10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
35,133 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2004 Mazda RX-8 engine problems

engine problem

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2004 Mazda RX-8 Owner Comments (Page 2 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #26

May 182009

RX-8

  • 46,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have a 2004 Mazda RX8 and I bought it 4 months ago it has 48500 and it keeps stopping in the middle of the road it gets hot and will turn off while running. If I stop at a light it will turn off. It has been sent to 2 different Mazda places been put on machines after machine sent to 2 shop and can't find a solution and no body knows what the problem is not even the Mazda dealer the dealer put a new converter and said it was fixed but, its been in the shop two more times now the warranty is out and they think it might be, because its not warmed up in the morning, but do not guarantee it yah right I live in Texas. Well if the Mazda dealer don't know who does? this is very dangerous, I could have a bad wreck because of this problem.please tell me who to contact.

- Comanche, TX, USA

problem #25

Jul 012008

RX-8

  • 50,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Mazda Rx-8. while driving 40-60 mph, the vehicle stalled. The contact waited 30 minutes before the vehicle resumed normal operation. The dealer could not remedy the issue with the engine. The vehicle is currently at the dealer for diagnostic testing. The contact feels that the vehicle is unsafe to drive because it can shut off without warning. The current mileage was 81,206 and failure mileage was 50,000.

- South Elgin, IL, USA

problem #24

May 112009

(reported on)

RX-8

  • miles
2004 Mazda RX8 is experiencing the same recall problem as the 2005-08 Mazda RX8. The consumer stated his vehicle failed emissions due to an evaporator leak.

- Minetto, NY, USA

problem #23

Nov 042008

RX-8

  • 38,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Mazda has replaced the engine in my 2004 RX8 3 times in the last 700 miles. They keep saying bad rotary engine but this is terrible. How many more engines will it take"?"

- Ooltewah, TN, USA

problem #22

Jul 122008

RX-8

  • 50,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Mazda RX8. The contact noticed a failure with the engine on four different occasions. The vehicle lost power and would not accelerate properly. She also noticed a burnt, rubbery smell coming from the passenger console. She took the vehicle to the dealer three times and they stated that she needed a new motor. The dealer replaced the first motor in July of 2008 during her third visit. The contact noted that the dealer would attempt to repair the issue, but she was never able to drive home successfully without a failure occurring. She was recently informed that a second new motor would be needed. The vehicle has not yet been repaired. The manufacturer has not been notified. The current mileage was approximately 59,000 and failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

- Birmingham, AL, USA

problem #21

Dec 012008

RX-8

  • 40,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Mazda Rx-8. while driving between 30-40 mph, the vehicle stalled and all the gears lost power. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer to repair the fluid issues and have the spark plugs changed, but the failures persist. The vehicle is currently in the shop. The current and failure mileages were 40,000.

- Elmwood Park, IL, USA

problem #20

Nov 012008

RX-8

  • 8,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2004 Mazda RX8. While driving 15 mph, the vehicle made a creaking noise whenever the steering wheel was turned. He took the vehicle to a local repair shop and the mechanic stated that there was a tear line crack in the lower control arm in the suspension. The contact received a recall notice in 2005 for NHTSA campaign id number 05V325000 (suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint) and the manufacturer repaired the vehicle for free. The failure has recurred, but the manufacturer refuses to repair the vehicle according to the recall. He believes that the component that was used to previously repair the vehicle was faulty; therefore, the manufacturer should be responsible for the repairs. The check engine indicator would randomly illuminate while driving various speeds. A local mechanic stated that the vehicle experienced a ruptured oil cooling line. During the repair, the technician noticed that the oil pan was perforated and leaking oil. The oil pan needed to be replaced; however, the oil cooling line was replaced. The mechanic stated that this was all caused by rust. The contact was unable to find a recall for the failure, but believed it should have also been recalled by the manufacturer. The approximate failure mileage was 8,000 and current mileage was 42,000.

- Balatie, NY, USA

problem #19

Nov 202008

RX-8

  • 51,000 miles
I'm having problems with my 2004 Mazda RX8 I had a replace engine on my car and the car had a engine flooded before and now last night doesn't want 2 start and there's are a few recalls for this car and I want 2 take actions with Mazda.

- Newyork, NY, USA

problem #18

Jul 012008

RX-8

  • miles
2004 Mazda RX8 with water mixing in with the oil. Consumer states that the mechanic stated that water in the oil was normal and how the vehicle vented. There was red antifreeze in the vehicle and green antifreeze should have been used. The dip stick was covered in a hard, crystallized, orange/white substance. The vehicle overheated and steam emitted from the vehicle. After inspecting the vehicle, it was determined that the thermostat had malfunctioned. The consumer was informed that because the wrong anti-freeze had been used, there may be future cooling issues with the vehicle.

