MAZDA RX-7 · model year

1993 MAZDA RX-7

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.

111
Complaints
4
Crashes
37
Fires
3
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

111 filings

Crashes Reported

4 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE13
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM9
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS7
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR6
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY5
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY5
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD4
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING3
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL2
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR2

Recent Complaints

20160524AIR BAGS

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

20120522FireENGINE

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

20120522FireUNKNOWN OR OTHER

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

20070420FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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

20060209FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

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

20060209FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

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

20060209FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

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

20060209FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

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

20060209FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

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

20060209FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

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

20030925ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

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

20030517ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OTHER FUEL TYPES:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER

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

20030502FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

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

20021211FireFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY

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

20021211FireFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

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

20020813FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

FUEL LEAKS HAVE DEVELOPED FROM THE PRIMARY INJECTORS AND FUEL LINES. *AK *NLM *DT

Mileage: 89,000

20020808ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

3.8L ENGINE WOULD CONTINUALLY OVERHEAT WHILE DRIVING. DEALER CONTACTED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFROMATIO INFORMATION.*AK

20020430ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN

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

20020319FireFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

PULSATION DAMPERS FAIL ON ALMOST ALL FI MAZDA RX-7S. *AK

20020110FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN

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

Compare 1993MAZDARX-7 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1993 MAZDA RX-7 have?
The 1993 MAZDA RX-7 has 111 NHTSA complaints, 4 crashes, 37 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1993 MAZDA RX-7?
The most-complained component for the 1993 MAZDA RX-7 is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE with 13 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM and FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS.
Is the 1993 MAZDA RX-7 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

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.