2004 Mazda RX-8
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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 489 |
| 2005 | 162 |
| 2006 | 60 |
| 2007 | 38 |
| 2008 | 17 |
| 2009 | 8 |
| 2010 | 5 |
| 2011 | 4 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
16% of complaints: steering — 80 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow 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, 20180204
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, 20120612
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, 20120428
15% of complaints: power train — 75 distinct reports on file.
10% of complaints: air bags — 49 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow 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, 20180326
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, 20120612
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. *JB *NM
NHTSA ODI report, 20040816
9% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 46 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIREShow 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, 20040322
8% of complaints: power train — 38 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYSAFETY TIMELINE
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.
Campaign 04V074000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 04V075000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 05V325000 — check if this car was fixed
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 MALFUNC
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE PARTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 30, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.
Campaign 05V317000 — check if this car was fixed
CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET FAILURE
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
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.
Campaign 16V793000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 17V355000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 17V354000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 17V474000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 18V402000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 19V781000 — check if this car was fixed
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2004 Mazda RX-8 — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for steering issues (80 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for power train issues (75 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (49 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 04V074000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 04V075000 (power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 05V325000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 05V317000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
- Verify recall 16V793000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 17V355000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 17V354000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 17V474000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V402000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19V781000 (air bags) has been completed.
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 steering, accounting for 16% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2004 Mazda RX-8 have?
10 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.