1988 MAZDA 323

1 recalls, 42 complaints - 4 TSBs

95V103005 May 24, 1995
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
Defect Description
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 SUR... Read more
360,433 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: MAZDA (NORTH AMERICA),INC

Complaint Statistics

42 total complaints 2 crashes 4 injuries

Top Reported Components

ComponentComplaints
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY21
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE4
SEAT BELTS3
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR2
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER2
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING1
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER1
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER1
PARKING BRAKE1
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Oct 23, 2003
Incident date: Oct 23, 2003
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE STALLED. *AK
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY Jul 11, 2003
Incident date: Jul 11, 2003
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 ... Read more
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE Oct 22, 1999
Incident date: Sep 22, 1999
THE SEAT BELT DOES NOT CATCH (HOLD) PROPERLY WHICH COULD RESULT IN INJURY IF AND ACCIDENT OCCURED. *YC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Mar 5, 1999
CRANKSHAFT BROKE.
SEAT BELTS Dec 16, 1998
Incident date: Nov 25, 1998
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.
SEAT BELTS Nov 20, 1998
Incident date: Sep 12, 1998
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
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER Sep 8, 1998
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND TORQUE CONVERTER FAILURE. VEHICLE DOES NOT RUN PROPERLY EVEN AFTER REPAIR.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Sep 8, 1998
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND TORQUE CONVERTER FAILURE. VEHICLE DOES NOT RUN PROPERLY EVEN AFTER REPAIR.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE Jun 24, 1998
CRANKSHAFT BROKE.
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY Apr 29, 1998
TRANSAXLE FAILED.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER Apr 29, 1998
Incident date: May 29, 1996
TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED THREE TIMES.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Apr 29, 1998
VALVE BODY FAILED.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT Apr 29, 1998
Incident date: May 29, 1996
DIFFERENTIAL GEAR FAILED TWICE.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP Apr 29, 1998
PUMP FAILED
PARKING BRAKE Feb 2, 1997
Incident date: Jan 1, 1995
SEAT BELT LOCKING MECHANISM CRACKED AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE DOES NOT RELEASE.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY Feb 2, 1997
Incident date: Jan 1, 1995
SEAT BELT LOCKING MECHANISM CRACKED AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE DOES NOT RELEASE.
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER Jan 6, 1997
REAR SEAT BELTS FAILED.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY Nov 21, 1996
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
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER Nov 14, 1996
Incident date: Sep 27, 1996
DRIVER'S SEAT BACK COLLAPSED DURING REAR END COLLISION, CAUSING INJURY.
1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY Apr 16, 1996
OWNER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE IN FEBRUARY, CALLED DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. RECALL #95V103005. *AK
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY Mar 11, 1996
OWNER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE A YEAR AGO, DEALER SAYS THEY STILL DO NOT HAVE PARTS IN. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY Mar 11, 1996
OWNER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE A YEAR AGO, DEALER SAYS THEY STILL DO NOT HAVE PARTS IN. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY Oct 20, 1995
Incident date: Aug 1, 1995
THE TIME IT HAS TAKEN FOR RECALL NOTIFICATIONS TO GO OUT HAS BEEN EXCESSIVE. TT
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY Sep 26, 1995
#95V103005 THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE IS HARD TO LOCK . TT
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY Sep 25, 1995
Incident date: Sep 25, 1995
CONSUMER FEEL ITS EXCESSIVE TIME TO REPAIR RECALL ON SEAT BELT BUCKLES. TT
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR May 30, 1995
PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR DID NOT HOLD BELT CAUSING PASSENGER TO HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND RECIEVE SERIOUS INJURY. TT
Crash 2 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY May 26, 1995
Incident date: Feb 1, 1994
RED RELEASE BUTTON CRACKED RENDERING SEAT BELT UNLATCHABLE. TT
SEAT BELTS May 24, 1995
Incident date: Apr 15, 1994
VEHICLE HIT FROM BEHIND; DRIVER'S SHOULDER PORTION OF SEAT BELT DID NOT GRAB/CATCH. TT
Crash 1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY May 18, 1995
Incident date: Oct 29, 1994
DRIVER SEAT BELT BUCKLE DOES NOT LATCH. TT
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY May 11, 1995
Incident date: Apr 1, 1995
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND MAKE A QUIT STOP AND THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE CAME LOOSE. TT
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY May 2, 1995
Incident date: Jan 1, 1995
THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WOULDN'T CONNECT. TT
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY Apr 18, 1995
Incident date: Dec 18, 1994
PASSENGERS FRONT SEAT BUCKLE BROKE AND LOCKING MECHANISM MALFUNCTIONED. TT
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY Apr 12, 1995
Incident date: Jan 1, 1995
FRONT SEAT BELTS WILL NOT LATCH. TT
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING Apr 6, 1995
Incident date: Jan 6, 1995
SEAT BELT FAILURE ON PASSENGER SIDE. TT
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY Mar 28, 1995
Incident date: Mar 28, 1995
SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE. TT
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY Mar 22, 1995
Incident date: Mar 22, 1995
SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE, BECOMING UNLATCH BY ITSELF. TT
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY Mar 7, 1995
Incident date: Dec 1, 1994
DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLES BROKE. TT
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR Mar 6, 1995
Incident date: Feb 2, 1995
SEATBELT STUCK IN THE RETRACTOR. TT
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Mar 2, 1995
Incident date: Dec 31, 1994
BOLT THAT CONNECTS TIMING BELT/PULLEY TO CRANKSHAFT BROKE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL. *AK
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY Feb 24, 1995
Incident date: Jun 1, 1993
REAR LAP BELT BUCKLE FAILS TO ENGAGE AND HOLD. OWNER STATES MAYBE DIFFICULT AND USE EXTRA PRESSURE. TT
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY Feb 21, 1995
Incident date: Feb 21, 1995
DRIVERS SEAT BELT BUCLE BROKE, IT WOULD RELEASE RANDOMLY BEFORE BECOMING INOPERATIVE, PASSENGERS BUCKLE BROKE UNTIL REMOVED PLASTIC PARTICLES FROM WITHIN. TT
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY Feb 21, 1995
Incident date: Jan 1, 1995
MODE 521,LAP/SHOULDER THE RELEASE BUTTON PLASTIC IS BREAKING CAUSING THE SEAT NOT TO LATCH PROPERLY. TT

