPERS THAT LEAK AND CAUSES FIRES AND KILL INNOCENT PEOPLE. RECALL THIS '!@#$% SO I CAN DRIVE THIS SOME GOD '!@#$% PIECE OF MIND. *TR
Complaint 10287286 · Oct 13, 2009

FIRST OFF I THOUGHT YOU GUYS CARED ABOUT THE CARS WE DROVE, THEN HOW COME YOU ALLOW THIS TO GO ON WITHOUT A RECALL IT AMAZES ME HOW STUPID YOU GUYS HAVE TO BE TO LET THIS ONE JUST SLID ON. MY DAMPER IS LEAKING FUEL RIGHT AS I TYPE THIS TO YOU. IF I DRIVE MY CAR IT MAY CATCH FIRE AND KILL INNOCENT…
Complaint 10287280 · Oct 13, 2009

I ROUTINELY STARTED THE CAR FOR A NICE SUNDAY DRIVE AND WHILE I WAS WAITING FOR THE CAR TO WARM UP I NOTICED FUEL LEAKING ON THE GROUND. I IMMEDIATELY SHUT THE CAR OFF AND DISCOVERED THAT FUEL HAD LEAKED ALL OVER THE TOP OF THE ENGINE AND WAS RUNNING DOWN THE SIDE AND ONTO THE EXHAUST. THE FUEL…
Complaint 10278350 · Jul 26, 2009 · 127,504 miles

Own a 1987 RX-7?

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