KnownCarProblems2004 Mazda RX-8 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 490 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Mazda RX-8, most often about the transmission (31% of complaints, typically around 69,000 miles). It is the most complained-about RX-8 model year since 2000 and has 10 recalls.
⚠ Safety advisory3 recalls for this car came with a do-not-drive warning. See below and check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Most common 2004 Mazda RX-8 problems
Transmission
154 complaints · 31%Half of these problems showed up before 69,000 miles. Parts named most often: manual transmission, clutch assembly, automatic transmission, driveline.
I own a Mazda RX-8 2004 model and I was driving down the interstate on approx 10/31/09. I didn't realize it until I needed to change gears but I realized that my clutch was getting stuck behind my brake pedal and that I could not shift gears properly. I slowed down and after tugging and tugging I was able to switch…
Driving on hiway at 65mph I was pushing in clutch petal to change gears and heard loud pop come from clutch petal. I was still able to change gears but after inspecting the petal the mounting bracket on the left side had broke off and the petal bends to the right side.
Engine
139 complaints · 28%Half of these problems showed up before 55,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
My 2004 Mazda RX-8 catalytic converter went out twice in less than 1 year. My personal mechanics said to take it back to the dealer and that blogs on line said the engine would loose compression and the engine would go out completely. I read several complaints online about that very same thing. The dealer said they…
I'm very upset, I bough my car rx8 2004 on january 2009 from a Mazda dealer and my car just died 3 month after buying the car, they won't replace my engine because of and aftermarket headers. Now I understand that aftermarket parts will void the warranty of the car but the first month I bought the car went to the…
Steering
80 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 87,000 miles. Parts named most often: hydraulic power assist.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Mazda rx8. The contact stated that while driving at low speeds, the power steering suddenly failed and became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was unable to be driven and was towed to an authorized dealer. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer who advised her that the body control module had…
My electronic power steering is going in and out causing me to lose power steering. This is a problem that many 2004 RX-8 owners are discussing online and in forums. Dealers and mechanics know of the problem with connectors and racks going bad but Mazda has refused to address the chronic problem. It is dangerous and…
Air bags
50 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 86,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
I have received several notices from Mazda regarding repairs needed to air bags. I have called two dealerships. One wouldn't acknowledge the recall and the other would never call me back for an appointment. I called Mazda and they told me they would call me back within 2 business days, but they never called. There…
The passenger side dash panel that is above the air bag cracks; which can be a safety hazard with the deployment of the air bag and cause injury to individual (possibly prevent deployment or create dash pieces that could cause serious injury). This is happening to multiple RX-8's (go to RX-8 club)! Since this is a…
Fuel system
39 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 85,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery, storage, fuel injection system.
The contact owns a 2004 Mazda RX-8. While the vehicle was parked, the contact's neighbor noticed a strong fuel odor emitting from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to liberty Mazda (91 w service rd, hartford, ct 06120), but the contact was unsure of the diagnostic results. The dealer stated that they would repair the…
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…
Electrical
33 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 40,500 miles. Parts named most often: 12v/24v/48v battery, wiring, ignition, starter assembly.
Part numbers fe03-51-21yd (rear) and fe03-51-22yc (front). I have complained to the dealer when the car was under warranty that the headlights were not illuminating correctly my driving area at night. I took the car in to the dealer today and I was told that these parts are not covered. There has been a technical…
2004 Mazda RX-8, under 45k miles. Driven on a 78 degree day for 2 hour trip. Stopped to refuel and 30 min shopping. Get into car onto highway where I need my engine's speed to accelerate onto highway. I feels like half the power is gone. It reminds me of vapor lock, it's gasping for fuel or spark. This has been…
Body and structure
20 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 69,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
While driving my 2004 RX-8 6speed my clutch pedal broke. The actual welding broke along the inside of the car underneath the dash. It is not the clutch itself, but the actual pedal assembly. It was while I was driving and seems to be a pretty serious safety issue. I have googled this issue a bit and found a lot of…
The clutch pedal on my Mazda RX-8 2004 model is making a strange noise everytime I step on it. The clutch doesn't feel like its working right, and myt break snap anytime soon just like what already happend to lots of RX-8's.
Other or unspecified
18 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 74,000 miles.
Rusted oil cooler - lines causing major leaks that are soaking the brakes and tires with oil.this could also cause the engine to seize while driving.
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.…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2004 Mazda RX-8 recalls
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Suspension: lower arm
Risk: If the ball joint separates, steering control may be lost, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Fuel system: fuel pump
Risk: If the fuel pump pipe cracks, fuel may leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Fuel system: fuel pump
Risk: The deteriorated seals may leak fuel, which, in the presence of an ignition source, can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Suspension: lower ball joint
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
On certain passenger vehicles, due to improper forging of the lower control arm, cracks may occur in the ball joint socket.
Engine: engine and engine cooling
Risk: Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace parts. The recall began on august 30, 2005. Owners may contact mazda at 1-800-222-5500.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: frontal
Risk: The air bag will not provide adequate protection when the vehicle is involved in a frontal crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
As a result of an ncap test, certain passenger vehicles are being recalled for improperly wired front passenger seat air bags.
Transmission: manual transmission
Risk: Continued operation of the vehicle can cause the insulator to come off and could pose a hazard to following vehicles.
Fix: Dealers will replace the heat insulator. The recall began march 5, 2004. Owners should contact mazda at 1-800-222-5500.
Full defect summary
On certain passenger vehicles with manual transmissions, the heat insulator may be cracked causing abnormal noise.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Desiccated air bag inflator rupture
Summary
From 2000 through 2017, takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("psan") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004l. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 blomquist report at www.NHTSA.gov/sites/NHTSA.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substa
Air bag inflator rupture
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened pe14-016 in june 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.all six vehicles were operated in florida or puerto rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems.during the course of pe14-016, odi determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by takata. No evidence of field failures was found in vehicles produced by these five additional manufacturers.nonetheless, at odi's in
Air bag inflator rupture
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened pe14-016 in june 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.all six vehicles were operated in florida or puerto rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems.during the course of pe14-016, odi determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by takata. No evidence of field failures was found in vehicles produced by these five additional manufacturers.nonetheless, at odi's in
Clutch pedal bracket failure
Summary
On september 23, 2009, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened a preliminary evaluation to investigate allegations of the clutch pedal bracket failures in my 2004 - 2006 mazda rx8 vehicles.in response to an information request letter sent by odi, mazda stated that the failure mechanism may be related to an improper fastener attachment sequence to the body.the improper sequence may create a distortion of the pedal bracket and create a stress amplitude during pedal usage that may go beyond the wear out limit of the bracket.mazda stated that the percentages of vehicles experiencing the defect is low at approximately 1% of the vehicle population projected to 10 years in service based on
Questions about the 2004 Mazda RX-8
- What are the most common problems with the 2004 Mazda RX-8?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (154 complaints, typically around 69,000 miles); engine (139 complaints, typically around 55,000 miles); steering (80 complaints, typically around 87,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2004 Mazda RX-8 have?
- 10 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from October 31, 2019 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2004 a bad year for the Mazda RX-8?
- It is the most complained-about RX-8 model year since 2000, with 490 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.