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Model year record

1991 Mazda 323 recalls & problems

The 1991 Mazda 323 has 2 safety recalls and 20 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is seat belts (15 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls
Complaints20filed by owners
Crashes · fires1 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Electrical systemOct 19, 2015

Ignition › Switch

Recall 15V6740001,368,500 vehicles

Problem
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 1989-1998 MPV, 1990-1995 323, 1990-1998 Protege, 1992-1993 MX-3, 1993-1995 929, 1993-1997 MX-6, and 1993-1998 626 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, grease applied to the contact points inside the ignition switch may become conductive and overheat.
Risk
If the ignition switch overheats there would be an increased risk of a fire.
Fix
Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. The recall began on December 17, 2015. Owners may contact Mazda Customer Experience Center at 1-800-222-5500, option#6. Mazda's number for this recall is 8715J.
Seat beltsNov 18, 1997

Front › Webbing

Recall 97V211000134,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FRONT SEAT AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELTS. THE RAIL OF THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT CAN WEAR SUFFICIENTLY SUCH THAT THE CABLE WHICH RETRACTS THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAN BECOME JAMMED IN THE RAIL RENDERING THE SHOULDER BELT INOPERATIVE.
Risk
A SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PASSIVE SHOULDER BELT ASSEMBLY WITH A MODIFIED ONE (WITH ADDITIONAL DUST LIP) IN VEHICLES WHICH HAVE EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM. IN VEHICLES IN WHICH THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT FUNCTIONS PROPERLY, THE RAILS WILL BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED WITH MODIFIED RAILS IF THEY EXCEED THE INSPECTION CRITERIA.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Fuel economy

323 Protege 4x4

23mpg combined
City / highway21 / 26 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel

323 Protege 4x4

21mpg combined
City / highway19 / 24 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem areaComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesTypical mileage*
Seat beltsFront › Retractor; Front › Buckle assembly15000—
Exterior lightingTurn signal › Flasher unit; Headlights › Concealment devices3000—
SuspensionFront › Wheel bearing2000—
SteeringRack and pinion › Rack1000—
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal1100—
VisibilityWindshield1000—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations