2005 Mazda RX-8 Owner Complaints

See attached document for complaint

NHTSA ID

11549803

Incident

Jan 29, 2021

Part associated with recall 1017E has failed due to improper installation.

NHTSA ID

11476049

Incident

Jul 19, 2022

My cars steering will loosen up and stiffen up randomly also the traction control will randomly engage and the tire pressure lights and another light

NHTSA ID

11421597

Incident

Jun 18, 2021

The steering wheel sometimes its hard to control sometimes its normal and when going fast the steering is so loose like there's a gaps that you need your two hands on the steering all time and the weels Weigel at high speed 60mph. its hard drive the car on the freeway And everyday use i already spend $2800 at the dealership get fix but never get fix The car no accident to be like that. Car has 80k mileage

NHTSA ID

11421371

Incident

Jun 18, 2021

FUEL LEAK AT GAS TANK AREA CAUSED MASSIVE FIRE.

NHTSA ID

11405308

Incident

Mar 5, 2021

Mileage

74,000 mi

THE CLUTCH PEDAL ASSEMBLY BRACKET BREAKS AT THE SPOTWELDS WHICH ALSO BREAKS THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER AND LUKILY THIS BROKE WHILE STARTING THE CAR

NHTSA ID

11267976

Incident

Oct 10, 2019

Mileage

110,200 mi

OIL COOLER HOSES RUST OUT AT FITTINGS AND LEAK OIL UNCONTROLLABLY. ONE SEARCH OF ANY RX8 FORUM AND YOU WILL FIND ALL YEARS ARE EFFECTED.

NHTSA ID

11196800

Incident

Mar 16, 2017

Mileage

102,325 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 MAZDA RX-8. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE JUNK YARD. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION AND SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE HEAD, PELVIC, AND RIBS. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ID

11186152

Incident

Mar 1, 2019

Mileage

150,000 mi

MY STEERING WHEEL TURNS ON ITS OWN WHILE IN MOTION ON THE BELTWAY AND SOMETIMES IT DIFFICULT TO STEER AT ALL WHILE IN MOTION IN TRAFFIC. I PURCHASED NEW TIRES THINKING THAT WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM BUT IT DIDN'T.

NHTSA ID

11176448

Incident

Jan 10, 2018

Mileage

115,000 mi

TAKATA RECALL MAKING A COMPLAINT ABOUT NOT DOING RECALL IN A TIMELY MANOR

NHTSA ID

11156539

Incident

Dec 5, 2018

Mileage

110,000 mi

CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET BROKEN UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS. I WENT TO PUSH THE CLUTCH IN TO DOWNSHIFT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS TO OVER TAKE A SLOWER VEHICLE AND IT SNAPPED WITH AN AUDIBLE "POP" AND I COULDNT SHIFT INTO THE LOWER GEAR AND MY RPMS, WENT TO IDLE AT HIGHWAY SPEED. HAD IT BROKEN AT A DIFFERENT TIME, I COULD HAVE BEEN LOCKED INTO A CERTAIN GEAR AND HA TO BREAK FAST OR CRASH RISKING THE LIVES OF MY OCCUPANTS AND THE OCCUPANTS OF ANOTHER VEHICLE

