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1989 Mazda RX-7 GTU 5MT

The 1989 Mazda RX-7 GTU 5MT is a 160-hp rotary sports coupe with a 5-speed manual and rear-wheel drive. It starts at $18,418 MSRP and is rated at 18 mpg combined.

It makes 160 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque at 3500 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 15 mpg city and 23 mpg highway (18 mpg combined).

Spec Value
Vehicle
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$18,418 ($48,273 *)
Engine
Engine Type13B-DEI twin-rotor Wankel rotary, naturally aspirated, electronic fuel injection
Horsepower160 hp
Torque138 lb-ft @ 3500 rpm
ValvetrainTwin-rotor Wankel; DEI variable intake / 6PI
Drivetrain
Drive TypeRWD
Transmission
Transmission5-speed manual
Fuel Economy
City15 MPG
Highway23 MPG
Combined18 MPG
Recommended FuelRegular Gasoline
Suspension
Front SuspensionIndependent; Dynamic Tracking Suspension System (DTSS)
Rear SuspensionIndependent rear (DTSS toe-control hubs); optional Auto Adjusting Suspension
Dimensions & Weight
Wheelbase95.7 in
Interior
Headroom Front37 in
Legroom Front43 in
Shoulder Room Front52 in
Hip Room Front54 in
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Not crash-tested by NHTSA for this model year.

Recalls

1 recall on file with NHTSA for the 1989 Mazda RX7. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Sep 16, 1996 · SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING

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.

NHTSA campaign 96V173000

31 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 1989 Mazda RX7

Owner Complaints

31 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1989 Mazda RX7 (2 a fire, 2 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Seat Belts19
Engine And Engine Cooling5
Visibility4
Electrical System1
Fuel System1
Gasoline1
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Jun 8, 2010 · Seat Belts
“I OWN A 1989 MAZDA RX 7. I RECENTLY SAW A RECALL ON THE FORD RECALL WEB SITE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 96V173000, FRONT WEBBING FOR RX'S MANUFACTURED BETWEEN 12/24/88 TO 05/31/91. I HAVE THIS PARTICULAR…”
Jan 9, 2008 · Engine And Engine Cooling Fire 1 injury
“I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY DOING 63 MPH WHEN I SMELLED A FUNNY SMELL I PULLED OVER AND THE FRONT OF MY CAR WAS ON FIRE. THE PULSATION DAMPER FAILED CAUSING SERIOUS ENGINE DAMAGE AND ALMOST COST ME…”
Dec 22, 2005 · Seat Belts
“DT: THE CONTACT STATED PREVIOUSLY HAD RECALL 96V173000 REPAIR WORK PERFORMED ON THE SEAT BELTS: FRONT: WEBBING. HOWEVER THE FAILURE RECURRED AND NO ADDITIONAL REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. THE DEALERSHIP…”
Mar 26, 2002 · Electrical System
“"HEADLIGHT HARNESS" MELTED AND KNOCKED OUT "HEADLIGHT SWITCH"...KNOWN PROBLEM AND COMMON, NOT RECOGNIZED BY MAZDA AS WORTHY OF BEING FIXED. TAKES OUT DRIVING LIGHTS, AND INTERIOR LIGHTS, WHICH IS VERY…”
Jun 5, 2001 · Visibility
“THIS IS A KNOWN COMMON PROBLEM AMONG THE 1987-1991 RX-7 OWNERS. SPEED ADJUSTER FOR THE WINDSHIELD ONLY OPERATE AT THE TOP SPEED. RENDERING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO USE IN THE LIGHT SPRINKLE; HAVE TO KEEP…”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 1989 MAZDA RX7. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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