Complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | vs. typical* | Recalls | Top problem | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 4 | −85% | 3 | Fuel System | Good |
| 2010 | 5 | −81% | 4 | Seat Belt | Good |
| 2009 | 8 | −70% | 4 | Transmission | Good |
| 2008 | 17 | −52% | 5 | Airbag | Good |
| 2007 | 38 | 2.1× | 5 | Airbag | Avoid |
| 2006 | 60 | 2.8× | 5 | Airbag | Avoid |
| 2005 | 162 | 8.8× | 6 | Transmission | Avoid |
| 2004 | 490 | 27.3× | 10 | Transmission | Avoid |
* Complaints compared with the median RX-8 year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.
Most common Mazda RX-8 problems
Latest Mazda RX-8 recalls
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2009-2011 RX-8 and 2006-2007 MazdaSpeed6 vehicles. Fuel may leak from the fuel pump mounting rings.
Remedy: Dealers will install new fuel pump mounting rings. Dealers will also add a thermal insulation pad to the fuel tank on RX-8 vehicles. Repairs will be performed free of charge.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
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.
Remedy: 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.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2010-2011 Mazda RX-8 vehicles that were previously recalled under recall 18V-716 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…
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
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,…
Remedy: 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.
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
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,…
Remedy: 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.
Frequently asked questions
What years of the Mazda RX-8 should you avoid?
2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 — these years have the most complaints relative to other RX-8 years at the same age, led by transmission & drivetrain problems in the 2004.
What is the best year for the Mazda RX-8?
2011 has the fewest complaints compared with other RX-8 years at the same age, followed by 2010 and 2009. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.
What are the most common Mazda RX-8 problems?
Across all years, owners report the most problems with the transmission & drivetrain (235), engine & cooling (188) and air bags (114). Transmission complaints peak in the 2004 model year.
How many recalls has the Mazda RX-8 had?
14 recalls across 2004–2011. The model year with the most is 2004. See all Mazda RX-8 recalls by year.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.