Total Complaints
26 filings
MAZDA RX-7 · model year
1994 MAZDA RX-7
26 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1994MAZDARX-7 carries 26 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 2 fires, 2 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 1994 RX-7 is fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system with 3 filings, followed by air bags:frontal (2) and unknown or other (2). 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 1994 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.
26
Complaints
2
Crashes
2
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
2 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM | 3 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 2 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE) | 1 |
| SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD | 1 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS | 1 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD | 1 |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20071222FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
MAZDA 1994 RX7 FD3S PULSATION DAMPENER FAILURE. CAUSED LOSS OF FUEL AND DAMAGE TO WIRE HARNESS. THE FUEL LEAKED ONTO AND INTO THE WIRE HARNESS AND CAUSED THE HARNESS TO BECOME SATURATED, DAMP AND BRITTLE. I ALSO HAD TO PAY TO REPLACE AND INSTALL NEW PULSATION DAMPENER, WIRE HARNESS, INTAKE GASKET AND A FEW OTHER PARTS DO TO THE PULSATION DAMPENER FAILURE. I ALSO HAD TO PAY FOR LABOR. TOTAL WAS AROUND $1600.00 USD. I AM NOT HAPPY AND I HEAR THIS DAMPER FAILS ALL THE TIME FOR MY LOCAL DEALER. *TR
Mileage: 147,900
20071222FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
MAZDA 1994 RX7 FD3S PULSATION DAMPENER FAILURE. CAUSED LOSS OF FUEL AND DAMAGE TO WIRE HARNESS. THE FUEL LEAKED ONTO AND INTO THE WIRE HARNESS AND CAUSED THE HARNESS TO BECOME SATURATED, DAMP AND BRITTLE. I ALSO HAD TO PAY TO REPLACE AND INSTALL NEW PULSATION DAMPENER, WIRE HARNESS, INTAKE GASKET AND A FEW OTHER PARTS DO TO THE PULSATION DAMPENER FAILURE. I ALSO HAD TO PAY FOR LABOR. TOTAL WAS AROUND $1600.00 USD. I AM NOT HAPPY AND I HEAR THIS DAMPER FAILS ALL THE TIME FOR MY LOCAL DEALER. *TR
Mileage: 147,900
20050511ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CONSUMER STATES: THE COOLING FANS DO NOT COME ON AFTER THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE OVER HEATS UNLESS THE PARKING LIGHTS ARE TURNED ON. IT GET TO HOT BEFORE THE FANS COME ON. *NM
Mileage: 82,000
20050511ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CONSUMER STATES: THE COOLING FANS DO NOT COME ON AFTER THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE OVER HEATS UNLESS THE PARKING LIGHTS ARE TURNED ON. IT GET TO HOT BEFORE THE FANS COME ON. *NM
Mileage: 82,000
20030529UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THIS IS A MAJOR CAUSE OF ENGINE FIRES. THIS SHOULD BE REPLACED BY THE MANUFACTURER. *JB ***DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS****770782
Mileage: 98,000
20020429SUSPENSION:FRONT
THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON FAILURE FOR THIS CAR. NOT ONLY IS IT AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR, BUT FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND THIS 'PULSATION DAMPER' FAILURE HAS LEAD TO MANY FIRES IN THIS CAR. I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM IS HAPPENING AGAIN AND I HOPE I DON'T HAVE TO PAY ANOTHER $500 TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AGAIN. I THINK THAT BECAUSE IT IS SO DANGEROUS AND SO COMMON IN THIS CAR, MAZDA SHOULD ACCEPT SOME OF THE RESPONSIBILITY. *AK
20020415FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
I CAME EXTREMELY CLOSE TO AN ENGINE FIRE. MY ENGINE BAY WAS SOAKED WITH FUEL. NOW HALF THE ENGINE HAS TO BE TAKEN OUT IN ORDER TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. I SHOULDNT HAVE TO FIX THIS. THE RX-7 HAS BEEN AROUND LONG ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO COME UP WITH A SUITABLE FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM. I DONT WANT THIS TO HAPPEN AGAIN. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS. WHY IS THIS NOT ON THE FUEL SYSTEM RECALL FIX LIST. IT IS KNOW TO FAIL.*AK
20020308FireFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
COMMON FAILURE OF FUEL PLUSATION DAMPER RESULTS IN FUEL LEAK UNDER HOOD AND ENGINE FIRE. SHOULD ISSUE RECALL AND DESIGN STRONG PART.*AK
20010221ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
THERE WAS COOLANT LEAK FROM VEHICLE ONTO ENGINE. VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 94V094000. DEALER HAS REPLACED WATER PUMP, RADIATOR HOSES AND GASKETS. *AK *SLC
