2004 Mazda RX-8 Problems

The contact owns a 2004 Mazda RX-8. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the engine. The dealer determined that the engine had no compression. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 60,000.

Engine naturally wears out especially after 200k miles due to friction in the natural design of the Rotary engine, resulting in losing its overall function such as turning off in the middle of a drive due to loss of compression from worn Apex Seals of the Rotary. The rotary engine requires a replacement of the Apex Seals to continue functioning normally to avoid any unpredictable accidents due to engine failure. An event occurred where my RX-8 went into limp mode in the middle of the freeway as i was commuting due a misfire from poor compression, this is more then likely a common event nowadays for RX-8 owners starting at the S1 2004 models with newer models soon to follow the same incident as me. This is completely unsafe especially traveling at 65 MPH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA RX-8. WHEN THE IGNITION WAS STARTED AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS APPLIED, THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS ACTIVATED AND THE CLUTCH PEDAL ASSEMBLY BRACKET SNAPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

MY CLUTCH PEDAL ASSEMBLY HAS BEEN CREAKING NOW AND SHAKING NOW FOR QUITE SOME TIME. ORIGINALLY (A YEAR OR SO AGO) WHEN I ASKED TO RECEIVE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ON IT FROM MAZDA THEY SAID THAT IT WAS NOT "BAD" ENOUGH BUT WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO WAIT FOR IT TO FAIL ON THE ROAD SO I HAVE TO PAY TO GET IT REPLACED AND A TOW TRUCK? I HAVE A 2004 AND THE WARRANTY FOR EVERYTHING IS NOW OVER BASED ON TIME. *TT

The electric power steering randomly pulls hard to one side while driving. There are brief spasms of forceful jerks each jerk is 1-2 seconds the series of jerks lasts 10-20 seconds and usually stops with power steering failure all while driving.

JULY 2017 WHEN I START THE CAR THE STEERING GEAR TURN TOO THE RIGHT ALL THE TIME. FEW MILE THE STEERING GET HARD AND START SHACKING BY IT SELF. NOW THE STEERING IS HARD WITH ABS AND CONTROL TRACTION LIGHT ON. I SEND IT TOO A MECANIC TOO CHECK THE WIRING AND RACK AND PINON AND THE MECANIC INDICATE THAT IS THE TORQUE SENSOR AND I HAVE TOO CHANGE THE RACK AND PINON.

For a year I have responded to every notice for a recall repair (7 total) Mazda has not repaired my vehicle or scheduled its repair. My recall ID is 016742248 and my Campaign Number is 100409. My car has a DO NOT DRIVE status and Mazda tells me I MUST drive the car 2 hours to get it repaired each way. And they refuse to transport y vehicle even thought I have told them in phone conversations about my cars do not drive status. The latest attempt for filing for a repay was 7-21-25 at 9:40am central time.

FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG CRACKED DASH AND PUSHED OUT GLOVE BOX.

CLUTCH PEDAL BROKE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND CAME TO A STOP LIGHT, ENGAGED THE CLUTCH HEARD A POP AND HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO GET INTO GEAR SINCE.I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AND WAS NEARLY REAR ENDED CAUSE THE COUCH WOULDN'T DISENGAGE TO BUT IT IN GREAT CAUSE THE BRACKET HAD BROKEN COMPLETELY.

No worries — here it is trimmed to under 2,000 characters: I am reporting a recurring safety defect on my 2004 Mazda RX-8 (VIN: [XXX] a repair under NHTSA Recall 1017E (Fuel Pump Ring / Discharge Pipe). Recall 1017E was completed on my vehicle on September 19, 2017. The same fuel leak has since recurred, with fuel vapor now entering the passenger cabin. Only a few thousand miles have been driven since the recall repair. The vehicle is currently at Della Mazda, Queensbury, NY at approximately 72,000 miles. On May 8, 2026, I contacted Mazda Customer Experience Center. Mazda confirmed the dealer submitted a pre-authorization request for recall coverage, which Mazda corporate denied, stating the recall was previously completed and further repairs are my responsibility. I have a chat transcript documenting this. A recall remedy that fails to correct the covered defect should not be considered complete. I am requesting NHTSA review whether Recall 1017E has produced recurring failures, direct Mazda to honor the recall remedy, and advise on available consumer reimbursement. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact owns a 2004 Mazda RX-8. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, he noticed a strong gasoline odor originating from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump was fractured and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V354000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the recall repair failed to fix the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they would follow up with him. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.

