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1991 Mazda RX-7 problems

The most common problem on the 1991 Mazda RX-7 is seat belts. Its complaint count is close to a typical RX-7 model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
22
Recalls
1
Service bulletins
9
Worst area
Seat belts
Fuel economy
17-18mpg

The worst 1991 Mazda RX-7 problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Seat belts
    13
  • Fuel system
    5
  • Engine
    3
  • Body
    1
  • Electrical
    1
  • Lights
    1
  • Tires
    1
  • Visibility
    1

Recalls 1

Seat belts: front: webbingReported September 16, 1996 · 17,800 vehicles affected
What is wrong
The rail of the automatic shoulder belt can wear sufficiently such that the cable which retracts the buckle assembly will become jammed in the rail rendering the shoulder belt inoperative.
Risk
In the event of a vehicle collision, the occupant would not be adequately restrained increasing the risk of personal injury.
Remedy
Dealers will replace inoperative shoulder belts. Mazda has extended the warranty coverage on the driver and passenger automatic shoulder belt rail and motor for the life of the vehicle.

Recall number 96V173000 · Recall details

See all 1 recalls for the 1991 Mazda RX-7

Defect investigations

Mazda rx7 automatic seat belt failureOpened April 16, 1996, closed September 30, 1996

Malfunction of the automatic seat belt system

PE96027

Technical service bulletins for the 1991 Mazda RX-7 9

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

1991 Mazda RX-7 fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
1.3L 2‑cylRWD1521-2317-18

What 1991 Mazda RX-7 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Sep 13, 2022 · Seat belts · NY

My seatbelt motor and rail has a recall that the dealer confirmed it when I took it to them. My seatbelts get stuck sometimes causing safety concerns. The recall sent in 1996 from Mazda states the cable can wear sufficiently that the cable which retracts the buckle assembly will jam in the rail making it inoperative, if a collision the occupants will not be properly restrained.Recall states the dealer will extend warranty and replace shoulder belt rail and motor for the life of the vehicle. I took my car around October of 2021 they had the car and confirmed recall said they will call me when they get the parts, it’s September of 2022 and I haven’t gotten a call from them, when I call they tell me they don’t have them yet or say they know nothing regarding this car. Can someone help me to get this recall taken care of since I still own the car and have safety concerns with the seatbelts. Sometimes they get struck and don’t want to release properly.

Filed Nov 10, 2021 · Seat belts · 106,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 1991 Mazda RX-7. The contact stated that the front driver's and passenger's side automatic seat belts failed to retract when the doors are opened. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that they had the parts to repair the front passenger's side seat belt but not the parts for the front driver's side seat belt. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 96V173000 (Seat Belts). The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.

Filed Nov 11, 2014 · Fuel system, Seat belts · OR

I am heavily concerned with the major safety issues of my beloved mazda and need your help. My seat belt retractors are broken (emergency), the horns do not work (emergency), my rear windshield wiper and fluids do not work (visibility), my brake light is on(emergency), and my pulsation damper is leaking fuel (fire hazard). I have read many stories about rx7's that would catch on fire due to the fuel pulsation dampers leaking fuel onto the engine, eventually igniting their whole car to ashes.

Filed Apr 11, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 150,000 miles · MS · fire

Pulsation damper failure. Leaked fuel. Caused engine fire.

Filed Mar 14, 2012 · Engine, Fuel system · 144,000 miles · CA · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 1991 mazda rx7. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH, all of the warning lamps illuminated on the instrument panel and the engine compartment ignited into flames. The fire department was notified and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 144,000. . Updated 03/26/12 *bf the consumer stated prior to the fire, the engine started misfiring while driving up a hill at 30 MPH. A smell of fuel was also present. Within one mile of the misfiring, the gas pedal became unresponsive and all the warning lights illuminated and the engine compartment exploded in flames. There was no smoke, just burning fuel. He opened the hood and flames shot up 20 feet in the air. Updated 05/07/12

Filed Mar 9, 2011 · Fuel system · 211,000 miles · NY

Mazda's rx-7 model fc3s from model year 1986-1992's fuel pulsation damper has an issue that it will leak, since the device sits on top of the engine so if the timing is right, an engine fire will start. It is a very well known issue in the rx-7 community. Im surprised no one ever filed a complain over this. 1986-1988's fuel pulsation damper is very prone to this defect, they changed the design and use them on later model year of rx-7 from 1989-1992, but it will still leak.

Filed Jan 31, 2008 · Seat belts · 127,940 miles · CA

Tl*the contact owns a 1991 mazda rx7. The contact stated that the vehicle was installed with an automatic seat belt that did not function at all. The vehicle was repaired under the federal safety agency campaign id number 96v173000 (seat belts:front:webbing) in 1997. The contact was informed that the seat belt would be covered under warranty for the life of the vehicle. The dealer stated that the vehicle would not be repaired. The mazda customer service manager stated that he would consult with the contact at a later date. The purchase date and number of cylinders were unknown. The current mileage was 127,980 and failure mileage was 127,940.

Filed Aug 7, 2004 · Tires · 112,000 miles · MD

On sunday evening 5/23/04 at 10:00 pm I experienced a tire failure/tread separation on the left rear tire of my car while driving 65 MPH on I-95 north in harford county, md. Considerable damage was sustained by the car, but it did not roll, and there was no other property damage. The tire was a pacemark radial sr60, size p205/60r15 90s, made in brazil but purchased at a service station in montgomery county, maryland. There is some reference on the internet that this tire company is a subsuduary of kelly springfield.

Filed Jan 7, 2004 · Seat belts · 88,000 miles · MD

Front seat belts were not retracting. This made it impossible for front passengers to wear seat belts. Recall 96v17000 was issued on this problem; however, dealer refused to repair the seat belts because this vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN.

Filed Jan 9, 2001 · Fuel system · CA

Due to defective fuel rail, connected to fuel injection system, leaks fuel onto engine compartment, which may have cause a fire. Common problem. Dealer needed to replace fuel rail. *ak there was excessive fuel smell around the vehicle with the hood closed. The fuel rail and exhaust manifold are on the same side.

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Compare the 1991 Mazda RX-7

Other model years

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Questions about the 1991 Mazda RX-7

Is the 1991 Mazda RX-7 reliable?

Owners have filed 22 complaints about the 1991 Mazda RX-7, close to a typical RX-7 model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1991 Mazda RX-7?

Seat belts, with 13 complaints. Next is fuel system (5).

How many recalls does the 1991 Mazda RX-7 have?

1 recall, covering seat belts.

Was there a recall on the 1991 Mazda RX-7 seat belts?

Yes, 1 recall: 96V173000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Mazda RX-7 have the most seat belts problems?

The Mazda RX-7 model years with the most seat belts complaints are 1990 (18 complaints) and 1991 (13 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 1991 Mazda RX-7 get?

Official estimates for the 1991 Mazda RX-7 range from 17 to 18 mpg combined. The most efficient version (1.3L 2-cyl, RWD) gets 15 city and 21-23 highway.

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