Mazda

RX-8 (1st)

2004-2012 · Sports Car ยท 2 engines
Best Engine โœ… Recommended (3.8)
813 NHTSA Complaints
14 Recalls
15 Fire Reports
33 Crash Reports
๐Ÿ“‹ Inspection checklist

NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings

Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
5/5 (7.9% risk)
ESC: Optional FCW: No LDW: No

Engine Reliability Ratings

13B (1.3L) California High Power

1.3L
โœ… Recommended (3.8)
12 complaints 3.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission
3
other
3
fuel system
2
suspension
1
safety systems
1

Known Issues

Transmission Issues (3 complaints)
Fuel System Issues (2 complaints)
Suspension Issues (1 complaints)

13B (1.3L) HP

1.3L / 222 hp
โŒ Avoid (1.0)
628 complaints 76.5 per year
15 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission
185
engine
162
cooling
120
safety systems
101
steering
84

Known Issues

Transmission Issues (185 complaints)
Est. repair: $470โ€“$1,390 (19 reports)
Engine Issues (162 complaints)
Typical onset: 51,603โ€“91,700 mi Est. repair: $662โ€“$6,750 (18 reports)
Cooling System Issues (120 complaints)
Typical onset: 41,500โ€“76,100 mi Est. repair: $725โ€“$1,700 (11 reports)

8 additional engine variants with fewer than 10 complaints not shown.

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Mazda RX-8 regardless of engine variant.

Transmission Issues (189 complaints)
transmission critical
Engine Issues (163 complaints)
engine critical
Cooling System Issues (121 complaints)
cooling critical
Safety Systems Issues (103 complaints)
safety_systems critical
Steering Issues (87 complaints)
steering critical

Recalls (14)

21V744000Sep 23, 2021serious
Fuel System

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2009-2011 RX-8 and 2006-2007 MazdaSpeed6 vehicles. Fuel may leak from the fuel pump mounting rings.

19V781000Oct 30, 2019critical
Air Bags

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2004-2005 MPV, 2004 RX-8, and 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 vehicles. These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

19V488000Jun 23, 2019critical
Air Bags

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2010-2011 Mazda RX-8 vehicles that were previously recalled under recall 18V-716 but have not yet been repaired. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

18V402000Jun 14, 2018critical
Air Bags

Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 and 2004 MPV vehicles nationwide. Mazda is also recalling 2005-2006 MPV vehicles in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. On July 9, 2019 this recall was expanded to include certain 2004-2011 RX-8 vehicles that were previously recalled under 16V-354 but have not yet been repaired. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

18V404000Jun 14, 2018critical
Air Bags

Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Mazda MPV vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. On July 9, 2019 this recall was expanded to include certain 2005-2009 RX-8 vehicles that were previously recalled under 17V-011 but have not yet been repaired. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

18V403000Jun 14, 2018critical
Air Bags

Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2009-2010 Mazda RX-8 vehicles that were previously recalled under recall 18V-017 but have not yet been repaired. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

17V474000Jul 25, 2017critical
Air Bags

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2004-2008 RX-8, and 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion and other factors, including manufacturing variability that, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

17V354000Jan 5, 2017serious
Fuel System

Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RX-8 vehicles. Heat from the engine and the exhaust may cause the main fuel pump pipe to crack.

17V355000Jan 5, 2017serious
Suspension

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2004 Mazda RX-8 vehicles. The ball joint socket on the front suspension lower control arm may crack and the ball joint may separate from the socket.

16V793000Oct 30, 2016serious
Fuel System

Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RX-8 vehicles manufactured April 10, 2003, to February 18, 2008. The affected vehicles have fuel pump sealing rings that may deteriorate due to exposure to heat from the engine or exhaust pipe.

05V325000Jul 19, 2005serious
Suspension

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, DUE TO IMPROPER FORGING OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM, CRACKS MAY OCCUR IN THE BALL JOINT SOCKET.

05V317000Jul 6, 2005serious
Engine & Cooling

IF CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ARE PARKED AND THE ENGINE IS OPERATED AT HIGH RPM'S FOR AN EXCESSIVE LENGTH OF TIME, SOME OF THE PARTS AROUND THE EXHAUST SYSTEM CAN MELT AND PRODUCE A VARIETY OF MALFUNCTIONS. PROBLEMS CAUSED BY THE EXCESSIVE HEAT BUILD-UP CAN RANGE FROM INOPERATIVE OXYGEN SENSOR, NEUTRAL SWITCH AND BACK UP LIGHTS, PROBLEMS WITH THE PARKING BRAKES, MALFUNCTIONS OF THE GAS GAUGE AND/OR POSSIBLE FUEL LEAKS RESULTING FROM HEAT DAMAGE TO THE FUEL TANK.

04V075000Feb 16, 2004cosmetic
Powertrain

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS, THE HEAT INSULATOR MAY BE CRACKED CAUSING ABNORMAL NOISE.

04V074000Feb 16, 2004serious
Air Bags

AS A RESULT OF AN NCAP TEST, CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ARE BEING RECALLED FOR IMPROPERLY WIRED FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAGS.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2004-2012 Mazda RX-8 problems?

The 2004-2012 Mazda RX-8 has accumulated 813 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Transmission, Engine, Cooling System. As with any used vehicle, a pre-purchase inspection and vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Mazda RX-8 engine is most reliable?

The 2004-2012 Mazda RX-8 was offered with 10 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 1.3L ?-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2004-2012 Mazda RX-8 a good used car?

The 2004-2012 Mazda RX-8 can be a solid used car purchase depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 813 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2004-2012 Mazda RX-8 have?

The 2004-2012 Mazda RX-8 has 813 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2004-2012 Mazda RX-8?

There are 14 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2004-2012 Mazda RX-8 vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN โ€” check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Mazda RX-8?

Before buying a used Mazda RX-8, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Transmission, Engine, Cooling System, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the RX-8?

The 2011 Mazda RX-8 received an overall N/A-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: N/A stars. Side crash: N/A stars. Rollover: 5 stars (7.9% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Optional. Forward Collision Warning: No. Lane Departure Warning: No. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 813 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-04-07.

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