How many problems does the 2006 MAZDA RX-8 have?

The 2006 MAZDA RX-8 currently has 60 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.

What are the most common problems with 2006 MAZDA RX-8?

The most common problems reported for the 2006 MAZDA RX-8 are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.

2006 MAZDA RX-8 Problems

AIR BAGS

12 complaints

AIRBAG RECALL

Apr 10, 2017

PASSENGER AIRBAG COVER IS CRACKED ALL OVER, WAS TOLD IT WAS FROM THE AIRBAG. DOING THE RECALL FOR THE PASSENGER AIRBAG AND WAITING ON THE FUEL TANK RECALL.

Mar 27, 2017

THE PASSENGER AIRBAG COVER IS CRACKED REALLY BAD. I'VE GOT A NOTICE SAYING THERE WAS A RECALL FOR AIRBAGS. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE INFLATORS ONLY LEAVING THE OLD AIRBAG IN THERE.

Sep 26, 2016

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA RX-8. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V382000 (AIR BAGS). HOWEVER, 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 MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Feb 18, 2016

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA RX-8. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V382000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 03/10/16*LJ UPDATED 03/16/16*JB

Jan 22, 2016

+ 7 more complaints for this component

VISIBILITY

9 complaints

SUN VISORS REPEATEDLY BREAK AND CAUSE THE VISOR TO DROP DOWN AND IMPAIR VISION MOMENTARILY, THEN THEY WONT STAY IN THE UP POSITION. THESE COST ABOUT $200 EACH TIME TO REPLACE AND THEN THEY BREAK AFTER ABOUT 10 TIMES OF USE. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. *TR

Sep 17, 2014

THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SUN VISORS HAVE SPLIT OPEN AND FLIPPED DOWN SPONTANEOUSLY BLOCKING MY VISION WHILE DRIVING. I'VE HAD MULTIPLE INSTANCES OF THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SUN VISORS SPLITTING ALONG THE SEAMS, CAUSING THEM TO DISRUPT MY VISIBILITY OF THE ROAD. I HAD MY MAZDA DEALER REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE VISORS WHILE UNDER WARRANTY ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, BUT THE DEFECT CONTINUES TO OCCUR. EVERY SINGLE TIME I WAS INFORMED THAT SPLITTING SUN VISORS WAS A COMMON OCCURRENCE ON ALL MAZDA RX-8S. THE LUBRICANT INSIDE THE HINGE OF THE VISORS WOULD SOLIDIFY DURING HOT WEATHER AND CAUSE THE SPRING TO EXPAND, THUS SPLITTING THE PLASTIC SUN VISOR ALONG THE SEAMS. SINCE THE VISORS HANG IN THE DOWNWARD POSITION ONCE THE PLASTIC HAS SPLIT, THE ONLY WAY TO NOT OBSTRUCT MY VISION WHILE DRIVING IS TO COMPLETELY REMOVE THEM FROM THEIR MOUNTS. THIS, HOWEVER, CAUSES THE ADDED PROBLEM OF NOT HAVING ANY WAY TO BLOCK DIRECT SUNLIGHT THAT CAN SHINE ON YOUR FACE IN THE EARLY MORNING OR EVENING. THE ONLY RECOURSE GIVEN TO ME IS TO CONTINUALLY REPLACE THE SUN VISORS AT $75 EACH EVERY FEW MONTHS. I FIND THAT THIS IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. ANY INSIGHT WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *JS

Apr 30, 2014

DRIVER & PASSENGER SUN VISOR SPLITTING APART AND DANGLING IN THE WAY OF THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER VIEW. THE VISOR IN THAT CONDITION WON'T STAY UP YOU HAVE TO REMOVE IT UNTIL YOU CAN ORDER A NEW ONE THEN TAKE IT IN FOR REPAIR. *TR

Apr 20, 2010

PASSENGER SUN VISOR SPLIT ACROSS THE TOP. FELL OFF THE HOOK AND HUNG BY THE WIRES. *TR

Oct 30, 2009

DRIVER'S SIDE SUN SHADE BROKE. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM APPARENTLY WITH THE MAZDA RX8. I HAD THE CAR FOR ONLY ONE MONTH WITH FEWER THAN 1000 MILES WHEN THIS OCCURRED. IT WASN'T A PARTICULARLY HOT DAY, AND I HAD BARELY USED THE SUN SHADE BEFORE IT CRACKED. IT BECAME A SAFETY CONCERN AS IT WAS HANGING IN MY SIGHT OF VIEW, AND I HAD TO HOLD THE VISOR OUT OF THE WAY WITH MY LEFT HAND WHILE DRIVING WITH THE OTHER. *NM

Sep 14, 2006

+ 4 more complaints for this component

POWER TRAIN

8 complaints

THE CLUTCH PEDAL BINDS UP,OR STICKS DURING RELEASING FROM THE FLOOR,WAS REPLACED BEFORE AND STILL HAS THE SAME ISSUE AND MY LOCAL MAZDA DEALERSHIP DOES NOT WANT TO HEAR THE COMPLAINT,NOW I WILL PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR THEIR REPEATED DEFECT!

