Mazda RX-7 Lemon Site

Repairs to my RX-7

My car spent a lot of time (4 months) in various dealer shops during the 2 years or so that I owned and cared about it. For those who are interested in what was done to my car in 40 trips to the dealer, the list is quite long but includes:

New motor once
New turbos 4 times
New cats 2 times
New ECU 2 times
New coolant cap 4 times
New coolant filler neck 4 times
Many of the TSBs
Hoses, hoses, and more hoses

A more detailed list is shown below. This was built from my private record of repair orders and I know that some are missing.

Detailed Repair History

Date In	Mileage	Service/Problem	Resolution	Parts
5/2/93	2003	Purchased Car
5/12/93	2710	Car uses too much oil	Car not properly prepped when purchased. Normal.
5/12/93	2710	Driver's door lock loose	Key cylinder loose - replace cylinder
5/12/93	2710	Glove box loose	Replace missing screws
5/12/93	2710	Hood squeaks	Adjust hood
5/12/93	2710	2,500 Mile Service		B6Y1-14-302	FILTER, OIL
5/24/93	3493	Thumping sound from rear of car	Replace suspension arm per notice	?
5/24/93	3493	Rattle at passenger window	Tighten loose door handle assembly
6/25/93	5245	5,000 Mile Service		B6Y1-14-302	FILTER, OIL
7/13/93	6148	Oil leak onto exhaust right side engine	Remove and reinstall intake air supply. Add washers to mounting bracket. Oil level too high from service. Problem not fixed.
7/14/93	6188	Car smokes from under hood	Nothing found. Problem not fixed.
7/14/93	6188	Storage compartment rattles	Nothing found. Problem not fixed.
7/14/93	6188	Hood not aligned properly from last adjust	Readjust hood again
7/14/93	6188	Rear hatch rattles	Adjust hatch. Problem not fixed.
8/13/93	7989	7,500 Mile Service		B6Y1-14-302	FILTER, OIL
8/13/93	7989	Rear hatch rattles	Readjust and lube. Problem not fixed.
9/9/93	9888	10,000 mile service		B6Y1-14-302	FILTER, OIL
9/14/93	10423	Car runs hot	Nothing found. Problem not fixed.
9/14/93	10423	Using excess oil when hot.	Normal.
9/14/93	10423	Brakes sqeaking	Replace front pads (at owner's expense)	FDZ3-33-28ZA	PAD SET, FRT ($65.95 + $128 LABOR)
10/18/95	11784	Paint chipping too easily	"Chips caused by outside influence"
10/18/95	11784	Storage compartment rattles	Ordered lid
11/12/93	12711	12,500 Mile Service		B6Y1-14-302	FILTER, OIL
11/12/93	12711	Storage compartment rattles	Replace compartment lid	FD01-69-760-B-02	BOX, STORAGE
11/30/93	13586	Oil leaks from engine area	Remove/clean/replace air filter. Normal. Not fixed.
11/30/93	13586	Rear hatch rattles	Replace hatch hinges per Bulliten # S010/93. Problem not fixed.	FD01-62-210C	HINGE GLASS
11/30/93	13586	Front end makes chirping noise	Install hood pad washers per bulliten #057/92	FDY1-56-788	CUSHION RUBBER RR
11/30/93	13586	Clunking from rear of car	Replace rear suspension adjustment links per "design fault, excess play in parts allowing too much movement and rattling"	FD02-28-450	LINK, TOE (2)
1/3/94	14980	15,000 mile service	Total cost $185.86 ($128 Labor)	B6Y1-14-302	FILTER, OIL ($6.25)
				N3A1-13-Z40	AIR FILTER ($31.85)
				82-14-9-407-501-7	W/S WAS A ($1.25)
				9956-21-400	GASKET ($1.60)
2/11/93	17279	17,500 Mile Service		B6Y1-14-302	FILTER, OIL ($6.25)
2/21/94	18087	Oil leak from left side near throttle
2/21/94	18087	Second oil leak on right side - car smokes	Replace throttle housing gasket
2/21/94	18087	Rear hatch strut broken	Replace strut
2/21/94	18087	Rear hatch rattles	Replace strut
2/21/94	18087	Leaks coolant	Order filler neck per notice
2/23/94	18157	Oil leak	?