- Central Islip, NY, USA

problem #17

Jan 042007

RX-8 4-cyl

  • 38,632 miles
I purchased my vehicle on 12/5/06 at russel Mazda in catonsville, md. Very satisfied with the look of the vehicle and having no prior knowledge the vehicle I made my decision to purchase. Several of my family members own Mazda"S and believe in your vehicles but none own the Rx-8. on 1/4/07, after moving a short distance to park the vehicle, the vehicle wouldn?T restart 5 minutes later. Vehicle had to be towed back to russel Mazda in catonsville for service. Dealer states ?no start condition. Car towed in. Customer hears a whining sound from under the hood when trying to star engine. Engine does not turn over, ?possible starter?. car flooded, de-flooded car as per bulletin #01-048/06xxb479R1//.3 ? procedure ?a? only. After believing this problem was resolved, I assumed everything was ok. To no avail, on April 4, 2008, due to an emergency, once again I had to drive the vehicle a short distance. After parking vehicle at home for 2 days during a short illness, I went to start vehicle to go to work vehicle wouldn?T start. ?de-javu?! I waited a few minutes and tried to start vehicle again. After that, I had to call out of work advising them of car trouble. I then waited 4 hours to try starting again, still no start. I called the castle Ford/Mazda in beltsville who advised me to tow vehicle in. Once unit arrived, after one week of waiting for results of diagnosis, vehicle was flooded again. The dealer gave me an initial repair estimate of $850. I was able to have them lower that amount to $650. My trust in Mazda"S products has truly been tarnished.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #16

Mar 132008

RX-8

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have a 2004 Mazda rx 8. the engine had to be replaced at 11,000 miles due to low compression and other issues. 10,000 miles later I am getting the same symptoms in the new engine. My dealer is great, but the car is a lemon.

- Mcmurray, PA, USA

problem #15

Jan 282008

RX-8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 20,000 miles
I am the original owner of a 2004 RX8. My engine floods regularly, I am afraid to valet my car due to this constant problem. My driver's side visor failed, I had to replace out of pocket, now the dealer is saying my car has low compression and suggest I trade it in as soon as possible. They do not want to replace my engine as I am over the warranty period. This is my first and last Mazda.

- Woodland Hills, CA, USA

problem #14

Nov 112007

RX-8 6-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 45,000 miles
2004.

- La Mesa, CA, USA

problem #13

Aug 242007

RX-8

  • Manual transmission
  • 36,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Mazda Rx-8. while driving 35 mph, the vehicle stalled and shut off. The check engine light illuminated after the stalling occurred. The vehicle was unable to be restarted and was towed to the dealer. On June 24, 2007, the dealer replaced the coil, however, it failed to work and the dealer replaced the engine. This also did not correct the failure and the vehicle was taken to the dealer again. The failure was diagnosed as the coil a second time and the dealer was in the process of replacing the engine approximately one week ago. The engine size, number of cylinders, and a valid VIN were unknown. The current and failure mileages were 36,000.

- Lexington, SC, USA

problem #12

Nov 022006

RX-8

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Numerous problems with excessive heat in engine compartment. Car loses or lacks power. Car has died many times. Vehicle had to be towed twice to dealer. Vehicle has been in the dealer for service over 7 times. Vehicle has under 32000 miles. Today: 2 Nov 2006. Car had to be towed to dealer. Car died in the middle of the road. I picked up car yesterday from dealer after being repaired from similar (power) problems. I have been without a car too many times.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #11

Jul 232005

RX-8 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 19,000 miles
: the contact stated that while trying to accelerate from an intersection, the vehicle lost power, and the engine lost all pickup. The vehicle was taken to a service dealer, where the dealer was unable to specifically determine the problem. The engine was replaced, but the problems continued.

- South Jordan, UT, USA

problem #10

Sep 282005

RX-8

  • miles
3 months after purchase of 2004 Rx-8 battery and spark plugs needed to be replaced. One several occasions the vehicle would not start. The vehicle's battery was replaced twice and had to be charged three times. The spark plugs were replaced three times. The computer was reprogrammed. The engine was replaced to alleviate stalling. The catalytic converter, 02 sensor, amplifier and starter were also replaced.

- Sparta, NJ, USA

problem #9

Jan 232004

RX-8

  • miles
2004 Mazda rx 8 has many design defects, battery was replaced, spark plugs and oil filter was replaced 3 months after purchase. The started was replaced. The vehicle was stalling in traffic and was taking multiple times to try to restart the vehicle. After numerous times of the vehicle being towed, the dealership decided to replace the entire engine. After the replacement of the engine, the engine light illuminated and the vehicle was still not starting smoothly. The dash lights were blinking on and off and the heat was not working. The catalytic converter, 02 sensor, and A/C amplifier. The heater control switch was replaced. The sun visor was replaced.

- Sparta, NJ, USA

problem #8

Nov 072005

RX-8 0-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 16,400 miles
I received 2 safety recall notices on my RX8. I took the car to the dealer where I leased the vehicle and I thought they corrected and/or inspected the problem. Over the course of the past 60 days, the service I have received has been unsatisfactory and I have been lead to believe that the dealer may not have addressed the safety recall issues. (cracked ball joint and heat insulation). I have a check engine light problem and I think they don't know what to do, to the point they will replace the engine. This will inevitably cause my vehicle to lose value.

- Harlingen, TX, USA

problem #7

Oct 052005

RX-8

  • miles
I purchased the car in March 2004. During the time span of July 2004-October 2005 the car has been in the service dept. For failure to start and engine failure during driving the car. October 5, 2005 the dealership told me to pick up the car that it was fixed. I went and picked up the car and started home in the car the car quit running on the interstate at 70 miles per hour and myself and two children were almost hit by two big trucks.

- Monteagle, TN, USA

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