2009 Mazda RX-8 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
8 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
39,600 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 model year. Data snapshot: . 7 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Vehicle Speed Control is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 8 complaints (37.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 2 | 25.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 12.5% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 12.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 12.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 1 |
| Structure:Body | 1 |
Vehicle Speed Control: 3; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Power Train: 2; Power Train:Manual Transmission: 1; Structure:Body: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 1 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
2009: 1; 2010: 1; 2011: 2; 2014: 1; 2017: 1; 2019: 1; 2020: 1
Pattern summary
Vehicle Speed Control leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10307542 · 2010-02-08 (February 8, 2010)
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HWY, THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON, I HAD BEEN USING IT FOR ABOUT 20 MILES, OCCASIONALLY BUMPING THE SPEED UP OR DOWN AS CONDITIONS PERMITTED. MY PRIMARY REASON FOR THAT IS ON LONG TRIPS I GET BETTER GAS MILEAGE THAT WAY. THE DIVIDED HIGHWAY CAME TO AN END AND THERE WAS A TRAFFIC LIGHT ABOUT A HALF MILE AHEAD, SO I BUMPED IT DOWN ABOUT 2 MPH, THEN BUMPED IT DOWN A FEW SECONDS LATER ANOTHER 2 OR 3 MPH. THE LIGHT TURNED RED THEN, SO I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES (DOING ABOUT 65 AT THIS POINT). THE ENGINE REVED UP, THE CRUISE CON…
Owner-reported narrative. 6,080 miles reported. Look up ODI 10307542 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10420920 · 2011-08-22 (August 22, 2011)
2009 RX 8 MAZDA VIN#[XXX] I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AND ALL THE SUDDEN THE CRUISE CONTROL SHUT OFF CAUSING THE CAR TO IMMEDIATELY SLOW DOWN BY 10 MILES AN HOUR. THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT RE-ENGAGE. I AM NOW HAVING AN ISSUE WHERE IT FEELS MY ABS IS ENGAGING WHEN I FIRST START DRIVING IN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR. I HAVE TAKEN THIS CAR TO THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT RECREATE THE PROBLEM. THEY SIMPLY STATED IT COULD JUST BE THE 100+ DEGREE TEXAS WEATHER. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMAT…
Owner-reported narrative. 21,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10420920 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10286577 · 2009-10-06 (October 6, 2009)
NORMAL DRIVING AND THE CLUTCH PEDAL POPPED AND BECAME UNSTABLE. SHIFTING THE CARD BECAME DIFFICULT. AFTER FURTHER INSPECTION DISCOVERED THE METAL BRACKET FOR THE CLUTCH BROKE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 91,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10286577 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11297767 · 2020-01-07 (January 7, 2020)
MAZDA RECALLED ALL 2004-2008 RX8 MODELS FOR FUEL PUMP AND LOCKRING GASKET ASSEMBLY LEAKAGE. MY 2009 RX8 HAS THE SAME ISSUE AND STARTING LEAKING GAS ON 1-02-2020 WHILE PARKED IN A GARAGE. I CALLED MAZDA AND WAS TOLD THERE WERE NO RECALLS; HOWEVER MY CAR HAS THE SAME PROBLEM THE 2004-2008 MODELS HAD. NOW I HAVE TO PAY CLOSE TO $1,000.00 FOR REPAIR THAT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL.
Owner-reported narrative. 41,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11297767 at NHTSA ↗