MAZDA RX7 · model year

1987 MAZDA RX7

61 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1987MAZDARX7 carries 61 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 28 fires, 2 injuries, and 1 fatality. 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 1987 RX7 is fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system with 11 filings, followed by fuel system, gasoline (9) and engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline (5). 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 1987 RX7, 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.

61
Complaints
1
Crashes
28
Fires
2
Injuries
1
Deaths

Total Complaints

61 filings

Crashes Reported

1 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM11
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE9
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE5
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD3
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS2
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE1
STEERING1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER1
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR1

Recent Complaints

20121108FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ON 11/07/2012 AT APPROXIMATELY 7:15 A.M. WHILE LEAVING WORK I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM BEHIND THE RADIO. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND REALIZED THERE WAS FIRE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I WAS ABLE TO PUT IT OUT QUICKLY BEFORE IT SPREAD. THE DAMAGE TO MY CAR WAS SOMEWHAT SUBSTANTIAL UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED, AND EXPLAINED THAT IT'S A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS PARTICULAR MODEL. I DID A LITTLE MORE RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THE ISSUE IS THE PULSATION DAMPENER THAT IS ATTACHED TO THE FUEL RAIL MOUNTED UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CAUSING IT TO FAIL AND COM-BUST. *TR

Mileage: 178,983

20121108FireFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

ON 11/07/2012 AT APPROXIMATELY 7:15 A.M. WHILE LEAVING WORK I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM BEHIND THE RADIO. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND REALIZED THERE WAS FIRE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I WAS ABLE TO PUT IT OUT QUICKLY BEFORE IT SPREAD. THE DAMAGE TO MY CAR WAS SOMEWHAT SUBSTANTIAL UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED, AND EXPLAINED THAT IT'S A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS PARTICULAR MODEL. I DID A LITTLE MORE RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THE ISSUE IS THE PULSATION DAMPENER THAT IS ATTACHED TO THE FUEL RAIL MOUNTED UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CAUSING IT TO FAIL AND COM-BUST. *TR

Mileage: 178,983

20121108FireENGINE

ON 11/07/2012 AT APPROXIMATELY 7:15 A.M. WHILE LEAVING WORK I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM BEHIND THE RADIO. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND REALIZED THERE WAS FIRE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I WAS ABLE TO PUT IT OUT QUICKLY BEFORE IT SPREAD. THE DAMAGE TO MY CAR WAS SOMEWHAT SUBSTANTIAL UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED, AND EXPLAINED THAT IT'S A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS PARTICULAR MODEL. I DID A LITTLE MORE RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THE ISSUE IS THE PULSATION DAMPENER THAT IS ATTACHED TO THE FUEL RAIL MOUNTED UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CAUSING IT TO FAIL AND COM-BUST. *TR

Mileage: 178,983

20091013FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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 BY. MY DAMPER IS LEAKING FUEL RIGHT AS I TYPE THIS TO YOU. IF I DRIVE MY CAR IT MAY CATCH FIRE AND KILL INNOCENT VICTIMS. PLEASE MAKE THIS PROBLEM A SAFETY RECALL FOR DEALERSHIPS TO FIX AT THEIR OWN EXPENSE. THIS FAILURE IS EXTREMELY COMMON ON 86-88 MAZDA RX7'S, AND MAZDA KNOWS ABOUT IT. WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO PAY FOR KEEPING MY VEHICLE SAFE IF IT IS THEIR PROBLEM. SO MANY VICTIMS, SHOULD I BE THE NEXT ONE? PLEASE MAKE THIS A MANDITORY RECALL SO I CAN MAKE MY CAR ROADWORTHY ONCE MORE. I AM AFFRAID THAT MY CAR WILL CATCH FIRE IN THE NEAR FUTURE. THE PULSATION DAMPER IS MOUNTED TO THE FUEL RAIL OF ALL RX7'S AND ALL RX7'S HAVE A RISK OF BURNING TO THE GROUND. I HAVE SEEN SO MANY CARS LIKE MINE IN THE LOCAL JUNK YARDS, BLOOD ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT, FIRE DAMAGE EVERYWHERE. MAZDA EVEN MADE AN IMPROVEMENT ON THE

20091013FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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

20090726FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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 LEAK WAS COMING FROM THE FUEL PULSATION DAMPER LOCATED ON THE PRIMARY FUEL INJECTOR RAIL. I CAN BUY A REPLACEMENT PART WHICH WILL FIX THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER, I HAVE HEARD MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PART FAILING ON A REGULAR BASIS SO IN ORDER TO REDUCE THE RISK OF A FIRE DUE TO A LEAKING POSITION DAMPER IT IS A GOOD IDEA TO REPLACE IT EVERY 2 YEARS. IF THIS HADN'T HAPPENED IN MY DRIVEWAY I MIGHT BE AN UNFORTUNATE VICTIM OF A CAR FIRE. *TR

