Total Complaints
111 filings
MAZDA RX-7 · model year
111 NHTSA complaints, 4 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1993MAZDARX-7 carries 111 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 4 crashes, 37 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1993 RX-7 is engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline with 13 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling:cooling system (9) and fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (7). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 21 investigation files overlapping the 1993 RX-7, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
111 filings
Crashes Reported
4 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 13 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM | 9 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS | 7 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR | 6 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY | 5 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY | 5 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 4 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN | 4 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD | 4 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM | 4 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER | 3 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE | 3 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 3 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 2 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR | 2 |
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 MAZDA RX-7. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS PARKED. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC; HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC REFUSED TO DIAGNOSIS IT AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO GO TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,976.
Mileage: 51,976
DROVE ON HIGHWAY AND VEHICLE STARTED TO SMOKE. PULLED OFF AN EXIT, OPENED HOOD AND FLAMES WERE COMING OUT FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. CAR IS SITTING AT A GARAGE WAITING TO BE REPAIRED. THIS IS THE THE 3RD ENGINE IN THE CAR, ALL RESULTING FROM OVERHEATING OR FIRE. 6/2001- ANTIFREEZE FIRE- ISSUED A USED ENGINE 5/2005- ANTIFREEZE FIRE- BOUGHT A USED ENGINE 3/2006-ANTIFREEZE AND OIL LEAK- REPLACE ALL ASSOCIATED HOSES/O-RINGS 2/2012- ENGINE FIRE- WAITING FOR REPAIRS. *TT
Mileage: 88,813
DROVE ON HIGHWAY AND VEHICLE STARTED TO SMOKE. PULLED OFF AN EXIT, OPENED HOOD AND FLAMES WERE COMING OUT FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. CAR IS SITTING AT A GARAGE WAITING TO BE REPAIRED. THIS IS THE THE 3RD ENGINE IN THE CAR, ALL RESULTING FROM OVERHEATING OR FIRE. 6/2001- ANTIFREEZE FIRE- ISSUED A USED ENGINE 5/2005- ANTIFREEZE FIRE- BOUGHT A USED ENGINE 3/2006-ANTIFREEZE AND OIL LEAK- REPLACE ALL ASSOCIATED HOSES/O-RINGS 2/2012- ENGINE FIRE- WAITING FOR REPAIRS. *TT
Mileage: 88,813
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 MAZDA RX7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACTWAS UNSURE AS TO WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE, BUT STATED THAT HE SMELLED GAS FUMES BEFORE THE FIRE OCCURRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 50,000.*AK
Mileage: 50,000
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND LEFT IDLING, UPON RETURNING THERE WAS FIRE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THERE WERE NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION THE INSURANCE COMPANY DETERMINED THE FIRE STARTED IN THE AREA AROUND THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR WIRING. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FILED A REPORT. THE FIRE DESTROYED THE VEHICLE AND THE CONTACT'S HOME.
Mileage: 106,000
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND LEFT IDLING, UPON RETURNING THERE WAS FIRE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THERE WERE NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION THE INSURANCE COMPANY DETERMINED THE FIRE STARTED IN THE AREA AROUND THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR WIRING. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FILED A REPORT. THE FIRE DESTROYED THE VEHICLE AND THE CONTACT'S HOME.
Mileage: 106,000
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND LEFT IDLING, UPON RETURNING THERE WAS FIRE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THERE WERE NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION THE INSURANCE COMPANY DETERMINED THE FIRE STARTED IN THE AREA AROUND THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR WIRING. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FILED A REPORT. THE FIRE DESTROYED THE VEHICLE AND THE CONTACT'S HOME.
Mileage: 106,000
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE GOING UP HILL. LATER, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. AFTER LIFTING THE HOOD FLAMES CAME OUT. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AFTERWARDS TO ENSURE IT WAS CONTAINED. UPON INSPECTION THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE FIRE STARTED IN THE AREA AROUND THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR WIRING. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP AWAITING REPAIRS.
Mileage: 36,500
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE GOING UP HILL. LATER, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. AFTER LIFTING THE HOOD FLAMES CAME OUT. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AFTERWARDS TO ENSURE IT WAS CONTAINED. UPON INSPECTION THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE FIRE STARTED IN THE AREA AROUND THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR WIRING. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP AWAITING REPAIRS.
Mileage: 36,500
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE GOING UP HILL. LATER, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. AFTER LIFTING THE HOOD FLAMES CAME OUT. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AFTERWARDS TO ENSURE IT WAS CONTAINED. UPON INSPECTION THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE FIRE STARTED IN THE AREA AROUND THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR WIRING. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP AWAITING REPAIRS.
