- The problem
- Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 1989-1998 MPV, 1990-1995 323, 1990-1998 Protege, 1992-1993 MX-3, 1993-1995 929, 1993-1997 MX-6, and 1993-1998 626 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, grease applied to the contact points inside the ignition switch may become conductive and overheat.
- The risk
- If the ignition switch overheats there would be an increased risk of a fire.
- The fix
- Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. The recall began on December 17, 2015. Owners may contact Mazda Customer Experience Center at 1-800-222-5500, option#6. Mazda's number for this recall is 8715J.
Vehicle safety record
1990 Mazda 323 Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 19 complaints about the 1990 Mazda 323 with NHTSA, most often about the seats & seat belts (13) and the acceleration & cruise control (2). Those complaints describe 4 crashes and 1 injury. It is covered by 2 recalls, the latest in October 2015 for the switch. For comparison, the 1989 has 38 and the 1991 has 20.
NHTSA data checked
DMore problems than a typical 323 year, for its age
#85 most complained-about 1990 vehicle
- Complaints
- 19
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes
- 4
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 1
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 1990 Mazda 323 problems
Share of all 19 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
1990 Mazda 323 recalls 2
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
- The problem
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with front seat automatic shoulder belts. The rail of the automatic shoulder belt can wear sufficiently such that the cable which retracts the buckle assembly can become jammed in the rail rendering the shoulder belt inoperative.
- The risk
- A seat occupant may not be properly restrained in the event of a vehicle crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will replace the passive shoulder belt assembly with a modified one (with additional dust lip) in vehicles which have experienced a problem. In vehicles in which the automatic shoulder belt functions properly, the rails will be inspected and replaced with modified rails if they exceed the inspection criteria.
What owners say
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19 complaints about the 1990 Mazda 323
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
Tl*the contact owns a 1990 mazda 323. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration and whenever the vehicle idled excessively the rpms also increased. The dealer was notified and stated that there was nothing that they could do. The dealer also told him to contact the manufacturer for further instructions. There was only one dealer in his area which is not a certified mazda dealer. The failure mileage was 97,000.
The driver was sitting at an intersection without warning another vehicle rear ended the vehicle in front. The left side and right side seat belts disengaged on their own,the seat belts retractor was not retractable. No injuries to report. The driver was able to drive to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the seat belts needed to be replaced. *Ak
Consumer states dealer told her that they were not going to accept her recall notice because car was to old and seat belt will not stick.*Jb
When closing door seat belt does not retract. Can hear clicking sound, but seatbelt does not go back in. Dealer contacted. *Ak
Motor belt/shoulder failed prior to recall notice, during recall repair extra charges due to parts not included in recall notice.(97V-211) mjs
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE. AW
Intermittently the front seat belts retract back and forth on their own. Manufacturer was notified. *Ak
Recall # 97v211000, shoulder belts; when owner arrived for scheduled appointment he was informed that parts were not available to correct recall. Owner has contacted dealer on (3) other occasions. The dealer is not able to tell owner when parts will be available. *Ak
The driver's side seat belt failed and the light comes on.
Plastic radiator melted and split open, spewing out fluid.
Owner states that seat belts on drivers side do not retract. He notes that he had seat belts on driver's side repaired and then the other side went out. *Ak
Cam gear/bolt securing cam gear broke, causing vehicle to stall. *Sd
Ea94-039 passive restraint; drivers side failed to complete cycle and not restrain driver. Please describe details. Tt
Brakes have very high metallic sound when braking on wet/dry surface; followed by increase in braking; any speed. Tt
Accelerator pedal stuck, resulting in accident. Tt
Passenger seat belt buckle push button broke. Passenger seat belt hardly is used. Please describe details. Tt
Passenger seatbelt buckle came loose during impact. Tt
Front passenger seatbelt came out of the car one day. Please explain. Tt
DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT DOES NOT FASTEN FOR USE. TT
Mazda 323: every year compared
All 323 years1990 Mazda 323 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 Mazda 323 | 19 | 2 | D | |
| 1990 Mazda MPV | 49 | 3 | C | Compare |
| 1990 Mazda 626 | 45 | 2 | C | Compare |
| 1990 Mazda Protege | 38 | 1 | B | Compare |
| 1990 Mazda MX-5 Miata | 28 | 0 | D | Compare |
| 1990 Mazda B-Series Truck | 16 | 3 | F | Compare |
| 1990 Mazda MX-6 | 14 | 1 | C | Compare |
| 1990 Mazda 929 | 13 | 1 | B | Compare |
| 1990 Mazda Miata | 3 | 2 | F | 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 1990 Mazda 323
Does the 1990 Mazda 323 have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 1990 Mazda 323: switch (October 2015); webbing (November 1997). 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 1990 Mazda 323?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the seats & seat belts (13), acceleration & cruise control (2), engine & cooling (2).
How many complaints has the 1990 Mazda 323 had?
19 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on March 2, 1995 and the latest on March 4, 2010. Of these, 4 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 1 injury and 0 deaths.
Is the 1990 Mazda 323 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 35 out of 100 (grade D: 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 1990 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