repaired · 2021 Q1
Passenger side: inflator module
Do not driveRisk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
2004 Mazda RX-8Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 490 owner complaints about the 2004 Mazda RX-8, most often about the power train. It is covered by 10 safety recalls, and for recall 18V-402 the manufacturer reports only 9% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 13, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2004 Mazda RX-8 has problems
490 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
154Power train2 crash/fire/injury
106Engine and engine cooling9 crash/fire/injury
80Steering8 crash/fire/injury
50Air bags10 crash/fire/injury
33Engine
33Electrical system
21Fuel/propulsion system
20Structure
17Suspension
8415 other systems3 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 154 | 2 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 106 | 9 |
| Steering | 80 | 8 |
| Air bags | 50 | 10 |
| Engine | 33 | 2 |
| Electrical system | 33 | 2 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 21 | 1 |
| Structure | 20 | 1 |
| Suspension | 17 | 3 |
| 15 other systems | 84 | 3 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
10 recalls
2004 Mazda RX-8 recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2019 Q4
Passenger side: inflator module
Do not driveRisk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2018 Q4
Driver side: inflator module
Do not driveRisk. 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…
repaired · 2018 Q4
Delivery: fuel pump
Risk. If the fuel pump pipe cracks, fuel may leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Show 6 more recalls
repaired · 2018 Q4
Control arm: lower arm
Risk. If the ball joint separates, steering control may be lost, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2018 Q4
Delivery: fuel pump
Risk. The deteriorated seals may leak fuel, which, in the presence of an ignition source, can increase the risk of a fire.
no report yet
Control arm: 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.
no report yet
Engine and engine cooling
Risk. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
no report yet
Air bags: frontal
Risk. THE AIR BAG WILL NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION WHEN THE VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL CRASH.
no report yet
Power train: manual transmission
Risk. CONTINUED OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE CAN CAUSE THE INSULATOR TO COME OFF AND COULD POSE A HAZARD TO FOLLOWING VEHICLES.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Mazda.
Mileage at failure
When do power train problems start?
69kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 142 power train complaints. 86% were reported before 100,000 miles.
6under 30k miles122under 100k miles20100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Power train
11 owners mentioned a cost$520median
Middle half: $485 – $1,390
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2004 vs. every other RX-8 year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the RX-8 median. How we score
'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2004 Mazda RX-8 safety ratings
2004 Mazda RX-8 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Frontal crashNot rated
Side barrierNot rated
- Stability control: Optional
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
4 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2004 Mazda RX-8, and the recalls they led to.
- Air Bag Inflator RuptureLed to recall 18V-031
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpen
- CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET FAILURENo recall
- Air Bag Inflator RuptureLed to recall 14E-073
In owners' words
What RX-8 owners report
Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND CAME TO A STOP LIGHT, ENGAGED THE CLUTCH HEARD A POP AND HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO GET INTO GEAR SINCE.I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AND WAS NEARLY REAR ENDED CAUSE THE COUCH WOULDN'T DISENGAGE TO BUT IT IN GREAT CAUSE THE BRACKET HAD BROKEN COMPLETELY.
AS I PRESSED MY CARS CLUTCH TO CHANGE GEARS (6 SPEED MANUAL ) WHILE DRIVING ON MY REGULAR SUNDAY DRIVE IN A CITY STREET, I HEARD AND FELT A VERY LOUD EXPLOSION AND NOISES OF METAL PIECES EJECTING FROM UNDER MY CAR. I WAS IN THE 60KM/H ZONE SO WAS NOT SPEEDING OR GOING FAST SUCH AS ON A FREEWAY ETC.…
VEHICLE IN MOTION (3RD GEAR). SLOWED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. DEPRESSED CLUTCH PEDAL TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL. PEDAL STAYED ON FLOOR. I PULLED IT UP WITH MY FOOT AND ATTEMPTED TO PUMP IT IN AN EFFORT TO BUILD PRESSURE. WITH CLUTCH DEPRESSED VEHICLE COULD NOT BE SHIFTED INTO GEAR UNLESS PUMPED MULTIPLE…
Own a 2004 RX-8?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.