1990 Mazda RX-7: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1990 Mazda RX-7: 1 recall, 28 owner complaints and up to 18 mpg combined.
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Recalls
1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #96V173000 · 1996 · 17,800 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: In the event of a vehicle collision, the occupant would not be adequately restrained increasing the risk of personal injury.
The fix: 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.
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Airbags Equipment recall #90E043002 · 1990 · 88 vehicles
What's wrong: Threaded inflator components May have been damaged during assembly which May allow components to separate when inflator receives a signal to deploy the air bag.
Why it matters: Inflator component separation allows hot combustion gases to escape into the passenger compartment which could result in injuries to vehicle occupants.
The fix: Replace air bag modules containing potentially defective inflators.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 2 mention a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Seat belts (18): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Engine & cooling (4): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Brakes (hydraulic) (2): the most common themes are leaks (2).
- Fuel system (2): the most common themes are fire / smoke (2).
The 1990 Mazda RX-7 has 28 owner complaints, ranking #2 of 5 RX-7 model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 30). Complaints peaked in 1997 (6 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 7 years old, at a median of 81,000 miles. Neighboring years: 1991 (22 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.3 L 2-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 23 | 18 | Regular |
| 1.3 L 2-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 21 | 17 | Regular |
| 1.3 L 2-cyl turbo | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 22 | 17 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1990 Mazda RX-7.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 1990 Mazda RX-7 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 1990 Mazda RX-7, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1990 Mazda RX-7 problems?
Owners have filed 28 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are seat belts (18), engine & cooling (4), brakes (hydraulic) (2).
What gas mileage does the 1990 Mazda RX-7 get?
EPA ratings run up to 18 mpg combined (1.3 L, Manual 5-spd), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1990 Mazda RX-7 repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.