May 07, 2018

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON THE EVENING OF FEBRUARY 21ST. I WAS STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT AND THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN SO I PRESSED ON THE CLUTCH TO GET THE CAR IN GEAR, WHEN I PUSHED DOWN HOWEVER, THE CLUTCH MADE A LARGE SNAPPING SOUND AND MOVED DOWN A LITTLE FURTHER THAN USUAL. I WENT TO PUT THE CAR BACK INTO GEAR ANYWAY AND NOTICED THAT THE CLUTCH WAS MUCH LOOSER THAN BEFORE. IT WAS WIGGLING FROM SIDE TO SIDE AND HAD MUCH MORE DEAD SPACE BEFORE IT CAUGHT ON THE ACTUAL CLUTCH. I ALSO NOTICED IT WAS MUCH MUCH HARDER TO GET MY CAR INTO GEAR. I HAVE TO PUSH AND SLAM THE STICK INTO GEAR IN ORDER TO GET IT TO FIT. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND THIS WAS ACTUALLY A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE 2004-2007 MAZDA RX-8'S. THE CAR CAN STILL BE DRIVEN, HOWEVER I BELIEVE THE FULL CLUTCH SHAFT COULD SNAP OFF IF PRESSED TO HARD.

Mar 07, 2018

CLUTCH PEDAL SNAP OFF ISSUE WITH RX-8 OWNERS CONTINUES TO BE A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN, AS THE WELDS HOLDING THE PEDAL TOGETHER CAN AND WILL SNAP, LEAVING THE DRIVER UNABLE TO CHANGE GEARS OR USE THEIR VEHICLE, EVEN IF IN OPERATION AND AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THIS ISSUE HAS OCCURRED WITH MY VEHICLE AS OF 11/20/17. THE WARRANTY MAZDA HAS ISSUED SIMPLY IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH, AS THE WARRANTY SIMPLY REPLACES THE BROKEN CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET WITH ONE OF THE SAME DESIGN & FLAW THAT WILL LEAD TO THE SAME FAILURE. MY VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND I WAS ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE GEARS ACCELERATING WHEN THIS OCCURRED.

Nov 20, 2017

WHEN I WAS DRIVING DOWN WARD AVE. I PRESSED IN MY CLUTCH PEDDLE AND IT WAS STUCK ON THE FLOOR I COULDN'T SHIFT OUT OF GEAR I HAD TO STOP THE CAR AND LET IT STALL OUT. AFTER I PULLED OVER AND LET THE CAR STALL OUT I PULL THE CLUTCH PEDAL WITH MY FOOT AND PRESSED IT IN TO START THE CAR. THE CAR WOULD START BUT I COULDN'T MOVE AT ALL BECAUSE EVERY TIME I PUSHED THE PEDDLE IT WOULD STAY STUCK ON THE FLOOR. AND I HAD TO TOW IT TO THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP UP THE ROAD. THIS IS NOT SAFE AT ALL. *TR

May 08, 2015

I WAS DRIVING AROUND 35MPH ON THE CROSSING OF DEMPSTER AND GREENWOOD. AS I PRESSED IN THE CLUTCH TO SWITCH GEARS THE PEDAL SNAPPED. I DID NOT SLAM ON THE CLUTCH PEDAL OR ANYTHING. I WAS UNABLE TO SWITCH GEARS. I HAD TO DRIVE ON 2ND GEAR HOME WHICH WAS LUCKILY LESS THAN A MILE AWAY. I THOUGHT THIS MIGHT BE A SIMPLE DEFECT IN MY CAR, HOWEVER AS I DID MY RESEARCH I FOUND OUT THAT QUITE A FEW OWNERS OF THE MAZDA RX8 6SPEED MANUAL HAVE THIS PROBLEM. I CALLED MAZDA DEALERSHIP IN EVANSTON AND ASKED THEM TO REPLACE IT SINCE IT IS A FACTORY MISTAKE AND MY CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY. THEY TOLD ME THEY WILL NOT REPLACE IT. NOW I CANT DRIVE MY CAR TO THE MECHANIC , AND THE CAR IS SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY DUE TO BEING UNABLE TO SWITCH GEARS AND DRIVE. *TR

Apr 17, 2010

+ 3 more complaints for this component

STEERING

5 complaints

THERE IS A WHITE BUSHING THAT BREAKS AND IS NOT REPLACEABLE. THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN HAS TO BE REPLACED. THE FACT THAT THIS CAR WAS MADE WITH THIS FLAW IS BEYOND MY COMPREHENSION. THE STEERING WHEEL BECOMES VERY LOOSE AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE.