20010221ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THERE WAS COOLANT LEAK FROM VEHICLE ONTO ENGINE. VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 94V094000. DEALER HAS REPLACED WATER PUMP, RADIATOR HOSES AND GASKETS. *AK *SLC
20010221ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS
THERE WAS COOLANT LEAK FROM VEHICLE ONTO ENGINE. VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 94V094000. DEALER HAS REPLACED WATER PUMP, RADIATOR HOSES AND GASKETS. *AK *SLC
20010118LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
STRICKER THAT LATCHES TO HOOD LATCH BROKE OFF FROM HOOD ASSEMBLY. CONSUMER FELT THAT HOOD MAY FLY UP WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER HAS SAME PROBLEM AS MENTIONED IN RECALL 00E069000; BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *AK
20010117STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD
RECALL 00 E 069 000. STRICKER HAS SEPARATED CAUSING HOOD TO STAY OPEN. RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR AFTER MARKET PARTS ONLY.*AK
20010110FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
PULSATION DAMPER ON FUEL RAIL LEAKS FUEL ONTO ENGINE AND WIRING. *AK
20000531SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
MANUFACTURER'S HEADQUARTERS HAD ADVISED CONSUMER THAT FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE COIL SPRING WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE FROM JAPAN UNTIL 2 WEEKS AFTER ORDERING IT. CONSUMER FELT THAT TOO MUCH TIME WAS SPENT ORDERING A PART.*AK
20000324ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE EXPERIENCES INTERMITTENT STALLING WHILE DRIVING OR AT A STAND STILL. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN / OUT OF DEALER ON FOUR OCCASIONS, AND PROBLEMS STILL OCCURRING, WHEN AIR CONDITIONING IS ON THE PROBLEM IS MORE SEVERE. *AK
19991025ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
CURRENTLY HAVING THE 4TH ENGINE INSTALLED DUE TO SEAL FAILURES. MANUFACTURER IS UNCOOPERATIVE. PREVIOUS RX7 HAD ENGINE FIRE.
19991018FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK, DRIVING UNDER VERY NORMAL CONDITIONS. I HAD THE FOLLOWING ACCESSORIES ON AT THE TIME OF THE FIRE. HEATER, RADIO, REAR DEFROSTER, AND MAYBE THE HEADLIGHTS. I WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WHEN SMOKE STARTED TO COME OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I PULLED OVER TURNED OFF THE CAR AND SLOWLY OPENED THE HOOD TO FIND THE MAIN FUSE BOX (CONNECTED TO THE BATTERY) ON FIRE. THERE WERE FLAMES ABOUT 4-5 INCHES HIGH. I WAS ABLE TO BLOW THE FIRE OUT. I THEN LET THE CAR REST FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES. AFTER THAT I STARTED THE CAR AND DROVE IT HOME. AFTER THE FIRE, ANY TIME ANY ELECTRICAL ACCESSORY IS TURNED ON (BLINKER, LIGHTS, HEATER, A/C, BRAKES) THE "CHARGE" AND "ABS" WARNING LIGHTS COME ON, AND SO DO THE WARNING LIGHTS BUILT INTO THE OIL PRESSURE, FUEL LEVEL, AND WATER TEMP GAUGES. THE FIRE DAMAGED THE ONE END OF THE FUSE BOX WITH THE 120 AMP FUSE AS WELL AS SOME SURROUNDING WIRES AND CONNECTORS, AND THE UNDERHOOD INSULATION WHICH WAS BURNED BY THE FLAMES.
19990729ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET MADE OUT OF CARDBOARD NEW ONE METAL REPAIRMAN SAID "90% OF THESE CARS HAVE THIS PROBLEM" AND I WAS TOLD BY PETER FARREL RACING THAT THIS IS A NORMAL OCCURENCE AT 60 OR 70 THOUSAND MILES THIS PART IS OBVIOSLY FAULTY
19971212SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS BRAKES DONT WORK UNTIL CAR WARMS UP.IN ADDITION, IN ADDITION, VACUUM LINES AND CHECK VALVE WERE REPLACED A SPER RECALL (96V-149.000).
Compare 1994MAZDARX-7 to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations 1 Open
RQ26002Recall QueryOpen
Momentary increase in steering effort after recall remedy
PE19006Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Inadvertent Curtain Air Bag Deployment
PE18006Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Front Subframe Corrosion
PE15022Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Lower ball joint separation
PE14005Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Brake Booster Failure
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1994 MAZDA RX-7 have?▼
The 1994 MAZDA RX-7 has 26 NHTSA complaints, 2 crashes, 2 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1994 MAZDA RX-7?▼
The most-complained component for the 1994 MAZDA RX-7 is FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM with 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include AIR BAGS:FRONTAL and UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
Is the 1994 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.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.