Mazda RX-8 Complaints (2004)

490 consumer complaints on file.

#10118220April 21, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MY 2004 MAZDA RX8 WAS PURCHASED IN OCTOBER OF 2003. SINCE THE TIME OF PURCHASE, THE ENGINE HAS MADE LOUD KNOCKING NOISES ON ACCELERATION AND OTHER UNACCEPTABLE NOISES WHEN IN IDLE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON NUMEROUS TIMES, AND ON CHECKING THE CAR ON AT LEAST 5 OCCASIONS, THE MAZDA SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS MADE ONLY MINOR REPAIRS OR DONE NOTHING AT ALL. THIS PROBLEM HAS WORSENED OVER TIME AND RECENTLY THE CAR STALLED AT A BUSY HIGHWAY INTERSECTION AND WOULD NOT RESTART FOR 20 MINUTES - THIS WAS A HIGHLY DANGEROUS SITUATION NOT ONLY FOR MY DAUGHTER WHO WAS DRIVING AND STRANDED IN THE CAR WITH VEHICLES SPEEDING BY AND BARELY MISSING HITTING HER, BUT FOR THOSE VEHICLES APPROACHING FROM BEHIND. MAZDA SUDDENLY DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM IS THE OIL PUMP - SPECIFICALLY "CODE P209 POST CATALYST FUEL PUMP TRIM TOO LEAN." THIS CODE HAS COME UP ON THE DIAGNOSTIC PREVIOUSLY, WITHOUT REPAIR. THE CAR IS NOW JUST OVER 50,000 MILES AND THEREFORE, MAZDA REFUSES TO HONOR THE WARRANTY - DESPITE THE ON-GOING NATURE OF THIS PROBLEM. I BELIEVE MAZDA HAS ACTED FRAUDULENTLY IN THIS MANNER. THEY HAVE BEEN AWARE OF THE PROBLEM SINCE NEAR THE TIME OF THE PURCHASE DATE, FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR, AND WHEN OUT OF WARRANTY, SUDDENLY ACCURATELY DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AND REFUSE TO PAY. IN ADDITION, I WAS INFORMED BY MAZDA THAT THE FUEL PUMP WHICH IS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM IS ON BACKORDER WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND UNAVAILABLE. I HAVE TO WONDER IF THE DEMAND IS EXCEEDING THE SUPPLY OF THIS PARTICULAR FUEL PUMP BECAUSE AN ENORMOUS NUMBER OF RX8 OWNERS ARE ALSO BEING AFFECTED BY THE SAME PROBLEM. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10117318April 6, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
2004 MAZDA RX-8 FAILED TO START TWICE DUE TO THE ENGINE FLOODING.*MR *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10115178March 30, 2005
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL:AUTOMATIC (ASC)
THE VEHICLE FISHTAILED ALL THE TIME IN INCLEMENT WEATHER. THE CONSUMER WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN AND THE VEHICLE DID A NINETY DEGREE TURN ON THE ROAD. THE TRACTION CONTROL WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE DEALER FOUND NO DEFECTS. *AK *SC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10114396March 21, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THIS IS THE SECOND COMPLAINT IN 3 MONTHS REGARDING MY NEW 2004 MAZDA RX-8. IN DECEMBER 2004, IT WOULD NOT CRANK DUE TO THE ENGINE COOLANT PROBLEM. SUPPOSEDLY, THIS ISSUE WAS TAKEN CARE OF FOR THE SECOND TIME. NOW, TODAY, 3/21/05, THE CAR SITTING IN THE GARAGE WITH 55 DEGREE WEATHER WILL NOT CRANK AGAIN. I WOULD ADVICE ANYONE INTERESTING IN PURCHASING THIS CAR - DON'T. AFTER TALKING WITH THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT AS WELL AS THE MAZDA CORPORATION - I GET NO WHERE EXCEPT TO SAY THEY WILL SEND A BOOK TO TELL ME THE CORRECT WAY TO CRANK IT. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING DIFFERENT VEHICLES FOR 26 YEARS - I DON'T NEED A BOOK TELLING ME THIS.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10109544January 7, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MAZDA 2004 RX-8 FLOODED AND FAILED TO START TWICE, EACH TIME IT HAD BEEN REPAIRED WITH NEW PLUGS AND UPDATE PCM. *BF *SC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10104861December 31, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
FAILURE TO START IN COLD WEATHER. VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN APPROXIMATLEY 45 MILES, SHUT OFF, PARKED IN THE GARAGE. CAR SAT FOR APPROXIMATELY 24 HOURS, CAR WOULD NOT RESTART, ELECTRICAL APPEARS TO BE IN ORDER. MAZDA TOW TRUCK ARRIVED AND NOTED THE BRAKES WERE FROZEN, CAR WAS FORCEFULLY LOADED ONTO TOW TRUCK. DEALER INSISTS THE PROBLEM IS COMMON AN UPDATE WAS PERFORMED, SPARK PLUGS REPLACED. ONE WEEK LATER THE CAR AGAIN IS NOT STARTING AND IS IN THE DEALERSHIP UNKNOWN TIME OF REPAIR. INCIDENTS REPORTED TO MAZDA AWAITING RESPONSE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#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

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