1987 Mazda RX-7 Problems
- Complaints
- 51filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 145,550miles, 12 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 17 mpgcombined, 1.3L 2-cyl RWD · 15 city / 21 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1987 Mazda RX-7 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
What owners report
Owners of this 1987 Mazda RX-7 most often describe fuel leaking from the pulsation damper on the fuel rail, and many of these complaints link the leak to engine-bay fires or a fuel smell. Where mileage is stated in these reports, most are above 120,000 miles, though a lower figure of about 44,500 miles also appears. Some complaints describe engine-bay fires that do not name the damper, including a fire that started while the car was stopped at idle.
- Fuel system
Fuel pulsation damper leaks and engine-bay fires
- 24 complaints (47%)
- median 149,050 mi at 19.3 yrs old (10 state mileage)
- 12 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 1998–2012
Owners describe the pulsation damper on the fuel rail leaking fuel onto the hot engine, often first noticed as a strong fuel smell. Some report a small screw in the damper working loose, and others describe the plastic part becoming brittle and failing. Several complaints describe fire under the intake manifold, and in one replacement case the new part is described as failing again later. According to complaints, the dealer did not acknowledge the problem, and some owners asked for a recall. Where mileage is stated, these reports range from about 44,500 to about 220,000 miles, and most are above 120,000 miles.
What to check: Ask a mechanic to inspect the pulsation damper on the fuel rail for leaks and a loose screw, and ask for records of any previous damper replacement. Check for a fuel smell or fuel residue around the intake manifold after a drive.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“My pulsation dampner on my 1987 Mazda rx7 is failing. It is a very weak part and easily susceptible to failure. The pulsation dampner in my car has failed and allowed gas to leak into the engine bay and onto the hot exhaust, thereby resulting in a fire. It was caught early and not serious, but I smelled burning gas and luckily found the problem before it ignited other gas.”
NHTSA complaint #10157074, filed 2006-05, 135,402 miles“I routinely started the car for a nice sunday drive and while I was waiting for the car to warm up I noticed fuel leaking on the ground. I immediately shut the car off and discovered that fuel had leaked all over the top of the engine and was running down the side and onto the exhaust. The fuel leak was coming from the fuel pulsation damper located on the primary fuel injector rail. …”
NHTSA complaint #10278350, filed 2009-07, 127,504 miles - Engine
Engine-bay fires and burn damage
- 10 complaints (20%)
- median 86,831 mi at 27.7 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
- 8 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 1995–2017
Complaints describe fire or smoke in the engine compartment while driving, parked, or idling, with damage to wiring, injectors, and hoses. Owners often mention keeping a fire extinguisher in the car and using it to put out the flames, and minor burns to the operator are also mentioned. After a coolant leak repair at the dealer, a fire during a test drive is described, and the dealer's mechanics are said to have pointed to an oil line near the exhaust. Where mileage is stated, these reports fall between about 121,000 and 146,000 miles, and a fire while stopped at idle is also described.
What to check: Ask whether any fire or burn damage under the intake manifold has been repaired, and request records for the wiring harness, injectors, and hoses. Check the engine bay for fuel residue, a burnt smell, or damaged wiring before buying, and ask for a mechanic's inspection of the fuel and electrical systems.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Driving home from my parents house I noticed my gas light come on on the freeway. I was a little confused because I had just put gas in the tank. I pulled off once I had gotten down on a side street near a gas station to have a look to see what was going on. Immediately as I got out I noticed black smoke coming out the hood. I ran into the gas station grabbed a fire extinguisher and another guy ran out with me and when I popped the hood the engine was completely engulfed in flame. …”
NHTSA complaint #10155088, filed 2006-04, 121,338 miles“Burned alot of things like the engine wiring harness, injectors, misc hoses, intake manifold, hood liner, etc. Good thing I had a fire extinguisher in the car or the whole car would have been lost.”
NHTSA complaint #759104, filed 2002-03
Buying note. Ask the seller or a mechanic to inspect the fuel pulsation damper and fuel lines, and ask for records of any damper replacement. A pre-purchase inspection that also checks for engine-bay wiring damage is practical for this model year, since the complaints describe both leaks and fires.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 33 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.