Feb 21, 2020

I'M WRITING TO STATE ON MY RX8 SHINKA 2006 MAZDA HAS A STEERING WHEEL PROBLEM MOST CONCERNING. I HAVE OWNED IT AND MAINTAINED IT. AS I WAS LEAVING MY BANK I NOTICED A WHITE GASKET OF KIND ON THE FLOOR OF THE DRIVERS SIDE. I WENT TO DRIVE MY CAR AND THERE WAS A LOT OF PLAY IN MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL. AT FIRST I TRIED UNLOCKING AND LOCKING THE STEERING COLUMN. THIS WAS NO GOOD. THERE WAS STILL PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL. MEANING YOU CAN MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN UP AND DOWN WITH OUTSIDE UNLOCKING THE COLUMN. THIS SHOULD NOT BE AN ISSUE. IT'S JUST LIKE THE AIR BAG RECALL. I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO WORRY THAT MY STEERING WHEEL WILL FAIL WHILE DRIVING MY AWESOME CAR!

Jan 18, 2019

THE ELECTRONIC ASSIST STEERING ON OUR RX8 COMPLETELY FAILED IN 2007/2008 (APPROX 25,000 MILES) THE STEERING RACK, STEERING MODULE, AND STEERING WIRE HARNESS WERE REPLACED BY MAZDA UNDER WARRANTY. WITHIN A YEAR, THE STEERING FAILED AGAIN. ACCORDING TO MAZDA, IT WAS THE WIRE HARNESS WHICH WAS THEN REPLACED OR SERVICED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. IT HAS NOW BEEN 4 YEARS AND STILL THE CAR ONLY HAS A TOTAL OF 60,000 MILES ON IT AND THE STEERING HAS FAILED AGAIN. THIS TIME THOUGH, FAILURE HAS BEEN INTERMITTENT. THE ASSIST WILL TURN OFF AND BACK ON AS YOU ARE DRIVING. THIS PRODUCES VERY TREACHEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS INCLUDING SUDDEN VEERING OR POTENTIAL LOSS OF CONTROL. DRIVING 10 MILES TO THE DEALERSHIP, THE STEERING ASSIST TURNED OFF & ON TWICE. WHEN THIS HAPPENED THE FIRST TIME, I BARELY AVOIDED COLLIDING WITH A VEHICLE IN THE NEXT LANE AFTER A SUDDEN VEER. I WAS MUSCLING THE STEERING AND THE ASSIST CAME BACK ON. A DRIVER NOT AWARE OF ANY ISSUE WHO EXPERIENCES THE PROBLEM FOR THE FIRST TIME COULD EASILY MAKE A SUDDEN STEERING CHANGE AND IT COULD BE FATAL. MAZDA IS NOW SAYING IT IS THE STEERING CONTROL MODULE YET THEY WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIR ($1,400) BECAUSE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. UPON SEARCHING ONLINE, THERE ARE 100'S OF REPORTS OF THIS EXACT ISSUE OF MULTIPLE STEERING FAILURES BEING REPORTED BY OTHER INDIVIDUAL RX8 OWNERS AS WELL AS OTHER MAZDA VEHICLES. MAZDA CONTINUES TO IGNORE THE PROBLEM FOR THE RX8 YET THEY HAVE ISSUED A VOLUNTARY RECALL OF ALL 2007-2009 MAZDA 3 & MAZDA 5 STEERING SYSTEMS. WE DON'T HAVE A CHOICE BUT TO GET OUR CAR FIXED AND PAY THE BILL. MAZDA REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT EVEN AFTER I CALLED THEIR CORPORATE OFFICE. THEY FILED MY COMPLAINT THEN BASICALLY SAID TOUGH LUCK. THIS IS MY DAUGHTER'S CAR AND SHE CANNOT AFFORD TO BUY ANOTHER CAR. I AM LITERALLY SCARED TO LET HER DRIVE IT. IT IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. *TR

