Mazda RX-7 recalls

6 official safety recalls for the Mazda RX-7 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. Shoulder belt cable may jam in its rail

    Reported September 16, 1996Model years 1989–1991NHTSA campaign 96V17300017,800 vehicles affected

    Wear in the shoulder belt rail can jam the retractor cable and make the belt inoperative, leaving an occupant inadequately restrained in a crash. Dealers will replace inoperative shoulder belts. Warranty coverage for the belt rails and motor has been extended for the life of the vehicle.

    Official NHTSA recall text
    Component
    SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
    Defect
    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.
    Consequence
    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.
    Notes
    OWNER NOTIFICATION:OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING OCTOBER 1996. NOTE: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'SAUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

  2. Brake vacuum check valve may reduce power assist

    Reported August 2, 1996Model years 1993–1995NHTSA campaign 96V14900013,900 vehicles affected

    Oil mist may prevent the brake vacuum check valve from opening at the specified pressure, reducing brake power assist and potentially diminishing braking performance. Dealers will replace two vacuum hoses, including the check valve, with modified hoses.

    Official NHTSA recall text
    Component
    SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
    Defect
    OIL MIST CONTAINED IN THE ENGINE INTAKE AIR CAN COLLECT OVER TIME IN THE BRAKE VACUUM CHECK VALVE PREVENTING THE CHECK VALVE FROM OPENING AT THE SPECIFIED PRESSURE REDUCING POWER ASSIST TO THE BRAKES.
    Consequence
    BRAKE PERFORMANCE CAN BE DIMINISHED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
    Remedy
    DEALERS WILL REPLACE TWO VACUUM HOSES, INCLUDING THE CHECK VALVE, WITH MODIFIED HOSES.
    Notes
    OWNER NOTIFICATION: OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING SEPTEMBER 1996. NOTE: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.

  3. Fuel hoses may leak from heat damage

    Reported March 30, 1995Model years 1993–1994NHTSA campaign 95V06900013,400 vehicles affected

    Residual engine heat can deteriorate fuel hoses, which may leak and cause an engine compartment fire. Removing and reinstalling deteriorated hoses also increases the chance of a leak. Dealers will replace the hoses and add a control unit so the cooling fan can run after shutdown.

    Official NHTSA recall text
    Component
    FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
    Defect
    RESIDUAL ENGINE HEAT CAN CAUSE PREMATURE DETERIORATION OF THE FUEL HOSE CAUSING THE HOSE TO LEAK. ALSO, REMOVING AND REINSTALLING THE DETERIORATED FUEL HOSES INCREASES THE LIKELIHOOD OF A LEAK.
    Consequence
    THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
    Remedy
    DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL CONTROL UNIT FOR THE ELECTRIC COOLING FAN. THE FAN WILL THEN ACTIVATE AFTER THE ENGINE IS TURNED OFF WHEN THE COOLANT EXCEEDS A SPECIFIED TEMPERATURE. THE FUEL HOSES WILL ALSO BE REPLACED WITH REVISED HOSES.
    Notes
    SYSTEM: FUEL; FUEL LINES; HOSES; NON-METALLIC.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.NOTE: IF YOUR VEHICLE IS PRESENTED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE 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.

  4. Coolant leak could cause an engine compartment fire

    Reported May 11, 1994Model years 1993–1994NHTSA campaign 94V09400012,316 vehicles affected

    A radiator cap pressure relief valve set too high can cause overheating and coolant leaks onto the engine. Coolant reaching the hot exhaust manifold could cause a fire. Dealers will replace the caps and cap body, inspect for coolant loss, replace potentially overheated components as needed, and check related systems for problems.

    Official NHTSA recall text
    Component
    ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
    Defect
    THE RADIATOR CAP PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE RELEASE PRESSURE IS SET TOO HIGH. THIS CAN CAUSE THE COOLANT TO REACH TEMPERATURES THAT EXCEED THE THERMAL DESIGN LIMITS OF SOME COMPONENTS OF THE COOLANT SYSTEM. SHOULD THIS OCCUR, ENGINE COOLANT CAN LEAK COLLECT ON TOP OF THE ENGINE.
    Consequence
    IF ENGINE COOLANT LEAKS ONTO THE HOT ENGINE EXHAUST MANIFOLD FROM THE TOP OF THE ENGINE, AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE CAN RESULT.
    Remedy
    DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES AND IF ANY VEHICLE EXHIBITS COOLANT LEAKAGE OR IF THE COOLANT LEVEL HAS DROPPED TO THE POINT WHERE THE COOLANT LOSS WOULD BE SUFFICIENT TO TRIGGER THE COOLANT LEVEL WARNING SYSTEM, COMPONENTS POTENTIALLY SUBJECT TO DETERIORATION FROM OVERHEATING WOULD BE REPLACED. THESE PARTS INCLUDE THE WATER PUMP BEARING HOUSING, THE WATER LEVEL SENSOR AND RADIATOR UPPER HOSE, THE THERMOSTAT GASKET, AND ALL WATER HOSES LOCATED ABOVE THE ENGINE. IN ADDITION, ALL VEHICLES IN WHICH THOSE COMPONENTS ARE REPLACED WOULD ALSO HAVE THE COOLING SYSTEM AND OTHER SYSTEMS THAT CARRY FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS CHECKED TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT ENGINE OVERHEATING HAD NOT CAUSED ANY PROBLEMS IN THOSE SYSTEMS. ANY IDENTIFIED PROBLEMS WILL BE REPAIRED. THE RADIATOR CAP, FILLER CAP, AND FILLER CAP BODY OF ALL RECALLED VEHICLES WILL BE REPLACED BY NEWLY DESIGNED PARTS.
    Notes
    SYSTEM: ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.NOTE: IF YOUR VEHICLE IS PRESENTED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND THE REMEDY IS NOT PROVIDED WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME OR THE REMEDY DOES NOT CORRECT THE DEFECT OR NONCOMPLIANCE, PLEASE CONTACT MAZDA SERVICE CENTER AT 1-800-222-5500. ALSO, CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

  5. Road salt may cause front brakes to bind

    Reported October 14, 1987Model years 1986–1987NHTSA campaign 87V16000017,850 vehicles affected

    Road salt may build up on front brake caliper components, causing disc pad liner corrosion that prevents the pads from moving freely and makes the front brakes ineffective. The remedy is to repair the calipers to prevent salt accumulation.

    Official NHTSA recall text
    Component
    SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:CALIPER
    Defect
    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

  6. Idler arm pin may corrode and break

    Reported September 4, 1985Model years 1983NHTSA campaign 85V108000136,526 vehicles affected

    Road salt can damage the idler arm dust seal, allowing the pin to corrode, seize and break. A broken pin could cause loss of steering control and a crash. The pin will be replaced with one made to resist corrosion.

    Official NHTSA recall text
    Component
    STEERING
    Defect
    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.
    Remedy
    REPLACE PIN WITH ONE OF IMPROVED CORROSION RESISTANT QUALITY.
    Notes
    VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS WITH REAR WHEEL DRIVE.SYSTEM: STEERING.

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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