Mazda 323 recalls

5 official safety recalls for the Mazda 323 from NHTSA (United States), DVSA (United Kingdom) and the EU Safety Gate, newest first. Recall repairs are normally free at the maker’s dealers.

Whether your car is affected and still needs the repair depends on its VIN or registration. Check it on the official site for your country:

  1. Ignition switch may overheat and catch fire

    Reported January 7, 2022Model years 1989–2002EU Safety Gate A12/00507/22

    Excess grease on some ignition switch contacts may carbonise during use, increasing fire risk. The product is being recalled from end users.

    Official EU Safety Gate text
    Component
    Fire
    Defect
    In some ignition switches, too much grease have been applied to certain contact points. For a vehicle used under these conditions this can lead to carbonisation of the grease if and therefore to an increased risk of fire. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
    Remedy
    Recall of the product from end users
    Notes
    Notified by France

  2. Ignition switch may overheat

    Reported October 19, 2015Model years 1990–1995NHTSA campaign 15V6740001,368,500 vehicles affected

    Grease on the ignition switch contacts may become conductive and overheat, increasing fire risk. Dealers will replace the ignition switch free of charge.

    Official NHTSA recall text
    Component
    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
    Defect
    Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 1989-1998 MPV, 1990-1995 323, 1990-1998 Protege, 1992-1993 MX-3, 1993-1995 929, 1993-1997 MX-6, and 1993-1998 626 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, grease applied to the contact points inside the ignition switch may become conductive and overheat.
    Consequence
    If the ignition switch overheats there would be an increased risk of a fire.
    Remedy
    Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. The recall began on December 17, 2015. Owners may contact Mazda Customer Experience Center at 1-800-222-5500, option#6. Mazda's number for this recall is 8715J.
    Notes
    Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

  3. Fuel tank heatshield rivets may break

    Reported November 13, 2001DVSA recall R/2001/12440,696 vehicles affected

    Corroded rivets may break, leaving the fuel tank heatshield loose and causing excessive rattling. The rivets will be replaced with nuts and bolts.

    Official DVSA recall text
    Component
    FUEL TANK HEATSHIELD MAY BECOME INSECURE
    Defect
    The rivets securing the fuel tank heatshield may corrode and break causing the heatshield to rattle excessively.
    Remedy
    Recall affected vehicles and replace rivets with nuts and bolts.

  4. Seat belt cable may jam in rail

    Reported November 18, 1997Model years 1990–1994NHTSA campaign 97V211000134,000 vehicles affected

    Wear in the automatic shoulder belt rail may jam the buckle retraction cable, leaving the belt inoperative and an occupant improperly restrained in a crash. Dealers will replace faulty assemblies and inspect and replace rails that exceed the criteria.

    Official NHTSA recall text
    Component
    SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
    Defect
    VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FRONT SEAT AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELTS. THE RAIL OF THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT CAN WEAR SUFFICIENTLY SUCH THAT THE CABLE WHICH RETRACTS THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAN BECOME JAMMED IN THE RAIL RENDERING THE SHOULDER BELT INOPERATIVE.
    Consequence
    A SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
    Remedy
    DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PASSIVE SHOULDER BELT ASSEMBLY WITH A MODIFIED ONE (WITH ADDITIONAL DUST LIP) IN VEHICLES WHICH HAVE EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM. IN VEHICLES IN WHICH THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT FUNCTIONS PROPERLY, THE RAILS WILL BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED WITH MODIFIED RAILS IF THEY EXCEED THE INSPECTION CRITERIA.
    Notes
    OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 31, 1998 AND WILL BE COMPLETED BY AUGUST 1998.OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

  5. Front seat belt buckle buttons may break

    Reported May 24, 1995Model years 1988–1989NHTSA campaign 95V103005360,433 vehicles affected

    A release button can break, allowing pieces into the buckle and causing it to work improperly. The seat belt may not protect an occupant adequately in a crash. Check both buckles; a dealer will repair or replace a faulty buckle free of charge. A remedy for buttons that are not broken is being developed.

    Official NHTSA recall text
    Component
    SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
    Defect
    THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
    Consequence
    THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
    Remedy
    OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, AND THEN PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS A SIGN OF BREAKING OR CRACKING OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CONTACT THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER IS DEVELOPING A REMEDY DESIGNED TO PREVENT FAILURE OF THE BUTTONS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY BROKEN.
    Notes
    SYSTEM: INTERIOR; SEAT BELTS; BELT BUCKLES.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SAFETY BELTS MADE BY TAKATA CORPORATION.NOTE: IF YOUR VEHICLE IS PRESENTED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPONSERVICE DATE AND THE REMEDY IS NOT PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME, PLEASE CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

Sources: NHTSA (US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), DVSA (UK Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) and the EU Safety Gate (European Commission) recall data. Each recall covers vehicles sold in that market; models sold elsewhere may differ.

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