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1989 Mazda RX-7

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1989 RX-7.

Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1989 Mazda RX-7, documented here with an automatic 4-speed transmission and EPA fuel economy ratings of 15 city, 21 highway, and 17 combined mpg, represents the early portion of a generation whose complaint history spans 1990 through 1995. With 32 total owner complaints on file — led by seat belt issues — and a single recall, this model year falls well below the peak of 98 complaints recorded in 1993 and closer to the low of just 4 seen by 1995. That places the 1989 at the quieter, less-troubled end of the RX-7's documented reliability timeline, meaning researchers can expect comparatively fewer reported owner grievances for this year than for the heart of the generation that followed.

Model year1995 1994 1993 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

EPA fuel economy15/21/17 mpgEPA · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	168.9 in
Overall width	66.5 in
Overall height	50 in
Wheelbase	95.7 in
Curb weight	2721 lb
Track (front / rear)	57.1 / 55.1 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	51/49

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	15 / 21 / 17 mpg
Drivetrain	Rear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the RX-7 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.7 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.70 sec — 1989 GTUs Hatchback Coupe

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
1989	GTUs Hatchback Coupe 1.3L R2	7.70 sec	15.80 sec	160 hp	RWD
1988	Convertible 1.3L R2	9.20 sec	16.90 sec	146 hp	RWD
1990	Turbo II Hatchback Coupe 1.3L Turbo R2	6.00 sec	14.50 sec	200 hp	RWD
1987	Turbo Hatchback Coupe 1.3L Turbo R2	7.20 sec	15.30 sec	182 hp	RWD
1986	GXL Hatchback Coupe 1.3L R2	8.10 sec	16.34 sec	146 hp	RWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

Lubricants & capacities

Engine Coolant	ETHYLENE GLYCOL
Power Steering Fluid	DEXRON VI OR MERCON V

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; spark plugs every 15,000 mi.

Every 5,000 mi	Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 7,500 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill)
Every 15,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Engine Oil Level Warning System (inspect) · Spark Plugs (inspect) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed)
Every 30,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Body Fasteners (torque) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

For the 1989 Mazda RX-7, federal data highlights seat belts as the primary concern with 19 complaints, alongside four engine and cooling complaints, two fire incidents, and zero crash complaints, though the data does not specify the root causes for these issues. Analyzing the broader generation arc, the federal record shows complaint volume starting at 30 in 1990, dropping to zero by 1992, and spiking to a generation-worst 98 complaints alongside four recalls in 1993. The 1989 model sits at the very beginning of this documented timeline, preceding the initial 1990 volume and well ahead of the generation's peak fault period. Because 1989 predates the most problematic years and its specific complaints are heavily concentrated in a non-powertrain category rather than systemic failures, it stands clear of the generation's worst documented faults. Therefore, the 1989 model represents a comparatively strong year to buy within this generation, provided you thoroughly verify the functionality of the seat belt assemblies.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

0 involved a crash · 2 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90 ’91 ’92 ’93 ’94 ’95

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 32 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Seat Belts19

Engine & Engine Cooling4

Visibility4

Electrical System1

Service Brakes, Hydraulic,Engine & Engine Cooling1

Fuel System, Gasoline1

Seats1

Wheels1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

96V173000Seat Belts:Front:WebbingReported 16/09/1996

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. 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 8 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
00398	1998-07-16	Power Train	EXPERIENCING OIL LEAK AT REAR STATIONARY GEAR O-RING / ON - CAR REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE. *YC
01198	1998-05-28	Seat Belts	SUBJECT ON PASSIVE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR SWITCH. *YC
97102302097	1997-10-23	Structure	PRE-PAINTING PREPARATIONS FOR FRONT AND REAR BUMPERS. *YC
008/97	1997-05-19	Equipment	USE OF A/C TRACER DYE. *TW
007/97T	1997-04-25	Air Bags	PARTS REPLACEMENT AFTER AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. *TW

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific RX-7. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

Does the 1989 RX-7 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the RX-7 get?

EPA figures are 15 city / 21 highway / 17 combined mpg.