2004 Mazda RX-8

489 complaints on file, page 1 of 25.

1. Filed May 8, 2026Failure May 8, 2026Gansevoort, NYFuel/propulsion system

   No worries — here it is trimmed to under 2,000 characters: I am reporting a recurring safety defect on my 2004 Mazda RX-8 (VIN: [XXX] a repair under NHTSA Recall 1017E (Fuel Pump Ring / Discharge Pipe). Recall 1017E was completed on my vehicle on September 19, 2017. The same fuel leak has since recurred, with fuel vapor now entering the passenger cabin. Only a few thousand miles have been driven since the recall repair. The vehicle is currently at Della Mazda, Queensbury, NY at approximately 72,000 miles. On May 8, 2026, I contacted Mazda Customer Experience Center. Mazda confirmed the dealer submitted a pre-authorization request for recall coverage, which Mazda corporate denied, stating the recall was previously completed and further repairs are my responsibility. I have a chat transcript documenting this. A recall remedy that fails to correct the covered defect should not be considered complete. I am requesting NHTSA review whether Recall 1017E has produced recurring failures, direct Mazda to honor the recall remedy, and advise on available consumer reimbursement. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

   NHTSA complaint 11736604
2. Filed Jul 21, 2025Failure Jul 21, 2025Westmoreland, KSAir bags

   For a year I have responded to every notice for a recall repair (7 total) Mazda has not repaired my vehicle or scheduled its repair. My recall ID is 016742248 and my Campaign Number is 100409. My car has a DO NOT DRIVE status and Mazda tells me I MUST drive the car 2 hours to get it repaired each way. And they refuse to transport y vehicle even thought I have told them in phone conversations about my cars do not drive status. The latest attempt for filing for a repay was 7-21-25 at 9:40am central time.

   NHTSA complaint 11675012
3. Filed May 23, 2024Failure May 23, 202460,000 milesHallettsville, TXEngine

   The contact owns a 2004 Mazda RX-8. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the engine. The dealer determined that the engine had no compression. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 60,000.

   NHTSA complaint 11590479
4. Filed Feb 11, 2024Failure Feb 1, 2024colbert, GASteering

   The electric power steering randomly pulls hard to one side while driving. There are brief spasms of forceful jerks each jerk is 1-2 seconds the series of jerks lasts 10-20 seconds and usually stops with power steering failure all while driving.

   NHTSA complaint 11571290
5. Filed Mar 29, 2023Failure Mar 9, 2023North Las Vegas, NVEngine

   Engine naturally wears out especially after 200k miles due to friction in the natural design of the Rotary engine, resulting in losing its overall function such as turning off in the middle of a drive due to loss of compression from worn Apex Seals of the Rotary. The rotary engine requires a replacement of the Apex Seals to continue functioning normally to avoid any unpredictable accidents due to engine failure. An event occurred where my RX-8 went into limp mode in the middle of the freeway as i was commuting due a misfire from poor compression, this is more then likely a common event nowadays for RX-8 owners starting at the S1 2004 models with newer models soon to follow the same incident as me. This is completely unsafe especially traveling at 65 MPH

   NHTSA complaint 11514483
6. Filed Dec 23, 2022Failure Dec 9, 202286,000 milesWest Jordan, UTFuel system, Gasoline

   The contact owns a 2004 Mazda RX-8. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, he noticed a strong gasoline odor originating from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump was fractured and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V354000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the recall repair failed to fix the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they would follow up with him. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.

   NHTSA complaint 11498663
7. Filed Aug 2, 2021Failure Aug 2, 2020Washington Court House, OHFuel/propulsion system

   Fuel fumes are leaking into passenger compartment and leaking from tank. Previous recall failed to fix

   NHTSA complaint 11427511
8. Filed Apr 28, 2021Failure Dec 21, 202062,000 milesDalzell, SCAir bags, Unknown or other

   FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG CRACKED DASH AND PUSHED OUT GLOVE BOX.

   NHTSA complaint 11414240
9. Filed Mar 27, 2021Failure Aug 12, 202078,000 milesFort Worth, UTUnknown or other

   I NOW HAVE REPLACEDCLUTCH PEDAL THE FORTH TIME. IM WRITING THIS TO SEE IFI CAN STILL GET ONE FACTORY REPAIR OF THE PART THE PEDAL WILL BREAK IN WELD SPOT REGARDLESS OF MY TRYING NOT PUT TO MUCH PRESSURE.

   NHTSA complaint 11405160
10. Filed Feb 24, 2021Failure Jul 1, 2017Manati, PRSteering

    JULY 2017 WHEN I START THE CAR THE STEERING GEAR TURN TOO THE RIGHT ALL THE TIME. FEW MILE THE STEERING GET HARD AND START SHACKING BY IT SELF. NOW THE STEERING IS HARD WITH ABS AND CONTROL TRACTION LIGHT ON. I SEND IT TOO A MECANIC TOO CHECK THE WIRING AND RACK AND PINON AND THE MECANIC INDICATE THAT IS THE TORQUE SENSOR AND I HAVE TOO CHANGE THE RACK AND PINON.

