2005 MAZDA RX-8 — Owner-Reported Problems

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-08-22 159 complaints · 6 recalls

Verdict & Safety Summary

Most-reported system: POWER TRAIN (48 complaints · 30.2%)
Safety signals:
  • Crashes 6
  • Fires 1
  • Injuries 4
  • Deaths 0
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Component Problem Distribution

Share of owner complaints filed for each vehicle system (unaffected by sales volume)

Component Problem Distribution POWER TRAIN appears in 48 of 159 owner complaints (30.2%) in this vehicle snapshot. POWER TRAIN: 48 complaints, 30.2% of reports POWER TRAIN 48 · 30.2% ENGINE: 28 complaints, 17.6% of reports ENGINE 28 · 17.6% AIR BAGS: 17 complaints, 10.7% of reports AIR BAGS 17 · 10.7% · 4 crash reports STEERING: 15 complaints, 9.4% of reports STEERING 15 · 9.4% FUEL SYSTEM: 12 complaints, 7.6% of reports FUEL SYSTEM 12 · 7.6% · 1 fire reports VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: 8 complaints, 5.0% of reports VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 8 · 5.0% · 1 crash reports ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: 4 complaints, 2.5% of reports ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 4 · 2.5% EXTERIOR LIGHTING: 3 complaints, 1.9% of reports EXTERIOR LIGHTING 3 · 1.9% SEAT BELTS: 3 complaints, 1.9% of reports SEAT BELTS 3 · 1.9% UNKNOWN OR OTHER: 55 complaints, 34.6% of reports UNKNOWN OR OTHER 55 · 34.6% · 2 crash reports 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

UNKNOWN OR OTHER is an NHTSA classification artifact and is always listed last.

View component data as a table
System / Component Complaints Share of Reports Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires)
POWER TRAIN 48 30.2% 0 crashes · 0 fires
ENGINE 28 17.6% 0 crashes · 0 fires
AIR BAGS 17 10.7% 4 crashes · 0 fires
STEERING 15 9.4% 0 crashes · 0 fires
FUEL SYSTEM 12 7.6% 0 crashes · 1 fires
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 8 5.0% 1 crashes · 0 fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 4 2.5% 0 crashes · 0 fires
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 3 1.9% 0 crashes · 0 fires
SEAT BELTS 3 1.9% 0 crashes · 0 fires
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 55 34.6% 2 crashes · 0 fires
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-08-22 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Problem & Recall Timeline