Mileage: 127,504

20090430FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

I OWN A 1987 MAZDA RX-7 TURBO II WITH 44,500MILES ON IT, THE PULSATION DAMPER ON THE FUEL RAIL STARTED LEAKING AND LEFT A SMALL PUDDLE OF FUEL ON TOP OF THE ENGINE, AND ON THE FLOOR. I HAVE READ THAT THE PULSATION DAMPER OFTEN FAILS IN THESE CARS CAUSING FIRES. I WOULD LIKE MAZDA TO RECALL THIS PART AND ISSUE ME A NEW/UPDATED/SAFE PART. I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED THE FAILED PULSATION DAMPER WITH A BANJO BOLT TO ELIMINATE ALL CHANCES OF A POSSIBLE FIRE/FUEL LEAK. BUT I THINK MAZDA USED A PULSATION DAMPER FOR A REASON, AND I WOULD LIKE TO KEEP MY RX-7 AS ORIGINAL AS POSSIBLE. *TR

Mileage: 44,500

20090115FireFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

I OWN AN 87 RX-7 N/A. THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING TO THE FAILURE I FILLED UP AT THE GAS STATION AND DROVE OFF AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR AND A HALF I SMELLED FUEL. SO I PULLED OVER TO INSPECT I SHUT OFF THE MOTOR AND THE SMELL CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I QUICKLY OPENED THE HOOD AND TO MY SURPRISE THERE WAS A SMALL FLAME. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO PUT IT OUT USING MY SHIRT. THE CULPRIT WAS THE FUEL PULSATION DAMPER THE SCREW HAD FALLEN OUT OF THE END OF IT AND INTO THE CAP LETTING THE ENGINE COOL I THEN PUT THE SCREW BACK INTO PLACE AND CONTINUED DRIVING. ONLY FOR THE SAME THING TO HAPPEN AGAIN MINUS THE FIRE. I SCREWED IT BACK IN AND TIGHTENED IT THE BEST I COULD AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN. AT THIS POINT I WAS HOME SO I LOOKED AROUND THE GARAGE AND FOUND A FUEL RAIL FROM A 91 HONDA CIVIC AND I TOOK THE FUEL DAMPER OFF AND REMOVED THE SCREW CLEANED IT AND REPLACED THE O-RING ON IT. I THEN REPLACED THE ONE ON MY MAZDA WITH THE HONDA ONE ITS HELD FOR GOING ON 6 MONTHS NOW. NO MORE LEAKS. *TR

Mileage: 193,600

20060509FireFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

MY PULSATION DAMPNER ON MY 1987 MAZDA RX7 IS FAILING. IT IS A VERY WEAK PART AND EASILY SUSCEPTIBLE TO FAILURE. THE PULSATION DAMPNER IN MY CAR HAS FAILED AND ALLOWED GAS TO LEAK INTO THE ENGINE BAY AND ONTO THE HOT EXHAUST, THEREBY RESULTING IN A FIRE. IT WAS CAUGHT EARLY AND NOT SERIOUS, BUT I SMELLED BURNING GAS AND LUCKILY FOUND THE PROBLEM BEFORE IT IGNITED OTHER GAS. *NM

Mileage: 135,402

20060411FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

DRIVING HOME FROM MY PARENTS HOUSE I NOTICED MY GAS LIGHT COME ON ON THE FREEWAY. I WAS A LITTLE CONFUSED BECAUSE I HAD JUST PUT GAS IN THE TANK. I PULLED OFF ONCE I HAD GOTTEN DOWN ON A SIDE STREET NEAR A GAS STATION TO HAVE A LOOK TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON. IMMEDIATELY AS I GOT OUT I NOTICED BLACK SMOKE COMING OUT THE HOOD. I RAN INTO THE GAS STATION GRABBED A FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND ANOTHER GUY RAN OUT WITH ME AND WHEN I POPPED THE HOOD THE ENGINE WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAME. AFTER PUTTING IT OUT I HAD TO GET MY FRIEND TO HELP ME TOW IT BACK TO MY PARENTS WHERE IT STILL SITS TOTALED. AFTER A BIT OF INVESTIGATING I CAME TO THE DISCOVERY MY PULSATION DAMPERS ON MY 1987 RX7 HAD LEAKED GAS DIRECTLY ONTO THE ENGINE AND EXHAUST MANIFOLD CATCHING THE ENTIRE COMPARTMENT ON FIRE. I ALSO INVESTIGATED OTHER INSTANCES OF THIS HAPPENING AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A FAIRLY COMMON OCCURRENCE ON THE RX7, ESPECIALLY YEARS 1986 TO 1988. WITH THIS I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST A RECALL AND REIMBURSEMENT

Mileage: 121,338

20051003FireFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

WAS DRIVING DOWN FREEWAY, SPARKS BEGAN TO FLY FROM BEHIND MY CAR. I PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY AND POPPED THE HOOD. THERE WAS A FIRE FROM MY PULSATION DAMPENER. LUCKILY I HAD WATER IN MY CAR, AND WAS ABLE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE QUICKLY. *JB

