Major Problems with Mazda RX-8 Derived from Complaints & Recalls

Learn about the common problems with a used Mazda RX-8 to avoid purchasing a bad year of the model.

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Best and Worst Years for Mazda RX-8

Explore the chart showing how many complaints have been filed for each year of Mazda RX-8.

Model Year	Complaints
2011 RX-8	2
2010 RX-8	3
2009 RX-8	8
2008 RX-8	17
2007 RX-8	38
2006 RX-8	58
2005 RX-8	156
2004 RX-8	476

Worst 3 Mazda RX-8 complaints

2005 Mazda RX-8 AIR BAGS Victims: 2

2004 Mazda RX-8 ENGINE Victims: 1 Mileage: 16000 miles

2004 Mazda RX-8 AIR BAGS Victims: 1

Browse Mazda RX-8 complaints by category

Problems with AIR BAGS, STEERING and MANUAL TRANSMISSION are the most frequent issues recorded by the NHTSA from Mazda RX-8 owners.

Problem Category	Number of Problems
AIR BAGS tl* the contact owns a 2010 mazda rx-8. the contact stated that the air bags were replaced two years ago....	107 ~ 38582 miles
STEERING i was driving home on the highway and the car started to intermittently pull slightly in one direction. after about...	104 ~ 74283 miles
MANUAL TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN normal driving and the clutch pedal popped and became unstable. shifting the card became difficult. after further inspection discovered the	104 ~ 69466 miles
POWER TRAIN clutch pedal mounting bracket snapped at the bolt which results in clutch not engaging properly. the issue renders the car...	74 ~ 83108 miles
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING oil cooler lines on the rx 8 will rust an corrode due to salt on the roads in the winter...	65 ~ 38488 miles
ENGINE takata recall my car suddenly stopped on the side of the 101 freeway off the west lake village exit going...	46 ~ 68492 miles
ENGINE > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING i own a 2005 mazda rx8 6 speed. the vehicle has 14 000 miles. on 5/30/06 the engine began to...	45 ~ 31176 miles
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM while driving i noticed a fuel smell coming through my vents. after checking around the engine compartment i saw fuel...	42 ~ 62922 miles
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM converter fire voided warranty aftermarket parts installed cause or not the cause...	38 ~ 49796 miles
UNKNOWN OR OTHER the ring/assembly holding the driver side visor cracked with normal use (putting the visor down (no excess force was used)...	33 ~ 58897 miles
CLUTCH ASSEMBLY > POWER TRAIN tl* the contact owns a 2007 mazda rx-8. while driving approximately 20 mph the clutch pedal became unresponsive without warning....	28 ~ 61419 miles
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL i was driving on the hwy the cruise control was on i had been using it for about 20 miles...	25 ~ 73820 miles
VISIBILITY tl*the contact owns a 2007 mazda rx-8. in september of 2008 both the driver's and passenger side visors cracked at...	24 ~ 25272 miles
PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE) > CLUTCH ASSEMBLY > POWER TRAIN i am a member of a mazda rx8 website. 25% of our members have had their clutch pedals snap off...	21 ~ 66224 miles
STRUCTURE i purchased a 2007 mazda rx-8. i started noticing that the dashboard of the passenger side starting cracking around the...	16 ~ 46469 miles
BODY > STRUCTURE i purchased a mazda rx8 new in 2009. i have noticed the passenger dash cracking. at first it was small...	15 ~ 49071 miles
SUSPENSION on may 7 2013 i brought the vehicle to paretti mazda of metairie because a fluid was leaking from somewhere...	13 ~ 76238 miles
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE converter fire voided warranty aftermarket parts installed cause or not the cause...	12 ~ 40803 miles
EQUIPMENT i purchased a 2007 mazda rx-8. i started noticing that the dashboard of the passenger side starting cracking around the...	11 ~ 16637 miles
EXHAUST SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 2005 mazda rx8 quits running and will not restart -removed spark plugs cleaned and started-quit before got home same problem....	10 ~ 69015 miles
COOLING SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING i'm going in today for the third time because my ac continues to make a noise when the fan is...	9 ~ 57069 miles
EXTERIOR LIGHTING i'm going in today for the third time because my ac continues to make a noise when the fan is...	8 ~ 30931 miles
GASOLINE > ENGINE > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING mazda rx-8 purchased dec 24th 2003.f the vehicle 'stalls' when cold the engine become non-restartable (even following the manif's deflooding...	7 ~ 19214 miles
SERVICE BRAKES oil cooler lines on the rx 8 will rust an corrode due to salt on the roads in the winter...	6 ~ 53400 miles
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES i was driving my 2007 mazda rx-8/6 speed. i was in 2nd gear shifting into 3rd gear when my clutch...	5 ~ 66528 miles
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN engine failure after driving short distances engine does not always want to restart during times of sitting in traffic car...	5 ~ 21267 miles
TIRES i purchased a brand new set of potenza's on the dec 7. i had them mounted on in the afternoon...	5 ~ 17622 miles