2/23/94	18157	Rattle in rear over bumps	?
2/23/94	18157	Coolant leak	Replace filler neck
3/1/94	18548	Engine check light comes on	No repro. Problem not fixed.
3/1/94	18548	Turbo hoses loose	TIghten hoses
3/1/94	18548	Tie rod bent	Replace tie rod
3/1/94	18548	Needs alignment	4-point alignment
3/1/94	18548	Passenger side door broken scuff plate	Replace scuff plate	FD01-68-710A	PLATE, RT, FRT
3/25/94	20029	20,000 Mile Service
3/25/94	20029	Coolant smell in car	Order radiator cap housing.
3/25/94	20029	Coolant on belt - squeaking	Order belt
3/25/94	20029	Flush brake system	Flushed
3/25/94	20029	Squeak from drivers side seat belt	Fix loose inner quarter panel trim
3/25/94	20029	Engine lacks power	Order EGR valve.
3/25/94	20029	Check engine light comes on when cold	Order EGR valve.
4/4/94	20045	Coolant leak from engine area	Replace radiator cap housing and filler neck again.	N323-15-175	BODY, CAP
				N323-15-205	CAP, WATER INLET
				N323-15-174	RING
4/4/94	20045	Internal fault in valve causing car to hesitate at 4000 RPMS	Replace EGR valve. Replace gaskets and vacuum lines. Problem not fixed.	N3A3-20-300	EGR VALVE
				N3A1-20-305A	EGR VALVE GSKT
				N3A3-20-341A	TUBE, VACUUM
				N3A1-13-712	GASKET, TURBO
4/4/94	20045	Car grinds when going into 5th gear	Order parts per notice.
4/4/94	20045	Car squeak from belt area	Replace alternator belt	N3A1-18-381	V-BELT
4/13/94	20342	Car grinds when going into 5th gear - replace 5th gear syncro	Rebuild trans per bulletin # J001/94	R503-17-550	SPINDLE
				W501-17-725B	RING, SYNC
4/13/94	20342	Center console with heater controls flaking	Replace console trim per bulletin # S056/92	FD01-61-19ZE-00	CONTROL, HTR
4/13/94	20342	Engine lacks power	No problem found. Not fixed.
4/18/94	20463	Trans oil leak causing vehicle to smoke and engine check light to come on	Overfilled. Dump excess fluid.
4/18/94	20463	Engine lacks power	Replace spark plugs. Problem not fixed.	N3X5-18-110	SPARK PLUG SET
4/18/94	20463	Console around radio sticking out loose	Fixed improperly installed panel.
4/26/95	20618	Engine lacks power	Replace rear cat.	N3A1-20-500	CONVERTER, CAT.
				RF36-40-305	GASKET (2)
				N3A1-13-491	GASKET, JOINT PIPE (2)
				JE11-40-355	NUT (6)
				NF01-13-708A	STUD (5)
				N3A1-20-600	CONVERTER, CAT.
4/26/94	20666	Coolant leak from engine area	Replace radiator cap.	KF01-15-205	CAP, RADIATOR
4/26/94	20666	Fan knob broken.	Fix knob broken when console panel was fixed.
4/26/94	20666	Hood pad damage by improperly installed turbo hose	Replace hood pad	FD01-68-601C	INSULATOR, HOOD
4/26/94	20666	Noise from front end when steering wheel	Replace steering rack boots per notice.
4/26/94	20666	Noise from rear when going over bump	Snapped jack handle into clip.
4/26/94	20666	Irratic and low idle	Install updated (remanufactured) control unit.	N3A3-18-881R	REMAN CONT UNIT EGI
4/26/94	20666	Engine lacks power	No problem found. Not fixed.
5/14/94	21307	Machine front rotors	Rotors machined.
6/3/94	22347	22,500 Mile Service
6/3/94	22347	Light in ignition switch out since last repair	Light in ignition switch replaced
6/3/94	22347	Engine lacks power	No problem found. Not fixed.