Mileage: 220,201

20050719FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THAT HE OWNS A 1987 MAZDA RX7. HE STATES A RECALL CAME OUT NHTSA CAMPAIGN 05V317000. CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS HAVING THE SAME TYPE OF PROBLEMS WITH HIS GAS GAUGE WORKING INTERMEDIATELY AND A FUEL LEAKAGE. JUST RECENTLY HE REPLACED THE RADIATOR WITH A NEW ONE. TOOK VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND THEY TOLD HIM THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM WOULD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE NO FUEL WAS GETTING TO THE LINES. ALSO, THE MODULATOR NEEDS=ED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS NOT GETTING A SPARK. HE REPLACED ALTERNATOR AND STARTER. *AK

20050719FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THAT HE OWNS A 1987 MAZDA RX7. HE STATES A RECALL CAME OUT NHTSA CAMPAIGN 05V317000. CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS HAVING THE SAME TYPE OF PROBLEMS WITH HIS GAS GAUGE WORKING INTERMEDIATELY AND A FUEL LEAKAGE. JUST RECENTLY HE REPLACED THE RADIATOR WITH A NEW ONE. TOOK VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND THEY TOLD HIM THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM WOULD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE NO FUEL WAS GETTING TO THE LINES. ALSO, THE MODULATOR NEEDS=ED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS NOT GETTING A SPARK. HE REPLACED ALTERNATOR AND STARTER. *AK

20050719ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THAT HE OWNS A 1987 MAZDA RX7. HE STATES A RECALL CAME OUT NHTSA CAMPAIGN 05V317000. CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS HAVING THE SAME TYPE OF PROBLEMS WITH HIS GAS GAUGE WORKING INTERMEDIATELY AND A FUEL LEAKAGE. JUST RECENTLY HE REPLACED THE RADIATOR WITH A NEW ONE. TOOK VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND THEY TOLD HIM THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM WOULD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE NO FUEL WAS GETTING TO THE LINES. ALSO, THE MODULATOR NEEDS=ED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS NOT GETTING A SPARK. HE REPLACED ALTERNATOR AND STARTER. *AK

20050719ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THAT HE OWNS A 1987 MAZDA RX7. HE STATES A RECALL CAME OUT NHTSA CAMPAIGN 05V317000. CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS HAVING THE SAME TYPE OF PROBLEMS WITH HIS GAS GAUGE WORKING INTERMEDIATELY AND A FUEL LEAKAGE. JUST RECENTLY HE REPLACED THE RADIATOR WITH A NEW ONE. TOOK VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND THEY TOLD HIM THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM WOULD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE NO FUEL WAS GETTING TO THE LINES. ALSO, THE MODULATOR NEEDS=ED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS NOT GETTING A SPARK. HE REPLACED ALTERNATOR AND STARTER. *AK

20050401FireFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

PULSATION DAMPER FAILS ON MY 1987 RX-7, CAUSES ENGINE FIRE AND TURNS A 300 DOLLAR REPAIR INTO OVER A THOUSAND DOLLARS. *AK

20040226FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

MY PULSATION DAMPER WENT OUT AND I SMELLED FUMES WITHIN MY CAR. LUCKILY I GOT OFF TO CHECK AND FOUND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE, THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL AND HAVE IT FIXED WHERE IT WON'T BE A PROBLEM TO RISK ANYONES LIFE. *AK

Mileage: 154,000

20040214FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

I HAVE A 1987 RX7 NA, THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE THE OTHER DAY AND I LUCKILY HAD AN EXTINGUISHER TO PUT IT OUT WITH OR I WOULD HAVE BEEN TOAST. MOST LIKELY A FAULTY PULSATION DAMPER OR A SHORT IN SOME OF THE WIRES, I AM NOT SURE.*AK

Mileage: 146,100

20030615FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

THE PULSATION DAMPENER ON THE 1986-1988 MAZDA RX-7'S CAN FAIL. THE PIECE IS MADE FROM PLASTIC WHICH BECOMES BRITTLE AND FAILS. THIS WILL CAUSE A FUEL LEAK IN THE ENGINE BAY AND CAUSE A POSSIBLE FIRE. *NLM

Mileage: 152,000

20030615VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRING

THE WINDSHIELD WIPER SWITCH FAILS OVER TIME. SYMPTOMS START WITH INTERMEDIATE SETTINGS FAILING FOLLOWED BY THE CONSTANT 1 AND 2 SETTINGS FAILING. THE WIPER WILL ALSO NOT RETURN TO ITS ORIGINAL POSITION AFTER BEING TURNED OFF. THIS MIGHT BE DUE TO THE RELAY IN THE SWITCH FAILING. *NLM

Mileage: 145,000

Compare 1987MAZDARX7 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1987 MAZDA RX7 have?
The 1987 MAZDA RX7 has 61 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 28 fires, 2 injuries, and 1 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1987 MAZDA RX7?
The most-complained component for the 1987 MAZDA RX7 is FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM with 11 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE and ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE.
Is the 1987 MAZDA RX7 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.