- The problem
- The front safety belt buckle release buttons can break. These red plastic release buttons are marked "press." If a button breaks, pieces can fall into the buckle assembly causing the buckle to operate improperly.
- The risk
- The safety belts would not provide adequate protection to an occupant in a vehicle crash.
- The fix
- Owners should promptly check the condition and operation of both front safety belt buckles and carefully inspect the red release button for any breaks or cracks. They should ensure that both buckles are operating properly by inserting each latch plate into its buckle, tugging on the belt to make sure the latch is securely locked, and then pressing the release button. The latch plate should pop out of the buckle when the button is pressed. If either release button shows a sign of breaking or cracking or if either buckle fails to operate properly, owners should promptly contact their authorized dealer to schedule an appointment to have the buckle replaced or repaired, free of charge. The manufacturer is developing a remedy designed to prevent failure of the buttons that are not currently broken.
Vehicle safety record
1989 Mazda 323 Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 38 complaints about the 1989 Mazda 323 with NHTSA, most often about the seats & seat belts (23) and the engine & cooling (4). Those complaints describe 2 crashes, 3 fires and 1 injury. It is covered by 1 recall, the latest in May 1995 for the buckle assembly. For comparison, the 1988 has 35 and the 1990 has 19.
NHTSA data checked
FFar more problems than a typical 323 year, for its age
#35 most complained-about 1989 vehicle
- Complaints
- 38
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes
- 2
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 1
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 1989 Mazda 323 problems
Share of all 38 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
1989 Mazda 323 recalls 1
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
What owners say
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38 complaints about the 1989 Mazda 323
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 2.
The alternator quit which caused the cooling fan to stop , the heat light didnt come on so the car ran hot and exploded the radiator, the top of the radiator cracked and spewed out all of the water , the brakes failed twice and had to replace the master cylinder and rear brakes ,
Mechanic was informed by mazda to carefully observe belt tension. Mechanic feels that mazda's design on the crankshaft has too little metal left after the front jounal to provide adequate strength for crank not to break over long period of time. Crankshaft is cut down a lot from the journal size. Mechanic noted that mazda has a service bullentin in reference to accesory belt tensions and feels that mazda is not wanting to admit that crankshaft is too small. Diameter of shaft lends itself to permature failure due to...
Read the full complaint
metal fatigue. Mechanic noted other reports on nhtsa website in reference to this problem. Felt notice needs to be out there. Properly sized crankshafts with proper lubrication do not break. They are reused in motor cores for rebuilding. This resulted in a purchase of a new engine, not a rebulit, from mazda.*Ak
Right/left tires are jerking real bad when traveling at about 60 mph. *Ak
While driving at 50 mph there is vibration within the steeing wheel and the steering is off center. *Ak
Consumer has a vehcle where neither one of the rear restraint belts work. Dealer has been contacted. *Ak
Vehicle shifted from park to drive and experienced sudden acceleration resulting in vehicle collision.
While driving the left rear wheel came out due to spindle breaking off. *Ak
The crankshaft pulley bolt broke, without warning, causing engine failure. Please describe details.
The crankshakt has been replaced at four different times . *Ak
Driving at speed 65mph, vehicle overheated, under the hood compartment fire, faulty fuel pump, causing the vehicle to explode. *Ak
When driving the vheilce suddenly accelerated, causing the consumer to have an accident.*Ak *slc
The driver's side seat belt retractor locks up when trying to retract it back manually . Please describe .*Ak
Automatic transmission failure, also vehicle overheated. *Ak
Drivers seat belt buckle came unbuckled when hit from behind, causing injuries to driver. *Dsh
Wheel spindle broke, causing wheel to fall off. *Dsh
#Ea95-005 the front passenger and driver side seat belt buckle are broken. Tt the dealer states that no decisions have been made regarding a recall, however there is a recall, 95v103005. *Slc
#95V103005 THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE BROKE. TT
The drivers side seatbelt buckle does not latch and is not covered in the recall. Please describe. Tt
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE . TT
Vehicles driver side seat belt female portion broke. Tt
THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE BROKE . *AK
The driver side seat belt buckle come loose when lock. Tt
MANIFOLD IS CRACKED; NOISY; AFFECTS ENGINE. TT
Driver's shoulder/lap belt buckle does not catch; when engaged, will disengage with slight movement. Tt
Seat belt buckle had to be replaced on drivers side. Tt
Mazda 323: every year compared
All 323 years1989 Mazda 323 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 Mazda 323 | 38 | 1 | F | |
| 1989 Mazda 626 | 42 | 2 | C | Compare |
| 1989 Mazda 929 | 37 | 2 | C | Compare |
| 1989 Mazda RX7 | 31 | 1 | F | Compare |
| 1989 Mazda MX6 | 28 | 2 | D | Compare |
| 1989 Mazda MPV | 23 | 5 | B | Compare |
| 1989 Mazda B2200 | 3 | 0 | C | Compare |
| 1989 Mazda Protege | 2 | 0 | A | Compare |
| 1989 Mazda Mazda | 1 | 0 | C | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 1989 Mazda 323
Does the 1989 Mazda 323 have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 1989 Mazda 323: buckle assembly (May 1995). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 1989 Mazda 323?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the seats & seat belts (23), engine & cooling (4), fuel system (3).
How many complaints has the 1989 Mazda 323 had?
38 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on January 3, 1995 and the latest on January 15, 2004. Of these, 2 describe a crash and 3 a fire, and together they report 1 injury and 0 deaths.
Is the 1989 Mazda 323 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 23 out of 100 (grade F: far more problems than a typical Mazda 323 year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Mazda 323 years have the most complaints?
1989 (38), 1988 (35), 1991 (20). See every Mazda 323 year compared.
What should I do if my 1989 Mazda 323 has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data