NHTSA ID

11109969

Incident

Jul 3, 2018

Mileage

150,000 mi

I HAD MANY RECALLS DONE LAST YEAR. NOW, TODAY, OLIVER AT MAZDA CORPORATE SAID THAT JOE MACHENS DEALERSHIPS AREN'T EQUIPPED TO HAVE DONE THE WORK PROPERLY. RECALLS: 16V793, 17V-354 & 355, FRONT END STEARING FROM INAPPROPRIATE CAULKING OF BALL JOINT , ENGINE REPLACED TWICE, OIL MIXING WITH COOLANT, AGAIN, AND NOW MY ALARM GOES OFF AS SOON AS I START IT. JOE MACHENS TOLD ME TO REMOVE THE BATTERY. A NEW LITHIUM BATTERY IS BEING DEVELOPED BY MAZDA BECAUSE ROTARY ENGINES CAN'T USE A REGULAR BATTERY. THEY HAD MY CAR FOR SIX WEEKS LAST YEAR, AUGUST, AND KEPT YELLING THAT THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE NEW, CORRECT PARTS. MY STEARING IS DIFFICULT AT TIMES AND THEY NEVER TOLD ME ABOUT THE RECALL CONCERNING THIS. THE SEALS DETERIORATED MAKING ISSUES. NOW THEY ARE MAKING NEW GASKETS, RINGS, ETC. TO BE HEAT RESISTANT. THEY ARE FIGHTING ME, AGAIN, WHILE THEY HAVE ADMITTED MY CAR NEEDS PROPER FIXING WITH PROPER PARTS FROM INAPPROPRIATE WORK DONE LAST YEAR. ONE CORPORATE WORKER SAID MAYBE A NEW ENGINE SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE WITH PROPER PARTS. YET NOT AT A DEALERSHIP, AT A MECHANICAL SHOP THAT KNOWS HOW TO WORK ON ROTORY ENGINES. MY CAR WAS PARKED IN MY LOT. I HAD MY OIL CHECKED TO HAVE FLUIDS CHANGED WITH VALVOLINE BECAUSE OF THEIR OFFER FOR 150,000 MILES ON ENGINE IF USING THEIR OIL. I COULDN'T GO FORWARD WITH THIS BECAUSE OF THE SAME ISSUES . OIL FOAMY, ALARM GOES OFF, FAULTY LIGHT THEY KNEW ABOUT ALSO. IT WORKED BEFORE THEY DID RECALL WORK ON IT. IT IS NOT SAFE FOR FIRE HAZARD, STEARING DIFFICULTY, GOES THROUGH A LOT OF OIL SINCE THEY WORKED ON IT. IGNITION SWITCH RECALL THEY NEVER DID. WERE SUPPOSED TO CONTACT ME WHEN PARTS ARRIVED. I WILL NEED TO FAX YOU PAPERWORK. MANY PAGES. ALSO SHOWS HOW THEY X'D OUT ONE RECALL CONCERNING GASKETS. I COULDN'T CHECK THE BOXES AS I WISHED TO REPORT.

NHTSA ID

11091262

Incident

Feb 8, 2017

Mileage

94,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA RX-8. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AS THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND THEN RESTARTED APPROXIMATELY 20 TIMES BEFORE THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REGAIN FULL CONTROL. THE DEALER (MIDLANDS MAZDA, 655 BROAD RIVER RD, COLUMBIA, SC 29210) STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS KNOWN FOR HAVING A BALL JOINT ISSUE AND IT COULD POSSIBLY BE DUE TO THE RACK AND PINION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.

NHTSA ID

11074188

Incident

May 1, 2017

Mileage

109,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA RX-8. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A FUEL ODOR EMITTED THROUGH THE VENTS OF THE VEHICLE. THE FUEL ODOR WAS ALL AROUND THE VEHICLE WHILE PARKED AND FUEL LEAKED UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KUHN MAZDA (3934 W KENNEDY BLVD, TAMPA, FL 33609, PHONE: (877) 225-9956), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE TAKEN DOWN TO FIND WHERE THE FAILURE WAS COMING FROM AND THERE WOULD BE A FEE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE DIAGNOSTIC AND REPAIR FEES. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V793000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,466.

