Is the 2006 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 2006 Mazda RX-8?

The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 28% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2006 Mazda RX-8 have?

5 recalls on file for this model year.

2006 Mazda RX-8

○ Not enough data

2006 Mazda RX-8
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:49:31.121Z

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: 60
Recalls: 5
Investigations: 4
Top problem: Air bags

Complaints per year

2006: 60 complaints

View as data table

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

Known problem areas

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

Air bags

28% · 17 reports

Power train

22% · 13 reports

Most commonly citing manual transmission and pedal/hand lever(motorcycle).

Show complaint excerpts

I was driving to work on the evening of February 21ST.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-03-07

Clutch pedal snap off issue with RX-8 owners continues to be a serious safety concern, as the welds holding the pedal together can and will snap, leaving the driver unable to change gears or use their vehicle, even if in operation and at highway...

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-11-20

Around 07/04/2013, my clutch start to give me a few problems. The major one was that the clutch pedal would not respond how it normally should. I would stick and eventually made it very hard to shift into first gear and reverse.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-07-08

Also filed under Vehicle speed control

Visibility

15% · 9 reports

Show complaint excerpts

While driving, during normal positioning of sun visor, the visor split and fell down, hanging by the electrical wires and dangling in front of my face. It was difficult to see until I could pull off the road.

NHTSA ODI report, 2006-08-08

Driver side sun visor failure blocks driver's visibility.

NHTSA ODI report, 2006-07-18

Steering

10% · 6 reports

Fuel/propulsion system

10% · 6 reports

Safety timeline

5 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first

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

I
2009-09-23Preliminary evaluationClosed 2010-08-19 Clutch pedal bracket failure
I
2014-06-11Preliminary evaluationClosed 2015-03-02 Air Bag Inflator Rupture
I
2015-02-24Engineering analysisOpen Air Bag Inflator Rupture
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
I
2021-09-17Engineering analysisOpen Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Buy-smart checklist

2006 Mazda RX-8 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

Air bags: 17 reports on file for this year.
Power train: 13 reports on file for this year.
Visibility: 9 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

Recall 16V793000 · Fuel system, gasoline
Recall 17V354000 · Fuel system, gasoline
Recall 17V474000 · Air bags
Recall 18V402000 · Air bags
Recall 18V404000 · Air bags

FAQ

Is the 2006 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 2006 Mazda RX-8?: The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 28% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2006 Mazda RX-8 have?: 5 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.