    NHTSA complaint 11397667
11. Filed Feb 22, 2021Failure Jan 10, 2021NEW Caney, TXFuel/propulsion system

    RECENTLY PURCHASED THE CAR FROM SOMEONE ELSE AND NOTICED THAT THE CABIN SMELLS LIKE FUEL. I THOUGHT MAYBE HE SPILLED SOME INSIDE IT BUT IT'S BEEN A WEEK AND THE SMELL IS STILL THERE. I DON'T KNOW WHY AND I'M WORRIED ABOUT THE CAR CATCHING FIRE OR ME GETTING CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING.

    NHTSA complaint 11397284
12. Filed Feb 10, 2020Failure Jan 20, 2020140,000 milesTulsa, OKPower train

    CLUTCH PEDAL BROKE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD

    NHTSA complaint 11308311
13. Filed Nov 27, 2019Failure Nov 1, 201915 milesDoral, FLSteering

    STEERING TURN ALONE

    NHTSA complaint 11282643
14. Filed Nov 5, 2019Failure Nov 5, 201976,811 milesMckinney, TXUnknown or other

    PASSENGER DASH COVER HAS LOST INTEGRITY/CRACKED ALONG THE LINES WHERE THE AIRBAG DEPLOYS AND AM CONCERNED THAT THE FORCE OF POTENTIAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT COULD BE AFFECTED AND NOT WORK AS DESIGNED OR DEPLOY WITH TOO MUCH FORCE TO CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH TO THE OCCUPANT IF THE AIRBAG COVER SHOULD FLY OFF UPON DEPLOYMENT. THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH THE DASH OF MANY MAZDA VEHICLES AND SHOULD AT A MINIMUM BE REVIEWED. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS AND THE AIRBAGS RECALL HAS RECENTLY BEEN PERFORMED BY A MAZDA DEALER.

    NHTSA complaint 11278260
15. Filed Oct 21, 2019Failure Oct 19, 201990,000 milesFishers, INAir bagsCrash1 injured

    ON 10/19/19 THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WHEN SWERVING TO AVOID A DEER ON THE ROAD. TWO TREES WERE HIT AND THE VEHICLE WAS FLIPPED ON ITS SIDE. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED DURING THIS ACCIDENT AS I WAS EXPECTED. PICTURES SHOW THE FRONT DAMAGE AND INTERIOR.

    NHTSA complaint 11269971
16. Filed Oct 21, 2019Failure Oct 20, 2019Aberdeen, MDEngine, Service brakes, Body

    SEAT BUILTS NEED TIGHTING

    NHTSA complaint 11269947
17. Filed Oct 10, 2019Failure Aug 19, 201983,000 milesMonument, COSteering

    WHILE DRIVING MY 2004, MAZDA RX8 THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MODULE FAILED, AND JERKED THE CAR AGGRESSIVELY TO THE LEFT INTO THE ONCOMING LANE OF TRAFFIC. THE FORCE WAS SO STRONG THAT IT CAUSED MOMENTARY LOSS OF CONTROL. FORTUNATELY, THERE WASN'T ANY ONCOMING TRAFFIC AT THAT MOMENT ON THAT PARTICULAR STRETCH OF ROAD. WHEN REVIEWING THE MAZDA FORUM THERE WERE SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS THAT EXPERIENCED THE SAME LOSS OF CONTROL OR FAILURE. ADDITIONALLY, MAZDA HAD POWER STEERING ASSIST RECALLS FOR THE SAME PROBLEMS, REF. MAZDA3/MAZDA5 POWER STEERING RECALL NOTIFICATION 6010H.

    NHTSA complaint 11267777
18. Filed Sep 27, 2019Failure Sep 27, 2019127,000 milesSeattle, WASteering

    MY POWER STEERING INTERMITTENTLY GOES OUT FROM TIME TO TIME. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE SHOP 4 TIMES. THERE IS SOMETHING SERIOUSLY WRONG WITH THIS DESIGN AND THE VEHICLE IS VERY DANGEROUS.

    NHTSA complaint 11258660
19. Filed Jul 19, 2019Failure Nov 30, 201754,000 milesMills River, NCBody

    SEVERE OUTSIDE PAINT DEGREDATION WITH 54,000 MILES.

    NHTSA complaint 11233495
20. Filed Jul 19, 2019Failure Feb 15, 201756,000 milesMills River, NCElectronic stability control (esc), Engine, Fuel/propulsion system

    MULTIPLE TROUBLE CODES ALL AT ONCE AFTER NOT HAVING ANY TROUBLE CODES AFTER A LONG PERIOD. AS OF NOW 56,000 ORIGINAL MILES. TRACTION CONTROL IMPROPERLY FUNCTIONING CAUSING VEHICLE,S MAXIMUM SPEED TO 3 MPH. MULTIPLE MISFIRE,S WITH NEW SPARK PLUG, NEW SPARK PLUG COIL PACKS AND NEW SPARK PLUG WIRES. GASOLINE LEAK NOT YET NARROWED DOWN TO SPECIFIC LOCATION. NO ENGINE POWER AFTER SHIFTING TO 2ND GEAR. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY ON HOWEVER WILL GO OUT FOR NO MORE THAN 2 DAYS. VERY STRONG GASOLINE ODOR INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AFTER STARTUP. LOSS OF ENGINE COMPRESSION. GOODNESS KNOWS WHAT IS NEXT!!!

    NHTSA complaint 11233493