1989 Mazda 323 Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 13%of 38 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 178,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1989 Mazda 323, 13% of the 38 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 178,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The alternator quit which caused the cooling fan to stop , the heat light didnt come on so the car ran hot and exploded the radiator, the top of the radiator cracked and spewed out all of the water , the brakes failed twice and had to replace the master cylinder and rear brakes ,”
NHTSA complaint #10068899, filed 2004-01, 178,000 miles“Mechanic was informed by Mazda to carefully observe belt tension. Mechanic feels that Mazda's design on the crankshaft has too little metal left after the front jounal to provide adequate strength for crank not to break over long period of time. Crankshaft is cut down a lot from the journal size. Mechanic noted that Mazda has a service bullentin in reference to accesory belt tensions and feels that Mazda is not wanting to admit that crankshaft is too small. Diameter of shaft lends itself to permature failure due to metal fatigue. …”
NHTSA complaint #738381, filed 2000-12Engine cooling: other model years
Other parts of the 1989 Mazda 323
23 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsElectrical system
2 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaintsWheels
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1989 Mazda 323
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology