(No description was published with this complaint.)
Engine & cooling
Mazda 323 Engine problems by year
18 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Mazda 323's engine & cooling. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.
Engine complaints by model year
Latest 323 engine complaints
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 ,
While driving about 60 mph on the highway and without warning vehicle stalled. *Ak
Driver's side seatbelt buckle will not stay latched. Dealer notified. *Ak the consumer states that the passenger side seat belt does not work properly and the driver side seat belt does not work and is of track, with a wire exposed. (Able to use both lap belts, but the automatic part which goes across the chest are inoperable) the motor runs constantly on the driver's side, when the key is in the ignition. *Scc
Vehicle stalls at any speed/ any time. Vehicle at repair shop at this time. Please provide additional comments.*Ak
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...
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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
Engine died during high speed traffic situation. Lucky to escape unharmed.*Ak
Consumer vehicle experienced sudden acceleration and ran into the car ahead or her. *Et
The crankshaft pulley bolt broke, without warning, causing engine failure. Please describe details.
The crankshakt has been replaced at four different times . *Ak
Plastic radiator melted and split open, spewing out fluid.
CRANKSHAFT BROKE.
Cam gear/bolt securing cam gear broke, causing vehicle to stall. *Sd
The overflow reservoir of the radiator,the cap pops up to easily.Please describe details. Tt
Bolt that connects timing belt/pulley to crankshaft broke, causing vehicle to stall. *Ak
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data