NHTSA ID

11055247

Incident

Nov 28, 2017

Mileage

87,466 mi

THE EXTERNAL OIL LINES AND CONNECTION FITTINGS FOR THE ROTORY ENGINE LUBRICATION POINTS AND COOLING HAVE CORRODED AWAY FORM ROAD SALT IN MINNESOTA. DRIVING CAUSES ENGINE OIL TO BE SPRAYED ON FRONT WHEEL AND BRAKES CAUSING FRONT BRAKE FAILURE AND POSSIBLE ENGINE FIRE PROBLEMS. THE CORROSION WAS SO BAD THAT EACH ATTEMPT TO FIX AN OIL LEAK ENDED UP BRAKING MORE CORRODED OIL FITTINGS OFF. THE TOTAL REPAIR IN 2017 ENDED BEING OVER $1,000 DOLLARS FOR JUST PARTS PLUS LABOR. MAZDA HAS PREVIOUSLY PAID TO FIX ALL MAZDA RX-8S SOLD TO PEOPLE IN CANADA BECAUSE OF ROAD SALT CORROSION FAILURES OF THESE SAME OIL LINES. WHY DOESN'T THE USA HAVE CONSUMER PROTECTION LIKE CANADIAN CITIZENS HAVE! I PAID A REPAIR SHOP BY ME $1,037.81 FOR THE REPAIRS. THE MECHANIC LOST ABOUT ANOTHER $1,000 IN AFTER MARKET FITTINGS AND HOSES PLUS TIME, BUT EACH FIX BROKE MORE FITTINGS. HE FINALLY BOUGHT ALL NEW FACTORY PARTS AND SOLD THEM TO ME FOR COST AND ONLY CHARGED US FOR ABOUT 2 HOURS LABOR. TONY BECK,S AUTO REPAIR IN PINEISLAND MN JUST COULDN'T CHARGE ANYONE WHAT IT REALLY COST HIM. US RX-8 OWNERS ARE GETTING SCREWED BY YOU NOT RECALLING THIS OIL LINE FAILURE PROBLEM. THESE OIL LINES AND FITTINGS GO ALL AROUND THE OUTSIDE OF THE ENGINE AND ARE HIGH PRESSURE 1/2 INCH ID HYDRAULIC LINES. HOW CAN OIL SPRAYING FRONT DISC BRAKES AND ENGINE COMPARTMENT NOT BE A SAFETY ISSUE! STEVE W. FROM MINNESOTA, WE HAVE LOTS OF ROAD SALT JUST LIKE CANADA, THAT'S WHY THE I-35 BRIDGE FELL DOWN. NOT SAFE TO DRIVE WITH THESE SALT CORROSION CAUSED OIL LEAKS! CAUSED MASSIVE OIL LEAKS THAT CAN ALLOW ENGINE

NHTSA ID

11053886

Incident

Jun 8, 2017

HELLO. HOW ARE YOU? I HOPE EVERYTHING IS GOING WELL FOR YOU. I AM AN OWNER OF 2005 MAZDA RX8. I WAS A FACULTY OF ONE UNIVERSITY AT TEXAS BY 2016. HOWEVER, I LEFT USA LAST FALL AND CURRENTLY SETTLED DOWN IN KOREA. I ALSO TOOK MY CAR (2005 MAZDA RX8) FROM USA TO KOREA. IN TERMS OF SAFETY RECALL NOTICES, I ASKED MAZDA USA TO SOLVE TWO SAFETY RECALL ISSUES (MAZDA RECALL #: 1017E—FUEL TANK LEAK AS WELL AS 9416E—TAKATA RECALL) FOR MY CAR. UNFORTUNATELY, THERE ARE NO MAZDA DEALER SHOPS IN KOREA, SO I ASKED TO MAZDA USA TO SEND THE PARTS VIA THE MAIL TO REPLACE BAD PARTS FOR MY CAR. HOWEVER, THEY REJECTED MY REQUESTS AND THEY SAID ONLY MAZDA (CERTIFIED) MECHANIC SHOULD COMPLETE THE REPAIRS. I AM WONDERING IF I CAN SOLVE THESE SERIOUS SAFETY RECALL ISSUES. AM I NOT A CUSTOMER OF MAZDA BECAUSE IM NOT STAYING IN THE US ANYMORE? SHOULD I JUST WAIT AND SEE MY CAR RESULTS IN FIRE AND SERIOUS DAMAGE FROM TAKATA AIRBAG? VIRTUALLY, MY MAZDA RX8 HAS CURRENTLY FUEL TANK LEAKING ISSUE (PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED PHOTO). I REALIZE THAT MY REQUEST MAY BE AN IMPOSITION GIVEN YOUR OTHER COMMITMENTS, BUT I WOULD APPRECIATE IT VERY MUCH IF YOU CAN HELP ME SOLVE THESE TWO SAFETY RECALL ISSUES. ALTHOUGH IM NOT STAYING IN THE US ANYMORE, I STILL BELIEVE IM A CUSTOMER OF MAZDA. IF YOU NEED MORE INFORMATION, I WOULD BE GLAD TO PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION (E.G., MY AUTO INSURANCE RECORDS IN THE US, ETC.). IM LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING YOUR ATTENTION. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

