2004 Mazda RX-8: complaints, problems and recalls

MY BRAND NEW 2004 MAZDA TRIBUTE'S BRAKE FAILED AT 300 MILES, AFTER ONLY 4 WEEKS OF OWNERSHIP. BOTH ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON. *LA

Owner-reported narrative. 300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10041395 at NHTSA ↗

DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS HAVE POOR SEALING AGAINST ROAD NOISE & WIND. AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, WIND NOISE BECOMES HIGHLY INTRUSIVE ON MY VEHICLE THROUGH THE DRIVERS DOOR. THE SAME APPLIES TO THE PASSENGER'S DOOR. *LA

Owner-reported narrative. 2,120 miles reported. Look up ODI 10043029 at NHTSA ↗

IN THE NEW MAZDA RX8, THE REAR SEAT DESIGN WITH THE HIGH CENTER CONSOLE MAKES IT VERY HARD TO LATCH THE SEAT BELT WITH A CHILD BOOSTER SEAT, AND IMPOSSIBLE TO DO SO FOR AN OLDER PERSON OR A PERSON WITHOUT GOOD MANUAL DEXTERITY AND A STRONG BACK. IT IS COMPLETELY IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE CHILD TO LATCH THEMSELVES IN. NOTE THAT THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM FOR ATTACHING INFANT OR CHILD SEATS WITH SEAT BELTS INSTALLED IN THE SEAT ITSELF - IT'S A PROBLEM FOR OLDER CHILDREN (30-80 LBS) THAT SIT IN A BOOSTER AND USE THE 3 POINT SEAT BELT INSTALLED IN THE CAR. …

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10043639 at NHTSA ↗

MAZDA RX-8 WITH LESS THAN 3000 MILES HAS TWICE SHUT OFF AND FAILED TO START. MAJOR PROBLEM WITH FUEL DELIVERY AND/OR SPARK IGNITION SYSTEM. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 3,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10050775 at NHTSA ↗

MAZDA RX-8 , 2500MILES HAS TWICE FAILED TO START AFTER SITTING IN GARAGE FOR 7-10 DAYS. MAINLY A BATTERY PROBLEM MAYBE???*AK

Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10051157 at NHTSA ↗

ALTHOUGH I FOLLOWED THE OWNER'S MANUAL INSTRUCTIONS, THE ENGINE FLOODED AFTER DRIVING A SHORT DISTANCE (1.5 MILES) AND TURNED OFF. ENGINE WAS FLOODED WHEN I TRIED TO RESTART APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES LATER. SAID TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE NEW MAZDA RX8S. TEMPATURE WAS 19. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN 6 DAYS IN VERY COLD WEATHER. THIS WOULD BE AREAL SAFETY ISSUE IF IT HAPPENS IN A REMOTE AREA.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. 942 miles reported. Look up ODI 10052804 at NHTSA ↗

MAZDA RX-8, PURCHASED DEC 24TH, 2003.F THE VEHICLE 'STALLS' WHEN COLD, THE ENGINE BECOME NON-RESTARTABLE (EVEN FOLLOWING THE MANIF'S DEFLOODING PROCEDURE) AND NEEDS TO BE RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP TO BE "FIXED". CAUSING A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD AT RAIL-ROAD TRACKS, INTERSECTIONS, AND EXTREEM CONDITIONS (SUCH AS DRIVING FAR FROM HOME EG. CAMPING, AND MOUNTAIN DRIVING).*AK

Owner-reported narrative. 900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10054579 at NHTSA ↗

RX8S MUST BE TOWED IF THE VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF OR STALLED WHEN THE CAR IS COLD. I WASHED MY CAR AND THEN PULLED THE CAR INTO THE GARAGE AND WAXED IT. THE NEXT DAY IT WOULD NOT START. NO WHERE IN THE MANUAL DOES IT SAY ANYTHING ABOUT THE FLOODING ISSUE, EXCEPT HOW TO "UNFLOOD" IT. PROCEDURE DOES NOT WORK. DEALERSHIP NEVER TOLD ME THIS BEFORE I BOUGHT THE CAR, EVEN THOUGH THEY FLOOD ALL THE TIME WHEN THEY ARE MOVED OFF OF THE TRAILER. VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I CANNOT WITH A GOOD CONSCIENCE SELL THIS CAR TO ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL. I COULD BE…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10057098 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2004-02-17 (February 17, 2004)

AS A RESULT OF AN NCAP TEST, CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ARE BEING RECALLED FOR IMPROPERLY WIRED FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAGS.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2004-02-17 (February 17, 2004)

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS, THE HEAT INSULATOR MAY BE CRACKED CAUSING ABNORMAL NOISE.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2005-07-07 (July 7, 2005)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2005-07-20 (July 20, 2005)

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, DUE TO IMPROPER FORGING OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM, CRACKS MAY OCCUR IN THE BALL JOINT SOCKET.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2016-10-31 (October 31, 2016)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2017-06-01 (June 1, 2017)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2017-06-01 (June 1, 2017)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2017-07-26 (July 26, 2017)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2018-06-15 (June 15, 2018)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2019-10-31 (October 31, 2019)

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.

Consequence: 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.