logo
Add complaint

1989 Mazda 323 problems

mazda logo

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.

1989 Mazda 323

Social links

Common 1989 Mazda 323 problems

The Mazda 323, produced in 1989, is known to have several common problems, primarily related to the fuel system, engine, electrical issues, and rust.

  • Engine Problems: Engine problems, such as oil leaks, overheating, and timing belt failures, are prevalent in the Mazda 323. The engine's oil sump is known for corroding, leading to oil leaks.
  • Electrical Issues: Electrical problems, such as the alternator failing and wiring issues, have been reported by Mazda 323 owners. For instance, some owners have experienced issues with the central locking system, struggling to fit it to the standard central locking.
  • Rust and Corrosion: Rust and corrosion are significant concerns, particularly in older models of the Mazda 323. Areas such as the floorpan and wheel arches are particularly susceptible to rust, which can weaken the car's structural integrity and create safety hazards.

To address these issues, Mazda 323 owners should prioritize regular maintenance, including oil changes, tune-ups, and inspections. Regular cleaning and rust prevention treatments can also help prolong the life of the car's body and undercarriage. By staying on top of maintenance and being aware of potential issues, Mazda 323 owners can keep their cars running smoothly for years to come.

1989 Mazda 323 engine

1989 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
  • Suspension problems
  • Fuel system problems
  • Gasoline problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1989 Mazda 323 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

Latest 25 complaints 1989 Mazda 323

The NHTSA has received 41 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1989 Mazda 323. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 1989 Mazda 323 vehicles.

2004-01-15

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2003-10-15
  • VIN: JM1BF2329K0
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: THE ALTERNATOR QUIT WHICH CAUSED THE COOLING FAN TO STOP , THE HEAT LIGHT DIDNT COME ON SO THE CAR RAN HOT AND EXPLODED THE RADIATOR, THE TOP OF THE RADIATOR CRACKED AND SPEWED OUT ALL OF THE WATER , THE BRAKES FAILED TWICE AND HAD TO REPLACE THE MASTER CYLINDER AND REAR BRAKES ,
Add Complaint
2000-12-27

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2000-09-02
  • VIN: JM1BF2322K0
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: MECHANIC WAS INFORMED BY MAZDA TO CAREFULLY OBSERVE BELT TENSION. MECHANIC FEELS THAT MAZDA'S DESIGN ON THE CRANKSHAFT HAS TOO LITTLE METAL LEFT AFTER THE FRONT JOUNAL TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE STRENGTH FOR CRANK NOT TO BREAK OVER LONG PERIOD OF TIME. CRANKSHAFT IS CUT DOWN A LOT FROM THE JOURNAL SIZE. MECHANIC NOTED THAT MAZDA HAS A SERVICE BULLENTIN IN REFERENCE TO ACCESORY BELT TENSIONS AND FEELS THAT MAZDA IS NOT WANTING TO ADMIT THAT CRANKSHAFT IS TOO SMALL. DIAMETER OF SHAFT LENDS ITSELF TO PERMATURE FAILURE DUE TO METAL FATIGUE. MECHANIC NOTED OTHER REPORTS ON NHTSA WEBSITE IN REFERENCE TO THIS PROBLEM. FELT NOTICE NEEDS TO BE OUT THERE. PROPERLY SIZED CRANKSHAFTS WITH PROPER LUBRICATION DO NOT BREAK. THEY ARE REUSED IN MOTOR CORES FOR REBUILDING. THIS RESULTED IN A PURCHASE OF A NEW ENGINE, NOT A REBULIT, FROM MAZDA.*AK
Add Complaint
1999-10-05

SUSPENSION PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1999-10-05
  • Components: SUSPENSION
  • Summary: RIGHT/LEFT TIRES ARE JERKING REAL BAD WHEN TRAVELING AT ABOUT 60 MPH. *AK
Add Complaint
1999-09-01

SUSPENSION PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1999-01-01
  • Components: SUSPENSION
  • Summary: WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH THERE IS VIBRATION WITHIN THE STEEING WHEEL AND THE STEERING IS OFF CENTER. *AK
Add Complaint
1998-10-30

SEAT BELTS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1997-10-18
  • Components: SEAT BELTS
  • Summary: CONSUMER HAS A VEHCLE WHERE NEITHER ONE OF THE REAR RESTRAINT BELTS WORK. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
Add Complaint
1998-09-24

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • VIN: JM1BF2221KO
  • Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
  • Summary: VEHICLE SHIFTED FROM PARK TO DRIVE AND EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION RESULTING IN VEHICLE COLLISION.
Add Complaint
1998-03-28

STEERING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1998-03-13
  • VIN: JM1BW6221K0
  • Components: STEERING
  • Summary: WHILE DRIVING THE LEFT REAR WHEEL CAME OUT DUE TO SPINDLE BREAKING OFF. *AK
Add Complaint
1998-03-28

