Your vehicle report
2004 Mazda RX-8
The problems owners report. The recalls to check. The evidence behind each.
Your vehicle at a glance
Complaint patterns and official recall records, kept distinct.
- Owner complaints
- 490
- Received Oct 2003 to Oct 2026
Owner reports
Most reported problems
- 1Manual clutch wears out or fails early105 complaints · 21% of this vehicle’s complaints
- 2Power steering cuts out while driving50 complaints · 10% of this vehicle’s complaints
- 3Dashboard cracks near passenger airbag11 complaints · 2.2% of this vehicle’s complaints
Official NHTSA records
Recalls to check
- Recall #19V781000Do not driveMazda 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.
- Recall #18V402000Do not driveMazda 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.
BrakeNews signals
Flagged complaint patterns
Unusual complaint patterns with no matched recall yet. A flag does not mean a recall will happen.
No problems currently meet BrakeNews’s flagging criteria. This is not a safety rating.
How flags are identifiedComplaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA, not failure rates or a reliability ranking. Reported in these complaints: 17 crashes, 10 fires, 15 people injured, 0 deaths.
Explore by system
Where do owners report problems?
Choose an area on the car or a system below to explore the reported problems.
Illustrative only; not this vehicle’s exact design. Areas represent complaint categories, not confirmed defective parts.
Showing all 20 listed problems by system.
Engine & powertrain
Brakes
No problems in this category meet this page’s listing criteria. This does not establish that the system is free of problems.
Electrical & lights
Airbags, belts & seats
Steering, suspension & tires
Body, doors & glass
- Dashboard cracks near passenger airbag
- Driver sun visor will not stay up
- Rear door latch fails to open or close
1 more problem
Driver assistance
No problems in this category meet this page’s listing criteria. This does not establish that the system is free of problems.
Other
No problems in this category meet this page’s listing criteria. This does not establish that the system is free of problems.
Complaint history
When NHTSA received these reports. Changes in reporting alone do not establish a change in failure rates.
Show as a table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 5 |
| 2004 | 20 |
| 2005 | 19 |
| 2006 | 17 |
| 2007 | 18 |
| 2008 | 31 |
| 2009 | 71 |
| 2010 | 94 |
| 2011 | 32 |
| 2012 | 35 |
| 2013 | 15 |
| 2014 | 19 |
| 2015 | 35 |
| 2016 | 12 |
| 2017 | 25 |
| 2018 | 13 |
| 2019 | 16 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 (to Oct 2026) | 2 |
| Total | 490 |
Problems owners report
Listed groups have at least 3 complaints. The page includes the 20 largest groups plus any additional flagged groups; some complaints are not assigned to a group.
| Problem | Complaints | Share | Share ratio | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual clutch wears out or fails early | 105 | 21% | – | |
| Power steering cuts out while driving | 50 | 10% | – | |
| Dashboard cracks near passenger airbag | 11 | 2.2% | – | |
| Fuel tank or line leaks gasoline | 11 | 2.2% | – | NHTSA recall #16V793000, #17V354000 |
| Automatic transmission shifts unexpectedly or slips | 11 | 2.2% | – | |
| Unintended acceleration despite braking | 10 | 2.0% | – | |
| Driver sun visor will not stay up | 9 | 1.8% | – | |
| Engine stalls and loses power while driving | 9 | 1.8% | – | |
| Steering wheel seizes or locks suddenly | 9 | 1.8% | – | |
| Steering wanders or pulls at highway speed | 9 | 1.8% | – | |
| Airbags fail to deploy in crashes | 8 | 1.6% | – | NHTSA recall #17V474000, #19V781000 |
| Check engine light comes on repeatedly | 7 | 1.4% | – | |
| Engine suddenly shuts off while driving | 7 | 1.4% | – | |
| Engine burns excessive oil between changes | 6 | 1.2% | – | |
| Head gasket leaks coolant into engine | 6 | 1.2% | – | |
| Engine won't start or cranks intermittently | 6 | 1.2% | – | |
| Vehicle catches fire from wiring | 5 | 1.0% | – | |
| Rear door latch fails to open or close | 4 | 0.8% | – | |
| Ignition key sticks or will not turn | 4 | 0.8% | – | |
| Frame rusts and corrodes through | 4 | 0.8% | – |
AI groups complaints by meaning; the groups are approximate. Share ratio compares the problem’s share of this vehicle’s complaints with its share on other vehicles over the last 24 months (shown from 3 recent complaints). A 2× ratio means twice the complaint share, not twice the failure risk. Flags mark unusual shares or recent surges after an AI review of the complaint content. “First signal” does not mean the pattern has persisted continuously.How recall estimates are calculated.
