2007 Mazda RX-8 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2007 Mazda RX-8, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Airbags1632.7%
- Body & structure612.2%
- Powertrain (other)510.2%
- Fuel system510.2%
- Transmission48.2%
- Steering48.2%
- Visibility24.1%
- Electrical24.1%
- Engine24.1%
- Other / unspecified12.0%
- Exterior lighting12.0%
- Interior & seats12.0%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE COVER OF AIR BAG PASSENGERS IS CRACKED AND STICKY ,THIS UNIT HAVE AT THIS TIME 9,023 MILES. PLEASE VERIFY IF THIS PROBLEMS COULD BE SOLVED BY MAZDA
TAKATA RECALL. DUE TO CONSTANT FLORIDIAN SUN EXPOSURE, THERE IS A FUEL LEAK FROM MY CAR. THE CAR WAS STATIONARY WHEN I FIRST NOTICED THE LEAK, PARKED IN A MALL PARKING LOT. ALSO, THE AIRBAG IS FAULTY AND DEFECTIVE.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA RX-8. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD OVER THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT IT WAS A STANDING ISSUE; HOWEVER, IT COULD NOT BE REPAIRED PER A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V354000 (AIR BAGS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 83,000.
I WAS DRIVING ON I4, AND WENT TO SHIFT FROM 4TH GEAR TO 5TH GEAR; I HEARD A SNAP AND THE CLUTCH PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I THEN HAD ABOUT 2 INCHES OF TRAVEL IN MY CLUTCH PEDAL. THE CLUTCH PEDAL BREAKING IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH MAZDA RX8S. NO, I DO NOT HAVE A HEAVY DUTY CLUTCH. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
CLUTCH PEDAL ASSEMBLY SNAPPED WHILE DRIVING AT SLOW SPEEDS. ONLY ABLE TO GET CAR INTO GEAR WHILE PUSHING PEDAL DOWN AND TO THE LEFT. COULD HAVE BEEN INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS AT HIGHER SPEEDS.
MY CLUTCH PEDAL SNAPPED WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC ON A HIGHWAY
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA RX-8. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V793000(FUEL SYSTEM) ON OCTOBER 31, 2017 BY OPEN ROAD MAZDA (108 RIDGEDALE AVE, MORRISTOWN, NJ). DURING THE REPAIR, THE FUEL PUMP SEALING RING SET WAS REPLACED AND A THERMAL INSULATION PAD WAS ADDED TO THE FUEL TANK, AS INSTRUCTED PER THE RECALL. THE CONTACT KEPT THE VEHICLE PARKED DURING THE WINTER MONTHS. IN MARCH OF 2018, AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, A FUEL LEAK WAS DISCOVERED COMING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND THE OPEN ROAD MAZDA DEALER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
TAKATA RECALL. DUE TO CONSTANT FLORIDIAN SUN EXPOSURE, THERE IS A FUEL LEAK FROM MY CAR. THE CAR WAS STATIONARY WHEN I FIRST NOTICED THE LEAK, PARKED IN A MALL PARKING LOT. ALSO, THE AIRBAG IS FAULTY AND DEFECTIVE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA RX-8. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE CLUTCH PEDAL BECAME UNRESPONSIVE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND THE GEAR DID NOT IMMEDIATELY SHIFT INTO FIRST GEAR. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER (GARDEN CITY MAZDA IN GARDEN CITY, NY) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH PEDAL FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT DID NOT RECEIVE NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V793000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AND 17V354000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
CLUTCH PEDAL MOUNT BROKE AND DAMAGED MASTER CLUTCH CYLINDER. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS SITTING IN THE CAR IN THE PARKING LOT OF MY JOB AND THE STEERING COLUMN MOVED WHILE IN THE LOCKED POSITION AND I LEFT THE PARKING LOT AND WAS DRIVING HOME AND A PIECE OF THE STEERING COLUMN BROKE AND FELL AND HIT MY RIGHT LEG AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD I CALLED MAZDA USA AND THEY HAD THE CAR PICKED UP AND TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP TO BE DIAGNOSED ON 11-14-2017 I RECEIVED A CALL ON 11-17-17 STATING THAT THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY WERE NOT GOING TO FIX THE STEERING ISSUE THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE HAD A STEERING COLUMN BREAK ON ANY VEHICLE I'VE EVER OWNED I HAVE A CAR THAT IS 30 YEARS OLD WITH THE ORIGINAL STEERING COLUMN IN IT IT IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IN IT'S CURRENT CONDITION
WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, TURNING AND SOMETIMES STATIONARY, THE STEERING WHEEL JERKS TURNING TO THE RIGHT WHEN AT FULL LOCK AND IS SOMETIMES VERY HARD TO STEER IN BOTH DIRECTIONS. APPLYING BRAKE PRESSURE AND RELEASING DOES NOT AFFECT IT. I BELIEVE THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING RACK IS THE CAUSE OF THE ISSUE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
I BOUGHT MY 2007 MAZDA RX FROM THE DEALERSHIP IN 2007. I HAVE CALLED AND COMPLAINED TO MAZDA USA ABOUT THE FRONT RIGHT PASSENGERS DASH CRACKING INTO THE SHAPE OF THE AIR BAG. ALSO, BOTH VISORS HAVE MELTED OFF THE CABLES. AGAIN, I HAVE CALLED BUT THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT IT IS MY PROBLEM TO FIX. AFTER READING SEVERAL COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM, I REALLY DON'T BELIEVE IT'S SOMETHING THAT I'VE DONE WRONG. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA RX-8. IN SEPTEMBER OF 2008, BOTH THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER SIDE VISORS CRACKED AT THE SEAMS AND FELL DOWN. THE DEALER REPLACED THE VISORS WITH NEW ONES THAT WERE MANUFACTURED IN THE SAME MANNER. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE DEALER EXPECTED HER TO PAY FOR NEW, POORLY MADE VISORS. ON JULY 6, 2008, WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE DRIVER'S SIDE VISOR FELL DOWN IN HER FACE AND NEARLY CAUSED HER TO STRIKE A CURB. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE IF THE VISOR IMPAIRS THE DRIVER'S VISION. SHE STATED THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED INSTEAD OF A TSB. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, SHE DISCOVERED NUMEROUS CONSUMERS WHO WERE EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH THEIR VISORS FALLING DOWN WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT MAZDA SIMPLY REMEDIES THE FAILURE WITH THE SAME POORLY MADE VISORS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 37,368.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONVERTER FIRE VOIDED WARRANTY AFTERMARKET PARTS INSTALLED CAUSE OR NOT THE CAUSE
COOLANT SENSOR IN THE COOLANT RESERVOIR TANK IS CONTINUOUSLY SHOWING A WARNING LIGHT. COOLANT LEVELS ARE FINE, OIL LEVELS ARE FINE. THE COOLANT WARNING LIGHT STILL SHOWS IN THE DASH. *JS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
COOLANT SENSOR IN THE COOLANT RESERVOIR TANK IS CONTINUOUSLY SHOWING A WARNING LIGHT. COOLANT LEVELS ARE FINE, OIL LEVELS ARE FINE. THE COOLANT WARNING LIGHT STILL SHOWS IN THE DASH. *JS *TR
WHILE DEPRESSING THE CLUTCH, I NOTICED THE PEDAL WAS SOFTER THAN NORMAL, DID NOT ENGAGE, AND SAT VERY LOW, AND ONLY A FEW INCHES FROM THE FLOOR. AT THIS POINT, THE CLUTCH PEDAL WAS NO LONGER OPERATIVE. I COULD NOT ENGAGE ANY OF THE FORWARD OR REVERSE GEARS. UPON INSPECTION, THE CLUTCH PEDAL HAD CONSIDERABLE FORE AND AFT MOVEMENT, AS WELL AS EXCESSIVE LATERAL MOVEMENT. THE BRACKET HOLDING THE CLUTCH PEDAL WAS NOT FULLY SECURE AND APPEARED TO BE BROKEN. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
I PURCHASED A 2007 MAZDA RX-8. I STARTED NOTICING THAT THE DASHBOARD OF THE PASSENGER SIDE STARTING CRACKING AROUND THE AREA WHERE THE AIR BAG IS LOCATED. I HAVE REACHED OUT TO OCEAN MAZDA AND TO MAZDA USA. NO ONE GOT BACK TO ME. I AM VERY CONCERN THAT THE AIR BAG MAY DEPLOY OR WORST CASE SCENARIO THAT THE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY WHEN IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. THE CAR IS WELL MAINTAIN AND THERE IS NO REASON WHY THE DASHBOARD ONLY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AROUND THE AIRBAG IS ALL CRACKED. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA RX8. THE CONTACT STATED THE HEADLIGHTS WERE EXTREMELY CLOUDY, CAUSING VERY LIMITED ILLUMINATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT CONTACT THAT THE CLOUDINESS WAS CAUSED BY OUTSIDE INFLUENCES DUE TO THE VEHICLE BEING STATIONED IN FLORIDA. THEY ALSO ADVISED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY AND PROVIDED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 26,000. UPDATED 07/26/10. *LJ UPDATED 08/03/10.*JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS DRIVING MY 2007 MAZDA RX-8/6 SPEED. I WAS IN 2ND GEAR SHIFTING INTO 3RD GEAR WHEN MY CLUTCH PEDAL BROKE OFF. I HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES TO STOP THE CAR IN GEAR AND HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. I'M CURRENTLY RENTING A CAR AND THE DEALERSHIP IS TELLING ME IT WILL BE AROUND 10 DAYS TO FIX IT. THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IS THAT MY CLUTCH WAS DAMAGED AND THE DEALERSHIP WON'T REPLACE IT. OUT OF POCKET COSTS ARE AT 1,700.00$ RIGHT NOW. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .