1995 Mazda Rx-7 problems
The Mazda RX-7 is a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, rotary engine-powered sports car that was manufactured and marketed by Mazda from 1978 until 2002 across three generations, all of which made use of a compact, lightweight Wankel rotary engine.
The first-generation RX-7, sometimes referred to as the SA (early) and FB (late), is a two-seater 2-door hatchback coupé. It featured a 12A carbureted rotary engine as well as the option for a 13B rotary engine with electronic fuel injection in later years.
The second-generation RX-7, sometimes referred to as the FC, was offered as a 2-seater coupé with a 2+2 option available in some markets, as well as in a convertible body style. This was powered by the 13B rotary engine, offered in naturally aspirated or turbocharged forms.
The third-generation RX-7, sometimes referred to as the FD, was offered a 2+2-seater coupé with a limited run of a 2-seater option. Some markets were only available as a 2-seater. It featured a sequentially-turbocharged 13B REW engine.
More than 800,000 RX-7s were manufactured over its lifetime.
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Common 1995 Mazda Rx-7 problems
The 1995 Mazda RX-7 is known for its sleek design and impressive performance, but like any vehicle, it has its common problems. Real owners have reported several issues, ranging from minor annoyances to major repairs. Here are the three most common Mazda RX-7 problems reported by actual owners:
- Oil Leaks at the Rear Stationary Gear Seal and O-ring: One common issue that Mazda RX-7 owners may face is an oil leak developing at the rear stationary gear seal and O-ring. This seal and O-ring are located in the engine and are responsible for preventing oil from leaking. However, the seal and O-ring can become worn or damaged over time, causing oil to leak out of the engine. This issue is reported to affect model years from 1990-1995. If left untreated, this oil leak can lead to engine damage or even failure. Therefore, RX-7 owners must be vigilant and address any oil leaks as soon as they are detected to avoid more serious issues.
- Intermittent No-Start in Turbo Models: Another common issue reported by Mazda RX-7 owners is intermittent no-start, particularly in the turbo models. This problem can be caused by a malfunctioning engine control module (ECM). The part controls various aspects of the engine’s operation. When the ECM malfunctions, it can prevent the engine from starting even though it is cranking normally. Other possible causes of intermittent no-start can include fuel, ignition, or starter issues. Diagnosing and fixing this issue can be challenging and may require the assistance of a qualified mechanic. However, addressing this problem promptly is crucial to avoid getting stranded unexpectedly or causing further damage to the engine.
- ABS Warning Light Illuminating Intermittently: The anti-lock braking system (ABS) is an important safety feature in any car, including the Mazda RX-7. However, some RX-7 owners have reported that the ABS light can illuminate intermittently, even when there are no problems with the braking system. According to RepairPal, this issue can be caused by a faulty ABS control module or sensor. The faulty sensor can trigger the warning light to turn on even when there is no problem with the brakes. It is important for Mazda RX-7 owners to address this issue promptly. Malfunctioning ABS can compromise the car’s braking performance. This can potentially lead to dangerous situations. A qualified mechanic can diagnose the root cause of the problem and determine the appropriate course of action to resolve the issue and ensure the ABS is functioning correctly.
In addition to these common problems, the 1995 Mazda RX-7 has also had recalls related to its service brakes, latches/locks/linkages, and electrical system. It is essential for RX-7 owners to be aware of these issues and address them promptly to ensure the continued smooth and safe operation of their vehicle. Seeking the assistance of a qualified mechanic is crucial in diagnosing and resolving these issues.
Why is RX-7 engine bad?
Rotary engines are known for incomplete combustion, oil consumption, and high emissions, relegating the RX-7 to project car status rather than daily drivers. As Hagerty reports, somewhere around 13,879 third-generation RX-7s were sold in the U.S. between 1993 and 1995.
Are rx7s reliable?
People mention the rotary thing quite a bit and its unique nature, but unless you want to rebuild it I don't see that it's too relevant. I've owned two RX-7's: a 1982 and a 1985. I never had any engine issues with mine in terms of components. I found it to be very reliable overall, but I liked tinkering with them.
Why was the RX-7 banned?
Any Mazda RX-7 produced after 1995 is not allowed or is banned in the United States. This is because of the left-hand driving configuration of the vehicle. This means that if you want to own one, you have a couple of options. One is to find a used RX-7 in the United States that is a 1995 year model or older.
Are Mazda RX-7 easy to work on?
Leaving aside those you see at the race tracks, where they get tremendous horsepower out of a 1.3 liter engine, they are really rather simple machines compared to piston engine cars. They take 1/2 the time to rebuild, and it's really very hard to mess one up if you any mechanical knowledge whatsoever.
1995 Mazda Rx-7 car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Mazda Rx-7 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Tires problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1995 Mazda Rx-7 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1995 Mazda Rx-7 complaints
The NHTSA has received 4 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1995 Mazda Rx-7.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: MOTOR WAS REPLACED AT IN 1995 AT 15,000. FIVE YEARS LATER AND 15,000 MILES THE MOTOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN, THE VEHICLE STALLS, OWNER HAS BEEN TOLD BY MECHANICS, THAT THE APEX SEAL IS PARTIALLY COLLAPSED, WHICH IS THE SAME REASON THE MOTOR WAS REPLACED IN 1995. *CJ
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: MOTOR WAS REPLACED AT IN 1995 AT 15,000. FIVE YEARS LATER AND 15,000 MILES THE MOTOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN, THE VEHICLE STALLS, OWNER HAS BEEN TOLD BY MECHANICS, THAT THE APEX SEAL IS PARTIALLY COLLAPSED, WHICH IS THE SAME REASON THE MOTOR WAS REPLACED IN 1995. *CJ
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: WET CONDITION THE CAR HAS NOT STOPPING ABILITY, DUE TO WIDE TIRES IN THE RAIN.
