Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

1991 Mazda RX-7: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1991 Mazda RX-7, most recently filed September 1996. Owners have filed 22 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the seat belts.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Caution Fewer than 50 complaints filed. With this few reports, patterns may not be meaningful.
Compare

Recalls (1)

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1991 Mazda RX-7. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 1991 Mazda RX-7. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 96V173000 Filed Sep 16, 1996

MAZDA/AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT

Seat belts · front · webbing
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE COLLISION, THE OCCUPANT WOULD NOT BE ADEQUATELY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy
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.
Repair progress not yet reported17,800 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 96V173000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (22)

22 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The seat belts is mentioned most often.

0involved a crash
2involved a fire
0injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1991 Mazda RX-7, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 22.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 1991 compares with other RX-7 years

Best and worst RX-7 years →
1985198619871988198919901991199319941995
This year (1991)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 18 mpg combined

18
mpg combined
15
city
23
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$3,700
CO₂ tailpipe
494 g/mi
EPA class
Two Seaters

What it costs you to run

$3,628per year
$302per month
833gallons a year

Miles ÷ 18 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

1991 Mazda RX-7 configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
1.3 L 2-cyl · 5-speed manualRear-Wheel Drive15 / 23 / 18$3,700494
1.3 L 2-cyl · 4-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive15 / 21 / 17$3,950523
1.3 L 2-cyl · 5-speed manualRear-Wheel Drive15 / 22 / 17$3,950523

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 1991 RX-7 for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All RX-7 years

Where to next

1991 Mazda RX-7 FAQ

How many recalls does the 1991 Mazda RX-7 have?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign: 96V173000 (seat belt). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 1991 Mazda RX-7 problems?

Owners filed 22 complaints with NHTSA. Seat belts (13), Fuel system (4), Engine and engine cooling (2) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 1991 Mazda RX-7 get?

EPA rates the 1.3 L 2-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 15 city, 23 highway and 18 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 1991 RX-7 compare with other years?

Among the 1985–1995 Mazda RX-7 model years at least five years old, the 1995 drew the fewest complaints (2) and the 1993 the most (82). The 1991 drew 22. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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