SPORADIC POWER STEERING LOSS, ALMOST GOT INTO 2 ACCIDENTS. WHILE DRIVING I WOULD LOSS POWER STEERING.

ELECTRIC-ASSIST POWER STEERING, RANDOMLY IN THE PARKING LOT THE WHEEL WILL TURN ALL BY ITSELF, ONE WAY TURNS EASIER THAN THE OTHER, SOMETIMES YOU HAVE NO POWER STEERING AND OTHER TIMES YOUR STEERING WHEEL TURNS LIKE BUTTER, I LIVE IN THE MOUNTAINS WITH A VERY WINDY AND DANGEROUS ROADS, I'VE TAKEN IT TO SEVERAL MECHANICS FINALLY ONE MECHANIC JUST UNPLUG THE WIRING HARNESS SO THERE IS NO POWER STEERING. IT IS VERY SCARY TO DRIVE ESPECIALLY WITH A NEWBORN BABY. THERE ARE A LOT OF CARS ON THE ROAD WITH THIS ISSUE I KNOW 10 DIFFERENT PEOPLE THAT HAVE SOME SORT OF POWER STEERING ISSUE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND I'M SURPRISED THERE IS NOT A RECALL YET ON IT. I'VE HAD TWO FRIENDS THAT ARE CLOSE TO ME THAT HAVE THIS ISSUE AS WELL, ONE FRIEND WRECKED HIS CAR THE OTHER FRIEND SOLD IT I BELIEVE TO PICK-N-PULL SO IT WOULD NOT HURT ANYONE, PLEASE HELP AND MAYBE HELP SAVE A FEW LIVES, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SPEAKING WITH YOU

SEAT BUILTS NEED TIGHTING

SEVERE OUTSIDE PAINT DEGREDATION WITH 54,000 MILES.

ELECTRIC-ASSIST POWER STEERING, RANDOMLY IN THE PARKING LOT THE WHEEL WILL TURN ALL BY ITSELF, ONE WAY TURNS EASIER THAN THE OTHER, SOMETIMES YOU HAVE NO POWER STEERING AND OTHER TIMES YOUR STEERING WHEEL TURNS LIKE BUTTER, I LIVE IN THE MOUNTAINS WITH A VERY WINDY AND DANGEROUS ROADS, I'VE TAKEN IT TO SEVERAL MECHANICS FINALLY ONE MECHANIC JUST UNPLUG THE WIRING HARNESS SO THERE IS NO POWER STEERING. IT IS VERY SCARY TO DRIVE ESPECIALLY WITH A NEWBORN BABY. THERE ARE A LOT OF CARS ON THE ROAD WITH THIS ISSUE I KNOW 10 DIFFERENT PEOPLE THAT HAVE SOME SORT OF POWER STEERING ISSUE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND I'M SURPRISED THERE IS NOT A RECALL YET ON IT. I'VE HAD TWO FRIENDS THAT ARE CLOSE TO ME THAT HAVE THIS ISSUE AS WELL, ONE FRIEND WRECKED HIS CAR THE OTHER FRIEND SOLD IT I BELIEVE TO PICK-N-PULL SO IT WOULD NOT HURT ANYONE, PLEASE HELP AND MAYBE HELP SAVE A FEW LIVES, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SPEAKING WITH YOU

