1986 Mazda Rx7 recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. IN AREAS OF HEAVY USAGE, ROAD SALT MAY ACCUMULATE AT SURFACES OF COMPONENTS OF FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS.
What could happen: 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 to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1986 RX7.
- Book a repair at any authorized Mazda dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 87V160000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:CALIPER
Summary: IN AREAS OF HEAVY USAGE, ROAD SALT MAY ACCUMULATE AT SURFACES OF COMPONENTS OF FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS.
Consequence: THIS WOULD EVENTUALLY CAUSE DISC PAD LINER CORROSIONTHAT WOULD PREVENT FREE MOVEMENT OF DISC PADS RESULTING IN INEFFECTIVE BRAKINGOF THE FRONT BRAKES.
Remedy: REPAIR FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS TO PREVENT ROAD SALT ACCUMULATION.
Notes: SYSTEM: FRONT BRAKE CALIPERSVEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1986 Mazda Rx7 owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Fuel system (8), Gasoline (5), Other (2), Equipment (2), Electrical system (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
05/16/2013 · Electrical system · fire
PULSATION DAMPER FAILURE LEAKING FUEL ALL OVER THE HOT EXHAUST THAT THE HEAT CAUGHT MY ENGINE ON FIRE! OVERHEATED AND DAMAGED INJECTOR CONNECTERS DUE TO FIRE BURNING THEM. INJECTORS THEM SELF : BURNT. TOTAL DAMAGE : NEAR $1058. *TR
02/17/2006 · Fuel system
FUEL INJECTION PULSATION DAMPENER BEGAN LEAKING. DUE TO IT BEING LOCATED OVER THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD WHICH IS RIGHT OVER THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WHEN IT LEAKS FUEL RUNS DOWN THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD AND ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. WHEN THE CAR IS RUNNING THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD IS EXTREMELY HOT AND THIS PROBLEM LEADS TO MANY FIRES ON THE MAZDA RX7 WHICH CAN AN…
08/06/2005 · Fuel system
RECENTLY PURCHASED THE CAR WITH A REBUILT MOTOR, BUT SEVERAL OLD PARTS WERE NOT REPLACED. OCCASIONALLY GAS FUMES ENTER THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. LOOKING AT THE PLACEMENT OF THE FUEL PULSATION DAMPNER, ONCE IT LEAKS IT WILL DRIP UNBURNED FUEL DIRECTLY ONTO THE MOTOR, RESULTING IN AN ENGINE FIRE. I WILL ORDER A NEW FUEL PULSATION DAMPNER AND WILL BE READY…
02/22/2005 · Fuel system · fire
THE CAR IS A DAILY DRIVER AND HAS NEVER BEEN DRIVEN BEYOND THE AVG DAILY ABUSE. ONE DAY I RETURN HOME AND IN THE DRIVEWAY THE CAR STALS AND I START IT AGAIN AND IT STALED AGAIN, UPON OPENING THE HOOD I"M GREETED WITH A BBQ SIZE FIRE ON THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. I PUT IT OUT WITH WATER AND LET IT COOL, BEING A MECHANIC I REPLACED THE PULSATION DAMPNER WITH A BAN…
01/20/2004 · Fuel system · fire
FAULTY OOULSATION DAMPNER.. CAUSED ENGINE FIRE.. APROXIMATE REPAIRE OVER 1000 AND THAT WITH USING USED WIRING HARNESS.*AK
03/17/2002 · Fuel system
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
02/02/1996 · Body / structure
BOTH DOOR HANDLES HAVE BROKEN AND BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES REGARDLESS OF WEATHER. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
02/01/1996 · Fuel system · fire
WHILE DRIVING ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO A DEFECTIVE FUEL LINE.(PHONE EXT 516). TT