Observed complaint volume and manufacturer recall actions over time

Problem & Recall Timeline Owner reports in this snapshot begin in Jul 2005; the first recall shown was reported in Jul 2005. 2005-Q3: 3 owner reports 3 2005-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2006-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2006-Q2: 3 owner reports 3 2006-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2006-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2007-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2007-Q2: 3 owner reports 3 2007-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2007-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2008-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2008-Q3: 3 owner reports 3 2008-Q4: 4 owner reports 4 2009-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2009-Q2: 3 owner reports 3 2009-Q3: 5 owner reports 5 2009-Q4: 10 owner reports 10 2010-Q1: 11 owner reports 11 2010-Q2: 7 owner reports 7 2010-Q3: 6 owner reports 6 2010-Q4: 8 owner reports 8 2011-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2011-Q2: 6 owner reports 6 2011-Q3: 6 owner reports 6 2012-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2012-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2012-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2013-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2013-Q2: 5 owner reports 5 2013-Q3: 3 owner reports 3 2014-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2014-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2014-Q3: 3 owner reports 3 2015-Q1: 4 owner reports 4 2015-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2015-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2015-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2016-Q1: 4 owner reports 4 2016-Q3: 4 owner reports 4 2016-Q4: 3 owner reports 3 2017-Q1: 7 owner reports 7 2017-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2017-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2017-Q4: 3 owner reports 3 2018-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2018-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2018-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2018-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2019-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2019-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2019-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2021-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2021-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2022-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2023-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 Owner reports Jul 2005 Oct 2023 Recall campaign 05V317000 ◆ Recall campaign 05V317000 Recall campaign 16V793000 ◆ Recall campaign 16V793000 Recall campaign 17V354000 ◆ Recall campaign 17V354000 Recall campaign 17V474000 ◆ Recall campaign 17V474000 Recall campaign 18V402000 ◆ Recall campaign 18V402000 Recall campaign 18V404000 ◆ Recall campaign 18V404000 Investigation PE09045 ● Investigation PE09045 Investigation PE14016 ● Investigation PE14016 Investigation EA15001 ● Investigation EA15001 Investigation EA21002 ● Investigation EA21002
  • Campaign 16V793000 was reported 4,053 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 17V354000 was reported 4,266 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 17V474000 was reported 3,216 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 18V402000 was reported 3,540 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 18V404000 was reported 3,540 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
Date Record type Count Record identifier
2005-Q3 Owner reports 3
2005-Q4 Owner reports 2
2006-Q1 Owner reports 1
2006-Q2 Owner reports 3
2006-Q3 Owner reports 1
2006-Q4 Owner reports 2
2007-Q1 Owner reports 2
2007-Q2 Owner reports 3
2007-Q3 Owner reports 2
2007-Q4 Owner reports 1
2008-Q1 Owner reports 1
2008-Q3 Owner reports 3
2008-Q4 Owner reports 4
2009-Q1 Owner reports 2
2009-Q2 Owner reports 3
2009-Q3 Owner reports 5
2009-Q4 Owner reports 10
2010-Q1 Owner reports 11
2010-Q2 Owner reports 7
2010-Q3 Owner reports 6
2010-Q4 Owner reports 8
2011-Q1 Owner reports 1
2011-Q2 Owner reports 6
2011-Q3 Owner reports 6
2012-Q1 Owner reports 2
2012-Q2 Owner reports 1
2012-Q3 Owner reports 1
2013-Q1 Owner reports 1
2013-Q2 Owner reports 5
2013-Q3 Owner reports 3
2014-Q1 Owner reports 2
2014-Q2 Owner reports 2
2014-Q3 Owner reports 3
2015-Q1 Owner reports 4
2015-Q2 Owner reports 1
2015-Q3 Owner reports 1
2015-Q4 Owner reports 2
2016-Q1 Owner reports 4
2016-Q3 Owner reports 4
2016-Q4 Owner reports 3
2017-Q1 Owner reports 7
2017-Q2 Owner reports 2
2017-Q3 Owner reports 2
2017-Q4 Owner reports 3
2018-Q1 Owner reports 1
2018-Q2 Owner reports 1
2018-Q3 Owner reports 1
2018-Q4 Owner reports 1
2019-Q1 Owner reports 2
2019-Q2 Owner reports 1
2019-Q4 Owner reports 1
2021-Q1 Owner reports 1
2021-Q2 Owner reports 2
2022-Q3 Owner reports 1
2023-Q4 Owner reports 1
Recall campaign 1 05V317000
Recall campaign 1 16V793000
Recall campaign 1 17V354000
Recall campaign 1 17V474000
Recall campaign 1 18V402000
Recall campaign 1 18V404000
Defect investigation 1 PE09045
Defect investigation 1 PE14016
Defect investigation 1 EA15001
Defect investigation 1 EA21002
NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-08-22 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Safety Recalls (6)

Official safety recall campaigns filed with NHTSA

  1. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 05V317000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
    Remedy:
    DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE PARTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 30, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
  2. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 16V793000

    Report date
    Component:
    FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
    Consequence:
    The deteriorated seals may leak fuel, which, in the presence of an ignition source, can increase the risk of a fire.
    Remedy:
    Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump sealing ring set and add a thermal insulation pad to the fuel tank, free of charge. The recall began July 31, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 0516J.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
  3. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 17V354000

    Report date
    Component:
    FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
    Consequence:
    If the fuel pump pipe cracks, fuel may leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
    Remedy:
    Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump filter kit, free of charge. The recall began on July 31, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1017E.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
  4. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 17V474000

    Report date
    Component:
    AIR BAGS
    Consequence:
    In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
    Remedy:
    Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began on September 12, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1417G. Note: This recall supersedes recall 15V-382.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
  5. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 18V402000

    Report date
    Component:
    AIR BAGS
    Consequence:
    An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
    Remedy:
    Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began July 6, 2018. Mailing to the affected RX-8 owners began July 6, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 2618F. Note: With the addition of the RX-8 vehicles, this recall fully supersedes recall 16V354.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
  6. Manufacturer action

    Recall campaign 18V404000

    Report date
    Component:
    AIR BAGS
    Consequence:
    An inflator explosion may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
    Remedy:
    Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began July 6, 2018 for MPV vehicles. The recall began July 9, 2019 for RX-8 vehicles. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 2618F. Note: With the addition of the RX-8 vehicles, this recall fully supersedes recall 17V-011.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Complaint Narrative Explorer

Verbatim owner-reported defect narratives from NHTSA public records

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-08-21
Safety incident filters
Showing 0 of 159 complaints · page 1 of 7

No complaints match the current filters.

EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21
Supported range: 1,000–60,000 miles per year
Supported range: $1.50–$10.00 per gallon
55% city45% highway
Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Data sourced from NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Snapshot date: 2026-08-21.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources