# NHTSA recall 96V173000

A recall listed here may apply to a vehicle of this year, make and model. Only the manufacturer can say whether it applies to one vehicle: check the VIN with the official lookups.

- Published by: NHTSA \(United States\)
- Campaign number: 96V173000
- Manufacturer: MAZDA \(NORTH AMERICA\),INC
- Reported: 1996\-09\-16
- Owners notified: 1997\-02\-17
- Component: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
- Units potentially affected: 17800

## What is wrong

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.


## What can happen

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE COLLISION, THE OCCUPANT WOULD NOT BE ADEQUATELY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.


## The 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.


## Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION:OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING OCTOBER 1996. NOTE:OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1\-800\-222\-5500.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'SAUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1\-800\-424\-9393.


## Vehicles this campaign lists

- [1990 MAZDA RX\-7](/makes/mazda/rx-7/1990/recalls.md). Built 1988\-12\-24 to 1991\-05\-31.
- [1991 MAZDA RX\-7](/makes/mazda/rx-7/1991/recalls.md). Built 1988\-12\-24 to 1991\-05\-31.
- [1989 MAZDA RX7](/makes/mazda/rx-7/1989/recalls.md). Built 1988\-12\-24 to 1991\-05\-31.

## Investigated as PE96027

This recall followed 1 NHTSA investigation. An investigation is NHTSA looking into a possible defect. It is not a finding that a defect exists, and it does not say that any one vehicle is affected.

- PE96027: Preliminary evaluation, opened 1996\-04\-16, closed 1996\-09\-30. MAZDA RX7 AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT FAILURE. SEAT BELTS.

From NHTSA's investigation file, as of 2026-10-19. JSON: [/v1/recalls/nhtsa/96V173000/investigations](/v1/recalls/nhtsa/96V173000/investigations)

## Bulletins for the same vehicles and component

A bulletin is the manufacturer's note to its dealers. It is not part of this recall.

- [01198](/bulletins/603882.md), 1999-03-09, Service bulletin

## Check a VIN

- [NHTSA recall lookup by VIN, United States](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls)
- [Transport Canada recall search, Canada](https://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/7/VRDB-BDRV/search-recherche/menu.aspx?lang=eng)

JSON: [/v1/recalls/nhtsa/96V173000](/v1/recalls/nhtsa/96V173000)

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