1991 Mazda RX-7 Problems
- Complaints
- 22filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 127,940miles, 7 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in 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 1991 Mazda RX-7 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 22 consumer complaints for the 1991 Mazda RX-7. The part named most often is seat belts, with 13 complaints (59% of the total), followed by fuel system (5) and engine cooling (2). 7 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 127,940 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.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
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 belts13 59%
- Fuel system5 23%
- Engine cooling2 9.1%
- Electrical system1 4.5%
- Engine1 4.5%
- Exterior lighting1 4.5%
- Other or unknown1 4.5%
- Body and structure1 4.5%
- Tires1 4.5%
Example complaints
Seat belts: “Front seat belts were not retracting. This made it impossible for front passengers to wear seat belts. Recall 96v17000 was issued on this problem; however, dealer refused to repair the seat belts because this vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN.”
NHTSA complaint #10053563, filed 2004-01, 88,000 milesFuel system: “Mazda's RX-7 model fc3s from model year 1986-1992's fuel pulsation damper has an issue that it will leak, since the device sits on top of the engine so if the timing is right, an engine fire will start. It is a very well known issue in the RX-7 community. Im surprised no one ever filed a complain over this. 1986-1988's fuel pulsation damper is very prone to this defect, they changed the design and use them on later model year of RX-7 from 1989-1992, but it will still leak.”
NHTSA complaint #10386960, filed 2011-03, 211,000 milesEngine cooling: “The contact owns a 1991 Mazda rx7. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH, all of the warning lamps illuminated on the instrument panel and the engine compartment ignited into flames. The fire department was notified and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 144,000. . Updated 03/26/12 the consumer stated prior to the fire, the engine started misfiring while driving up a hill at 30 MPH. …”
NHTSA complaint #10451712, filed 2012-03, 144,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
0% of the 7 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 112,000 and 144,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1991 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 1991 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 1991 Mazda RX-7 have?
NHTSA recorded 22 consumer complaints for the 1991 Mazda RX-7 as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1991 Mazda RX-7 is reported most often?
Seat belts is named most often, in 13 complaints (59% of the total), followed by fuel system with 5.
Has the 1991 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 1991 Mazda RX-7 get?
The EPA rates the 1991 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 1991 Mazda RX-7 reported?
Among the 7 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 127,940 miles and the middle half falls between 112,000 and 144,000 miles; 0% 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.