Feb 09, 2012

I AM HAVING AN ISSUE WITH POWER STEERING. IT WENT OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND BECAME VERY HARD TO STEER. I PULLED OVER, SHUT MY CAR OFF, TURNED IT BACK ON AND THE POWER STEERING WAS BACK. THEN LATER THAT DAY IT WENT OUT AGAIN BUT THIS TIME IT NEVER CAME BACK ON. I TOOK IT TO MAZDA AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE CONTROL MODULE. THEY ARE WANTING TO CHARGE ME $1400 FOR A BOX HALF THE SIZE OF A POPTART BOX (COULDN'T THINK OF ANYTHING ELSE HAHA). I CONTACTED CORPORATE AND THEY REFUSE TO SEE THIS AS A SAFETY ISSUE. I DEFINITELY THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL. I HAVE READ ALL OVER THE INTERNET AND FORUMS ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME MODEL AND YEAR HAVING THIS SAME EXACT PROBLEM. IF THERE IS NOTHING DONE ABOUT THIS ASAP I GUARANTEE THERE WILL BE SEVERAL ACCIDENTS DOWN THE ROAD. PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. *TR

Feb 08, 2012

I WENT OVER TO MY FRIENDS HOUSE TO SWIM AROUND 1400 AND, AT THAT TIME, EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL. AFTER WE WERE DONE SWIMMING AND I GOT IN THE CAR TO LEAVE, I TURNED THE CARE ON AND THE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON IN THE DASH. I PROCEEDED TO THE MANUAL WHICH SAYS IT IS DUE TO A POWER STEERING FAILURE. I'VE READ IN MANY FORUMS THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH THIS CAR MODEL. IT HAS BEEN REPORTED THAT IT IS USUALLY THE POWER STEERING HARNESS OR THE RACK (MOTOR OR TORQUE SENSOR). *TR

Sep 05, 2011

AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE

4 complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA RX-8. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASH BOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V382000 (AIR BAG). THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED FOR THEIR SAFETY DUE TO THE AIR BAG BEING EXPOSED AND THE AIR BAG MAY DEPLOY DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.

Feb 08, 2016

DASH HAS SEVERAL CRACKS OVER AIRBAG. CRACKING STARTED SOON AFTER WARRANTY WAS NULL. AIRBAG HAS RECALL, BUT MAZDA EXPECTS OWNERS TO PAY $500 FOR THIS DEFECTIVE PART. WILL REPLACE AIRBAG AND RE-INSTALL SAME CRACKED DASH. VERY DANGEROUS IN CRASH SITUATION AS SMALL FRAGMENTS MAY ENTER PASSENGERS FACE AND UPPER BODY. SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH RX8'S ACCORDING TO MAZDA MECHANIC. *TR

Feb 13, 2015

CRACK APPEARED IN THE DASH WHERE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG IS CONTAINED. THE CRACK STARTED SEVERAL MONTHS AGO AND THE CAR IS NOT GARAGED AND IS IN THE SUN ALL DAY SO I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE CAUSED BY THE SUN. I LIVE IN GEORGIA AND THIS CAR ORIGINALLY CAME FROM THE PORT AUTHORITY IN FLORIDA WHERE IT IS ALSO VERY HOT. MY VIN NUMBER IS INCLUDED IN THE RANGE OF "POTENTIALLY AFFECTED VEHICLES" IN THE 14V-344 LETTER DATED JUNE 20, 2014, WRITTEN TO [XXX] OF THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION AND WAS SIGNED BY [XXX] , GROUP MANAGER, OF ENVIRONMENTAL, SAFETY & POWERTRAIN ENGINEERING, MAZDA NORTH AMERICAN OPERATIONS. I PRINTED A COPY OF THAT LETTER AND WILL ALSO CONTACT MAZDA TO SEE WHEN THEY PLAN TO INITIATE AN ACTION. I AM ASKING [XXX] THE SAME QUESTION HERE. IS MY FAMILY AND THE PEOPLE WITH THE CRACKS IN THEIR DASHES IN DANGER? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Nov 11, 2014

THE DASH COVER OVER THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG IS CRACKING A LOT IN ALL DIFFERENT LOCATIONS. I TALKED TO THE DEALER ABOUT THIS AND THEY TOLD ME IT IS A COMMON ISSUE IN THE RX-8'S AND THAT THE FACTORY WON'T COVER FIXING IT. THIS SEEMS LIKE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE DASH CRACKING APART RIGHT ABOVE THE AIR BAG. I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT SOME MINOR CRACKS EITHER. I FIRST NOTICED THE CRACKS IN THE DASH ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO AND NOW THEY GROWN AND EXPANDED SUBSTANTIALLY SINCE THEN. IT JUST REALLY LOOKS LIKE A DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH IT OCCURRING RIGHT ABOVE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE IT IF SOMEONE FROM NHTSA WOULD LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE FURTHER. THANK YOU *TR

Feb 05, 2014

ENGINE

3 complaints

The contact's grandson owns a 2006 Mazda RX-8. The contact stated that while her grandson was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the vehicle had an oil pressure failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

