MYRModel Year Report

2005 Mazda RX-8

○ Not enough data
2005 Mazda RX-8
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:48:24.491Z

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
162
Recalls
6

Campaigns on file for 2005

Investigations
4

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Power train

34% of complaints

Complaints per year

2004: 490 complaints 2004 2005: 162 complaints 2005 162 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: 490 complaints 2004 2005: 162 complaints 2005 162 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: 490 complaints 2004 2005: 162 complaints 2005 162 2006: 60 complaints 2006 2007: 38 complaints 2007 2008: 17 complaints 2008 2009: 8 complaints 2009 2010: 5 complaints 2010 2011: 4 complaints 2011

2005: 162 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
2004490
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

34% · 55 reports

Most commonly citing manual transmission and clutch assembly.

INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Driving my Mazda RX8 last night on a local highway shifting from fifth to sixth gear the clutch pedal gave way and doing 65MPH and stuck itself under the brake pedal had to shut the car off and hit the e brake to stop. Lucky im not dead.

NHTSA ODI report, 2016-07-21

Engine and engine cooling

18% · 29 reports

Most commonly citing engine and cooling system.

Air bags

15% · 24 reports

Most commonly citing side/window and frontal.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owned a 2005 Mazda RX-8. While driving 55 MPH, the vehicle was involved in a front end collision. The air bags did not deploy. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the junk yard.

NHTSA ODI report, 2019-03-12

Tl* the contact owned a 2005 Mazda RX-8. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the contact veered to the left to avoid hitting a deer. As a result, the contact crashed into a tree. The air bags failed to deploy.

NHTSA ODI report, 2015-02-19

Airbags failed to deploy after front and side impact accident resulting in significant damage (Vehicle might be totaled). Speed at impact was approximately 40 to 60 mpg resulting in injury to driver and passenger.

NHTSA ODI report, 2008-10-05

Steering

10% · 17 reports

Most commonly citing electric power assist system.

Fuel/propulsion system

7% · 12 reports
FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Fuel leak at gas tank area caused massive fire.

NHTSA ODI report, 2021-03-29

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. 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 →

  2. I
    2009-09-23Preliminary evaluationClosed 2010-08-19 Clutch pedal bracket failure
  3. I
    2014-06-11Preliminary evaluationClosed 2015-03-02 Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  4. I
    2015-02-24Engineering analysisOpen Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  5. 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 →

  6. 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 →

  7. 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 →

  8. 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 →

  9. R
    2018-07-06Air bags18V404000 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...

    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. The recall began July 9, 2019 for RX-8 vehicles.

    Check if this car was fixed →

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

Buy-smart checklist

2005 Mazda RX-8 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 55 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 29 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 24 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 05V317000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 16V793000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 17V354000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 17V474000 · Air bags
  • Recall 18V402000 · Air bags
  • Recall 18V404000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

FAQ

Is the 2005 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 2005 Mazda RX-8?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 34% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2005 Mazda RX-8 have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.