RoadVitals

2008 Mazda RX-8 Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
17
Latest Mar 29, 2019
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
7
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2008 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

  • Airbags840.0%
  • Steering420.0%
  • Engine315.0%
  • Fuel system210.0%
  • Interior & seats15.0%
  • Powertrain (other)15.0%
  • Brakes15.0%

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.

8
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I AM TRYING TO GET THE AIRBAGS REPLACED BUT I CANNOT FIND A PLACE WHO WILL SERVICE OUR CAR. WE ARE TRYING TO AVOID DRIVING IT UNTIL THE AIRBAG PROBLEM IS FIXED.

NHTSA ID 11080368 · filed Mar 20, 2018

TAKATA RECALL, MY CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED ON THE SIDE, OF THE 101 FREEWAY OFF THE WEST LAKE VILLAGE EXIT GOING SOUTH, AND WOULD NOT TURN ON. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP AFTER FINDING OUT OF THE RECALL ON THE FUEL PUMP AND AIR BAGS ON THE MAZDA WEBSITE. AFTER 3 DAYS AT THE DEALERSHIP AND BEING CHARGED 3 HOURS OF $115.00 HOUR THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO REPAIR MY CAR OR REPLACE THE RECALL. THEY SUGGESTED FOR ME TO BUY A NEW ENGINE THAT WOULD COST ME $7000.00

NHTSA ID 11045867 · filed Nov 14, 2017
All 8 reports naming airbags

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE DRIVING TO WORK ON DAY DURING A TURN THE POWER STEERING PARTIALLY WENT OUT MAKING THE TURN VERY DIFFICULT TO HOLD AND TO STRAIGHTEN OUT AFTER. UPON LEAVING WORK THE STEERING WORKED FINE UNTIL THE NEXT DAY WHEN MAKING A TURN ON MY WAY HOME THE SAME THING HAPPENED WITH THE POWER STEERING BUT STILL NO LIGHT INDICATING A PROBLEM. I THEN DECIDED TO TAKE THE CAR IN BUT THE WHOLE DRIVE TO THE DEALERSHIP IT WOULD CREAK AND NOT ALWAYS WANT TO TURN COMPLETELY MAKING THE TRIP TAKE LONGER TRYING TO AVOID HIGHWAYS AND TO MANY SHARP TURNS IN FEAR OF IT LOCKING UP. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS ASPECIALY COMING OUT OF WINTER SEASON AND GOING INTO SPRING WITH ALL THE RAIN. THIS SHOULD BE A RECAL IN THE US SINCE IT IS A RECAL IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD.

NHTSA ID 11192461 · filed Mar 29, 2019

POWER STEERING FAILED AT ONLY 85000 MILES, ALMOST CAUSED ME TO CRASH WITH MY TWO TODDLERS IN THE BACK SEATS!!! NOW IT IS GOING TO COST ME OVER 2K TO FIX IT, I AM A MILITARY WIFE, IN GERMANY, AND ALMOST CRASHED DUE TO MAZDA'S LACK OF QUALITY!!!!

NHTSA ID 10984505 · filed May 9, 2017

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I TOOK MY RX IN TO GET POWER STEERING ISSUES FIXED JUST TO FIND OUT THAT THE OIL COOLER LINES WERE RUSTING OUT WHICH IS ALSO A RECALL IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD BUT NOT THE US. IN THE UPPER STATES THIS CAN BE A MASSIVE PROBLEM IF OIL STARTS SPRAYING ALL OVER THE MOTOR AND THE GROUND IT COULD CAUSE ENVIRONMENTAL, AND SAFETY HAZARDS TO OTHER PEOPLE ON THE ROAD. IF GONE UNNOTICED IT COULD EASILY CAUSE ENGINE FAILURE AND POTENTIAL FIRES FROM THE MOTOR WHILE ON THE ROAD WHICH NO ONE WANTS, THERE'S NO REASON THIS RECALL SHOULD NOT APPLY TO THE US, ATLEAST THE NORTHERNMOST STATES.

NHTSA ID 11192464 · filed Mar 29, 2019

TAKATA RECALL, MY CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED ON THE SIDE, OF THE 101 FREEWAY OFF THE WEST LAKE VILLAGE EXIT GOING SOUTH, AND WOULD NOT TURN ON. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP AFTER FINDING OUT OF THE RECALL ON THE FUEL PUMP AND AIR BAGS ON THE MAZDA WEBSITE. AFTER 3 DAYS AT THE DEALERSHIP AND BEING CHARGED 3 HOURS OF $115.00 HOUR THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO REPAIR MY CAR OR REPLACE THE RECALL. THEY SUGGESTED FOR ME TO BUY A NEW ENGINE THAT WOULD COST ME $7000.00

NHTSA ID 11045867 · filed Nov 14, 2017

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TAKATA RECALL, MY CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED ON THE SIDE, OF THE 101 FREEWAY OFF THE WEST LAKE VILLAGE EXIT GOING SOUTH, AND WOULD NOT TURN ON. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP AFTER FINDING OUT OF THE RECALL ON THE FUEL PUMP AND AIR BAGS ON THE MAZDA WEBSITE. AFTER 3 DAYS AT THE DEALERSHIP AND BEING CHARGED 3 HOURS OF $115.00 HOUR THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO REPAIR MY CAR OR REPLACE THE RECALL. THEY SUGGESTED FOR ME TO BUY A NEW ENGINE THAT WOULD COST ME $7000.00