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-03-01
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: ORIGINAL TIRES ON THE VEHICLE DO NOT HANDLE WELL IN WET CONDITIONS, RESULTING IN VEHICLE SLIPPING OFF OF ROAD INTO TREES.
1995 Mazda Rx-7 recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 2 recalls for different components of the 1995 Mazda Rx-7.
- Manufacturer: MAZDA NORTH AMERICAN OPERATIONS
- Components: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
- Summary: EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: MAZDA SPEED RESINOUS HOODS, DESIGNED AND SOLD AS ACCESSORY PARTS FOR MODEL YEAR 1992-1995 RX7 VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JUNE 1, 1997, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 19, 2000.
- Consequence: A HOOK ON A HOOD STRIKER FOR THE RESINOUS HOOD MAY SEPARATE FROM A BASE PLATE AT THE WELDED PORTION DUE TO INSUFFICIENT WELDING STRENGTH. THE HOOD MAY SUDDENLY OPEN DURING OPERATION, LOSING FRONT VISIBILITY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- Remedy: MAZDA WILL NOTIFY THE RX7 VEHICLE CUSTOMERS TO BRING THEIR VEHICLE TO A MAZDA DEALER TO HAVE THE HOOD STRIKER REPLACED WITH A MODIFIED ONE.
- Manufacturer: MAZDA (NORTH AMERICA),INC
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
- Summary: OIL MIST CONTAINED IN THE ENGINE INTAKE AIR CAN COLLECT OVER TIME IN THE BRAKE VACUUM CHECK VALVE PREVENTING THE CHECK VALVE FROM OPENING AT THE SPECIFIED PRESSURE REDUCING POWER ASSIST TO THE BRAKES.
- Consequence: BRAKE PERFORMANCE CAN BE DIMINISHED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
- Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE TWO VACUUM HOSES, INCLUDING THE CHECK VALVE, WITH MODIFIED HOSES.
Negative 1995 Mazda Rx-7 car reviews
Positive 1995 Mazda Rx-7 car reviews
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If you're looking for a car with possibilities, this one might be just what you need. Thanks to its rotary engine design, there are a number of custom performance modifications available. I recently installed a Greddy Intercooler and a Greddy t78 turbo, as well as an upgraded radiator. The car is now pushing about 350 HP on pump gas.
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I absolutely fell in love with the RX-7 the moment I laid my eyes on it. It is undoubtedly one of the most stunning designs to ever come out of Japan. Although I have also owned the Nissan Twin Turbo 300, the RX-7 is truly a pure sports car. The styling is fantastic, the engine runs smoothly, and the interior is well laid-out. However, if you are considering purchasing one and not planning on installing an aftermarket turbo, I highly recommend buying a warranty. I had to replace three original equipment turbos, but fortunately, I had a warranty. You can purchase a warranty for this ride for under $2K, and trust me, it's worth it. The only downside is that it drinks premium fuel like a freshman fraternity pledge at a beer keg. Also, you will need to replace the radio.
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To sum up the TT Rx7: it offers a PURE sports car experience with a lot of TLC. It's rare to find a car that is as enjoyable as this one, and if you take care of it, it will take care of you. I bought mine a little over a year ago with a reman engine, and even though I've spent a ton on reliability parts and other repairs, nothing makes me smile more than hitting the gas in this car. If you have some extra cash, are a true car enthusiast, and don't mind learning a little about the car you drive, then don't pass up the Rx7. It's definitely worth it!
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It's a great car that I highly recommend you buy. It's the best car I've ever driven.
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It's worth noting that this car can be a bit unreliable, so be prepared to spend some money if you want to keep it running smoothly. With 300 HP in a super light body, it's a real Mustang/American muscle slayer. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to drive it much lately due to some bumper repairs that need to be done, but I'm planning on getting those taken care of soon. On the bright side, I did recently replace the leather seats, so they're looking and feeling great!
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1995 Mazda Rx-7 problems:
What are common problems with the 3rd gen. RX7's?? - RX7Club ...
Dec 16, 2002 ... Just a quick answer to your question, cooling system of a stock 3rd gen RX7 is crap. You need to do some mods there, depending upon what you ...
How unreliable really is an RX7? : r/RX7
Jan 21, 2022 ... No engine core issues with 131k on the original motor. So reliability, it's fine. I still wouldn't recommend dailying and RX-7 or RX-8 if you're ...
Why do people not recommend the Mazda rx7, are the engines ...
Jan 13, 2019 ... The 2009+ ones fixed many of the issues that were prevalent on the earlier cars. Here are a few of the common failure points on RX-8s, and how ...
1993 Mazda RX-7 Problems and Complaints - 3 Issues
Problem with your 1993 Mazda RX-7? Our list of 3 known ... Find the most common issues based on car owner complaints ... 1995 Mazda RX-7 problems. (3). View all.
What are some common problems with Mazda RX-7s (FC)? - Quora
Feb 24, 2023 ... Engine Issues: One of the most common problems with the RX-7 (FC) is engine issues. · Fuel System Issues: Fuel system issues are also common in ...
Other years of Mazda Rx-7
Are you having problems with your 1995 Mazda Rx-7?
Gardner Davis 2024-07-10
I used to get poor fuel economy, which could be compared to the Viper despite having less than half the horsepower. I had the engine rebuilt, but unfortunately, it did not improve much. The problem is that Mazda is trying to use a sweep seal (seal at the bottom of your entrance storm door) to follow a rather complicated architecture. Anyway, when the mechanic changed the coolant, he did not fill the radiator properly, causing the engine to overheat and the seals to fail. After this, I decided to stop putting effort into the car and bought a Chevy Camaro, which I am very pleased with.