EPA Fuel Economy, 1988 MAZDA 323

Trim / Engine City MPG Highway MPG Combined MPG Fuel Type Annual Fuel Cost
1.6L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd (Front-Wheel Drive) 21.0 27.0 24.0 Regular $2,550
1.6L 4-cyl, Manual 4-spd (Front-Wheel Drive) 23.0 27.0 25.0 Regular $2,450
1.6L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd (4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive) 19.0 22.0 20.0 Premium $3,800
1.6L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive) 19.0 25.0 22.0 Premium $3,450
1.6L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive) 24.0 30.0 27.0 Regular $2,300

CO2 Emissions: -1.0 g/mile (Compact Cars)

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Actual fuel economy may vary based on driving conditions.

Technical Service Bulletins, 1988 MAZDA 323

4 manufacturer communications from 4 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

ComponentBulletins
114400 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS1
357100 EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER1
111000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY1
140000 AIR BAGS1
008/97 May 19, 1997
357100 EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
USE OF A/C TRACER DYE. *TW
007/97T Apr 25, 1997
140000 AIR BAGS
PARTS REPLACEMENT AFTER AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. *TW
001/97G Apr 8, 1997
111000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
MAINTENANCE FREE BATTERY - DIAGNOSTIC AND CHARGING PROCEDURE. *TW
003/97G Jan 19, 1997
114400 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
WIPER MOTOR INOPERATIVE - CIRCUIT BREAKER ACTIVATION. *TW

NHTSA Safety Investigations, MAZDA 323

Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.

EA95005 Opened: Mar 10, 1995 , Closed: Aug 1, 1995
EA, Closed , Model Year: 1988
TAKATA SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE
There is no summary currently available
EA94039 Opened: Nov 30, 1994 , Closed: Nov 26, 1997
EA, Closed , Model Year: 1990
AUTO RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAIL
There is no summary currently available

MAZDA 323 - All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the MAZDA 323 across all model years (1988, 1995).

13 Total Recalls
207 Total Complaints
2 Investigations
19 Reported Crashes
6 Reported Fires
0 Reported Deaths

MAZDA 323 - Year by Year

Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.

Year Recalls Complaints
1995 1 4 View
1994 2 14 View
1993 2 17 View
1992 2 18 View
1991 2 23 View
1990 2 22 View
1989 1 44 View
1988 (current) 1 42
1987 0 10 View
1986 0 10 View

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Model Recalls Complaints
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CX-9 59 1,796 View
626 54 3,892 View
MPV 44 1,157 View
RX-8 42 1,003 View