Recalls
NHTSA recall #19V781000October 31, 201947,006 vehicles affected
Do not drive: NHTSA advises this until the repair is done.
air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
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.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. The recall began December 3, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 2618F. Note: This recall supersedes recalls 13V130, 14V362, 14V773 and 15V869.
NHTSA recall #18V402000June 15, 2018308,591 vehicles affected
Do not drive: NHTSA advises this until the repair is done.
air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
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.
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began July 6, 2018. Mailing to the affected RX-8 owners began July 6, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 2618F. Note: With the addition of the RX-8 vehicles, this recall fully supersedes recall 16V354.
NHTSA recall #17V474000July 26, 2017308,992 vehicles affected
Do not drive: NHTSA advises this until the repair is done.
air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
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.
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began on September 12, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1417G. Note: This recall supersedes recall 15V-382.
NHTSA recall #17V354000June 1, 201769,447 vehicles affected
fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
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.
If the fuel pump pipe cracks, fuel may leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump filter kit, free of charge. The recall began on July 31, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1017E.
NHTSA recall #17V355000June 1, 201735,332 vehicles affected
suspension: front: control arm: lower arm
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.
If the ball joint separates, steering control may be lost, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front lower control arms, free of charge. The recall began on July 31, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1117E.
NHTSA recall #16V793000October 31, 201669,447 vehicles affected
fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
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.
The deteriorated seals may leak fuel, which, in the presence of an ignition source, can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump sealing ring set and add a thermal insulation pad to the fuel tank, free of charge. The recall began July 31, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 0516J.
NHTSA recall #05V325000July 20, 200527,800 vehicles affected
suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint
On certain passenger vehicles, due to improper forging of the lower control arm, cracks may occur in the ball joint socket.
In severe driving conditions, the ball may separate from the ball joint socket and a loss of steering may occur, which could result in a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the control arms. The recall began on august 30, 2005. Owners may contact Mazda at 1-800-222-5500.
NHTSA recall #05V317000July 7, 200552,000 vehicles affected
engine and 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.
Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace parts. The recall began on august 30, 2005. Owners may contact Mazda at 1-800-222-5500.
NHTSA recall #04V074000February 17, 200429,300 vehicles affected
air bags: frontal
As a result of an ncap test, certain passenger vehicles are being recalled for improperly wired front passenger seat air bags.
The air bag will not provide adequate protection when the vehicle is involved in a frontal crash.
Remedy
Dealers will install a new wiring harness in the front passenger seat air bag system. The recall began march 5, 2004. Owners should contact Mazda at 1-800-222-5500.
NHTSA recall #04V075000February 17, 200412,000 vehicles affected
power train: manual transmission
On certain passenger vehicles with manual transmissions, the heat insulator may be cracked causing abnormal noise.
Continued operation of the vehicle Can cause the insulator to come off and could pose a hazard to following vehicles.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the heat insulator. The recall began march 5, 2004. Owners should contact Mazda at 1-800-222-5500.
Other model years
About this data
NHTSA complaints and recalls through October 2026. Complaints are counted once each, however many components they name. Original complaints are on NHTSA's page for the 2004 Mazda RX-8.
Problem groups are formed by AI and may be approximate. BrakeNews flags unusual complaint patterns; they are not official defect findings. Investigation reports are written and checked by AI, with no human review. Owner reports do not establish that a defect exists.
Read the methodology and track record · Check current recalls by VIN