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MILES PER HOUR ON A RURAL ROAD, THE FRONT PASSENGER BALL JOINT SEPARATED FROM THE LOWER CONTROL ARM, CAUSING THE CONTROL ARM TO FIRST DROP ONTO THE INSIDE SURFACE OF THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL AND THEN ONTO THE GROUND AS THE WHEEL MOVED OUT OF ITS NORMAL POSITION. IN THE PROCESS, THE PASSENGER SIDE INNER TIE ROD WAS SEVERELY BENT, THE INSIDE SURFACE OF THE WHEEL WAS BADLY SCORED, THE TIRE SURFACE (WHICH CONTACTED THE FENDER) WAS DAMAGED, AND THE PASSENGER FRONT FENDER WAS BENT WHEN THE TIRE CONTACTED IT. I SPOKE WITH MAZDA USA, WHO PUT ME IN CONTACT WITH A LOCAL DEALER. I TOWED THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND DROPPED IT OFF. THEY HAVE REPLACED BOTH CONTROL ARMS (PER THE RECALL) AS WELL AS THE BENT TIE ROD AND PASSENGER FRONT WHEEL BEARING. THEY ALSO PERFORMED AN ALIGNMENT. MECHANICALLY, THEY HAVE REPAIRED THE CAR. HOWEVER, MAZDA IS REFUSING TO REMEDY THE DAMAGED WHEEL OR TIRE OR THE FENDER. SINCE THE CAR HAS BEEN LOWERED, THEIR CLAIM IS THAT THE FENDER MAY NOT HAVE BEEN DAMAGED ON A STOCK CAR AT STOCK RIDE HEIGHT. THEY MAY BE RIGHT, AND THE FENDER DAMAGE IS MINOR, SO I'M NOT WORRIED ABOUT THAT. HOWEVER, SINCE A STOCK VEHICLE WOULD LIKELY HAVE SUFFERED THE SAME WHEEL/TIRE DAMAGE, I WAS TOLD THAT IF THE VEHICLE HAD A STOCK WHEEL & TIRE THEY WOULD REPLACE THE WHEEL & TIRE SINCE THEY WERE BOTH DAMAGED. I'M NOT EVEN SURE WHAT "STOCK TIRE" MEANS ON A 14-YEAR-OLD CAR SINCE ANY CAR WILL HAVE HAD THE TIRES REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES SINCE THEN, BUT AFTERMARKET OR NOT THE FAILURE OF THE RECALLED PART CAUSED DAMAGE TO THESE PARTS. BESIDES, WITH DAMAGE TO THE TREAD SURFACE OF THE TIRE, IT IS MY OPINION THAT THE SAFETY OF THE TIRE HAS BEEN COMPROMISED (OR, AT THE VERY LEAST, THE LIFE EXPECTANCY OF WHAT IS A NEARLY NEW TIRE HAS BEEN SEVERELY REDUCED).

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA RX8. THE CONTACT STATED THE CLIMATE CONTROL KNOB FAILED AND WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ENGAGED, THE HEAT WOULD ACTIVATE INSTEAD AND VICE VERSA. THE CONTACTS WAS ADVISED BY HIS PERSONAL MECHANIC THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE WITHIN THE CLIMATE CONTROL UNIT AND IT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 24,000. UPDATED 07/08/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED IT TOOK FOUR VISITS TO THE DEALER FOR THEM TO FIX THE DEFETIVE HEATER/ AC CONTROLS. UPDATED 10/26/11

MY VISOR LITERALLY FELL OFF THE CAR WHICH SHUT DOWN THE RADIO. AND NOW THE CAR IS STARTING FUNNY. I NEED HELP SOON. *TR

MULTIPLE TROUBLE CODES ALL AT ONCE AFTER NOT HAVING ANY TROUBLE CODES AFTER A LONG PERIOD. AS OF NOW 56,000 ORIGINAL MILES. TRACTION CONTROL IMPROPERLY FUNCTIONING CAUSING VEHICLE,S MAXIMUM SPEED TO 3 MPH. MULTIPLE MISFIRE,S WITH NEW SPARK PLUG, NEW SPARK PLUG COIL PACKS AND NEW SPARK PLUG WIRES. GASOLINE LEAK NOT YET NARROWED DOWN TO SPECIFIC LOCATION. NO ENGINE POWER AFTER SHIFTING TO 2ND GEAR. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY ON HOWEVER WILL GO OUT FOR NO MORE THAN 2 DAYS. VERY STRONG GASOLINE ODOR INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AFTER STARTUP. LOSS OF ENGINE COMPRESSION. GOODNESS KNOWS WHAT IS NEXT!!!

