- The problem
- In certain high salt areas, the idler arm is exposed to road salt which causes the dust seal to deteriorate resulting in idler arm pin corrosion. This causes the pin to freeze and break. Consequence of defect: a broken idler arm pin could result in loss of steering control and may cause an accident.
- The fix
- Replace pin with one of improved corrosion resistant quality.
Vehicle safety record
1981 Mazda RX7 Problems, complaints & recalls
No owner complaints about the 1981 Mazda RX7 have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 1 recall, the latest in September 1985 for the steering.
NHTSA data checked
AFar fewer problems than a typical RX7 year, for its age
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
1981 Mazda RX7 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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No complaints about the 1981 Mazda RX7 yet
No owner has filed a complaint about this vehicle with NHTSA. If yours has a problem, share it here and report it to NHTSA.
Mazda RX7: every year compared
All RX7 yearsQuestions about the 1981 Mazda RX7
Does the 1981 Mazda RX7 have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 1981 Mazda RX7: steering (September 1985). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
How many complaints has the 1981 Mazda RX7 had?
None have been filed with NHTSA so far.
Is the 1981 Mazda RX7 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 81 out of 100 (grade A: far fewer problems than a typical Mazda RX7 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 RX7 years have the most complaints?
1987 (50), 1989 (31), 1988 (24). See every Mazda RX7 year compared.
What should I do if my 1981 Mazda RX7 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