Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Mazda RX-8 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The electric power steering randomly pulls hard to one side while driving. There are brief spasms of forceful jerks each jerk is 1-2 seconds the series of jerks lasts 10-20 seconds and usually stops with power steering failure all while driving.
There has been countless times where I am driving and my steering just wants to fail. OK so now it fails and sometimes, without warning, jerks my wheel one direction. If I am not paying attention I could easily sideswip another car. It has done it while driving 55 MPH and I have hit the center medium bending my rim and destroying my tire. I have brought it into the dealership and they can never get it with the light on. I have paid for two diagnostics where they have not been able to diagnos the issue. The one time I got it in they were able to see the light but once they plugged their stuff in it disappeared. They then said the terminals just needed to get cleaned charging me for that and less then 1 day later the issue was back. Sometimes it also does just fail when sitting stationary as well and the wheel just starts turning itself and eventually the light comes on. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Mazda RX-8. While driving at 70 MPH, the steering wheel independently turned in both directions. As a result, the contact crashed into a curb and the air bags failed to deploy. The contact did not sustain any injuries. A police report was not filed. In addition, the contact noticed that the rear passenger wheel well was curved and fractured. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician was unable to diagnose or repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 95,000. The VIN was unavailable.
On September 15th, 2016 I had stopped to vacuum out my car at a car wash on highway 11 in attalla, al. Upon leaving the car wash I turned left onto pleasant valley rd at a slow speed in first gear. As I was turning I shifted into second gear I hear a breaking noise and the steering wheel abruptly spun to the left as the car went in a deep ditch flipping onto its roof, then hitting a small culvert and landing on it's side. As I was inspecting the vehicle to see what might have happened, the passenger lower control had broken and the ball joint had separated from the control arm.
Synopsis: power steering going crazy at highway speeds. Starting approx 2 years ago, the power steering would shudder, or jerk back and forth, when turning the steering wheel (somewhat sharply), for several minutes after the car was started. This happened exclusively in cold weather, and at low speeds. Once the car was in motion for a few minutes, the behavior would cease. The colder the weather, the stronger the jerking (it seems). However, a few weeks ago, the steering exhibiting the "normal" amount of shudder, and then stopped as usual. But a few minutes later when I was traveling on a highway (at highway speeds), in relatively straight line, the steering suddenly began violently jerking back and forth. Needless to say this was disconcerting. I was able to control the car using both hands (I am a strong athletic male). The event lasted about 5-10 seconds. …
Electric-assist power steering, randomly in the parking lot the wheel will turn all by itself, one way turns easier than the other, sometimes you have no power steering and other times your steering wheel turns like butter, I live in the mountains with a very windy and dangerous roads, I've taken it to several mechanics finally one mechanic just unplug the wiring harness so there is no power steering. It is very scary to drive especially with a newborn baby. There are a lot of cars on the road with this issue I know 10 different people that have some sort of power steering issue. This is very dangerous and I'm surprised there is not a recall yet on it. …
On April 3,2012 at 10 pm in buffalo ny. I was driving my 04 rx8 around a bend at 35mph. I experienced a jerk/twitch in the power steering. The indicator light came on instantly I lost the steering sending me into the front of a steel divider of a train bridge. I was taken to ecmc by ambulance. I luckily only suffered minor injuries to my back neck ribs head and shoulder. I am not one to sue nor am I'm going to pursue any legal action against Mazda. I will say my airbags did not deploy my car was considered totaled $10,000 in damage. I just thought anyone looking to buy an rx8 should read on numerous sites that this malfunction is an extremely common problem that Mazda is aware about but still does not wish to post a TSB or a recall. Love the car but have lost faith in Mazda. Sincerely unhappy owner.
I have had my electronicaly assisted steering go out on me and pose a serious risk to me and others while I drive. This was 1st noticed with a slight shutter or kickback when turning the steering wheel, while I did notify the dealership; they told me that unless there was a code they could not do anything. This was after it was already replaced with a re-manufactured one. When I had my car towed to the dealership the tow guy even stated to the dealer that the steering indicator light was on. But when the car was started at the dealer the light was not on. I've had to drive this way for a while now and it has become worse to where the steering wheel locks up and is hard to turn, almost causing me to hit another vehicle 80% of the time I drive.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Mazda RX-8. While driving 20 MPH, the electric power steering failed intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed, but the mechanic was unable to provide an accurate description of the cause of the failure. The contact was informed that the failure May be due to the rack and pinion or an electrical fault with the power steering. The electric connector was removed, cleaned, dielectric grease was added to the connector, and the connector was re-installed; however, the failure recurred. Kelly Mazda (1200 wyoming ave, scranton, pa 18509, [phone]) was contacted. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000. The VIN was not available.
I was driving on the freeway and when I wanted to take my exit I noticed that my power steering (assisted steering) gave out without any warning or precondition that it was failing. The steering was really heavy and almost made me crash into a divider, which really scared me. I then had to drive all the way home with out any power steering. I have thus spent several hundred dollars at the mechanic so they can figure out the problem. They have told me the problem is with the computer module that controls the power steering and it will need to be replaced. The mechanic directed me here to file a complaint because they said it is a common fault in this car and should be brought up to Mazda's attention.
Steering complaints in other RX-8 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2004 Mazda RX-8?
NHTSA has 80 complaints about the steering of the 2004 Mazda RX-8, 16% of the model year's 490 complaints. The component named most often is hydraulic power assist › power steering fluid (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Mazda RX-8 steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2004 Mazda RX-8, though it has 10 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2004 Mazda RX-8 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 89,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 8 crashes, 0 fires and 4 injuries to steering problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.