6/16/94	23047	Engine lacks power	Attach loose vacuum lines under plennum and glue on (done at TriPoint, not dealer)	Silcone adhesive	Total cost w/ labor $109.00
6/23/94	23486	Clunking noise from trans tunnel	Replace 3 missing heat sheild bolts and tighten one loose exhaust mount bolt. (done at TriPoint, not dealer)
7/5/94	24880	Coolant leak from engine	Replaced upper radiator hose and installed updated hose kit and water neck and cap.
7/5/94	24880	Heat shield fell off	Reinstalled heat shield.	9079-62-612	BOLT & WASHER, FLNG
7/5/94	24880	Internal failure of rotors in engine, car will not start	Replace engine.(and clutch while there)	N3A1-15-186A	HOSE, UPPER WATER
				N3A1-15-185A	HOSE, LOWER WATER
				9979-60-820	BOLT, FLANGE (2)
				JE11-40-355	NUT (4)
				8AF7-13-111	GASKET SET, ENG
				J008-99-008R	ENGINE-CALL MANA-REB
				N390-13-W69	O-RING
				N3A1-13-162	O-RING
				9994-00-600	NUT, FLANGE (8)
				9979-40-612	BOLT, FLANGE (6)
				JE10-40-355	NUT (7)
				N3A1-15-380C	HOSE, WATER
				N3A1-13-450A	EXH MANIFOLD
				N3A1-13-766	HOSE, AIR
				N3A1-13-681	HOSE, WATER
				N3A1-13-691	HOSE, WATER
				N3A1-13-692A	HOSE, WATER
				N3C1-13-530	PIPE, WATER IN - T/C
				N3A1-13-390B	DUCT
				4 CLAMPS
				N3A2-13-247	JOINT, RUBBER
				B6Y1-14-302	FILTER, OIL
7/5/94	24880	Defective turbo	Replace turbo assembly	N3A1-13-712	GASKET, TURBO
				N3X5-18-110	SPARK PLUG SET
				N3C1-13-700	TURBOCHARGER
				N3A2-13-710	GASKET, TURBO CHARGER
				N3A1-13-710	GASKET, TURBO CHARGER
7/19/94	24880	Vibration from engine area	Order transmission mount	FD01-39-050A	RUBBER LT, ENG MTG
8/4/94	25910	Oil and Filter		B6Y1-14-302	FILTER, OIL
8/4/94	25910	Engine not running right. Eratic idle.	Adjust idle. Problem not fixed.
8/4/94	25910	Vibration in drive train - mount broken	Replace broken transmission mount
8/11/94	26182	Coolant leak - Buzzer on	Coolant low. Air in System. No leak found. Problem not fixed.
8/11/94	26182	Engine lacks power	Vaccum tube leak. Replace air intake pipe	F0126A-R-X	SECONDARY AIR INTAKE PIPE
				N3A1-13-36Y	VAVLE CONTROL
				N3A1-13-162	O' RING
8/11/94	26182	Wrote letter to MMA requesting buy-back
8/13/94	26346	Cooling problem - Car doesn't warm up	Replaced temp. gauge
8/13/94	26346	Abandoned car at dealership	MMA eventually responded to letter
9/21/94	27815	Oil and filter change		B6Y1-14-302	FILTER, OIL
9/21/94	27815	Dents on top of fender from last visit	Fixed via paintless dent removal
9/21/94	27815	Tape player volume incorrect	No problem found. Not fixed.
9/21/94	27815	Low oil pressure	Replaced oil pressure gauge
9/21/94	27815	Exhaust smells bad during cold startup	No problem found. Not fixed.
9/21/94	27815	A/C not cold - Hissing noise from A/C vents	A/C hose leak	FD01-61-461	HOSE, FLEXIBLE-HIGH
9/21/94	27815	Erratic idle	No problem found. Not fixed.
9/21/94	27815	Rear hatch still rattles	No problem found. Not fixed.
9/21/94	27815	Excessive paint chipping	Stated "Normal Road Damage"
9/21/94	27815	Battery dead	Battery replaced	1 ACID BATTERY
10/13/94	28298	Erratic idle	Replaced O2 sensor. Not fixed	N3A1-18-861A	SENSOR, OXY
10/26/94	29091	Erratic idle	Nothing done. Dealer baffled
10/26/94	29091	Excessive smoke upon startup	No problem found. Not fixed.
