KnownCarProblems2005 Mazda RX-8 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 162 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Mazda RX-8, most often about the transmission (33% of complaints, typically around 66,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about RX-8 model year since 2000 and has 6 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 2005 Mazda RX-8 problems
Transmission
54 complaints · 33%Half of these problems showed up before 66,000 miles. Parts named most often: manual transmission, clutch assembly.
1. Driving on the freeway at about 50 MPH exiting off a long off ramp. 2. Clutch pedal broke. Pushed clutch in and heard a loud "crack!". Barely got the car into first gear and into a parking lot where it was doa and had to be towed. The pedal was bent and nearly stuck behind the brake pedal. 3. No repair. Dealer…
Over the past two weeks or so the clutch pedal on my 2005 Mazda RX-8 had been making a squeaking noise whenever depressed. The noise subsided after a few hours of driving. However, this past monday (8/30/2010), when I was stopped at a stop light I heard a soft crack. I proceeded through the intersection where shifting…
Engine
37 complaints · 23%Half of these problems showed up before 49,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
Driving the car it cuts off and rolls backwards and could possible hit another car. Was told that service center change maintenance schedule on the car an would not cover a repair like this under warranty due to my neglect of not knowing the new schedule they made up. And because I followed my owners manual that the…
I have a Mazda rx8 2005. It repeatedly stalls and has needed a new engine twice in less than a year. Mazda covered the first engine but is now refusing the second. I am aware that these particular vehicles have many problems.
Air bags
22 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 74,500 miles. Parts named most often: side/window, frontal.
Driver was backing out of a parking space when an extremely loud pop sounded resembling a backfire or the explosion of an aerosol can. After pulling back into the space, a further inspection of the noise revealed a malfunction with the rear passenger seat airbag. The door panel has been knocked askew resulting in a…
Tl contact owns a 2005 Mazda RX-8. The contact stated that NHTSA campaign number: 14v773000 (air bags) had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for repair. The dealer stated the parts were not available for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the delay. In addition, the air bag warning light…
Steering
17 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 94,500 miles. Parts named most often: electric power assist system.
My steering wheel is turning to the left on its own and it is difficult to turn to the right. I have researched online and I'm not the only one having the problem. I don't feel safe driving my vehicle and I am disappointed in the quality of parts. Issue 2: after the first recall on my vehicle, my motor is giving me…
The contact owns a 2005 Mazda rx8. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis where it was stated that the steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the problem persisted. The manufacturer was notified. The…
Fuel system
15 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 87,500 miles. Parts named most often: storage.
The contact owns a 2005 Mazda RX-8. While driving various speeds, a fuel odor emitted through the vents of the vehicle. The fuel odor was all around the vehicle while parked and fuel leaked underneath the driver side of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to kuhn Mazda (3934 w kennedy blvd, tampa, fl 33609, phone…
Hello. How are you? I hope everything is going well for you. I am an owner of 2005 Mazda rx8. I was a faculty of one university at texas by 2016. However, I left USA last fall and currently settled down in korea. I also took my car (2005 Mazda rx8) from USA to korea. In terms of safety recall notices, I asked Mazda…
Speed control
11 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 82,500 miles.
As I'm driving my clutch pedal gets stuck when it hits the floor and wouldn't up back up on its own and I would have to use my foot to tap it under to go back up. Clutch pedal seems to be leaking oil also. Also at times when I'm wanting to change gears the shift knob would grind gears. If I'm going at a fast speed it…
I was driving down the highway, coming to a stop from 65 MPH speed because of traffic ahead, and as soon as I press the clutch pedal it snaps. The clutch pedal now moves freely making the vehicle completely inoperable. Had to call a friend to tow my car with her truck. And even though I was able to safely stop by…
Brakes
10 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 5,000 miles. Parts named most often: disc, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
Front brakes and rotors replaced by dealer due to defective front brakes. Brakes and rotors replaced and vehicle is now experiencing same brake problems.
Mazda RX-8: car was parked at the top of a gradual slope, with parking brake firmly pulled up. No more than 5 minutes later, the car had backed up into bottom of a ditch. The car was given an estimate of over $15,000 worth of damage due to the faulty brake. Witnesses at the scene confirm that the parking brake was set.
Electrical
8 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 50,000 miles. Parts named most often: 12v/24v/48v battery, starter assembly.
The Mazda RX-8 is having an issue that is coming up more frequently now from a faulty A/C switch or heating system failure. The heat does not come into the vehicle when the heat is turned on and only cold air comes into vehicle. The failure happens in the beginning only randomly until the unit completely fails. The…
Failure of clutch pedal assembly. A plastic plate cracked and caused an irritating plastic binding noise, ever time I released the clutch pedal. This apparently happens a lot, sometimes it is fixable but in my case I had to replace my entire assembly, as I was told if it completely cracked I would lose the function of…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2005 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 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: An inflator explosion may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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 for mpv vehicles. The recall began july 9, 2019 for rx-8 vehicles. 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 17v-011.
Full defect summary
Mazda north america operations (mazda) is recalling certain 2005-2006 mazda mpv vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of alaska, colorado, connecticut, idaho, iowa, maine, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, montana, new hampshire, new york, north dakota, oregon, rhode island, south dakota, utah, vermont, washington, wisconsin, and wyoming. On july 9, 2019 this recall was expanded to include certain 2005-2009 rx-8 vehicles that were previously recalled under 17v-011 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 used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cy
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.
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.
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.
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 2005 Mazda RX-8
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Mazda RX-8?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (54 complaints, typically around 66,000 miles); engine (37 complaints, typically around 49,000 miles); air bags (22 complaints, typically around 74,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2005 Mazda RX-8 have?
- 6 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from June 15, 2018 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2005 a bad year for the Mazda RX-8?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about RX-8 model year since 2000, with 162 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.