Mazda RX-8 Complaints (2004)

490 consumer complaints on file.

#11066852February 4, 2018
STEERING, SUSPENSION
ON SEPTEMBER 15TH, 2016 I HAD STOPPED TO VACUUM OUT MY CAR AT A CAR WASH ON HIGHWAY 11 IN ATTALLA, AL. UPON LEAVING THE CAR WASH I TURNED LEFT ONTO PLEASANT VALLEY RD AT A SLOW SPEED IN FIRST GEAR. AS I WAS TURNING I SHIFTED INTO SECOND GEAR I HEAR A BREAKING NOISE AND THE STEERING WHEEL ABRUPTLY SPUN TO THE LEFT AS THE CAR WENT IN A DEEP DITCH FLIPPING ONTO ITS ROOF, THEN HITTING A SMALL CULVERT AND LANDING ON IT'S SIDE. AS I WAS INSPECTING THE VEHICLE TO SEE WHAT MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED, THE PASSENGER LOWER CONTROL HAD BROKEN AND THE BALL JOINT HAD SEPARATED FROM THE CONTROL ARM.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11065353January 26, 2018
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING
MY POWER STEERING GOES IN AND OUT AS IT PLEASES; ONLY WORKS WHEN IT WANTS TO AND CUTS UP WHEN DRIVING AND HAD TO TURN OFF CAR TO MAKE IT WORK TO ONLY MAKE IT REPEAT AGAIN. DOES THIS ONLY WHEN DRIVING. AND NOT SAFE FOR ANYBODY WHO IS DEALING WITH THE NO POWERSTEERING ISSUES OR HAVE STEERING BUT WITH MANY FAULTS THAT CAN LEAD TO ACCIDENTS/DEATH MAZDA FIXED OTHERS BY WIRE TAPPING ALL DELETING THE POWERSTEERING CONNECTIONS. BUT ONLY HAVING THE ISSUE LATER DOWN THE ROAD THEY DID THIS AROUND FEBRUARY/MARCH OF LAST YEAR AND HAD IN AND OUT POWERSTEERING AFTER 3 MONTH OF THEIR REPAIR.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11047225November 18, 2017
STEERING
SYNOPSIS: POWER STEERING GOING CRAZY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. STARTING APPROX 2 YEARS AGO, THE POWER STEERING WOULD SHUDDER, OR JERK BACK AND FORTH, WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL (SOMEWHAT SHARPLY), FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AFTER THE CAR WAS STARTED. THIS HAPPENED EXCLUSIVELY IN COLD WEATHER, AND AT LOW SPEEDS. ONCE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION FOR A FEW MINUTES, THE BEHAVIOR WOULD CEASE. THE COLDER THE WEATHER, THE STRONGER THE JERKING (IT SEEMS). HOWEVER, A FEW WEEKS AGO, THE STEERING EXHIBITING THE "NORMAL" AMOUNT OF SHUDDER, AND THEN STOPPED AS USUAL. BUT A FEW MINUTES LATER WHEN I WAS TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY (AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS), IN RELATIVELY STRAIGHT LINE, THE STEERING SUDDENLY BEGAN VIOLENTLY JERKING BACK AND FORTH. NEEDLESS TO SAY THIS WAS DISCONCERTING. I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR USING BOTH HANDS (I AM A STRONG ATHLETIC MALE). THE EVENT LASTED ABOUT 5-10 SECONDS. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS BEHAVIOR WHEN I FIRST NOTICED IT A FEW YEARS AGO, AND THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS ONLINE ABOUT THE SHUDDERING BEHAVIOR AT STARTUP. ONE SUCH THREAD (THERE ARE MANY) IS HERE: HTTPS://WWW.RX8CLUB.COM/SERIES-I-TROUBLE-SHOOTING-95/STEERING-WHEEL-SHAKES-MORNINGS-219210/ AND A VIDEO SHOWING THE BEHAVIOR IS HERE: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=8XZSRXWTH8S&FEATURE=YOUTU.BE&T=1S ALL OF THE REPORTS INDICATE IT HAPPENS IN THE FIRST FEW MINUTES OF OPERATION, THEN THE STEERING IS FINE. SO I WAS NOT OVERLY CONCERNED. BUT THIS LAST EPISODE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WAS VERY SCARY, AND I THINK WARRANTS IMMEDIATE INVESTIGATION. THANKS, RICK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11036016October 24, 2017
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA RX-8. THE CONTACT NOTICED A STRONG FUEL ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE PERFORMED NORMALLY PRIOR TO BEING REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V354000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). BROEN AND WOOD BUICK GMC MAZDA (329 GREENVILLE BLVD SW, GREENVILLE, NC) DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW FUEL TANK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 71,000. *BF UPDATED 8/2/18*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11033884October 16, 2017
