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1988 Mazda 323 problems

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The Mazda Familia (Japanese: マツダ ファミリア, Matsuda Famiria), also marketed prominently as the Mazda 323, Mazda Protegé and Mazda Allegro, is a small family car that was manufactured by Mazda between 1963 and 2003. The Familia line was replaced by the Mazda3/Axela for 2004.

It was marketed as the Familia in Japan, which means "family" in Latin. For export, earlier models were sold with nameplates including: "800", "1000", "1200", and "1300". In North America, the 1200 was replaced by the Mazda GLC, with newer models becoming "323" and "Protegé". In Europe, all Familias sold after 1977 were called "323".

The Familia was also rebranded as the Ford Laser and Ford Meteor in Asia, Oceania, Southern Africa, some Latin American countries and, from 1991, as the Ford Escort and Mercury Tracer in North America. In addition, the Familia name was used as the Mazda Familia Wagon/Van, a badge-engineered version of the Nissan AD wagon (1994–2017) and Toyota Probox (2018–present).

Mazda Familias were manufactured in the Hiroshima Plant and also assembled from "knock-down kits" in various countries including Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Colombia, and New Zealand. Some of these plants kept manufacturing the Familia long after it was discontinued at home.

1988 Mazda 323

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Common 1988 Mazda 323 problems

Based on the complaints from owners of the Mazda 323 1988, several common problems have been reported:

  1. Radiator Fan and Engine Temperature Issue:
    • Owners have reported that the radiator fan fails to activate unless the windshield wipers are turned on when the engine temperature reaches around 90-92 degrees. This issue can lead to overheating problems.
    • The root cause of this problem was identified as a bad contact in the ignition switch, affecting the activation of the radiator fan along with other components like the air conditioning and windshield wipers.
  2. Oil in Spark Plugs and Power Loss:
    • Some owners have experienced power loss while driving, along with issues like oil in the spark plugs, engine idling problems, and difficulty starting the car.
    • Resolving this issue involved adjusting and calibrating the valves, changing the gasket, and replacing the spark plugs. These actions improved the car's power and fuel consumption.
  3. Starting Problems and Fuel Consumption:
    • Starting problems have been reported, where the car cuts off while driving, has a hard crank, and may not start at all.
    • Despite replacing the temperature switch sensor, the car still faced starting issues, leading to high fuel consumption. The exact cause of this persistent problem was not clearly identified.
  4. Low Beams Not Working:
    • Some owners have faced issues with the low beams not functioning properly, even though the headlight, turn signal, and fog lights are working fine.
    • The cause of this problem was not explicitly mentioned in the complaints, leaving uncertainty about the exact issue affecting the low beams.
  5. Jerking/Hesitation While Driving:
    • Owners have reported sudden jerking while driving, as if the car stops accelerating momentarily before resuming normal operation.
    • Initially checking and replacing components like air and fuel filters, spark plugs, injectors, and the flow meter did not resolve the issue. Ultimately, the problem was traced back to a failing TPS sensor, which, when replaced, solved the jerking problem.

These common problems with the Mazda 323 1988 highlight various issues related to engine performance, starting, electrical components, and lighting systems. Addressing these issues promptly through proper diagnosis and component replacement can help maintain the car's reliability and performance.

1988 Mazda 323 engine

1988 Mazda 323 car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Mazda 323 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

  • Seat belts problems
  • Engine and engine cooling problems
  • Power train problems
  • Fuel system problems
  • Gasoline problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1988 Mazda 323 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

Latest 25 complaints 1988 Mazda 323

The NHTSA has received 41 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1988 Mazda 323. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 1988 Mazda 323 vehicles.

2003-10-23

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2003-10-23
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE STALLED. *AK
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2003-07-11

SEAT BELTS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2003-07-11
  • Components: SEAT BELTS
  • Summary: NHTSA RECALL 95-V-103-005 CONCERNING FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY. CONSUMER STATED THIS RECALL WAS DONE ON 1997. HOWEVER RECALL FAILED.*AK
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1999-10-22

SEAT BELTS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1999-09-22
  • VIN: JM1BF22225J
  • Components: SEAT BELTS
  • Summary: THE SEAT BELT DOES NOT CATCH (HOLD) PROPERLY WHICH COULD RESULT IN INJURY IF AND ACCIDENT OCCURED. *YC
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1998-12-16

SEAT BELTS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1998-11-25
  • VIN: JN1DF2225J0
  • Components: SEAT BELTS
  • Summary: THE REAR SEAT BELTS FAIL TO WORK PROPERLY. WHENEVER THE CSS IS IN USED, & BUCKLED IN, THE LOCKING MECHANISM WOULD POP OUT & RELEASE THE BELT. CSS IS NOT SECURED.
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1998-11-20

