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CarsLore / Makes / Mazda / RX-8

Mazda RX-8

Model years 2004–2017 in the US safety record. Years that drew the most complaints: 2004, 2005. Fewest complaints: 2009, 2010, 2011.

784owner complaints
14recall campaigns
1,533service bulletins
14model years on record

Complaints by model year

Each bar is one model year. Highlighted: 2004. The most recent years are still collecting complaints.

’04’06’08’10’12’14’16490’04’07’10’13’16490

NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026

New York safety inspections

Share of first inspections failed on safety, by model year. Older cars fail more as miles build up, so compare each year with the average car of the same year. Best against its own year: 2004.

0.0%0.8%1.6%’04’06’08’10’111.4%0.0%0.8%1.6%’04’07’10’111.4%

NY DMV Vehicle Inspections, initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count

Year by year

Model yearComplaintsRecallsBulletinsCrashes · fires
201700140 · 0
201600200 · 0
201500120 · 0
201400120 · 0
201300120 · 0
201200110 · 0
2011 RX-8431811 · 2
2010 RX-8541830 · 0
2009 RX-8841850 · 0
2008 RX-81751770 · 1
2007 RX-83851872 · 1
2006 RX-86051681 · 0
2005 RX-8Most complaints16261746 · 1
2004 RX-8Most complaints4901019717 · 10

A model year gets its own page when it has enough data for at least three sections

Most common problems

  • Power train235
  • Engine and engine cooling138
  • Air bags114
  • Steering111
  • Engine50
  • Fuel/propulsion system48
  • Electrical system45
  • Unknown or other36

NHTSA ODI complaints, all model years

Fatal crashes in the US

From 2020 to 2023, 16 RX-8 vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died, and 13 people died inside them. These are counts, not crash rates: a model with more cars on the road shows up more often, and people killed outside the vehicle are not counted here.

Model yearVehicles in fatal crashesDeaths in the vehicleRolled over
2010111
2009220
2007221
2006111
2005410
2004660

NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain) · how we count

Crash-test ratings by year

NHTSA 5-star results for 1 model-year variants; not yet fully rated. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

YearVariantOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
20112011 Mazda RX-8 4 DR RWD———★★★★★7.9 %

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain

Fuel consumption by year

Official Canadian test results for 8 model years, best variant per year. Combined consumption ranges from 12.5–12.8 L/100 km.

YearVariantEngineTransmissionCityHighwayCombinedCO₂ g/km
2011RX-8 · Subcompact · Premium gasoline1.3 L, 2 cyl.M614.410.912.8294
2010RX-8 · Subcompact · Premium gasoline1.3 L, 2 cyl.M614.410.912.8294
2009RX-8 · Subcompact · Premium gasoline1.3 L, 2 cyl.M614.410.912.8294
2008RX-8 · Subcompact · Premium gasoline1.3 L, 2 cyl.AS614.510.212.5288
2007RX-8 · Subcompact · Premium gasoline1.3 L, 2 cyl.AS614.510.212.5288
2006RX-8 · Subcompact · Premium gasoline1.3 L, 2 cyl.AS614.510.212.5288
2005RX-8 · Subcompact · Premium gasoline1.3 L, 2 cyl.M614.410.912.8294
2004RX-8 · Subcompact · Premium gasoline1.3 L, 2 cyl.AS414.510.412.6290

Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada

In New Zealand

1,828 RX-8 cars are on the New Zealand register; 88% arrived as used imports.

Model yearRegisteredSold new in NZUsed imports
2013541
2012261214
201113310
20101439
200930029
200850543
20071305119
200627311246
200553815497
200439144325
200335825310

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0

In the Netherlands

498 RX-8 cars are on Dutch roads; 50% arrived later as imports, and 107 still have a recall open. Open a year for APK defects, odometer checks and colours.

First registeredOn the roadImportedMedian list price
20082055%€50,518
20074863%€47,360
200611031%€42,219
20059751%€44,469
200419253%€44,939
20033181%€50,689

RDW Open Data: registered vehicles (CC0) · list price is the manufacturer's catalogue price when new

In Finland

73 RX-8 cars were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026: 100% petrol, 0% diesel. Mileage is the odometer reading at the last inspection.

First registeredIn useAverage mileage
200611142,000 km
200524142,000 km
200429153,000 km
20039140,000 km

Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use, 30 Jun 2026 · CC BY 4.0

In the United Kingdom

1,923 RX-8 cars were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, by year of manufacture.

BuiltLicensedOff the road (SORN)
2011186
20107547
2009200215
2008278414
2007372807
20063691,176
20052441,027
20043071,770
200360359

Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124) · Open Government Licence v3.0

MOT test results in Great Britain

3,366 RX-8 cars took their annual MOT test in 2023; 68% passed first time, against 57% for all cars of the same ages. Older cars fail more often, so compare a year with the same year of other cars.

First registeredTestsPassed first timeAll cars that yearAverage mileage
201011177%60%61,000 mi
200930372%59%64,000 mi
200846368%57%63,800 mi
200769569%57%64,200 mi
200665365%56%67,200 mi
200543866%56%65,500 mi
200458967%56%65,700 mi
200311465%57%65,200 mi

Why they fail

Share of all first tests that ended in a fail because of each part of the car (one test can fail on several).