May 23, 2023

TAKATA RECALL THE VEHICLE WAS STUTTERING AS I WAS DRIVING HOME IT WASN'T HOT OR OVERHEATING OR LOW ON OIL, I DROVE IT HOME AND SHUT IT OFF I THEN LATER TRIED TO START IT IT WOULDN'T START IT JUST CRANKED AND CRANKED IT WOULDN'T EVEN START OR TRY TO , THE APEX SEALS ON THIS CAR WENT OUT WHICH IS DUE TO THE LOSS OF COMPRESSION WHICH ULTIMATELY CAUSED THE SPUTTERING, MAZDA IS WELL AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AS IT WAS RECALLED ALMOST A YEAR AGO BUT I DIDN'T HAVE THE ISSUE SO I DIDN'T SEE A NEED TO GET IT REPLACED ! THIS ISSUE IS UNACCEPTABLE AS NOW I'M WITHOUT A CAR PLEASE HELP ME OUT !

Nov 07, 2018

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A STARTING ISSUE UNEXPECTEDLY. ONE DAY IT NO LONGER WANTED TO START I TOWED IT IN TO MAZDA THEY SAID THE VEHICLE WAS FLOODED. AGAIN IN FEBRUARY 2015 THE VEHICLE STARTED EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE HAVING DIFFICULTY STARTING EVENTUALLY IT WAS TAKEN IN AGAIN TO MIDAS THE ISSUE AGAIN WAS DUE TO FLOODING. I PAID FOR THE SERVICES AND TOOK THE VEHICLE HOME. THE NEXT DAY THE VEHICLE HAD TROUBLE STARTING BUT EVENTUALLY TURNED ONE AS I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN TO MAZDA IT SHUT DOWN UNEXPECTEDLY LEAVING ME STRANDED MID INTERSECTION. HALF AN HOUR LATER THE VEHICLE STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN TO MAZDA FOR AN INSPECTION WHERE THEY IDENTIFIED THAT THE ENGINE HAD LOST COMPRESSION WITH NO REASON BEHIND IT...MAZDA RX8 ENGINES ARE VERY UNRELIABLE AND A SAFETY CONCERN AND IT HAS TO BE DUE TO MANUFACTURE DEFECT...UPDATED 03-16-15 *BF *TR

Feb 11, 2015

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

3 complaints

PERRY MAZDA OF SANTA BARBARA CA IS REFUSING TO REPAIR MY RECALL BECAUSE THE FUEL PUMP CURRENTLY INSTALLED IS AN AFTERMARKET PART. I'VE CONTACTED MAZDA, BUT THE REPRESENTATIVE I SPOKE WITH AGREED WITH THE TECHNICIAN THAT THEY CAN'T REPAIR MY RECALL. HE IS LOOKING INTO ANOTHER SOLUTION SO I CAN GET MY REGISTRATION, BUT I'M MAKING SURE THEIR ACTING LEGALLY.

Apr 10, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA RX-8. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V793000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

May 03, 2017

WHILE DRIVING AN INCREASING SMELL OF RAW GASOLINE WAS NOTICED IN THE VEHICLE. UPON INVESTIGATION OF THE FUEL PUMP LOCATED UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT BEHIND THE DRIVER'S SEAT THERE WAS AN ACCUMULATION OF GASOLINE BELOW THE FUEL PUMP OUTLET TO FUEL LINE COUPLING. UPON REMOVING THE FUEL LINE COUPLING AND THE FUEL LINE GOING TO THE ENGINE IT WAS OBSERVED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK APPROXIMATELY 1/2 INCH LONG IN THE BOTTOM PORTION OF THE PLASTIC FUEL PUMP OUTLET WHICH HAD ALLOWED GASOLINE TO ACCUMULATE ON TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP HOUSING. THE FUEL PUMP ALONG WITH THE FUEL LINE GOING TO THE ENGINE WERE BOTH REPLACED WHICH CORRECTED THE FUEL LEAK PROBLEM. IT WOULD BE RECOMMENDED TO CHECK FOR CRACKS IN THE FUEL PUMP OUTLET THE NEXT TIME THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE IS BROUGHT IN FOR SERVICE.

Jun 23, 2015

POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

2 complaints

THE BRACKET FOR THE CLUTCH PEDAL HAS BROKEN 4 TIMES. THE MILAGE IS CURRENTLY 81,000. I'VE CONTACTED MAZDA CORP AND THE DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM NEW. THEY'RE SAYING UNLESS THERE'S A RECALL WE HAVE TO KEEP BUYING A NEW PEDAL/BRACKET ASSEMBLY. THE METAL THEY USED IS SOFT AND WEAK CAUSING YOU TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE CLUTCH. PEDAL GETS STUCK TOO. IT HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING AND AT IDLE. DANGEROUS GOING UP OR DOWN HILLS EVEN AT INTERSECTIONS IT'LL DISABLE YOUR ABILITY TO MOVE. WHEN MAZDA DOES A REPAIR THE PUT THE SAME WEAK JUNK NOT BOTHERING TO REINFORCE OR EVEN FIX THEIR PROBLEM. LOOK IT UP ON THE WEB. JUST ABOUT EVERYONE WITH A MANUAL RX8 HAS THE SAME PROBLEM.