THE CLUTCH PEDAL (ALREADY A KNOWN PROBLEM BY MAZDA, BUT NO RECALL HAS YET BEEN ANNOUNCED) CRACKED WHILE I WAS DRIVING LAST YEAR. I WAS ON HWY 13 IN MINNESOTA AND BARELY GOT CONTROL OF MY SPEED (WAS BARELY ABLE TO MAINTAIN USE OF THE CLUTCH) IT SAT UNTIL I COULD GET IT REPAIRED, THE SAME PEDAL IS NOW CRAKING IN ANOTHER SPOT, WORKING ON GETTING IT REPAIRED BEFORE IT BREAKS AGAIN, THIS TIME WILL REINFORCE IT.

I TYPICALLY DRIVE MY RX8 LIKE IT SHOULD, ONE DAY I COME HOME PARK MY CAR PER USUAL. NEXT MORNING I GO TO TURN ON MY CAR, THE DSC LIGHT STAYED ON, THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT, THEN ON MY WAY TO WORK, I WAS DRIVING CAUSALLY, THEN WHILE IN THE MIDDLE OF A TURN, MY STEERING BECAME VERY HEAVY AND ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN, MY POWER STEERING HAD WENT OUT. AFTER DEALING WITH ABOUT 2 FULL DAYS AT THE DEALERSHIP, SPENDING THOUSANDS, STILL NO POWER STEERING, AND I'M NOT CREDITED ANY PORTION OF WHAT I PAID TO GET FIXED AND ITS STILL NOT FIXED. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND A RECALL MUST BE DONE IMMEDIATELY BEFORE PEOPLE SERIOUSLY GET INJURED, INJURE OTHERS, OR EVEN DIE. THIS IS ALL POSSIBLE, IF I DIDN'T HAVE BOTH HANDS ON THE WHEEL, AN ACCIDENT MOST DEFINITELY WOULD HAVE TAKEN PLACE. *TR

2004 MAZDA RX-8 TOURING WITH 6-SPEED MANUAL HAS A BROKEN CLUTCH PEDAL. THE ALUMINUM CLUTCH PEDAL WEAVES LEFT AND RIGHT. IT IS ON THE VERGE OF SNAPPING IN HALF. PLACED THE CAR AT JAX AUTOMOTIVE WHILE I PURCHASE A NEW OEM CLUTCH PEDAL WITH REINFORCED BRACKETS FROM RACE ROOTS. *TR

2004 MAZDA RX8. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SEVERAL DEFECTS IN THE VEHICLE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED ABOUT A YEAR AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE, THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS STARTED FILLING UP WITH WATER. ALSO, THE VEHICLE STOPPED RUNNING WITH NO WARNING. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE NEEDED A CATALYTIC CONVERTER. WHEN THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, HE WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE NEEDED TWO OXYGEN SENSORS. AFTER THE OXYGEN SENSORS WERE REPLACED, THE STALLING CONTINUED. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED THE DEALER, WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW ENGINE.

PART NUMBERS FE03-51-21YD (REAR) AND FE03-51-22YC (FRONT). I HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER WHEN THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT ILLUMINATING CORRECTLY MY DRIVING AREA AT NIGHT. I TOOK THE CAR IN TO THE DEALER TODAY AND I WAS TOLD THAT THESE PARTS ARE NOT COVERED. THERE HAS BEEN A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) ON THIS CAR CONCERNING THIS ISSUE FOR A LONG TIME. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THESE SENSORS BECAUSE THIS IS A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE. THEY WERE FAULTY TO BEGIN WITH. IN ADDITION THEY HAVE KNOWN ABOUT IT FOR A LONG TIME. *TR

