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2006 Mazda RX-8Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 60 owner complaints about the 2006 Mazda RX-8, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 5 safety recalls, and for recall 18V-402 the manufacturer reports only 9% of affected cars repaired.

2006 Mazda RX-8
66
CarFlaw IndexSolid year49% below the RX-8 median · #3 of 5 years by complaints
Safety recalls5Lowest repair rate 9%Owner complaints601 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage70kAir bags, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 23, 2023. Updated daily. Photo: Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2006 Mazda RX-8 has problems

60 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Air bags170
Power train130
Visibility90
Steering60
Fuel/propulsion system60
Engine60
Structure50
Electrical system21
Fuel system, gasoline20
3 other systems40

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

5 recalls

2006 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.

9%repaired · 2019 Q4

Passenger side: inflator module

Do not drive

Recall 18V-402 · Jun 15, 2018 · 308,591 vehicles · 29,226 repaired

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

11%repaired · 2019 Q4

Passenger side: inflator module

Do not drive

Recall 18V-404 · Jun 15, 2018 · 4,184 vehicles · 467 repaired

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

14%repaired · 2018 Q4

Driver side: inflator module

Do not drive

Recall 17V-474 · Jul 26, 2017 · 308,992 vehicles · 42,217 repaired

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

28%repaired · 2018 Q4

Delivery: fuel pump

Recall 17V-354 · Jun 1, 2017 · 69,447 vehicles · 19,427 repaired

Risk. If the fuel pump pipe cracks, fuel may leak, increasing the risk of a fire.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 1 more recall
31%repaired · 2018 Q4

Delivery: fuel pump

Recall 16V-793 · Oct 31, 2016 · 69,447 vehicles · 21,549 repaired

Risk. The deteriorated seals may leak fuel, which, in the presence of an ignition source, can increase the risk of a fire.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

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.

Best & worst years

2006 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

2006 Mazda RX-8 safety ratings

2006 Mazda RX-8 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

2006 Mazda RX-8 frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
2006 Mazda RX-8 side barrier test, NHTSA
Side barrierNot rated
  • Stability control: Optional
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
4 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2006 Mazda RX-8, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Air Bag Inflator RuptureEA15001 · still open
    Led to recall 18V-031
  2. Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureEA21002 · still open
    Open
  3. CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET FAILUREPE09045 · closed Aug 19, 2010
    No recall
  4. Air Bag Inflator RupturePE14016 · closed Mar 2, 2015
    Led to recall 14V-700
In owners' words

What RX-8 owners report

Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

PASSENGER AIRBAG COVER IS CRACKED ALL OVER, WAS TOLD IT WAS FROM THE AIRBAG. DOING THE RECALL FOR THE PASSENGER AIRBAG AND WAITING ON THE FUEL TANK RECALL.
Complaint 10968835 · Mar 27, 2017 · 65,000 miles
THE PASSENGER AIRBAG COVER IS CRACKED REALLY BAD. I'VE GOT A NOTICE SAYING THERE WAS A RECALL FOR AIRBAGS. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE INFLATORS ONLY LEAVING THE OLD AIRBAG IN THERE.
Complaint 10909804 · Sep 26, 2016 · 80,000 miles
I PURCHASED/FINANCED MY VEHICLE ON OCTOBER 9, 2015 AT HILLTOP NISSAN (258 ROUTE 10, EAST HANOVER, NJ 07936) AT 59,201 MILES. ON APRIL 7, 2016, I WENT TO START THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. I HAD IT TOWED TO MAZDA OF LODI, SO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT CAN TAKE A LOOK AT THE VEHICLE. THE…
Complaint 10860001 · Apr 18, 2016 · 63,545 miles

Own a 2006 RX-8?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.