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, SUSPENSION, ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA RX-8. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL DEALER (MODERN MAZDA DODGE RAM, 68 WATERBURY RD, THOMASTON, CT, 06787, 860-283-4304) TO BE SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V355000 (SUSPENSION), 16V793000 (FUEL SYSTEM), AND 17V354000 (FUEL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALL REPAIRS WOULD TAKE ONE DAY TO COMPLETE; HOWEVER, IT TOOK FOUR DAYS. THE CONTACT RETRIEVED THE VEHICLE AND, WHILE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD REPAIR THE FAILURE. ONE WEEK LATER, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTACT COULD RETRIEVE THE VEHICLE, BUT THEN DIAGNOSED THAT THE COMPRESSOR FAILED AND IT WOULD ONLY LAST APPROXIMATELY TWO MORE YEARS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WHEN THE CONTACT RETRIEVED THE VEHICLE AGAIN, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START EVEN WITH A JUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES, PERFORMED AN INVESTIGATION, AND CONFIRMED THAT THE DEALER'S INFORMATION WAS CORRECT. NO ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 144,000. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11033019October 12, 2017
ENGINE
VEHICLE MILEAGE UNDER 100,000. HAS HOT START ISSUE, LOW COMPRESSION. ENGINE WARRANTY SHOULD BE MET BY MILEAGE AND NOT BY YEARS. I AM REQUESTING RECALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ABOVE ISSUE. THANK YOU
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11022593September 11, 2017
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA RX-8. WHILE DRIVING THROUGH A DRIVE-THRU WINDOW, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED TO A PARKING SPACE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, A LOUD POP SOUND EMERGED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARDS, SMOKE AND FLAMES APPEARED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EVALUATED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11021127September 1, 2017
STEERING
MY ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING HAS BEEN ACTING LIKE IT IS SHORTING OUT. IT STARTED OFF AS SOMETHING THAT FELT WEIRD BUT GOT PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. AS I WOULD TURN AROUND A CORNER THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD FEEL LIKE IT WAS BOUNCING BACK OR FIGHTING BACK, YOU COULD FORCE IT PAST THE JOLTING BUT IT WOULD MAKE CORNING VERY AWKWARD AND CONCERNING. AT FIRST IT WOULD HAPPEN MAYBE EVERY FEW TIMES I DROVE BUT IT GOT MORE AND MORE TO EVERY TIME I DROVE THE CAR. I EVENTUALLY JUST UNPLUGGED THE POWER STEERING AND HAVE BEEN DRIVING WITHOUT IT SINCE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11019526August 25, 2017
ENGINE
ENGINE LOSES COMBUSTION. INITIAL ONSET CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME, INCLUDING WHILE DRIVING. MAZDA REPLACED ENGINE 4 TIMES USING ORIGINAL STYLE ENGINE THAT LOSES COMBUSTION, AND EXTENDED WARRANTY TO 100,000 MILES. AT 100,000 MILES THE 5TH ENGINE WENT OUT AND MAZDA WOULD NOT REPLACE THE ENGINE. NOTE: MAZDA REPLACED THESE ENGINES WITH THE EXACT SAME ENGINE WITH THE EXACT SAME LOSS OF COMPRESSION ISSUES. FOR ABOUT $8,000 THEY WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE WITH THE GEN II ENGINE THAT HAS BEEN REDONE AND DOES NOT HAVE THE COMPRESSION ISSUES. THIS CAR NOW HAS $0 VALUE. I CANNOT EVEN DRIVE IT TO HAVE THE AIRBAG AND OTHER RECALL WORK DONE ON IT. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE, WITH NO SOLUTION TO FIX THE PROBLEM, JUST PATCHED IT WITH ANOTHER FAULTY ENGINE. MAZDA WAS ABLE TO DEPLETE THEIR STOCK OF FAULTY ENGINES, CLAIM THE RECALL WORK HOURS AND PARTS, AND STILL ANYONE WITH THIS FAULTY ENGINE ENDS UP WITH A CAR THAT DOESN'T WORK AND IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE IN TRAFFIC BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN THE ENGINE WILL GO OUT - YOU ONLY KNOW THAT IT WILL.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11018697August 21, 2017
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA RX-8. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, A BURNING ODOR ENTERED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE, LIFTED THE HOOD, AND NOTICED SMOKE. THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE WIRES UNDERNEATH THE HOOD WERE MELTED. THE CONTACT ALSO SMELLED FUEL COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC IN LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS HAD MELTED DUE TO A FAULTY ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,777. UPDATED 10/17/17*LJ *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11016155August 18, 2017
ENGINE
ENGINES WERE RECALLED FOR LOSS OF POWER AND COMPRESSION AND WAS NOT COMPLETED ON THE CAR I OWN. CAUSES CAR TO STALL AND WILL NOT RESTART UNTIL COOLED DOWN, POTENTIALLY CREATING A DANGEROUS SITUATION IN TRAFFIC. KNOWN DEFECT THAT WAS NOT ADDRESSED ON THE CAR I OWN. CAR LOSES POWER AFTER IT HEATS UP.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11015950August 17, 2017