Feb 21, 2019

CLUTCH PEDAL ASSEMBLY SNAPPED IN HALF AT WELD POINT, WHILE SHIFTING AT NORMAL SPEEDS ON HIGHWAY.

Aug 31, 2015

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2 complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA RX-8. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

May 14, 2015

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE GOING 70 MPH IN CRUISE CONTROL MODE THE VEHICLE BACK END SWERVED LEFT AND THEN RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN AFTER THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER, HOWEVER THE CONTACT SUSPECTS THAT TRACCION CONTROL SYSTEM FAILED.

Jul 24, 2006

Crash: 1

POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

2 complaints

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND AS I WAS PUSHING THE CLUTCH IN WITH MY FOOT, I HEARD A LOUD POP. I WASN'T ABLE TO CHANGE GEARS BUT LUCKILY I WAS GOING TO THE OFFRAMP SO I PULLED OVER AND LOOKED AT THE CLUTCH. THE METAL CLUTCH PLATE HAD BROKE. *TR

Mar 11, 2015

AROUND 07/04/2013, MY CLUTCH START TO GIVE ME A FEW PROBLEMS. THE MAJOR ONE WAS THAT THE CLUTCH PEDAL WOULD NOT RESPOND HOW IT NORMALLY SHOULD. I WOULD STICK AND EVENTUALLY MADE IT VERY HARD TO SHIFT INTO FIRST GEAR AND REVERSE. SINCE IT WAS A HOLIDAY WEEKEND, I HAD TO WAIT TILL 07/08/2013 UNTIL MY NORMAL MECHANIC WAS OPEN. WHILE INSPECTING IT, HE FOUND THAT THE CLUTCH PEDAL WOULD SHIFT AND WIGGLE SIDE TO SIDE, WHICH IS VERY ABNORMAL. WHEN I WENT TO INSPECT IT MYSELF, I HEARD A "SNAP!" AND THE PEDAL SHIFTED ALL THE WAY TO THE BRAKE PEDAL.UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE PEDALS BRAKED, CONNECTING IT TO THE CAR'S FIRE WALL HAD SNAPPED APART. I HAD HEARD THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN FACT BY MAZDA, AND THEY HAD SENT OUT A RECALL ON THE PART. I WENT TO THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NOT A RECALL, BUT A WARRANTY EXTENSION, AND MY CAR IS NOT COVERED BY THE EXTENSION AND I WOULD HAVE TO BUY A NEW PART, AND PAY THE LABOR. THE CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE NOW, AND I NOW HAVE TO PAY FOR A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT MAZDA REFUSES TO FIX. EVEN IN THE MOST EXTREME SITUATIONS, THIS PART SHOULD NEVER BREAK. IT IS STILL A VERY DANGEROUS AND POSSIBLY FATAL DEFECT, THAT IS STILL KNOWN BY THE MAKER, AND THEY REFUSE TO FIX A PROBLEM THAT IS STILL HAPPENING TO THIS TYPE OF CAR. *TR

