Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 38 complaints with NHTSA about the 1988 Mazda 929, and it carries 2 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Seat belts | 11 | 29% |
| Structure | 7 | 18% |
| Fuel system | 4 | 11% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 4 | 11% |
| Power train | 2 | 5% |
| Service brakes | 2 | 5% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 5% |
| Fuel system | 1 | 3% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 1 | 3% |
| Service brakes | 1 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
WHEN I START THE CAR IN THE MORNING IT IDLES ABOUT 2000 RPM THEN DROPS TO 1000 RPM AND REVS BACK UP TO 1800 RPM AND CONTINUES PULSATE IN NEUTRAL EVERY SECOND UNTIL YOU PUT IT IN DRIVE. IN DRIVE IT REMAINS IDLING AT 1500
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
VERY STRONG FUEL VAPOR BOTH INTERNAL/EXTERNAL THIRD OCCURRENCE. FIRST TWO, BOTH RESULTED IN REPLACING FUEL RAIL AND ALL INJECTOR SEALS. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
MAZDA SEAMS TO HAVE A HISTORY OF TRANSMISSION FAILERS WHAT CAN THE MAZDA OWNER DO WHEN MAZDA DOES NOT WANT TO COME CLEAN CHECK OUT HTTP://WWW.CARCAST.COM/CC/CONFERENCE/ I ALSO HAVE A 626/TURBO WITH A BAD TRANSMISSION. *
NHTSA complaint: Power train
WHILE DRIVING TIMING BELT SHEARED OFF FOR THE SIXTH TIME WITHOUT A WARNING. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN THROUGH A TOTAL OF 8 BELTS. DEALER/MANUFACTURER CONTACTED. *AK *ML
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
ALL 4 DOOR HANDLES ON THE OUTSIDE BROKE. THE DOORS CANNOT BE OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE DEALER. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. RECALL# 93V174000, DOES NOT INCLUDE REAR DOOR HANDLES
NHTSA complaint: Structure
THIS FAILURE ONLY HAPPENS BELOW 20DEG F. PROBLEM GOES AWAY WHEN ENGINE WARM. ON VERY COLD STARTUP, FUEL DRIPS RAPIDLY AND VISIBLY FROM BOTTOM OF PRESSURE REGULATOR TO VALVE COVER. SEE ODI ID'S 380248, 437128, 416832,
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
THE RIGHT REAR OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE CANNOT OPEN DOOR. DEALER SAYS THAT REAR DOOR HANDLES ARE NOT PART OF RECALL 93V174000. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Structure
CONSUMER EXPERIENCING PROBLEM CONCERNING REOCCURRING BRAKE MULFUNCTION DUE TO ROTOR WARPAGE EVERY 3000 MILES OF WEAR; DEALER NOTIFIED AND PROBLEM CANNOT BE RESOLVED. ALL COST STILL TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER FLUSH ABS, RE
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1988 Mazda 929. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
RESIN MOLDED FRONT HANDLES FAIL AT THE DOOR LATCH ACTUATING ROD ATTACHMENT, FREEING THE ROD TO FALL INSIDE THE DOOR FRAME. SUBSEQUENT LOWERING OF THE ASSOCIATED WINDOW MAY FORCE THE ACTUATING ROD DOWNWARD AND RELEASE THE DOOR LATCH.
Risk: INADVERTENT ACTUATION OF THE DOOR LATCH CAUSES THE DOORTO OPEN UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN OCCUPANT FALLING OUT OF THEVEHICLE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DOOR HANDLE/LATCH ASSEMBLY.
THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
Risk: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES A
| Reliability raw | 87 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 84 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 87 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 62 | average |
| Performance | 59 | average |
| Efficiency | 36 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 38 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and seat belts is the most reported area with 11 of them (29%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 87/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 84/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1988 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 75/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.