Model year
2004 Mazda RX-8
NHTSA lists 10 recalls and 490 complaints for the 2004 Mazda RX-8 (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). 3 recalls marked do not drive. The components listed on the most complaints are STEERING (80), POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION (75), AIR BAGS (49). NHTSA lists 4 investigations, including 2 investigations with no close date in the file. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 18 mpg combined (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $4,550, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2004 490 complaints
- 2005 162 complaints
- 2006 60 complaints
- 2007 38 complaints
- 2008 17 complaints
- 2009 8 complaints
- 2010 5 complaints
- 2011 4 complaints
Recalls
19V781000 · Oct 31, 2019
Do not driveAIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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.…
18V402000 · Jun 15, 2018
Do not driveAIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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,…
17V474000 · Jul 26, 2017
Do not driveAIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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…
17V355000 · Jun 1, 2017
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
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 · Jun 1, 2017
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
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 · Oct 31, 2016
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
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 · Jul 20, 2005
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, DUE TO IMPROPER FORGING OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM, CRACKS MAY OCCUR IN THE BALL JOINT SOCKET.
05V317000 · Jul 7, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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…
04V075000 · Feb 17, 2004
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS, THE HEAT INSULATOR MAY BE CRACKED CAUSING ABNORMAL NOISE.
04V074000 · Feb 17, 2004
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
AS A RESULT OF AN NCAP TEST, CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ARE BEING RECALLED FOR IMPROPERLY WIRED FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAGS.
Complaints
490 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 17, fire flag on 10, injury field 15, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE09045 | CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET FAILURE · POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY; POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE); POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION | Sep 23, 2009 | Aug 19, 2010 |
| PE14016 | Air Bag Inflator Rupture · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL; AIR BAGS | Jun 11, 2014 | Mar 2, 2015 |
| EA15001 | Air Bag Inflator Rupture · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL; AIR BAGS | Feb 24, 2015 | No close date in the file |
| EA21002 | Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE | Sep 17, 2021 | No close date in the file |
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RX-8 · 1.3L · Manual 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 16 | 22 | 18 | — | — | $4,550 |
| RX-8 · 1.3L · Automatic (S4) · Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 16 | 22 | 18 | — | — | $4,550 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2004 Mazda RX-8 at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.