I BOUGHT A CAR THAT HAD A RECALL OF THE AIR BAG THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG HAD BEEN DEPLOYED WAS TOLD BY DEALER IT WAS UNDER RECALL.AFTER CHECKING WITH THE DEALER THE SIDE SEAT AIR BAG WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL WAS NOT REPLACED OR EVEN LOOKED AT .SO WE TOOK THE SEAT OUT TO SEE ANT OBVIOUS ISSUES AND WE FOUND ALL THE WIRES THAT PLUG INTO SEAT ALL WAY TO UNDER CARPET AGAINST FRAME ALL THE WIRES WERE MELTED.WITCH IS AN OBVIOUS MANAFATURING PROBLEM.WE HAVE READ MUPLTILE FORUMS WHERE TONS OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD SAME PROBLEM BUT YET NO RECALL WE COULD FIND ON THIS ISSUE.MY MOTHER IS ON OXYGEN AND IF MY CAR CATCHES FIRE TO DO THIS AND NO ONE LOOKING INTO THIS IT CAN BE FAR WORSE.THIER IS ANOTHER RECALL ON FRONT END SUSPSION THAT THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO REPLACE AT THIS TIME.THEY TELL ME THEY ARE WAITING TO SEE IF THEY COME UP WITH A BETTER SOLUTION TO FIX IT.IM GOING TO MAZDA DEALER TOMORROW MORNING TO EXPLAIN TO THEM WHAT I'M EXPLAIN TO YOU AND SINCE THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE IF THEY REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING I'M TURNING THIS OVER TO LAWYER.I FEEL WHEN I MENTIONED IT TO THEM THE FIRST TIME AND THEY DID NOTHING TO FIND OUT WHAT THE ISSUE WAS THEY HAVE NO INTENTION OF FIGURING THIS OUT BUT I WILL TRY AGAIN.THE AIR BAG WAS DEPLOYED WHEN I BOUGHT IT AND THE PERSON SAID THEY WERE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD.THATS HOW I KNEW ABOUT AIR BAG RECALL .WHEN I TOOK CAR TO BE FIXED THE TECH TOLD ME IT DIDN'T COVER MY SEAT. AND NEVER BOTHERED CHECKING IT.

THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK. THIS IS AN APPARENTLY KNOWN ISSUE WITH MAZDA AS SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE TALKED ABOUT IN CLUB SITES AND THERE ARE EVEN VIDEOS ON THIS ISSUE ON YOUTUBE. THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IF YOU CANNOT EXIT A VEHICLE QUICKLY AFTER AN ACCIDENT OR FIRE PEOPLE COULD DIE. SOMEONE ALREADY MENTIONED THIS ISSUE BACK IN 2010 AND FROM HOW I READ HIS INFORMATION NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE WITH THESE DOORS NOT BEING ABOUT TO UNLOCK AND OPEN. *TR

SEAT BUILTS NEED TIGHTING

TAKATA RECALL AFTER COMPLETING THE "INTERIM REPAIR" THE CARS POWER STEERING WILL INTERMITTENTLY GO OUT WITHOUT WARNING, OR PULL TO THE RIGHT ELECTRONICALLY AND FORCEFULLY WITH NO NOTICE, THIS IS A SERIOUSLY DANGEROUS PROBLEM AS, IN ADDITION TO THE CAR PULLING HARD RIGHT WITHOUT NOTICE, SOMETIMES WHILE CORRECTING FOR THE PULL THE POWER STEERING COMES ON WITHOUT NOTICE FORCING THE STEERING CORRECTION TO SWERVE LEFT. ALSO THE ABS AND TCL LIGHTS TURN ON AN OFF INTERMITTENTLY SINCE THE 'INTERIM REPAIR' . THE POWER-STEERING WILL GO IN AND OUT WHILE STOPPED, IN MOTION IN EITHER CITY OR HIGHWAY, AND WHILE GOING IN A STRAIGHT LINE OR WHILE TURNING. ' THIS IS GOING TO KILL SOMEONE

BRAND NEW GOODYEAR TIRE WITH LESS THAN 100 MILES ON IT BLEW WHILE GOING DOWN HIGHWAY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA RX8. THE VEHICLE HAS BRIDGESTONE ALL SEASON TIRES. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE AIR PRESSURE IN THE TIRES AND NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER. MAZDA SUGGESTED THAT HE TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES, BUT NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE DEALER ONLY PLACED AIR IN THE TIRES. ON ONE OCCASION, WHILE DRIVING ALMOST 60 MPH, THE CONTACT FELT A VERY ROUGH VIBRATION IN THE VEHICLE. HE ATTEMPTED TO MOVE THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD AND THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE EXPLODED. THE TIRE AND VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE BLOW OUT. THE DOT NUMBER AND TIRE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 23,000. THE TAIL LIGHTS WOULD FILL WITH WATER. THERE WAS A STRANGE CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE MAY HAVE A STRUT PROBLEM. UPDATED 07/30/09.*JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA RX-8. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WHEN SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR CONDITION PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

AC AND GENERAL CABIN TEMPERATURE PROBLEMS. I AM HAVING A COMBINATION OF PROBLEMS WITH THE HEATING AND COOLING OF THE CAR. IN THE SUMMER WHEN IT IS VERY HOT THERE IS A NOTICEABLE "PULSING" OR ON/OFF SYMPTOM OF THE COLD AIR GENERATED BY THE AC. I TIMED IT AND VERY COLD AIR COMES OUT OF THE VENT FOR ABOUT 30 - 45 SECONDS. THEN IT IS FOLLOWED BY ABOUT THE SAME DURATION OF REGULAR AIR (THE AC SEEMS TO SHUT OFF) SO ON HOT DAYS YOU GET A PULSE OF COLD FOLLOWED UP BY A PULSE OF WARM AIR. THE EFFECT IS THAT THE CABIN HEATS UP AND THE AC CANNOT KEEP UP WITH IT. IT THE WINTER WHEN IT IS COLD OUT THERE IS A DIFFERENT ISSUE. IT SEEMS THAT THE VENTS ARE ALLOWING OUTSIDE AIR TO GET INTO THE MIXTURE. IN THE WINTER ICE COLD AIR IS BEING MIXED IN WITH THE HEAT WHICH HAS THE SAME EFFECT WHERE THE HEATER CANNOT KEEP UP WITH HEATING THE CABIN OF THE CAR. THERE IS ALSO AN ANNOYING FEATURE ON THE DEFROSTER. YOU CANNOT DEFROST THE WINDOW WITH INSIDE AIR AS SOON AS YOU TURN ON THE DEFROSTER IT FLIPS THE OUTSIDE AIR VENT OPEN. SO WHEN IT IS VERY COLD YOU HAVE TO CHOSE BETWEEN SEEING OUT THE WIND SHIELD AND FREEZING OR HEAT THE CABIN AND THE WIND SHIELD FOGS UP. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN THREE TIMES AND HAVE SINCE GAVE UP. THE TECH'S OBVIOUSLY CANNOT OR WILL NOT FIX IT. THE TECH ACTUALLY HAD A THERMOMETER IN THE VENT OF THE CAR AND OF COURSE THE CAR IS INSIDE THE GARAGE IN THE SHADE. SO HE POPS IN THE THERMOMETER AND COMES BACK AND CHECKS IT A - OK. I GAVE THEM A DETAILED DESCRIPTION, DO YOU THINK THEY TOOK THE CAR OUT AND DROVE IT WHEN IT IS ABOVE 85 DEGREES OUTSIDE? NOPE *TR

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, AND IT HIT A POLE. AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, BUT DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BROKE. *AK

IN THE NEW MAZDA RX8, THE REAR SEAT DESIGN WITH THE HIGH CENTER CONSOLE MAKES IT VERY HARD TO LATCH THE SEAT BELT WITH A CHILD BOOSTER SEAT, AND IMPOSSIBLE TO DO SO FOR AN OLDER PERSON OR A PERSON WITHOUT GOOD MANUAL DEXTERITY AND A STRONG BACK. IT IS COMPLETELY IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE CHILD TO LATCH THEMSELVES IN. NOTE THAT THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM FOR ATTACHING INFANT OR CHILD SEATS WITH SEAT BELTS INSTALLED IN THE SEAT ITSELF - IT'S A PROBLEM FOR OLDER CHILDREN (30-80 LBS) THAT SIT IN A BOOSTER AND USE THE 3 POINT SEAT BELT INSTALLED IN THE CAR. I HAVE CONTACTED MAZDA AND RECOMMENDED THAT THEY CREATE A SEAT BELT EXTENDER SO THAT THE BELT LATCH CAN BE RAISED UP HIGH ENOUGH TO REACH AROUND THE SIDE OF THE CAR SEAT, AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD INVESTIGATE, BUT THERE WAS NO REMEDY IN THE FORSEEN FUTURE. I HAVE ALSO SHOPPED AROUND FOR BOOSTER SEATS, AND HAVE YET TO FIND A MODEL THAT WORKS IN THIS CAR.*AK