10/27/94	29091	Wrote second letter to MMA requesting buy back
11/14/94	29803	Erratic idle	Car taken to TriPoint (not dealer). Intake manifold gasket found to be broken. Recommend take to dealer for warranty repair.
11/14/94	29803	Oil and filter change	Done at TriPoint	B6Y1-14-302	FILTER, OIL
11/17/94	29827	Erratic idle - gave Tripoint's diagnosis.	Replaced intake manifold gasket.	N3A1-13-111A	GASKET, IN. MANIFOLD
				NF01-13-708A	STUD (5)
				N391-13-456	STUD, EX. MANIFOLD
				JE10-40-355	NUT (5)
				E5B6-13-461	NUT, MANIFOLD
11/17/94	29827	Filed suit against MMA in San Diego Superior Court
1/24/95	32404	Oil leak and smoking	No problem found. Not fixed.
1/24/95	32404	Whoosing noise	Tighten loose exhaust bolts at manifold.
1/24/95	32404	Oil and filter change		B6Y1-14-302	FILTER, OIL
1/30/95	32800	Oil leak under car and smoking	Replace oil filter - not fixed.	B6Y1-14-302	FILTER, OIL
1/30/95	32800	Brakes sqeaking	"repaired"
1/30/95	32800	Exhaust leak	Replace turbo chargers	N3A1-13-491	GASKET, JOINT PIPE
				N3A1-13-712	GASKET, TURBO
				NF01-13-708A	STUD (5)
				N391-13-456	STUD, EX. MANIFOLD
				JE10-40-355	NUT (9)
				E5B6-13-461	NUT, MANIFOLD
				N3C1-13-700	TURBOCHARGER
				9985-10-618A	STUD (4)
				N390-13-453A	BOLT (2)
				N3A2-13-710	GASKET, TURBO CHARGER
				N3A1-13-450A	EXH MANIFOLD
				COOLANT
2/22/95	32900	Oil leak under car and smoke under hood	Replaced oil filler neck. Not fixed.	N3A1-10-420B	PIPE, OIL FILLER
2/22/95	32900	Lack of power	No problem found. Not fixed.
3/24/95	34817	Still smoke from under hood.	Replace turbos again. Clean underbody.	N3A1-13-491	GASKET, JOINT PIPE
				N3A1-13-712	GASKET, TURBO
				NF01-13-708A	STUD (10)
				N391-13-456	STUD, EX. MANIFOLD
				JE10-40-355	NUT (5)
				E5B6-13-461	NUT, MANIFOLD
				N3C1-13-700	TURBOCHARGER
				9985-10-618A	STUD
				N390-13-453A	BOLT (2)
				N3A2-13-710	GASKET, TURBO CHARGER
				N3A1-13-450A	EXH MANIFOLD
				COOLANT
				9YB1-01-001	SCREW (4)
				9979-40-620	BOLT, FLANGE
				9994-00-600	NUT, FLANGE
				F801-15-284B	HOSE, WATER
				N326-20-665A	HOSE, WATER
3/24/95	34817	Engine lacks power again	Replace cats and o2 sensor again	N3A1-18-861A	SENSOR, OXY
				N3A1-20-500	CONVERTER, CAT
				FD01-34-110C	BUMPER, BOUND
				H380-34-034A	NUT, FLANGE
				N3A1-14-290A	PIPE, OIL
				N3A1-14-293	GASKET, OIL PIPE
				N3A2-14-293	GASKET, OIL PIPE
				N3A1-14-260	PIPE, OIL OUTLET-F.C
				N3A2-14-290A	PIPE, OIL
				9994-00-600	NUT, FLANGE
				9979-40-620	BOLT, FLANGE
3/30/95	35462	Oil leak under car still	Replace oil pan gasket	N3YA-10-427	GASKET
3/30/95	35462	Dent in driver's door from last visit	Fixed via paintless dent removal
3/30/95	35462	Brake pedal soft	Bleed brakes
4/5/95	35462	Noise from left front wheel area	Replaced wheel bearing	GA5S-26-15X	BEARING, WHEEL
				LA01-33-042B	NUT
5/8/95	38301	Exhaust leak	No problem found. Not fixed.