Jul 08, 2013

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE

1 complaint

MY VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A DEFECT KNOWN TO MAZDA TO THE EXTENT OF THEM ISSUING A RECALL (OR SSP) IN THE CANADIAN MARKET DUE TO USE OF CORROSIVES AND EXCESSIVE WET SEASONS CAUSING BUILD UP ON AND CORROSION OF THE OIL COOLER LINES. MAZDA CLEARLY STATED IN THE CANADIAN SSP (#76) THAT EXTENSIVE CORROSION COULD CAUSE A LEAK AND/OR LOSS OF PRESSURE, AND KNOWING THAT A LOSS OF PRESSURE OR A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF OIL WHILE THE CAR WAS IN OPERATION WOULD CAUSE DRASTIC MECHANICAL ENGINE FAILURE BY WAY OF BURNING OUT THE SEALS/ROTORS/BEARINGS AND EVENTUAL SEIZURE OR TOTAL LOSS OF COMPRESSION IN THE MOTOR. THE LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE DUE TO CORROSION DIRECTLY RESULTING FROM THIS CAUSED MY APEX SEALS TO OVERHEAT AND NO LONGER PROVIDE A SEAL TO ALLOW THE MOTOR TO HOLD COMPRESSION. DUE TO THIS FAILURE DIRECTLY CAUSED BY THE KNOWN DEFECT, AND THE FACT THAT THE ISSUE WAS PUT IN PLACE FOR CANADA DUE TO THEIR HIGH PROPENSITY FOR EXTENDED WET SEASONS AND HIGH USE OF CORROSIVES TO ALLEVIATE WINTERY CONDITIONS ON THE ROADWAYS, MAZDA SHOULD ALSO HAVE ISSUED REGIONAL OR CASE-BY-CASE RECALLS OF VEHICLES THAT EXPERIENCE THIS SAME DEFECT IN AREAS OF THE UNITED STATES THAT EXPERIENCE SIMILAR CONDITIONS. HAD I BEEN TRAVELLING ON THE HIGHWAY AND NOT ON A 25MPH CITY ROAD, I COULD HAVE EXPERIENCE A MAJOR ACCIDENT OR INCIDENT BECAUSE OF MY MOTOR FAILURE. THERE ARE NUMEROUS OTHER CASES OF THIS DEFECT SHOWING IN AMERICAN VEHICLES ACROSS THE COUNTRY, FROM NEAR ME (IN NEW ENGLAND) TO CALIFORNIA THAT HAVE BEEN REPORTED ONLINE. I CAN CONTACT THE LICENSED MECHNIC WHO DEALT WITH THE VEHICLE FOR COPIES OF HIS WORK ORDERS, AND I HAVE RECEIPTS TO PROVE THAT I PURCHASED OIL COOLER LINES AS REPLACEMENTS BEFORE I KNEW OF THE LOSS OF COMPRESSION AND RUINED MOTOR. MAZDA USA WAS OF NO HELP IN ALLEVIATING THE PROBLEM, AND I AM NOW OUT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON A VEHICLE THAT I HAD RECENTLY PURCHASED BEFORE THE EVENT OCCURRED

Apr 19, 2018

STRUCTURE

1 complaint

TAKATA RECALL. MY 2006 MAZDA RX8 HAS HAD TWO RECALLS DONE ON IT. THE 2ND OWNER HAD IT DONE AND AFTERWARDS A SMALL CRACK STARTED FROM ONE POINT WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED. WE HAD IT DONE IN GAINESVILLE AGAIN AND BROUGHT IT TO THEIR ATTENTION. THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING EXCEPT TO BUY A NEW DASH. THE CRACKS HAVE CONTINUED TO SPREAD AND I'M CONCERNED THAT IF THE AIR BAG INFLATES PERSONAL INJURY COULD BE DONE TO THE PASSENGER FROM PARTS OF THE DASH EXPLODING. I WILL NOT ALLOW ANYONE TO RIDE IT THE PASSENGERS SEAT BECAUSE OF THIS. THIS CONTINUES TO GET WORSE OVER TIME NOT ON A CERTAIN DAY. WE KEEP A SUNSHADE IN THE WINDOW HOPING THAT WILL SLOW IT DOWN BUT TO NOW AVAIL. THIS IS A PLEASURE CAR AND ONLY AS LESS THAN 36000 MILES ON IT AND IT NOT ABUSED.

Jun 18, 2017

ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA RX-8. THE CONTACT NOTICED A FUEL ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MOFFITT VOLKSWAGEN INC. (1960 OLD MINDEN ROAD P.O. BOX 5855 BOSSIER CITY, LA 71111), AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF A RECALL THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THE FUEL ODOR. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE DE-FLOODED DUE TO A BLOCKAGE IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE CONTACT DECLINED THE REPAIR AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DE-FLOODED. A WEEK LATER, THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE ODOR INTENSIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A FUEL LEAKAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE MOFFITT VOLKSWAGEN INC. DEALER AND WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V793000 (FUEL SYSTEM,GASOLINE). AFTER THE REPAIR, THE ENGINE INDICATOR CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE AND THE ODOR PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,700.

Jun 01, 2017

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 complaint

THE VEHICLE IS LEAKING GAS FROM THE FUEL PUMP. IT SMELLS REALLY BAD SCARED TO DRIVE BECAUSE THE GAS SMELL STAY IN THE CABIN. PEOPLE WHEN I PARK NEXT TO THEM SAY YOU HAVE A BAD GAS LEAK . BUT IT'S JUST DRIPPING FROM THE FUEL PUMP TO WHERE THE FUEL LINE CONNECTS AND I JUST NEED HELP WITH THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE IT IS NOT SAFE IF PEOPLE CAN TELL ME I HAVE A BAD GAS LEAK JUST BY PARKING RIGHT NEXT TO ME ALSO SEEM LIKE IT LEAKS WHILE CAR IS OFF ALSO IT IS HIGHLY IMPORTANT THAT A PERSON IS NOT TO INHALE GAS FUMES ALL DAY PLEASE HELP THANK YOU *TR

