Mazda RX-8 Complaints

784 consumer complaints on file.

#10096364October 25, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
PURCHASED RX8 04/28/04, HAS HAD CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON NEARLY WHOLE TIME OF OWNERSHIP, AFTER 3 TRIPS TO THE DEALER AT 50 MILES ONE WAY, WERE FINALLY TOLD THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS BAD. HAD TO SPECIAL ORDER SO HAVE TO TAKE THE CAR BACK FOR THE 4TH TIME TO GET FIXED. I DON'T SEE HOW A CATALYTIC CONVERTER COULD BE BAD ON A BRAND NEW CAR. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10096214October 22, 2004
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A MAZDA RX8 6 SPEED (5/11/04). THIS CAR HAS HAD MORE PROBLEMS THAN I CAN EXPLAIN IN A SHORT MESSAGE. ABOUT A MONTH AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE IT WOULDN'T START ONE MORNING. I LATER GOT IT STARTED AND TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER. THEY DID A FLASH UPDATE ON MY PCM AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE AFTER THAT. APPROXIMATELY THREE MONTHS LATER I BEGAN HAVING TROUBLE WITH MY TRANSMISSION. I WAS ON VACATION IN CARLISLE, AR WHEN THE CAR BROKE DOWN THE FIRST TIME (8/9/2004). MY CAR WAS TOWED IN TO NORTH POINT MAZDA IN NORTH LITTLE ROCK, THEN GOT TOWED TO CRAIN MAZDA IN LITTLE ROCK, WITHOUT EVEN INFORMING ME. AFTER REPLACING APPROXIMATELY 87 PARTS IN THE TRANSMISSION, I GOT MY CAR BACK 40 DAYS LATER (9/18/2004). IMMEDIATELY AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE I KNEW IT WASNT RIGHT. IT WAS MAKING NOISES, WOULDNT SHIFT IN TO 2ND, 3RD OR REVERSE WITHOUT GRINDING. I TOOK MY CAR TO TOWN NORTH MAZDA IN RICHARDSON AS SOON AS I GOT A CHANCE (9/27/2004). I WAS TOLD "2ND AND 3RD GEARS ARE FRIED" AND THEY WOULD REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND CLUTCH. AFTER REPLACING THE CLUTCH AND TRANSMISSION I GOT THE CAR BACK 11 DAYS LATER (10/7/2004). I KNEW THE CAR STILL HAD A PROBLEM SO I SCHEDULED TO HAVE THE CAR TAKEN BACK IN ON 10/12/2004. I DROVE ABOUT 2 MILES FROM THE HOUSE ON THE WAY TO THE DEALER WHEN IT WENT OUT AGAIN. THE CAR STILL TO THIS DAY REMAINS IN THE SHOP AGAIN. MY CAR HAS BEEN IN FOR REPAIRS FOR 58 DAYS SINCE 8/9/2004. I GOT A CALL ON 10/20/04 FROM THE DEALERSHIP THAT HAS MY CAR. THEY TOLD ME MAZDA DECLINES COVERAGE BECUASE OF NEGLECT OR ABUSE. I ABSOLUTELY "BABIED" THAT CAR BECAUSE I KNEW IT WASN'T RIGHT! ANY SUGGESTIONS?*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10093243September 28, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
I BOUGHT THE 2004 RX8 USED. IT ONLY HAD 16,000 MILES BUT THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD BROKE THE REAR DEFROST BUTTON AND THE DEALER SENT ME A NEW ONE IN THE MAIL. I HAVE REMOVER A MILLION INTERIORS AND STEREOS BEFORE SO I WAS DOING IT MYSELF. IN ORDER TO PUT THE NEW CONTROLS IN YOU HAVE TO SLIDE OUT THE ENTIRE FACE PLATE WHICH CONNECTS TO THE RADIO, CD PLAYER, AND AIR CONTROLS. ONCE I PUT IT BACK IN AND HOOKED EVERYTHING BACK CORRECTLY, IT WOULD NOT WORK. I HAVE REMOVED IT SEVERAL TIMES AND THE ENTIRE CONTROL PANEL DOES NOT WORK. ALL THE PRONGS ARE GOOD THE FUSES IN THE CAR ARE ALL GOOD BUT IT STILL DOESN'T WORK. THE BLOWER MOTOR, THE ASHTRAY LIGHT AND THE SEAT WARMERS ALL WORK BUT THE SCREEN THAT DISPLAYS THE TIME OF DAY, THE OUTSIDE TEMP AND ALL THE RADIO AND AIR EQUIPMENT STILL DOESN'T LIGHT UP. I JUST WONDER IF THE RADIO HAS GONE INTO ANTI-THEFT MODE AND SHUT DOWN. I USED TO OWN AN ACURA AND IT CAME WITH A CODE TO PUNCH IN IF YOUR RADIO EVER SHUT DOWN. I JUST WANT IT FIXED. ANY SUGGESTIONS??*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10087924September 14, 2004
