Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 0 of 10 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Seat Belts. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Structure. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
10 reports
Mileage unknown · Mar 4, 2008
Parking Brake
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 MAZDA 323. THE CONTACT DROVE A LONG DISTANCE WITHOUT REALIZING THAT THE PARKING BRAKE WAS APPLIED. SHE BELIEVED THAT THERE WAS FAILURE WITH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL THAT DID NOT INDICATE THE PARKING BRAKE WAS APPLIED. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH MAZDA AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VIN, PURCHASE DATE, …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 MAZDA 323. THE CONTACT DROVE A LONG DISTANCE WITHOUT REALIZING THAT THE PARKING BRAKE WAS APPLIED. SHE BELIEVED THAT THERE WAS FAILURE WITH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL THAT DID NOT INDICATE THE PARKING BRAKE WAS APPLIED. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH MAZDA AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VIN, PURCHASE DATE, ENGINE SIZE, NUMBER OF CYLINDERS, POWERTRAIN, SPEED, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 275,000. UPDATED 03/18/08. *LJ UPDATED 03/18/08 *TR
NHTSA ODI #10220075
Mileage unknown · Apr 15, 2002
Latches/locks/linkagesSeat BeltsStructure
CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS, DRIVERSIDE SEATBELT WILL NOT LOCK AT ALL, ALSO DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT WILL NOT CLOSE ON SHOULDER HARNESS, DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK. CONSUMER STATED THE PASSENGER SIDE SHOULDER HARNESS WILL NOT RETRACT TO SECURE THE PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE WAS T…
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CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS, DRIVERSIDE SEATBELT WILL NOT LOCK AT ALL, ALSO DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT WILL NOT CLOSE ON SHOULDER HARNESS, DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK. CONSUMER STATED THE PASSENGER SIDE SHOULDER HARNESS WILL NOT RETRACT TO SECURE THE PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE, ALSO THE FRONT DOOR LATCH SWITCH WAS REPLACED, ALSO THE LAP BELT MOTORS ARE NOT RETRACTING, THE BELT OR SHOULDER BELT MOTOR ARE NOT TIGHTENING.
NHTSA ODI #8007673
Mileage unknown · Dec 23, 1999
Seat Belts
PASSIVE SHOULDER RESTRAINT ON DRIVER'S SIDE WILL NOT RETRACT WHEN CAR IS STARTED. THE CABLE APPEARS TO HAVE COME OFF ITS TRACT AND IS HANGING LOOSE. I HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH THE PASSIVE RESTRAINT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE.
NHTSA ODI #716388
Mileage unknown · Oct 5, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentPower Train
TRANSMISSION LEAKING CAUSING VIBRATION AT IDLE,JERKING AND HESITATION. NLM
NHTSA ODI #548905
Mileage unknown · Nov 16, 1998
Power Train
INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE CHOKES UP, DOES GO INTO REVERSE OR FORWARD. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #828871
Mileage unknown · Aug 18, 1997
Electrical System
ABRUPT/CATASTROPHIC ENGINE SYSTEM FAILURE. VEHICLE SHUTDOWN. WILL NOT RESTART.AD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER AND DEALER DID NOT KNOW CAUSE OF PROBLEM. THINKS, HOWEVER, IT IS THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE. MANUFACTURER/DEALER STALLING REPAIRS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #809536
Mileage unknown · Jul 17, 1996
Seat Belts
WHEN LEFT FRONT PASSIVE SHOULDER BELT ENGAGES, THE BELT TIGHTENS/CRUSHES YOUR CHEST. *SD
NHTSA ODI #506482
Mileage unknown · Dec 1, 1995
Seat Belts
DRIVERS SIDE PASSIVE RESTRAINT WILL TIGHTEN WHEN USED W/NO WARNING. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
NHTSA ODI #975869
Mileage unknown · Dec 1, 1995
Seat Belts
DRIVERS PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEM STOPPED MIDWAY W/PASSENGER SIDE EXPERIENCING SAME INTERMITTENTLY. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
NHTSA ODI #975837
Mileage unknown · Aug 30, 1995
Seat Belts
EA94-039 ACTIVE, LAP/SHOULDER BELT RETRACTOR WILL NOT RETRACT AND FASTEN PROPERLY. WARNING LIGHTS AND BEEPS INTERMITTENTLY EVEN WHEN BELTS ARE FASTENED. TT
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the ignition switch overheats there would be an increased risk of a fire.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1
EA94039 · Auto Restraint System Fail
Opened Nov 30, 1994 · Closed Nov 26, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
There is no summary currently available
1993 Mazda 323 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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