Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
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. I was able to pull over safely while rolling as the engine had been disabled in the explosion. I could feel my left foot was in extreme pain. My car would not start. I feared that the engine had blown up. My car is very well maintained and serviced regularly with no modifications. What I discovered was that the transmission had detonated, the gearbox bell housing was torn apart (got pictures to prove it) and I found parts of the clutch in many tiny pieces all over the roads. The clutch was replaced by Mazda 30,000kms ago and at a Mazda dealership using OEM clutch kit. …
"Takata recall" my power stering goes out all the time doesnt matter if im sitting still or im going down the high way. It does eventually come back on but does go back off. It also will cause my stering wheel to jurk left and right by itself cause me to swerve in an out of lanes. It got to the point now where I have the power stering unplugged so that it doesnt jerk my wheel while driving. I just need to know if there is a recall that will pay to fix this cause its getting dangerous. Please contact back with any info
I was slowing down at an intersection and pushed in the clutch pedal to put the car in neutral and slow down. When I did this the clutch pedal snapped and went all the way to the floor. I was unable to use the clutch to shift at this point. I was lucky enough that I was on a downhill slope so I was able to shift into second gear and get enough momentum to drive the rest of the way home, but I was stalled in traffic until I did get the speed I needed to get into gear.
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 times, then clutch would engage less than 2 inches of travel from floor. Pedal moves back and forth side ways as well..
The clutch pedal (already a known problem by Mazda, but no recall has yet been announced) cracked while I was driving last year. I was on hwy 13 in minnesota and barely got control of my speed (was barely able to maintain use of the clutch) it sat until I could get it repaired, the same pedal is now craking in another spot, working on getting it repaired before it breaks again, this time will reinforce it.
I was driving down the road and I went to slow down at a light and when I pressed the clutch pedal to engage the brake I heard a pop and my clutch felt like it was shifting to the side and it barely cuts off enough to come out of gear. I inspected the the assembly by looking under the steering wheel and I found that a weld had snapped.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Mazda RX-8. When the ignition was started and the accelerator pedal was applied, the gear shifter was activated and the clutch pedal assembly bracket snapped. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.
The clutch pedal assembly broke where it attaches to the vehicle. This is the second time this has happened. When I bought the card 21 months ago it was broken. I had it replaced by a mechanic with an OEM replacement and it has now occurred again but in a different position.
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.
I have a 2004 Mazda rx8 with only 51,000 miles on the car. I recently, within the last month or two, noticed a squeaking noise coming from the pedal area. I thought I just need some lube or wd40 down there to stop the noise. This was not the case! Yesterday, while at a traffic light, I go to engage the clutch to put into first gear and take off, and I hear a pop. I couldn't go anywhere, I couldn't get the car in gear or move at all. Something had happened and I didn't know what. While in the middle of a huge intersection I am in a stationary position while cars are passing me. I was lucky enough to have someone stop and help me push the car down the street, where a local Mazda dealership was. Mazda tech's take a look at it and tell me my clutch bracket is broke! …
Related recalls
Power train › Manual transmission
On certain passenger vehicles with manual transmissions, the heat insulator May be cracked causing abnormal noise.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the heat insulator. The recall began March 5, 2004. Owners should contact Mazda at 1-800-222-5500.
NHTSA investigations
Clutch pedal bracket failure
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…
Transmission complaints in other RX-8 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2004 Mazda RX-8?
NHTSA has 154 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2004 Mazda RX-8, 31% of the model year's 490 complaints. The component named most often is manual transmission (75 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Mazda RX-8 transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 04V-075 (manual transmission, Feb 17, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2004 Mazda RX-8 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 2 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.