SEAT BELTS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1998-09-12
  • VIN: JM1BF2220J0
  • Components: SEAT BELTS
  • Summary: REAR SEAT BELT WILL NOT STAY FASTENED WHEN ADJUSTED; BELT UNLOOSED ITSELF. REASON UNKNOWN. RECALL NOTICE RECEIVED, DEALER DOES NOT HAVE PARTS TO PERFORM RECALL REPAIRS. *AK *ML
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1998-09-08

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND TORQUE CONVERTER FAILURE. VEHICLE DOES NOT RUN PROPERLY EVEN AFTER REPAIR.
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1997-10-24

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1996-05-29
  • VIN: JM1BF2220J0
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED THREE TIMES.
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1997-10-24

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • VIN: JM1BF2220J0
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: VALVE BODY FAILED.
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1997-10-24

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1996-05-29
  • VIN: JM1BF2220J0
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: DIFFERENTIAL GEAR FAILED TWICE.
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1997-10-24

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • VIN: JM1BF2220J0
  • Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
  • Summary: PUMP FAILED
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1997-10-24

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • VIN: JM1BF2220J0
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: TRANSAXLE FAILED.
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1997-02-02

PARKING BRAKE,SEAT BELTS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1995-01-01
  • VIN: JM1BF2229J0
  • Components: PARKING BRAKE,SEAT BELTS
  • Summary: SEAT BELT LOCKING MECHANISM CRACKED AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE DOES NOT RELEASE.
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1997-01-06

SEAT BELTS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • VIN: JM1BF2229J0
  • Components: SEAT BELTS
  • Summary: REAR SEAT BELTS FAILED.
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1996-11-21

SEAT BELTS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • VIN: JM1BF2222JO
  • Components: SEAT BELTS
  • Summary: RECEIVED RECALL LETTER #96V103000 ABOUT A YEAR AGO, DEALER STILL DOESN'T HAVE PARTS, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE IS NOT WORKING . PLEASE DESCRIBE . *AK
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1996-11-21

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: CRANKSHAFT BROKE.
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1996-11-21

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: CRANKSHAFT BROKE.
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1996-10-22

SEATS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1996-09-27
  • Number Of Injuries: 1
  • VIN: JM1BF2226J0
  • Components: SEATS
  • Summary: DRIVER'S SEAT BACK COLLAPSED DURING REAR END COLLISION, CAUSING INJURY.
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1996-04-16

SEAT BELTS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • VIN: JM1BF2224JO
  • Components: SEAT BELTS
  • Summary: OWNER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE IN FEBRUARY, CALLED DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. RECALL #95V103005. *AK
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1996-03-11

SEAT BELTS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • VIN: JMIBF2222J0
  • Components: SEAT BELTS
  • Summary: OWNER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE A YEAR AGO, DEALER SAYS THEY STILL DO NOT HAVE PARTS IN. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
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1996-03-11

SEAT BELTS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • VIN: JMIBF2222J0
  • Components: SEAT BELTS
  • Summary: OWNER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE A YEAR AGO, DEALER SAYS THEY STILL DO NOT HAVE PARTS IN. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
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1995-10-20

SEAT BELTS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1995-08-01
  • VIN: JM1BF222XJ0
  • Components: SEAT BELTS
  • Summary: THE TIME IT HAS TAKEN FOR RECALL NOTIFICATIONS TO GO OUT HAS BEEN EXCESSIVE. TT
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1995-09-26

SEAT BELTS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • VIN: JM1BF2326J0
  • Components: SEAT BELTS
  • Summary: #95V103005 THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE IS HARD TO LOCK . TT
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1995-09-25

SEAT BELTS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1995-09-25
  • VIN: JM1BF2280J2
  • Components: SEAT BELTS
  • Summary: CONSUMER FEEL ITS EXCESSIVE TIME TO REPAIR RECALL ON SEAT BELT BUCKLES. TT
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1995-05-30

SEAT BELTS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • Number Of Injuries: 2
  • Crash: 1
  • Components: SEAT BELTS
  • Summary: PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR DID NOT HOLD BELT CAUSING PASSENGER TO HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND RECIEVE SERIOUS INJURY. TT
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1995-05-26

SEAT BELTS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1994-02-01
  • VIN: JM1BF2224J0
  • Components: SEAT BELTS
  • Summary: RED RELEASE BUTTON CRACKED RENDERING SEAT BELT UNLATCHABLE. TT
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1988 Mazda 323 recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the 1988 Mazda 323.

1995-05-24
  • Manufacturer: MAZDA (NORTH AMERICA),INC
  • Components: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
  • Summary: THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
  • Consequence: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
  • Remedy: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, AND THEN PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS A SIGN OF BREAKING OR CRACKING OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CONTACT THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER IS DEVELOPING A REMEDY DESIGNED TO PREVENT FAILURE OF THE BUTTONS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY BROKEN.
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