AreaRX-8All cars, same ages
Noise, emissions and leaks12.2%6.5%
Suspension11.3%17.1%
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment10.5%20.8%
Brakes9.3%12.4%
Body, chassis, structure4.5%8.1%
Tyres4.3%7.3%
Visibility3.9%7.1%
Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems2.1%2.5%

DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests of cars only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail

New registrations in Europe

318 new Mazda RX-8 cars registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland between 2010 and 2016, from the European Environment Agency's CO₂ monitoring of every new car. In 2016 the largest markets were Germany (1).

YearNew carsLargest marketsMass kgCO₂ g/kmPower kW
20161Germany1,390—173
20141Italy1,390—170
201151United Kingdom, France, Greece1,427—167
2010265United Kingdom, Germany, Greece1,388——

Averages are weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value (NEDC until the WLTP switch). European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · re-use permitted with acknowledgement

EU safety alerts

Safety Gate, the European Union's rapid alert system, names the RX-8 in 7 alerts. European versions can differ from the North American car.

A12/00508/22 · Injuries1 Apr 2022 · RX-8 (SE), BT-50, 6 (GG,GY)

When the airbag is activated, a defect in the gas generator of the driver airbag may result in uncontrolled inflation and the release of metal fragments, which can cause injury to the occupants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval a…

A12/00409/22 · Injuries18 Mar 2022 · RX8

The lower front suspension ball joint holder may break and can detach from the from the ball joint, causing directional instability which increases the risk of an accident. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance…

A12/01747/21 · Injuries17 Dec 2021 · CX8 / CX9 /RX8

The propellant airbag inflator may experience a material alteration over time due to degradation occurring after long-term exposure to humidity and may cause the front passenger airbag module to explode when an airbag deploys. The excessive internal pressure m…

A12/01527/21 · Fire12 Nov 2021 · RX-8, 6

The fuel pump caps may crack and the fuel tank cap may loosen.This could result in loss of fuel, increasing the risk of fire. The product does not comply with the requirements laid down in the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of Motor Vehicle…

A12/0022/19 · Injuries11 Jan 2019 · 2, BT-50, 6, CX-7, CX-9, RX-8

The ammonium nitrate propellant used in the air bag inflator may degrade over time due to heat cycles and exposure to moisture. In the event of the passenger frontal airbag being deployed, the excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator body to rupture …

A12/0851/18 · Injuries29 Jun 2018 · RX 8

Cracks can form on the socket of the front lower transverse link. As a consequence, the socket could break and detach from the transverse link which impairs steering.

A12/1201/16 · Injuries30 Sept 2016 · RX-8, B2500/BT-50

The housing of the driver airbag gas generator can burst when the airbag is activated, owing to excessive internal pressure. This could cause the occupants of the vehicle to be injured by metal fragments.

Safety Gate (European Commission) · CC0

Recalls

14 campaigns cover the RX-8; the latest 12 are below.

21V744000 · Fuel system, gasoline24 Sept 2021 · 2009, 2010, 2011

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2009-2011 RX-8 and 2006-2007 MazdaSpeed6 vehicles. Fuel may leak from the fuel pump mounting rings.

19V781000 · Air bags31 Oct 2019 · 2004

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2004-2005 MPV, 2004 RX-8, and 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 vehicles. These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

19V488000 · Air bags24 Jun 2019 · 2010, 2011

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2010-2011 Mazda RX-8 vehicles that were previously recalled under recall 18V-716 but have not yet been repaired. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

18V404000 · Air bags15 Jun 2018 · 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009

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 York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. On July 9, 2019 this recall was expanded to include certain 2005-2009 RX-8 vehicles that were previously recalled under 17V-011 but have not yet been repaired. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

18V403000 · Air bags15 Jun 2018 · 2009, 2010

Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2009-2010 Mazda RX-8 vehicles that were previously recalled under recall 18V-017 but have not yet been repaired. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

18V402000 · Air bags15 Jun 2018 · 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011

Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 and 2004 MPV vehicles nationwide. Mazda is also recalling 2005-2006 MPV vehicles in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. On July 9, 2019 this recall was expanded to include certain 2004-2011 RX-8 vehicles that were previously recalled under 16V-354 but have not yet been repaired. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

17V474000 · Air bags26 Jul 2017 · 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2004-2008 RX-8, and 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion and other factors, including manufacturing variability that, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

17V355000 · Suspension1 Jun 2017 · 2004

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.

17V354000 · Fuel system, gasoline1 Jun 2017 · 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008

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.

16V793000 · Fuel system, gasoline31 Oct 2016 · 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008

Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RX-8 vehicles manufactured April 10, 2003, to February 18, 2008. The affected vehicles have fuel pump sealing rings that may deteriorate due to exposure to heat from the engine or exhaust pipe.

05V325000 · Suspension20 Jul 2005 · 2004

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, DUE TO IMPROPER FORGING OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM, CRACKS MAY OCCUR IN THE BALL JOINT SOCKET.

05V317000 · Engine and engine cooling7 Jul 2005 · 2004, 2005

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 MALFUNCTIONS. PROBLEMS CAUSED BY THE EXCESSIVE HEAT BUILD-UP CAN RANGE FROM INOPERATIVE OXYGEN SENSOR, NEUTRAL SWITCH AND BACK UP LIGHTS, PROBLEMS WITH THE PARKING BRAKES, MALFUNCTIONS OF THE GAS GAUGE AND/OR POSSIBLE FUEL LEAKS RESULTING FROM HEAT DAMAGE TO THE FUEL TANK.

NHTSA recalls