AIR BAGS
THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN WHICH HE LOST CONTROL OF HIS VEHICLE. NONE OF THE AIR BAG DEPLOED ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. *JB *NM
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10080633July 8, 2004
VISIBILITY
THE DRIVERS SUN VISOR BROKE WHEN PUT DOWN AND THE RESULT WAS A VISOR HANGING DOWN IN FRONT OF THE DRIVERS TO TOTALLY BLOCK HER VISION. FORTUNATELY CAR WAS NOT IN A TURN OR STOPPING FOR TRAFFIC AS THIS WOULD HAVE CAUSED A CRASH. THIS WAS A SUDDEN AND DISCONCERTING FAILURE. OTHER SUCH FAILURES HAVE BEEN REPORTED ON THE WWW.RX8CLUB.COM WEBSITE. I RETURNED VEHICLE TO DEALER WHO CALLED THE MANUFACTURES REPRESENTATIVE WHO REFUSED TO REPLACE THE VISOR EVEN THOUGH THE CAR HAS 5800 MILES ON IT AND IS ONLY 11 MONTHS OLD AND COVERED UNDER A 4 YEAR WARRANTY. I SUGGEST STRONGLY THAT A RECALL BE MADE ON THE VISORS BEFORE SOMEONE GET KILLED DUE TO LOST OF VISION. ALSO I AM NOT ABLE TO DRIVE MY CAR SAFELY BECAUSE OF THE VISOR HANGING DOWN. THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED IN 10068252 ALSO.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10075000June 8, 2004
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:BELL HOUSING
VEH. BEING OPERATED ON THE NJ TURNPIKE AT 65 MPH WHEN CLUTCH FAILED. TOWED TO DEALER AT OWN EXPENSE. DEALER STATED FAILURE DUE TO ABUSE, BECAUSE OF TIRE WEAR. ADVISED TWO DAYS LATER THAT STARTER CRACIKED AND BELL HOUSING HAD HOLE FROM CLUTCH BREAKING APART. FAILED TO WARRANTY, COST$2,700.00 PARTS IN MY POSSESSION. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10075657June 3, 2004
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION CLUTCH FAILED. DEALER INDICATED THE CLUTCH WAS MISUSED. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10068252May 3, 2004
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR CRACKED AND SEPARATED FROM POST. IT WAS HANGING AND WOULD NOT STAY UP, OUT OF FIELD OF VISION. THE DEALER REMOVED THE VISOR WHILE WAITING FOR THE REPLACEMENT PART. AFTER STARTING THE CAR LATER THE SAME DAY, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CENTRAL DISPLAY AND DOOR LOCKS DID NOT WORK. WHILE DROPPING OFF PASSENGER BEFORE RETURNING TO THE DEALER, PASSENGER FOLDED DOWN PASSENGER-SIDE SUN VISOR, WHICH ALSO CRACKED AND SEPARATED FROM THE POST. TOOK CAR BACK TO DEALER, WHO IS TRYING TO SAY THIS IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY, AND HAS CALLED MAZDA REP TO EXAMINE BUT IS KEEPING MY CAR. SEVERAL REPORTS OF THIS ON EDMUNDS AND OTHER AUTO CONSUMER SITES. I MERELY WANT VISORS REPLACED AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FIXED UNDER WARRANTY.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10067996April 28, 2004
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
I PURCHASED MY AUTOMATIC RX8 IN LATE JAN. 2004. AS I WRITE THIS, I HAVE AVERAGED 14.3 MPG WITH MIXED DRIVING CONDITIONS (CITY AND HIGHWAY) DURING MY FIRST 3000 MILES. MY WORST TANKFUL WAS 12.3 MPG. MAZDA NORTH AMERICA REFUSES TO ADDRESS MY ISSUE, WHICH IS: MY FUEL ECONOMY IS WELL BELOW THE ESTIMATED FUEL ECONOMY ON THE STICKER. EITHER THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH MY RX8 OR MAZDA HAS INTENTIONALLY MISREPRESENTED THE FUEL ECONOMY OF THE RX8.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10062799March 22, 2004
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
THE DUMMY PEDAL ON THE LEFT HAS A DESIGN FLAW WHICH ENABLES HIGH HEELS TO BE TRAPPED BETWEEN THE PEDAL AND THE FLOORBOARD. MY FOOT HAS BEEN TRAPPED FORCING ME TO STALL THE CAR AND PULL OVER FIVE LANES ON THE FREEWAY AND OFF THE ROAD TO REMOVE MY FOOT. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE THAT MAZDA DOESN'T SEEM TO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE! THIS WILL AFFECT WOMEN WHO WEAR HIGH HEELS AND DRIVE A STANDARD MAZDA RX-8.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10063625March 22, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THERE IS CONTAMINATION IN THE OIL. SO MUCH SO THAT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO CHECK THE OIL. I'VE GONE 3000 MILES AND NEVER BEEN ABLE TO CHECK THE OIL. EVEN AFTER WIPING THE DIPSTICK, SIMPLY PUTTING IT BACK RECOATS THE DIPSTICK, SO THAT THE OIL LEVEL CANNOT BE READ. THE DEALER SIMPLY CHANGED THE OIL, BUT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY SAID MAZDA KNOWS ABOUT THIS, BUT WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. ALL LETTERS TO MAZDA-USA ARE IGNORED. WHY DOES MAZDA IGNORE SUCH A POTENTIALLY SERIOUS HAZARD? THIS COULD BE A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD IF THE ENGINE WERE TO SEIZE ON THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE OF LACK OF OIL. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10063228March 15, 2004
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, AND IT HIT A POLE. AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, BUT DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BROKE. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10060543March 5, 2004
EQUIPMENT
A NEW MAZDA RX-8 WAS PURCHASED IN THE FALL OF 2003. THERE HAVE BEEN PROBLEMS STARTING IT IN THE COLD WEATHER. I RECEIVED AN EMAIL FROM MAZDA THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND IT EXISTS FOR ANYONE THAT LIVES IN THE NORTHEAST. WHY WASN'T THIS DISCLOSED PRIOR TO BEING PURCHASED> ANY IDEA WHAT CAN BE DONE TO HAVE THE CAR RETURNED AND THE MONEY I GAVE THEM REFUNDED? THANKS IN ADVANCE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10058967February 25, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
IF THE CAR STALLS AFTER A COLD START, IT IS EITHER VERY DIFFICULT OR IMPOSSIBLE TO RESTART. USING THE PROCEDURE IN THE OWNERS MANUAL FOR THIS SITUATION WILL WORK, IF THE BATTERY DOES NOT FAIL FIRST. I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN TWICE, ONCE THE CAR WAS TOWED. THE SECOND TIME, THE BATTERY DIED WHILE ATTEMPTING A RESTART PER THE OWNERS MANUAL, BUT THE CAR WAS IN THE GARAGE AND I RECHARGED THE BATTERY AND EVENTUALLY GOT THE CAR STARTED.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10058705February 22, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I BOUGHT MY CAR AROUND THE FIRST WEEK OF NOVEMBER 2003. IN THE FIRST MONTH I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES FOR REPAIR. THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE ENGINE. APPARENTLY ONE OF THE ROTORS WAS NOT FIRING CAUSING A RAW FUEL SMELL TO ENTER THE CAR THROUGH THE VENTILATION. WITH ONLY 2000 MILES, THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED AFTER THE THIRD VISIT. TWO MONTHS HAVE PASSED AND AFTER THREE DAYS OF NO DRIVING, THE CAR WILL NO LONGER START. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10058152February 14, 2004
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
THE RX8 ENGINE HAS A TENDENCY TO FLOOD IF THE CAR IS MOVED OR DRIVEN A SHORT DISTANCE AND SHUT OFF COLD. IN MOST INCIDENCES THE CAR MUST THEN BE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. ALTHOUGH MAZDA ACKNOWLEDGES THE ISSUE, THE PROBLEM WAS NOT DISCLOSED PRIOR TO PURCHASE AND IS NOT ADDRESSED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. MOST RECENT INCIDENT IS RELATED TO GASOLINE IN THE OIL AFTER SEVERAL DIFFILCULT STARTS. THERE WERE 2 PREVIOUS FLOODING INCIDENTS.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10057098February 12, 2004
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
RX8S MUST BE TOWED IF THE VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF OR STALLED WHEN THE CAR IS COLD. I WASHED MY CAR AND THEN PULLED THE CAR INTO THE GARAGE AND WAXED IT. THE NEXT DAY IT WOULD NOT START. NO WHERE IN THE MANUAL DOES IT SAY ANYTHING ABOUT THE FLOODING ISSUE, EXCEPT HOW TO "UNFLOOD" IT. PROCEDURE DOES NOT WORK. DEALERSHIP NEVER TOLD ME THIS BEFORE I BOUGHT THE CAR, EVEN THOUGH THEY FLOOD ALL THE TIME WHEN THEY ARE MOVED OFF OF THE TRAILER. VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I CANNOT WITH A GOOD CONSCIENCE SELL THIS CAR TO ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL. I COULD BE SUED, IF SOMETHING TERRIBLY BAD HAPPENED AND I KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP HAS "PROPOSED TO HELP" BY MAKING A PROFIT ON ME BUYING THE NEW CAR AND THEN BUYING IT BACK AT WHOSALE PRICE. THE CAR HAS 4000 MILES ON IT. A 2004 AUTOMOBILE SHOULD NEVER LEAVE ITS OWNER STRANDED, PERIOD. THE CAR ALSO CONSISTENTLY GETS ONLY 15 MPG ON THE HIGHWAY. THERE NEEDS TO BE ANOTHER ROUND OF BUYBACKS FROM MAZDA, BUT UNFORTUNATELY I BOUGHT THIS CAR AFTER THE FIRST ROUND WAS COMPLETE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10054579January 21, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
MAZDA RX-8, PURCHASED DEC 24TH, 2003.F THE VEHICLE 'STALLS' WHEN COLD, THE ENGINE BECOME NON-RESTARTABLE (EVEN FOLLOWING THE MANIF'S DEFLOODING PROCEDURE) AND NEEDS TO BE RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP TO BE "FIXED". CAUSING A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD AT RAIL-ROAD TRACKS, INTERSECTIONS, AND EXTREEM CONDITIONS (SUCH AS DRIVING FAR FROM HOME EG. CAMPING, AND MOUNTAIN DRIVING).*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10052804January 10, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ALTHOUGH I FOLLOWED THE OWNER'S MANUAL INSTRUCTIONS, THE ENGINE FLOODED AFTER DRIVING A SHORT DISTANCE (1.5 MILES) AND TURNED OFF. ENGINE WAS FLOODED WHEN I TRIED TO RESTART APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES LATER. SAID TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE NEW MAZDA RX8S. TEMPATURE WAS 19. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN 6 DAYS IN VERY COLD WEATHER. THIS WOULD BE AREAL SAFETY ISSUE IF IT HAPPENS IN A REMOTE AREA.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10051157December 27, 2003
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
MAZDA RX-8 , 2500MILES HAS TWICE FAILED TO START AFTER SITTING IN GARAGE FOR 7-10 DAYS. MAINLY A BATTERY PROBLEM MAYBE???*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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