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA RX-8. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (SOUTH MOTORS MAZDA, LOCATED AT 18010 S DIXIE HWY MIAMI, FL 33157 305-234-5500) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000. ...UPDATED 11/21/17 *BF *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11015238August 14, 2017
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA RX-8. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT'S NEIGHBOR NOTICED A STRONG FUEL ODOR EMITTING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LIBERTY MAZDA (91 W SERVICE RD, HARTFORD, CT 06120), BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE OF THE DIAGNOSTIC RESULTS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD REPAIR THE VEHICLE, BUT WOULD CHARGE FOR LABOR BECAUSE THE REAR CROSS MEMBER WOULD NEED TO BE REMOVED TO GAIN ACCESS TO THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD CALL BACK TO ASSIST IN SCHEDULING AN APPOINTMENT. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V793000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AND 17V354000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,800.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11013993August 9, 2017
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA RX-8. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V793000 (FUEL SYSTEM). THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE LOCAL DEALER (KOONS MAZDA OF SILVER SPRING, 3111 AUTOMOTIVE BLVD, SILVER SPRING, MD 20904) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11011858July 31, 2017
POWER TRAIN
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND I WENT TO SLOW DOWN AT A LIGHT AND WHEN I PRESSED THE CLUTCH PEDAL TO ENGAGE THE BRAKE I HEARD A POP AND MY CLUTCH FELT LIKE IT WAS SHIFTING TO THE SIDE AND IT BARELY CUTS OFF ENOUGH TO COME OUT OF GEAR. I INSPECTED THE THE ASSEMBLY BY LOOKING UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL AND I FOUND THAT A WELD HAD SNAPPED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11000333June 21, 2017
AIR BAGS, STRUCTURE:BODY
FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG COVER CRACKED AND EXPOSED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10994371June 12, 2017
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA RX-8. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MAZDA OF GEORGETOWN TO BE REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V793000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE), THE CONTACT NOTICED A LACK OF ACCELERATION. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V354000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO O'REILLY AUTO PARTS WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE'S SECONDARY AIR INJECTION SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT KNOW WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,523. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10994374June 12, 2017
ENGINE
CAR EXPERIENCED ENGINE FAILURE. ENGINE RECEIVED PROPER CARE AND OIL CHANGES EVERY 3000 MILES. CERTIFIED MAZDA MECHANIC DETERMINED THE ISSUE WAS DUE TO ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO FAULTY APEX SEALS. BECAUSE OF THIS THE CAR IMMEDIATELY LOST ENGINE POWER AND COULD NOT BE DRIVEN. WAS REQUIRED TO BUY NEW ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AT THE TIME.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10990719May 20, 2017
AIR BAGS, POWER TRAIN, STEERING
"TAKATA RECALL" MY POWER STERING GOES OUT ALL THE TIME DOESNT MATTER IF IM SITTING STILL OR IM GOING DOWN THE HIGH WAY. IT DOES EVENTUALLY COME BACK ON BUT DOES GO BACK OFF. IT ALSO WILL CAUSE MY STERING WHEEL TO JURK LEFT AND RIGHT BY ITSELF CAUSE ME TO SWERVE IN AN OUT OF LANES. IT GOT TO THE POINT NOW WHERE I HAVE THE POWER STERING UNPLUGGED SO THAT IT DOESNT JERK MY WHEEL WHILE DRIVING. I JUST NEED TO KNOW IF THERE IS A RECALL THAT WILL PAY TO FIX THIS CAUSE ITS GETTING DANGEROUS. PLEASE CONTACT BACK WITH ANY INFO
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10979708April 20, 2017
POWER TRAIN
THE CLUTCH PEDAL ASSEMBLY BROKE WHERE IT ATTACHES TO THE VEHICLE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. WHEN I BOUGHT THE CARD 21 MONTHS AGO IT WAS BROKEN. I HAD IT REPLACED BY A MECHANIC WITH AN OEM REPLACEMENT AND IT HAS NOW OCCURRED AGAIN BUT IN A DIFFERENT POSITION.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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