5/8/95	38301	Oil and Filter		B6Y1-14-302	FILTER, OIL
5/8/95	38301	Soft brake pedal (brakes fail to release)	Bleed brakes
5/8/95	38301	Fuel line campaign (recall)	Install updates (Process # A4014B and Campaign # 60504)	N3A1-18-SE0	FAN CONTROL KIT
				N3Z1-15-S20	WATER PUMP KIT
				N3A1-13-S70	FUEL HOSE KIT
5/16/95	38316	Turbo leak	Tighten loose hose clamp on intercooler
5/17/95	38388	Check engine light on	Replace EGR valve. Problem not fixed.	N3A3-20-300	EGR VALVE
				N3A1-20-305A	EGR VALVE GASKET
5/17/95	38388	Rattle in rear of car	Tighten loose speaker
5/17/95	38388	Second gear hard	No problem found. Not fixed.
5/23/95	38652	Check engine light on	Re-erased codes and test drove. No codes or light on and codes in memory.
5/25/95	38707	Check engine light on	Replace EGR valve again. Problem not fixed.	N3A3-20-300	EGR VALVE
				N3A1-20-305A	EGR VALVE GASKET
				9928-00-850	CLAMP, HOSE
6/5/95	39197	Check engine light on	Replaced 3 vaccum hoses and test drove.
6/5/95	39197	Running rich (exhaust smell)	Vaccum hoses were plugged
6/5/95	39197	Turbo leak (whoosing noise)	Replaced 3 vaccum hoses and test drove.
6/19/95	40353	A/C still not cold.	Evacuate and recharge system (adding dye)
6/19/95	40353	Soft brake pedal (brakes fail to release)	Replaced master cylinder	FD04-43-402	MASTER CYL
6/19/95	40353	Engine lacks power.	Replaced cat. converter again	N3A1-20-500	CONVERTER, CAT
				JE10-40-355	NUT (4)
				N3A1-18-861A	SENSOR, OXY
				NF01-13-708A	STUD
				N3A1-13-491	GASKET
				RF36-40-305	GASKET
7/3/95	40517	Engine lacks power	Replace turbochargers again (problem ended up being a vaccum hose that fell off)	N3A1-13-491	GASKET, JOINT PIPE
				N3A1-13-712	GASKET, TURBO
				NF01-13-708A	STUD (8)
				N391-13-456	STUD, EX. MANIFOLD
				JE10-40-355	NUT (8)
				E5B6-13-461	NUT, MANIFOLD (2)
				N3C1-13-700	TURBOCHARGER
				9936-61-000	BOLT (2)
				FE51-13-363	BUSHING
				N3A2-13-710	GASKET, TURBO CHARGER
				N3A1-13-710	GASKET, TURBO CHARGER
				N3A1-14-293	GASKET, OIL PIPE
				9979-40-612	NUT (2)
7/19/95	40786	Oil and Filter		B6Y1-14-302	FILTER, OIL
8/3/95	41284	Engine running rough	Replaced turbo relief valve	N390-20-250	VALVE
8/3/95	41284	Paint peeling on door panel from last visit	Replaced panel	FD01-68-4LYB	PANEL
8/3/95	41284	A/C still not cold.	Warranty denied (due to time "in service"). Replaced leaky A/C Compressor at my cost.	FD01-61-450	COMPRESSOR ($337.85)
				0000-67-0001	FREON ($11.95)
					LABOR ($109.20)
11/9/95	~45000	Returned lemon to Mazda (with leaking turbo, clunking suspension, rattling rear hatch, bad paint, etc.)	Gone.

As I've said before, I love the RX-7 but I hate Mazda and the way they treat people. The fact that Mazda always heads up the bottom of customer satisfaction surveys doesn't surprise me a bit. I think that Mazda should be applauded for taking risks and building interesting cars, in fact I'd even put up with a lot of quirks and problems to drive one of those interesting cars but I won't put up with being treated poorly.

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All of the information on these pages is to my knowledge either an accurate summary of events and facts or is my opinion. It doesn't represent the views of Mazda (duh), my employer, my Internet service provider, or anyone else.