WHEELS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1998-03-13
  • VIN: JM1BW6221K0
  • Components: WHEELS
  • Summary: WHILE DRIVING THE LEFT REAR WHEEL CAME OUT DUE TO BOLTS DETACHING. *AK
Add Complaint
1997-09-05

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • VIN: JM1BF2224K0
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT BROKE, WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING ENGINE FAILURE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.
Add Complaint
1997-02-05

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: THE CRANKSHAKT HAS BEEN REPLACED AT FOUR DIFFERENT TIMES . *AK
Add Complaint
1996-10-04

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1996-07-15
  • Fire: 1
  • VIN: JM1BS2323K0
  • Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: DRIVING AT SPEED 65MPH, VEHICLE OVERHEATED, UNDER THE HOOD COMPARTMENT FIRE, FAULTY FUEL PUMP, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO EXPLODE. *AK
Add Complaint
1996-09-09

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1996-08-12
  • Crash: 1
  • VIN: JM18F2220K0
  • Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
  • Summary: WHEN DRIVING THE VHEILCE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT.*AK *SLC
Add Complaint
1996-08-30

SEAT BELTS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • VIN: JM1BF2327K0
  • Components: SEAT BELTS
  • Summary: THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR LOCKS UP WHEN TRYING TO RETRACT IT BACK MANUALLY . PLEASE DESCRIBE .*AK
Add Complaint
1996-08-15

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE, ALSO VEHICLE OVERHEATED. *AK
Add Complaint
1996-04-01

SUSPENSION PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1993-07-01
  • VIN: JM1BF2223K0
  • Components: SUSPENSION
  • Summary: WHEEL SPINDLE BROKE, CAUSING WHEEL TO FALL OFF. *DSH
Add Complaint
1996-04-01

SEAT BELTS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1993-04-29
  • VIN: JM1BF2223K0
  • Components: SEAT BELTS
  • Summary: DRIVERS SEAT BELT BUCKLE CAME UNBUCKLED WHEN HIT FROM BEHIND, CAUSING INJURIES TO DRIVER. *DSH
Add Complaint
1995-11-30

SEAT BELTS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1995-07-01
  • VIN: JM1BF2226K0
  • Components: SEAT BELTS
  • Summary: #EA95-005 THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE ARE BROKEN. TT THE DEALER STATES THAT NO DECISIONS HAVE BEEN MADE REGARDING A RECALL, HOWEVER THERE IS A RECALL, 95V103005. *SLC
Add Complaint
1995-10-23

SEAT BELTS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • Components: SEAT BELTS
  • Summary: #95V103005 THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE BROKE. TT
Add Complaint
1995-10-18

SEAT BELTS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1995-10-16
  • Components: SEAT BELTS
  • Summary: THE DRIVERS SIDE SEATBELT BUCKLE DOES NOT LATCH AND IS NOT COVERED IN THE RECALL. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
Add Complaint
1995-10-10

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1995-10-10
  • Fire: 1
  • Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
  • Summary: CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE . TT
Add Complaint
1995-08-22

SEAT BELTS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • VIN: JM1BF222XK0
  • Components: SEAT BELTS
  • Summary: VEHICLES DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT FEMALE PORTION BROKE. TT
Add Complaint
1995-07-11

SEAT BELTS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1995-02-01
  • Components: SEAT BELTS
  • Summary: THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE BROKE . *AK
Add Complaint
1995-06-27

SEAT BELTS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
  • VIN: JM18F222XK0
  • Components: SEAT BELTS
  • Summary: THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE COME LOOSE WHEN LOCK. TT
Add Complaint
1995-05-23

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1995-05-23
  • VIN: JM1BS2226K0
  • Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
  • Summary: MANIFOLD IS CRACKED; NOISY; AFFECTS ENGINE. TT
Add Complaint
1995-05-15

SEAT BELTS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1994-05-15
  • VIN: JM1BF2220K0
  • Components: SEAT BELTS
  • Summary: DRIVER'S SHOULDER/LAP BELT BUCKLE DOES NOT CATCH; WHEN ENGAGED, WILL DISENGAGE WITH SLIGHT MOVEMENT. TT
Add Complaint

1989 Mazda 323 recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the 1989 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.
Leave your review of 1989 Mazda 323

Other years of Mazda 323

mazda 323 1990 photo
323 1990
Mazda

22

2

0

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
mazda 323 1991 photo
323 1991
Mazda

23

2

0

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
mazda 323 1992 photo
323 1992
Mazda

16

2

0

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
mazda 323 1993 photo
323 1993
Mazda

13

2

0

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
mazda 323 1994 photo
323 1994
Mazda

11

2

0

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
mazda 323 1995 photo
323 1995
Mazda

4

1

0

  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1

Are you having problems with your 1989 Mazda 323?

Add car complaint
1989 Mazda 323 photo