NHTSA ID 11045867 · filed Nov 14, 2017

ON SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2017 I TOOK MY 2005 MAZDA RX8 TO THE GUNTHER MAZDA DEALERSHIP LOCATED AT 1800 SOUTH STATE ROAD 7 (441), FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA 33317 FOR RECALL WORK OF THE FUEL PUMP SEALS. THE NEXT DAY I FILLED THE TANK AND WENT TO WORK, I DRIVE FORM HOLLYWOOD TO BOCA RATON DAILY. THE SMELL OF GASOLINE WAS STRONG AND MY TANK WASN'T LASTING AS LONG AS USUAL. I CALLED GUNTHER MAZDA AND WAS TOLD TO BRING THE CAR IN ON SATURDAY OCTOBER 7, 2017. THE SERVICE PERSON, RON, SAID HE STRONGLY SMELLED THE GASOLINE AND SAID IT WAS A CARBON BUILD UP ON THE THROTTLE AND THAT HIS FOREMAN WOULD LOOK AT THE CAR. I SIGNED PAPERWORK, BUT DIDN'T RECEIVE A COPY. I GOT THERE ABOUT 10:30, AT ABOUT 11:50, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER. I FILLED THE TANK WITH GAS AND MY MECHANIC TOOK THE BACK SEATS OFF. THE FUEL PUMP SEAL WAS FILLED WITH GASOLINE, THE CAR WAS LEAKING GASOLINE AND FUMES IN THE CABIN WERE OVERWHELMING. WHEN I CALLED GUNTHER MAZDA TO SPEAK WITH RON, I WAS HUNG UP ON 3 TIMES. WHEN MY HUSBAND CALLED HE WAS MET WITH EXTREME RUDENESS AND TOLD THAT IT WOULD COST ABOUT $130 FOR THEM TO REEXAMINE THE CAR. IT IS ABSOLUTELY UNCONSCIONABLE THAT THE GUNTHER MAZDA LOCATED AT 1800 SOUTH STATE ROAD 7 (441), FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA 33317 WOULD LET ME DRIVE AWAY FROM THEIR DEALERSHIP KNOWING THAT THE FUEL PUMP SEAL WAS FAULTY. MY CAR COULD HAVE BLOWN UP KILLING ME AND MAYBE OTHERS. MY MECHANIC REMOVED THE ASSEMBLY TO REPAIR AND SAID THE INSTALL WAS INCORRECTLY DONE. HE WILL BE SENDING ME ADDITIONAL PICTURES OF WHAT HE FOUND.

NHTSA ID 11032323 · filed Oct 9, 2017

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

THE DASH IS ALL CRACKED AROUND THE PASSENGER DASH SIDE. IS EXACTLY WHERE THE AIR BAD SITS 4 LARGE CRACKS ALL THE WAY AROUND IT ..ALSO THE DRIVER SEAT RIGHT SIDE LOWER LUMBAR IS SHIFT UP AND DOWN...POOR MANUFACTURING

NHTSA ID 10991723 · filed May 25, 2017

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND AS I WAS SHIFTING GEARS I FELT THE CAR DID NOT HAVE ANY ACCELERATION. THE TOP SPEED I GOT TO WAS 55MPH. WHEN I WAS ABOUT TO GET OFF THE CAR, I SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND FROM INSIDE WHERE THE SHIFT KNOW IS LOCATED. I CHECKED UNDER THE CAR FOR A POSSIBLY FIRE, AND THERE IT WAS. APPARENTLY THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAD CLOGGED UP AND THAT'S WHAT STARTED THE FIRE. ITS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AROUND WITH A CAR THAT BARELY HAS 55,000 AND ALREADY HAS PROBLEMS LIKE A FIRE. WHAT IF I THE CAR CAUGHT IN FIRE WITH MY FAMILY INSIDE. CANT IMAGINE. I CALLED AN AGENCY THAT TOLD ME THE CAR HAD A SAFETY RECALL, AND HAD ASKED ME IF THE DEALER HAD PROVIDED WITH AN INSPECTION STICKER WHICH WAS NOT IN THE WINDSHIELD. I WISH I COULD HAVE MY DOWN PAYMENT I GAVE BACK BECAUSE I WOULD NOT FEEL SECURE AND SAFE DRIVING A CAR (WITH MY CHILD AND WIFE) WITH A CAR THAT TURNED ON FIRE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10483668 · filed Nov 7, 2012

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

OIL COOLER LINES ON THE RX 8 WILL RUST AN CORRODE DUE TO SALT ON THE ROADS IN THE WINTER MONTHS IN THE UPPER STATES.. LINES RUST AND CORRODE CAUSING OIL TO SPRAY OVER THE ENGINE BAY ,TIRES AND BRAKES. CAUSING A LOSS TRACTION. AND EVEN ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.. OIL OVER THE ROAD.THIS BECOMES A HAZARD TO DRIVERS BEHIND YOU.. MAZDA HAS A RECALL CANADA DUE TO THIS ISSUE.. BUT WILL NOT HONOR THE US AT ALL.. THIS IS SERIOUSLY NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY.. *TR

NHTSA ID 10567099 · filed Mar 4, 2014

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

Data on this page last refreshed .