NHTSA ID

11051395

Incident

Nov 28, 2017

Mileage

90,000 mi

GOOD MORNING, I HAVE RECEIVED NUMEROUS LETTERS INFORMING ME THAT I HAVE A RECALL ON MY MAZDA. IT IS THE "FUEL LEAK AT FUEL PUMP RINGS AND FUEL PUMP DISCHARGE PIPE 1017E" RECALL. I HAVE BEEN RECEIVING THEM FOR THE PAST YEAR OR SO. EVERY TIME I CHECK THE NHTSA WEBSITE OR THE MAZDARECALLINFO.COM WEBSITE, IT SAYS "REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE". I AM CONCERNED WITH MY SAFETY AT THIS POINT AND AM WONDERING JUST WHY THERE IS NO "REMEDY" YET AVAILABLE? IT SEEMS TO BE AN IMPORTANT RECALL, IN MY OPINION.

NHTSA ID

11015689

Incident

Aug 16, 2017

POWER STEERING GOES OUT UNEXPECTEDLY, MULTIPLE FIXES HAVE BEEN TRIED. EVERY FORUM OPTION RESEARCHED AND THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. THERE ARE HUNDREDS, LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS OF POWER STEERING GOING OUT FOR SIMILAR REASONS ON RX8CLUB.COM. THE POWER STEERING WILL BE WORKING ONE MOMENT, CUT OUT, THEN OVERSTEER CAUSING THE DRIVER TO QUICKLY MAKE UP FOR THE JERK. MAZDA PLEASE RECALL. ALL THE EVIDENCE IS THERE, AND YOUR TECHNICIANS AT THE DEALERSHIP ARE ALL AWARE OF HOW PREVALENT THIS PROBLEM IS. THE COOLANT RESERVOIR LEAKING COOLANT OVER THE STEERING HARNESS IS A DESIGN FLAW. PLEASE CORRECT THIS.

NHTSA ID

11015446

Incident

Aug 15, 2017

Mileage

125,000 mi

TAKATA INFLATORS: NHTSA RECALL # 17V-011 HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED FUEL PUMP FAULTY: NHTSA RECALL # 16V-793 HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED

NHTSA ID

10993726

Incident

Jan 1, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA RX-8. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V793000 (FUEL SYSTEM), THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE LOCAL DEALER (PARETTI MAZDA 4000 VETERANS MEMORIAL BLVD METAIRIE, LA 70002) WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE, BUT FAILED TO RETURN THE CONTACT'S PHONE CALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT BE REACHED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 43,269.

NHTSA ID

10993272

Incident

Jun 5, 2017

Mileage

43,269 mi

VEHICLE TAKEN TO ANDERSON OF CRYSTAL LAKE 60039 TO REPAIR THE DEFECT VIA RECALL CAMPAIGN 16V-354. THEY DID NOT INSTALL THE REPLACEMENT AIR PROPERLY CAUSING THE DASH TO CRACK, THE NEW AIR BAGS SAFETY IS JEOPARDIZED DUE TO IMPROPER INSTALLATION,

NHTSA ID

10966588

Incident

Jan 18, 2017

CLUTCH PEDAL KEEPS BRAKING EVERY 20,000 MILES. :-/ THIS IS THE 4RTH REPLACEMENT I AM LOOKING AT, CURRENTLY IS BRAKING GRADUALLY. AIR BAGS SENSORS KEEP FAILING EVERY 30,000 MILES AND PASSENGER AIRBAG IS CRACKING.

