MYRModel Year Report

2004 Mazda RX-8

○ Not enough data
2004 Mazda RX-8
BUILT 2026-10-10

Not enough comparison years on file yet for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
489
Recalls
10

Campaigns on file for 2004

Investigations
4

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Power train

32% of complaints

Complaints per year

2004: 489 complaints 2004 489 2005: 162 complaints 2005 2006: 60 complaints 2006 2007: 38 complaints 2007 2008: 17 complaints 2008 2009: 8 complaints 2009 2010: 5 complaints 2010 2011: 4 complaints 2011
2004: 489 complaints 2004 489 2005: 162 complaints 2005 2006: 60 complaints 2006 2007: 38 complaints 2007 2008: 17 complaints 2008 2009: 8 complaints 2009 2010: 5 complaints 2010 2011: 4 complaints 2011
2004: 489 complaints 2004 489 2005: 162 complaints 2005 2006: 60 complaints 2006 2007: 38 complaints 2007 2008: 17 complaints 2008 2009: 8 complaints 2009 2010: 5 complaints 2010 2011: 4 complaints 2011

2004: 489 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
2004489
2005162
200660
200738
200817
20098
20105
20114

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Power train

32% · 156 reports

Most commonly citing manual transmission and clutch assembly.

CRASHINJURY

Engine and engine cooling

23% · 111 reports

Most commonly citing engine and exhaust system.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

There is contamination in the oil. So much so that it is impossible to check the oil. I've gone 3000 miles and never been able to check the oil.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-03-22

Steering

17% · 81 reports

Most commonly citing power steering fluid.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-02-04

Also filed under Suspension

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Mazda RX-8. The contact stated that the driver was traveling 35 MPH when another vehicle crashed into the vehicle preceding the contact.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-06-12

Also filed under Air bags

On April 3,2012 at 10PM in buffalo ny. I was driving my 04 RX8 around a bend at 35MPH. I experienced a jerk/twitch in the power steering.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-04-28

Air bags

10% · 50 reports

Most commonly citing frontal.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

"Takata recall"-car starts when cold,then it dies in the traffic,got engerys pushing car out of traffic,like car but it has lots of recalls and needs to be fixed right away.won't drive madza 2004 after this happened.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-03-26

The consumer was involved in an accident in which he lost control of his vehicle. None of the air bag deploed although the vehicle was a total loss.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-08-16

For a year I have responded to every notice for a recall repair (7 total) Mazda has not repaired my vehicle or scheduled its repair. My recall ID is 016742248 and my Campaign Number is 100409.

NHTSA ODI report, 2025-07-21

Engine

7% · 33 reports
FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

The contact owns a 2004 Mazda RX-8. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-05-23

Safety timeline

10 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2004-03-05Air bags04V074000 As a result of an ncap test, certain passenger vehicles are being recalled for improperly wired front passenger seat air bags.

    Remedy: Dealers will install a new wiring harness in the front passenger seat air bag system. The recall began March 5, 2004. Owners should contact Mazda at 1-800-222-5500.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2004-03-05Power train04V075000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2005-08-30Suspension05V325000 On certain passenger vehicles, due to improper forging of the lower control arm, cracks may occur in the ball joint socket.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the control arms. The recall began on August 30, 2005. Owners may contact Mazda at 1-800-222-5500.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2005-08-30Engine and engine cooling05V317000 If certain passenger vehicles are parked and the engine is operated at high RPM's for an excessive length of time, some of the parts around the exhaust system can melt and produce a variety of…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace parts. The recall began on August 30, 2005. Owners may contact Mazda at 1-800-222-5500.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. I
    2009-09-23Preliminary evaluationClosed 2010-08-19 Clutch pedal bracket failure
  6. I
    2014-06-11Preliminary evaluationClosed 2015-03-02 Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  7. I
    2015-02-24Engineering analysisOpen Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  8. R
    2017-07-31Fuel system, gasoline16V793000 Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RX-8 vehicles manufactured April 10, 2003, to February 18, 2008.

    Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump sealing ring set and add a thermal insulation pad to the fuel tank, free of charge. The recall began July 31, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    2017-07-31Suspension17V355000 Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2004 Mazda RX-8 vehicles. The ball joint socket on the front suspension lower control arm may crack and the ball joint may separate from the socket.

    Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front lower control arms, free of charge. The recall began on July 31, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1117E.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. R
    2017-07-31Fuel system, gasoline17V354000 Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RX-8 vehicles. Heat from the engine and the exhaust may cause the main fuel pump pipe to crack.

    Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump filter kit, free of charge. The recall began on July 31, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1017E.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. R
    2017-09-12Air bags17V474000 Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2004-2008 RX-8, and 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 vehicles.

    Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  12. R
    2018-07-06Air bags18V402000 Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 and 2004 MPV vehicles nationwide.

    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. The recall began July 6, 2018.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  13. R
    2019-12-03Air bags19V781000 Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2004-2005 MPV, 2004 RX-8, and 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 vehicles.

    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. The recall began December 3, 2019.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  14. I
    2021-09-17Engineering analysisOpen Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Buy-smart checklist

2004 Mazda RX-8 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 156 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 111 reports on file for this year.
  • Steering: 81 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 04V074000 · Air bags
  • Recall 04V075000 · Power train
  • Recall 05V325000 · Suspension
  • Recall 05V317000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 16V793000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 17V355000 · Suspension
  • Recall 17V354000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 17V474000 · Air bags
  • Recall 18V402000 · Air bags
  • Recall 19V781000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

FAQ

Is the 2004 Mazda RX-8 reliable?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Mazda RX-8?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 32% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2004 Mazda RX-8 have?
10 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.