LOWER BALL JOINT > CONTROL ARM > FRONT i received 2 safety recall notices on my rx8. i took the car to the dealer where i leased the...	5 ~ 54577 miles
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC front brakes and rotors replaced by dealer due to defective front brakes. brakes and rotors replaced and vehicle is now	5 ~ 8061 miles
SEAT BELTS my stepdaughter placed her infant/carseat in the rear seat of our 2010 mazda rx-8. she reached for the closest seatbelt...	4 ~ 17125 miles
ELECTRICAL > EQUIPMENT a new catalytic converter was purchased from a mazda dealer in mayaguez puerto rico on august 29 2009. the same...	4 ~ 14250 miles
CATALYTIC CONVERTOR > EMISSION CONTROL > EXHAUST SYSTEM a new catalytic converter was purchased from a mazda dealer in mayaguez puerto rico on august 29 2009. the same...	4 ~ 25500 miles
FRONTAL > AIR BAGS front driver airbag did not deploy. *tr...	4 ~ 6000 miles
WHEELS i purchased a brand new set of potenza's on the dec 7. i had them mounted on in the afternoon...	4 ~ 33000 miles
AIR CONDITIONER > APPLIANCE > EQUIPMENT defective air conditioning -will not provide a vehicle until fixed. 2005 mazda rx8. contacted mazda corporation supposedly and they will	4 ~ 44500 miles
12V/24V/48V BATTERY > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM the rotary engine rx8 (my 2005) continues to have starting problems. i have just over 100 000 miles on my...	3 ~ 2400 miles
DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM > VISIBILITY the mazda rx-8 is having an issue that is coming up more frequently now from a faulty a/c switch or...	3 ~ 30333 miles
TAIL LIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING the rear passenger tail lamp on the 2004 mazda rx-8 is known to collect water inside the lamp sometimes as...	3 ~ 13833 miles
EMISSION CONTROL > EXHAUST SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING dt: the consumer purchased a new mazda rx8. the vehicle experienced what the consumer suspected was a problem that occurred...	3 ~ 433 miles
DELIVERY > FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE mazda rx-8 with less than 3000 miles has twice shut off and failed to start. major problem with fuel delivery	3 ~ 1548 miles
VISIBILITY/WIPER the ring/assembly holding the driver side visor cracked with normal use (putting the visor down (no excess force was used)...	2 ~ 24250 miles
SEATS the dash is all cracked around the passenger dash side. is exactly where the air bad sits 4 large cracks	2 ~ 56000 miles
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL takata recall after completing the "interim repair" the cars power steering will intermittently go out without warning or pull to...	2 ~ 88000 miles
FUEL PUMP > DELIVERY > FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE tl* the contact owns a 2006 mazda rx8. the contact stated that she smelled a fuel odor after parking the...	2 ~ 25500 miles
STARTER ASSEMBLY > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM the rotary engine rx8 (my 2005) continues to have starting problems. i have just over 100 000 miles on my...	2 ~ 5000 miles
FRONT > SUSPENSION tl*the contact owns a 2004 mazda rx-8. the contact stated that when having the vehicle serviced a mechanic stated the...	2 ~ 63750 miles
HEADLIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING tl* the contact owns a 2007 mazda rx8. the contact stated the headlights were extremely cloudy causing very limited illumination....	2 ~ 13000 miles
SIDE/WINDOW > AIR BAGS airbags failed to deploy after front and side impact accident resulting in significant damage (vehicle might be totaled). speed at	2 ~ 245560 miles
FLOOR SHIFT ASSEMBLY > MANUAL TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN my clutch pedal bracket broke at the welds with 60k miles on my car. my car is bone stock. *tr...	2 ~ 65000 miles
TANK ASSEMBLY > STORAGE > FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE dt: the consumer purchased a new mazda rx8. the vehicle experienced what the consumer suspected was a problem that occurred...	2 ~ 650 miles
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER i purchased my automatic rx8 in late jan. 2004. as i write this i have averaged 14.3 mpg with mixed...	2
ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT > WINDSHIELD > DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM 2004 mazda rx 8 has many design defects battery was replaced spark plugs and oil filter was replaced 3 months...	2 ~ 19000 miles
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM coolant sensor in the coolant reservoir tank is continuously showing a warning light. coolant levels are fine oil levels are	1 ~ 25000 miles
POWER STEERING FLUID > HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST > STEERING i first noticed a problem in my steering while driving in my neighborhood. the steering felt very light and crisp...	1 ~ 61000 miles
FRAME AND MEMBERS > STRUCTURE for the past 3 years the clutch pedal on my car has squeaked and groaned when depressed. this would not...	1 ~ 52425 miles
SIDEWALL > TIRES brand new goodyear tire with less than 100 miles on it blew while going down highway. *tr...	1 ~ 57705 miles
MECHANICAL > EQUIPMENT i have a mazda rx8 2005. it repeatedly stalls and has needed a new engine twice in less than a...	1 ~ 46000 miles
ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM > STEERING tl*the contact owns a 2005 mazda rx-8. the contact was driving approximately between 10-30mph proceeding to make a turn. the...	1 ~ 55000 miles
DRIVELINE > POWER TRAIN tl*the contact owns a 2004 mazda rx8. while driving 50 mph the clutch pedal began squeaking. the clutch pedal brace...	1 ~ 37700 miles
WHEEL BEARING > FRONT > SUSPENSION tl*the contact owns a 2004 mazda rx8. while driving various speeds the vehicle will stall without warning. he took the...	1 ~ 32000 miles
ABS WARNING LIGHT > ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC tl*the contact owns a 2005 mazda rx8. the abs and traction control light illuminated on 3 occasions. the check engine...	1 ~ 600 miles
HEAD RESTRAINT > FRONT ASSEMBLY > SEATS tl*the contact owns a 2005 mazda rx-8. the contact received a recall notice one year ago. the dealer stated that...	1 ~ 8000 miles
ROTOR > DISC > SERVICE BRAKES, AIR i have had to have the front brakes (due to tsb) repaired three times now. i bought the car with...	1
FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM > FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE problems with rotary engine starting. usually happens at a temperature below 25 degrees fahrenheit. poor ignition system for colder weather....	1 ~ 34000 miles
IGNITION > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM problems with rotary engine starting. usually happens at a temperature below 25 degrees fahrenheit. poor ignition system for colder weather....	1 ~ 34000 miles
ROTOR > DISC > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS dt*: the contact stated while performing general maintenance the brakes were observed to be corroded. the vehicle was inspected by...	1 ~ 12500 miles
LABELS > OTHER > EQUIPMENT the vehicle certification label on the inside door panel shows the gross vehicle weight information and the vin number but	1
MARKINGS > TIRES the vehicle certification label on the inside door panel shows the gross vehicle weight information and the vin number but	1
NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM) > ELECTRICAL > EQUIPMENT engine failure purchased car 3/11/2006 a couple of weeks later the car started idling roughly then stalling the computer module...	1 ~ 16000 miles
SEAT HEATER/COOLER > FRONT ASSEMBLY > SEATS dt*: the contact stated the seat warmer of the vehicle stays on and get too hot. the contact expressed concerns...	1
REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES > VISIBILITY my son was involved in an accident while driving the 2004 mazda rx-8 i had recently purchased. the collision occurred...	1 ~ 18000 miles
PARKING BRAKE mazda rx-8: car was parked at the top of a gradual slope with parking brake firmly pulled up. no more...	1 ~ 2900 miles
CRUISE CONTROL > VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL dt: the contact owns a 2004 mazda rx8. the contact states that while driving with cruise control set and hitting...	1
FAN > COOLING SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING dt: the contact owns a 2004 mazda rx8. the contact states that while driving with cruise control set and hitting...	1
AUTOMATIC (ASC) > ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL the vehicle fishtailed all the time in inclement weather. the consumer was making a right turn and the vehicle did...	1 ~ 1900 miles
INTERIOR/UNDER DASH > WIRING > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM i bought the 2004 rx8 used. it only had 16 000 miles but the previous owner had broke the rear...	1 ~ 1000 miles
HEATER CORE > DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM > VISIBILITY ac and general cabin temperature problems. i am having a combination of problems with the heating and cooling of the...	1 ~ 3000 miles
FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS > WIRING > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM driver's side sun visor cracked and separated from post. it was hanging and would not stay up out of field...	1 ~ 8400 miles
BELL HOUSING > CLUTCH ASSEMBLY > POWER TRAIN veh. being operated on the nj turnpike at 65 mph when clutch failed. towed to dealer at own expense. dealer...	1
ACCELERATOR PEDAL > VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL the dummy pedal on the left has a design flaw which enables high heels to be trapped between the pedal...	1
FRONT > SEAT BELTS while driving 55 mph driver lost control of vehicle and it hit a pole. air bags deployed but driver's seat	1
REAR/OTHER > SEAT BELTS in the new mazda rx8 the rear seat design with the high center console makes it very hard to latch...	1
DOOR > BODY > STRUCTURE driver and passenger doors have poor sealing against road noise & wind. at highway speeds wind noise becomes highly intrusive	1 ~ 2120 miles

FAQ

What year Mazda RX-8 is the most reliable?

Speaking of the models produced in the last 8 years, Mazda RX-8 models of 2011, 2010, 2009 year of manufacture have had the least number of complaints.

What year was a bad year for Mazda RX-8?

Mazda RX-8 models of 2004 and 2005 are probably the years to be avoided like the plague due to a higher than an average number of issues reported.

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