NHTSA recorded 51 consumer complaints for the 1987 Mazda RX-7. 12 of the complaints include a mileage, and 8% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 145,550 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 23 a fire, 2 an injury, 1 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Fuel system32 63%
- Engine cooling9 18%
- Electrical system7 14%
- Seat belts3 5.9%
- Brakes2 3.9%
- Engine2 3.9%
- Other or unknown1 2.0%
- Steering1 2.0%
Example complaints
Fuel system: “On 11/07/2012 at approximately 7:15 a.m. While leaving work I noticed smoke coming from behind the radio. I immediately pulled over and realized there was fire coming from the engine compartment. I was able to put it out quickly before it spread. The damage to my car was somewhat substantial under the intake manifold. I took it to a local repair shop and it was diagnosed, and explained that it's a common issue with this particular model. …”
NHTSA complaint #10483752, filed 2012-11, 178,983 milesEngine cooling: “I took the car to a local Mazda dealer for a coolant leak. They said they fixed the problem. While they were test driving the car, the car caught on fire. Fortunately, it was close to the shop, and they put down the fire without any injuries. The car was totally destroyed. According to the mechanics at the dealership, an oil line is very close to the exhaust pipe in this model. The exhaust pipe is as hot as 800-900f when the vechile is operation. There is one plastic connection on the nearby oil line. …”
NHTSA complaint #750995, filed 2001-08Electrical system: “I have a 1987 rx7 na, the engine caught on fire the other day and I luckily had an extinguisher to put it out with or I would have been toast. Most likely a faulty pulsation damper or a short in some of the wires, I am not sure.”
NHTSA complaint #10058167, filed 2004-02, 146,100 milesSeat belts: “Seat belt warning light illuminates intermittently. Cause of failure is still unknown. Owner has (2) vehicle with same failure. 2) also having steering failure.”
NHTSA complaint #960606, filed 1995-02Mileage when problems were reported
8% of the 12 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 127,504 and 154,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1987 Mazda RX-7 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RX-7 RWD | 1.3L 2-cyl | 5-speed manual | 15 | 22 | 18 | $3,700 |
| RX-7 RWD | 1.3L 2-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 21 | 17 | $3,950 |
| RX-7 RWD | 1.3L 2-cyl | 5-speed manual | 15 | 21 | 17 | $3,950 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 87V160000Oct 14, 1987Service brakes, air › Disc › CaliperCovers: Mazda RX-7 1986–1987
In areas of heavy usage, road salt may accumulate at surfaces of components of front brake calipers.
Recall details for the 1987 Mazda RX-7 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1987 Mazda RX-7.
Other model years of the Mazda RX-7
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 18 | 98,000 | 3 | — | 18 | — | Stable |
| 1993 | 82 | 51,976 | 3 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 22 | 127,940 | 1 | — | 17 | — | Falling |
| 1990 | 28 | 81,000 | 1 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 30 | 95,000 | 1 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 24 | 134,000 | 0 | — | 17 | — | Stable |
| 1987 | 51 | 145,550 | 1 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1986 | 11 | 117,000 | 1 | — | 18 | — | Not enough data |
| 1984 | 5 | 100,000 | 0 | — | 17 | — | Not enough data |
All Mazda RX-7 model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1987 Mazda RX-7?
Owners of this 1987 Mazda RX-7 most often describe fuel leaking from the pulsation damper on the fuel rail, and many of these complaints link the leak to engine-bay fires or a fuel smell. The issues reported most often: Fuel pulsation damper leaks and engine-bay fires; Engine-bay fires and burn damage.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1987 Mazda RX-7 have?
NHTSA recorded 51 consumer complaints for the 1987 Mazda RX-7 as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1987 Mazda RX-7 is reported most often?
Fuel system is named most often, in 32 complaints (63% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 9.
Has the 1987 Mazda RX-7 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1987 Mazda RX-7 get?
The EPA rates the 1987 Mazda RX-7 (RX-7, 1.3L 2-cyl) at 17 mpg combined, 15 city and 21 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,950 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1987 Mazda RX-7 reported?
Among the 12 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 145,550 miles and the middle half falls between 127,504 and 154,000 miles; 8% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.