1990 Mazda RX-7 Problems
- Complaints
- 28filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 81,000miles, 5 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 1990 Mazda RX-7 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 28 consumer complaints for the 1990 Mazda RX-7. The part named most often is seat belts, with 18 complaints (64% of the total), followed by engine cooling (4) and brakes (2). 5 of the complaints include a mileage, and 20% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 81,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 1 technical service bulletin for this model year. Seat belts complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the webbing and 1 NHTSA investigation filed under the same part.
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.
- Seat belts18 64%
- Engine cooling4 14%
- Brakes2 7.1%
- Fuel system2 7.1%
- Electrical system1 3.6%
- Equipment1 3.6%
- Tires1 3.6%
Example complaints
Seat belts: “There was a recall issued for my car for the automatic shoulder belt on 02-17-1997, campaign # 68702. Mine was originally repaired on 05-23-2006. It has since failed again and my local Mazda dealer, # 23963, ran a report showing that the status was closed because it was fixed once. As a safety issue, I thought that this recall covered the problem for the car's lifetime, at least for the original owner which I am. I would like your help resolving this issue as the automatic shoulder belt on the driver's side, the one previously repaired, is not working again. …”
NHTSA complaint #10735427, filed 2015-07, 151,426 milesEngine cooling: “Exhaust manifold is leaking carbon monoxide into the cabin of vehicle, causing a health hazard. Dealer is aware of defect. Consumer claims he is aware of other vehicles of the same model that have this defect.”
NHTSA complaint #860740, filed 2000-04Brakes: “The ABS has not failed, but it leaks profusly. I need to replace about 1 oz of brake fluid per week. The dealer's price for a replacement ABS unit (they won't rebuild it) is a crime at $2745!! If this is a chronic problem (and it sounds like it is), they should be more reasonable $!”
NHTSA complaint #735719, filed 2000-11Fuel system: “Under normal driving conditions, the pulsation damener on the primary fuel rail failed, spraying fuel over the entire engine bay, which resulted in a fire of the compartment, which was quickly extinguished via handheld fire extinguisher. The part was replaced, at a high cost, due to the fact that the whole fuel rail must be replaced to correct the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10138372, filed 2005-10, 153,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
20% of the 5 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 81,000 and 151,426 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 1990 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 | 23 | 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 | 22 | 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
- 96V173000Sep 16, 1996Seat belts › Front › WebbingCovers: Mazda RX-7 1989–1991
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.
Recall details for the 1990 Mazda RX-7 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- PE96027Mazda rx7 automatic seat belt failureClosed · Apr 16, 1996
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 1 on record; the latest 1 are shown.
- 10213425Feb 17, 2016Electrical system. Speedometer replacement procedure
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
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1990 Mazda RX-7 have?
NHTSA recorded 28 consumer complaints for the 1990 Mazda RX-7 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1990 Mazda RX-7 is reported most often?
Seat belts is named most often, in 18 complaints (64% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 4.
Has the 1990 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 1990 Mazda RX-7 get?
The EPA rates the 1990 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 1990 Mazda RX-7 reported?
Among the 5 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 81,000 miles and the middle half falls between 81,000 and 151,426 miles; 20% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
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. 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.