NHTSA ID

10960021

Incident

Feb 23, 2017

Mileage

14,000 mi

I PURCHASED A USED 2005 MAZDA RX-8 FROM A DEALER. SIGNED A WARRANTY ALTHOUGH THERE WERE NOT A BUYERS GUIDE OR A USED CAR STICKER DISPLAYED ANYWHERE ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ORIGINALLY BELONGED TO MAZDA BOMMARITO AS EVIDENCED BY THE FADED RESIDUAL IMPRINT OF THE BOMMARITO LETTERING THAT HAD BEEM REMOVED LIKELY DUE TO BEING UNWANTED INVENTORY. I KNEW AHEAD OF TIME THAT THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE HAS A ROTARY ENGINE THAT REQUIRES STANDARD MAINTENANCE AND CARE WHICH I HAVE BEEN PERFORMING AND DOCUMENTING ALONG WITH ALL RECALLS. THESE INCLUDE- LET THE ENGINE WARM UP, REGULARLY TOPPED OFF ALL FLUIDS DECARBED AND CLEANED SENSORS ETC INTERNAL MAINTENANCE CARE/BREAK IN PERIOD AND REPLACED SPARK PLUGS/ LEADS WITH FACTORY GENUINE OEM FIRST HAND. AFTER OWNING IT LESS THAN A YEAR, WITH ONLY 50K MILES ON IT, IT BEGAN TO RUN VERY POORLY. I HAD THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED AND HAVE DOCUMENTATION AND RECORDS OF WORK FROM SEVERAL INDEPENDENT MECHANICS, SHOPS AND OFFICIAL MAZDA DEALERSHIP(BOMMARITO WHERE IT WAS ORIGINALLY TRANSPORTED FROM TO THE NEIGHBORING DEALER) IM PAYING $8,000 FOR AT IT AND DROVE IT FOR LESS THAN A YEAR AND IN SPITE OF REGULAR UPKEEP IT LOST COMPRESSION IN ITS REAR ROTOR. II HAVE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY NOTICE FROM MAZDA THAT COVERS ROTARY ENGINE CORE REPLACEMENTS. HOWEVER SINCE ITS "USED" IT MIGHT NOT BE COVERED BY MY STATES LEMON LAW. THERE ARE 1000'S OF OWNERS DEALING WITH THE SAME ISSUES ON BEHALF OF MAZDA. I MAILED THE SUBSEQUENT OWNERSHIP NOTIFICATION TO THE MAZDA IMPORTER TO TRANSFER THE RECORDS OF THE PREVIOUS OWNERS ON A LEASE PURCHASE WHICH I HAVE DOCUMENTATION OF ALTHOUGH THE DEALER WOULD NOT GIVE ME ANY INFO ABOUT THE COUPES HISTROY WHICH SEEMS DISHONEST.. THE DEALERSHIP IS NOT ENTIRELY AT FAULT. MAZDA IS TOO. HAVE ALL THIS IN PAPERWORK. I AM AWAITING A RETURN NOTICE FROM MAZDA ABOUT TRANSFER OF WARRANTY FROM THE PREVIOUS OWNER(S) DOCUMENTS ARE BELOW.

NHTSA ID

10958332

Incident

Dec 12, 2016

Mileage

50,000 mi

I BELIEVE SAFETY AND EMISSIONS RECALL 0516J IS CAUSING MY CAR TO TURN OFF WHILE IN MOTION, IT CAN BE IN NEUTRAL OR IN GEAR. I CALLED MAZDA CORP AND TOLD THEM THE VEHICLE TURNS OFF WHILE IN MOTION AND BELIEVE IT'S CAUSE BY THE RECALL; THEY SAID THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE A SOLUTION AT THE MOMENT AND DID NOT SUGGEST ANYTHING BUT WAIT. THIS IS A DAILY DRIVING CAR AND I CAN NOT AFFORD TO CALL OUT OF WORK BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE. I WOULD SUGGEST A COURTESY VEHICLE WHILE THIS RECALL IS BEING FIXED.

NHTSA ID

10957579

Incident

Feb 23, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA RX-8. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V793000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10956776

Incident

Oct 27, 2016