Model year guide

1992 Mazda 323

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1992 Mazda 323 is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 103 on record.

1992 Mazda 323 at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints16
Combined25–28 mpg

Free: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1992 Mazda 323 recalls 2

Electrical System:ignition:switch NHTSA Campaign #15V674000 · manufacturer #8715J · 19/10/2015

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.

Fix: 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.

Seat Belts:front:webbing NHTSA Campaign #97V211000 · 18/11/1997

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.

Fix: 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 I…

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 8 Oct 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1992 Mazda 323 common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 16 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Seat Belts
Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Seats
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.

1992 Mazda 323 MPG & running costs

Combined25–28 mpg
City24 mpg
Highway32 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,550
EPA size classCompact Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd or Manual 5-spd
Passenger volume92 cu ft
Cargo volume16 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$750 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1992 Mazda 323 costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$12,750
Fuel only$12,750
Per mile$0.17

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

1992 Mazda 323 vehicles on record

Other Mazda 323 model years

1992 Mazda 323 — frequently asked questions

Does the 1992 Mazda 323 have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1992 Mazda 323. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are free.

What are the most common problems with the 1992 Mazda 323?

Across all 16 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are seat belts, engine and engine cooling, electrical system.

What gas mileage does the 1992 Mazda 323 get?

The 1992 Mazda 323 has U.S. EPA estimates of 25–28 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (2 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.