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Vehicle safety record

1987 Mazda RX7 Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 50 complaints about the 1987 Mazda RX7 with NHTSA, most often about the fuel system (31) and the engine & cooling (10). Those complaints describe 1 crash, 22 fires, 2 injuries and 1 death. It is covered by 1 recall, the latest in October 1987 for the caliper. For comparison, the 1986 has 12 and the 1988 has 24.

NHTSA data checked

FFar more problems than a typical RX7 year, for its age

#9 most complained-about 1987 vehicle

Complaints
50
Recalls
1
Crashes
1
Fires
22
Injuries
2
Deaths
1

Most common 1987 Mazda RX7 problems

Share of all 50 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

1987 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

Service brakes: caliper

87V16000017,850 vehicles affected

The problem
In areas of heavy usage, road salt may accumulate at surfaces of components of front brake calipers.
The risk
This would eventually cause disc pad liner corrosionthat would prevent free movement of disc pads resulting in ineffective brakingof the front brakes.
The fix
Repair front brake calipers to prevent road salt accumulation.

What owners say

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50 complaints about the 1987 Mazda RX7

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 2.

Electrical systemEngine & coolingFuel systemFire

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

Filed Incident Electrical system · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 10483752
Fuel system

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

Filed Incident Fuel system, gasolineNHTSA 10287286
Fuel system

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...

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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 replacement piece so that it will never leak again. I need that new damper right now! *Tr

Filed Incident Fuel system, gasolineNHTSA 10287280
Fuel system

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...

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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

Filed Incident Fuel system, gasolineNHTSA 10278350
Fuel system

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

Filed Incident Fuel system, gasolineNHTSA 10267409
Fuel systemFire

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...

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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

Filed Incident Fuel system, gasolineNHTSA 10255122
Fuel systemFire

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

Filed Incident Fuel system, gasolineNHTSA 10157074
Engine & coolingFire

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...

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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 of damages for the victims of pulsation damper failer resulting in engine fire. *Jb

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10155088
Fuel systemFire

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

Filed Incident Fuel system, gasolineNHTSA 10138389
Fuel systemElectrical 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

Filed Incident Fuel system, gasoline · Fuel system, other · Electrical systemNHTSA 10129334
Fuel systemFire

Pulsation damper fails on my 1987 rx-7, causes engine fire and turns a 300 dollar repair into over a thousand dollars. *Ak

Filed Incident Fuel system, gasolineNHTSA 10116232
Fuel system

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

Filed Incident Fuel system, otherNHTSA 10059011
Electrical systemFire

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

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10058167
Visibility & wipers

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

Filed Incident VisibilityNHTSA 10023102
Fuel system

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

Filed Incident Fuel system, gasolineNHTSA 10023100
Engine & coolingFire

*Ohio traffic crash report* a fire originated from the engine compartment. *Jg *jb

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10006849
Fuel system

While driving the vehicle engine started running erratic. Driver pulled vehicle over to check under the hood. The pulsation dampner that controls the fuel going into the engine had came undone and fuel was leaking all over the engine. Please provide more details. Ts

Filed Incident Fuel system, gasolineNHTSA 8022491
Fuel systemFire

Every 2nd gen rx-7 aside from the 1990 & 1991s that I have seen have failed. Not all have burned. No safety defect listed in summary. *Ak

Filed Incident Fuel system, gasolineNHTSA 760284
Fuel system

The starter had given out. I and a friend were in the process of replacing it. The friend smelled gas. I got under the car, and smelled gas also. We decided not to drive the vehicle until the source of the smell was determined. After removing the intake plenum, it was determined that the gas leak was from the pulsation damper, a component bolted to the end of the primary injectors fuel rail. It was leaking onto the passenger side of the engine, near the top. Since the engine is oval, the gas was running down...

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the side of the engine toward the exhaust manifold, which becomes extremely hot when a rotary engine is running. Although this had not happened yet, as the leak became worse the gas would have ignited, putting the driver and passenger in the car at great peril. This component should be engineered in such a way that it does not leak, even if it fails. There are many incidents where a vehicle has been completely destroyed by fire as a result of the failure of this pulsation damper.*Ak

Filed Incident Fuel system, gasolineNHTSA 760274
Fuel systemFire

My damper is leaking fuel right as I type this to you. If I drive my car it may catch fire and kill inocent 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...

Read the full complaint

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, firedamage everywhere. Mazda even made an improvement on the replacement piece so that it will never leak again. I need that new damper right now!. *Ak

Filed Incident Fuel system, gasolineNHTSA 759645
Fuel system

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

Filed Incident Fuel system, gasolineNHTSA 759609
Fuel systemFire

Pulsation dampner failed, causing a gas leak and small engine fire. I was lucky and had a fire extinguisher handy.*Ak

Filed Incident Fuel system, gasolineNHTSA 759520
Fuel system

The small screw in the end of the pulsation damper had fallen out. Other persons with this failure have had fires as a result of this. In my case, I simply replaced the part. It failed again about two years later... Again, no fire, but it was leaking gas. *Ak

Filed Incident Fuel system, gasolineNHTSA 759458
Engine & cooling

Moderate fuel leak. Replaced to avoid engine compartment fire. Car does not run like it did before. No power above 3500 rpm.*Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 759408
Fuel system

It was caught in time but could have caused a major fire. *Ak

Filed Incident Fuel system, gasolineNHTSA 759188

Mazda RX7: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
198931102Seats & seat beltsF
1988240112Fuel systemF
1987501122Fuel systemF
198612115Fuel systemF
19854000Electrical systemB
19845013Electrical systemD
19831100Seats & seat beltsC
All RX7 years

1987 Mazda RX7 vs rivals

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.

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Questions about the 1987 Mazda RX7

Does the 1987 Mazda RX7 have any recalls?

Yes - NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 1987 Mazda RX7: caliper (October 1987). 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 1987 Mazda RX7?

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the fuel system (31), engine & cooling (10), electrical system (6).

How many complaints has the 1987 Mazda RX7 had?

50 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on February 27, 1995 and the latest on November 8, 2012. Of these, 1 describe a crash and 22 a fire, and together they report 2 injuries and 1 death.

Is the 1987 Mazda RX7 a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 2 out of 100 (grade F: far more 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?
What should I do if my 1987 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

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