Mileage: 36,500
THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NHTSA#94-V-094-000 ON MAY 1997 ON THE RADIATOR CAP PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE. THE RELEASE PRESSURE WAS SET TOO HIGH WHICH COULD CAUSE THE COOLANT TO REACH TEMPERATURES THAT EXCEED THERMAL DESIGN LIMITS OF SOME COMPONENTS OF THE COOLANT SYSTEM. SHOULD THIS OCCUR THE ENGINE COOLANT COULD LEAK DIRECTLY ON TOP OF THE ENGINE. THE CONSUMER STATED THIS RECALL FAILED. *NLM THE RECALL WAS PARTIALLY COMPLETED. BOTH REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF THE COOLING SYSTEM INCLUDING THE WATER PUMP WHICH WAS NOT DONE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE LOST THE WATER PUMP ON THE ROAD. *SCC *JB
Mileage: 10,800
OIL LINE TO TURBO'S COLLAPSED CAUSING THE INNER COOLERS TO BE FLOODED WITH OIL. THIS WAS CAUSED BY THE APEX SEAL COMING OFF IN THE ROTARY TUBE WHICH CAUSED THE COMPRESSION LEVELS TO DROP. THIS DAMAGE COSTS ME IN EXCESS $10000 AND HAPPENED AT 30000 MILES. AN INVESTIGATION IS CURRENTLY UNDER WAY. *JB
Mileage: 31,000
FUEL PUSTATION DAMPNER SPONTANEOUSLY FAILED AND BEGAN SPRAYING A 6" STREAM OF FUEL UNDER THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD. THANK GOD I NOTICED THE SMELL OR THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A VERY NASTY ENGINE FIRE. THE FUEL LEAKS DOWN FROM THE FPD AND RUNS OFF ONTO THE TURBO ASSEMBLY. SCC ***DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS***770788
Mileage: 135,000
I NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING INTO THE CAR WHILE DRIVING TO WORK. I STOPPED THE CAR RIGHT AWAY AND OPENED THE HOOD TO SEE THE BACK OF THE ENGINE ON FIRE. I PUT THE FIRE OUT WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A MAZDA ROTARY ENGINE SPECIALIST. I WAS INFORMED BY THE MECHANIC THAT THE FIRE WAS A RESULT OF THE FAULTY FACTORY FUEL LINE AND THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM, WHICH ARE A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM BY MAZDA MECHANICS. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THESE FIRES HAPPEN QUITE FREQUENTLY IN 1993-1996 RX-7'S AS WELL AS IN THE PRIOR BODY STYLE. I COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED FROM THIS INCIDENT, AND MY CAR NOW NEEDS OVER $3,000 WORTH OF REPAIRS, ALL DUE TO A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT HAS NEVER BEEN RECALLED. PLEASE HELP ME. DT
I NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING INTO THE CAR WHILE DRIVING TO WORK. I STOPPED THE CAR RIGHT AWAY AND OPENED THE HOOD TO SEE THE BACK OF THE ENGINE ON FIRE. I PUT THE FIRE OUT WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A MAZDA ROTARY ENGINE SPECIALIST. I WAS INFORMED BY THE MECHANIC THAT THE FIRE WAS A RESULT OF THE FAULTY FACTORY FUEL LINE AND THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM, WHICH ARE A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM BY MAZDA MECHANICS. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THESE FIRES HAPPEN QUITE FREQUENTLY IN 1993-1996 RX-7'S AS WELL AS IN THE PRIOR BODY STYLE. I COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED FROM THIS INCIDENT, AND MY CAR NOW NEEDS OVER $3,000 WORTH OF REPAIRS, ALL DUE TO A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT HAS NEVER BEEN RECALLED. PLEASE HELP ME. DT
FUEL LEAKS HAVE DEVELOPED FROM THE PRIMARY INJECTORS AND FUEL LINES. *AK *NLM *DT
Mileage: 89,000
3.8L ENGINE WOULD CONTINUALLY OVERHEAT WHILE DRIVING. DEALER CONTACTED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFROMATIO INFORMATION.*AK
94 V 094 000/ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM : THIS RECALL NOTICE WAS RECEIVED. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER CONCERNING OTHER RECALLS FOUNDED ON THE WEB, THEY INFORMED THAT VEHICLE HAD TWO RECALLS THAT WERE ALREADY COMPLETED, AND RECALL CONCERNING COOLING SYSTEM DID NOT SHOW UP ON THIS VEHICLE. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
PULSATION DAMPERS FAIL ON ALMOST ALL FI MAZDA RX-7S. *AK
94 V 094 000/ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM: A FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHILE DRIVING 30-35 MPH. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER. INFORMATION.*AK
Momentary increase in steering effort after recall remedy
Inadvertent Curtain Air Bag Deployment
Front Subframe Corrosion
Lower ball joint separation
Brake Booster Failure
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.