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1988 Mazda RX-7Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 24 owner complaints about the 1988 Mazda RX-7, most often about the fuel system, gasoline. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls0None on recordOwner complaints2414 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage135kFuel system, gasoline, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through June 1, 2011. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1988 Mazda RX-7 has problems

24 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, gasoline115
Electrical system44
Engine and engine cooling42
Fuel system, other21
Seat belts10
Vehicle speed control10
Visibility10

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

0 recalls

1988 Mazda RX-7 recalls and how many were fixed

No vehicle safety recalls are on record for this model year.

Best & worst years

1988 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.

1988 MAZDA RX7 GXL PULSATION DAMPENER ON THE INJECTOR RAIL HAS STARTED SPRAYING FUEL ONTO MY ENGINE DUE TO ITS AGE.. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE WITH THESE AND A MISTAKE BY MAZDA THAT THEY NEED TO FIX! I ALMOST LOST MY CAR TODAY HAD THE AMOUNT OF FUEL IT LET OUT ONTO THE ENGINE WERE TO OF GOTTEN…
Complaint 10386941 · Mar 9, 2011 · 200,000 miles
MAZDA RX7 DEFECT 86-91. MAZDA IS WELL AWARE OF THIS ONGOING ISSUE BUT WILL NOT ISSUE A RECALL. THE PULSATION DAMPER ON ALL MAZDA RX7'S FROM 1986-1991 IS PRONE TO FAILURE. THE DEVICE LITERALLY COMES APART ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK OUT. EVENTUALLY ENOUGH FUEL LEAKS OUT AND ONTO THE HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD…
Complaint 10290517 · Nov 1, 2009 · 134,000 miles
I PURCHASED A 1988 MAZDA RX-7 GXL A FEW WEEKS. TWO DAYS AGO I BEGIN TO SMELL GAS IN THE CABIN. UPON INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE BAY I HAVE FOUND THE PULSATION DAMPER ON THE FUEL RAIL IS LEAKING. I'VE BEEN RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET FOR THE REPLACEMENT PART AND HAVE HAD CONCERN ABOUT HOW I'VE FOUND…
Complaint 10259868 · Feb 25, 2009

Own a 1988 RX-7?

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