Dec 05, 2016

AIR BAGS,ENGINE

1 complaint

I PURCHASED/FINANCED MY VEHICLE ON OCTOBER 9, 2015 AT HILLTOP NISSAN (258 ROUTE 10, EAST HANOVER, NJ 07936) AT 59,201 MILES. ON APRIL 7, 2016, I WENT TO START THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. I HAD IT TOWED TO MAZDA OF LODI, SO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT CAN TAKE A LOOK AT THE VEHICLE. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT CONTACTED ME AND SAID IT WAS THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE NEEDS A NEW ENGINE. THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 63,545 MILES ON IT, AND SINCE THEN, I DROVE ONLY 4,344 MILES IN THE SIX MONTHS. I ASKED THE DEALER, FINANCE DEPARTMENT FOR A WARRANTY/EXTENDED WARRANTY AND THE FINANCE MANAGER SAID, THERE ARE NO WARRANTIES. I DID NOT RECEIVE A WHITE (SQUARE) PIECE OF PAPER OR BOOKLET FOR WARRANTY INFORMATION OR "AS IS" INFORMATION. NOW, I AM PAYING $8500.00 FOR A NEW ENGINE. THEN, I SEARCHED ONLINE FOR ANY SAFETY ISSUES OR RECALLS ON VINRCL.SAFECAR.GOV. I FOUND OUT THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS A DEVASTATING SAFETY RECALL INVOLVING THE AIRBAGS. (THERE WAS ALSO A RECALL MANY YEARS AGO INVOLVING THE ENGINE, AND THAT MAZDA RX-8 OWNERS CAN RETURN THE VEHICLE, BY CHOICE, FOR A FULL REFUND??) THE DEALER, HILLTOP NISSAN, DID NOT NOTIFY ME ABOUT THIS RECALL. THEY SOLD ME A USED CAR WITH A SERIOUS SAFETY AIRBAG RECALL. (ALSO: RECALLS ON A ENGINE) ISSUE: I HAVE A SERIOUS DEFECT INVOLVING AIRBAGS THAT DISPENSE SHRAPNEL. I WONDER WHAT OTHER SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUES INVOLVING THE ENGINE/VEHICLE THAT WERE NOT DISCLOSED? THANK YOU *TR

Apr 18, 2016

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 complaint

I HAVE HAD MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACED, ALONG W MY ENGINE, LESS THAN 2 YEARS AGO. NOW MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME BACK ON AND THE INSIDE OF MY CAR SMELLS VERY GASSY AND EXHAUST SMELLING WHILE DRIVING AND I'M BEING TOLD THAT IT'S MY CONVERTER AGAIN AND THEY SAY IT SHOULD NOT BE HAVING ANY PROBLEMS IN THIS SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP WHICH INITIALLY FIXED THE PROBLEM AND THEY AREN'T HELPING AND BASICALLY SAYING IT'LL BE MY RESPONSIBILITY AGAIN! *TR

Mar 30, 2015

STEERING,POWER TRAIN

1 complaint

I WAS GOING TO PULL OUT OF THE PARKING LOT WHEN THE CLUTCH PEDAL BENT OVER TO THE SIDE (BRAKE SIDE). BECAUSE OF THE BENT, I CAN NOT PUT MY CAR INTO GEAR OR TURN IT ON. *TR

Dec 15, 2014

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

1 complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MAZDA RX8. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE SMELLED A FUEL ODOR AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL AND THAT THEY WOULD CONTACT THE DEALER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 51,000. . UPDATED 07/27/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER SAID THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS. THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK NOTICED AT THE FUEL PUMP WHICH IS LOCATED UNDER THE BACK SEAT OF THE CAR. UPDATED 08/02/2012 *JS

Jun 18, 2012

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

2006 MAZDA RX8 SHINKA FAILED CLUTCH PEDAL WHILE DRIVING IN LOCAL AREA. I TOOK IT TO MACHINIST NEXT DOOR, AND HE TOLD ME THAT THIS PEDAL IS UNBELIEVABLE HOW WEAK IT IS. THE METAL PART WHICH HOLDS CLUTCH PEDAL IS VERY THIN. NOW I'VE BEEN CHARGED AROUND $400 TO FIX IT, AND IT FEELS LIKE IT IS MAZDA'S FAULT. I COULDN'T GO TO SCHOOL YESTERDAY, AND MY SCHOOL IS PRIVATE COLLEGE, SO I WASTED ANOTHER $150 MISSING ONE DAY OF CLASS. *TR

Jan 08, 2010

EQUIPMENT

1 complaint

DEFECTIVE AIR CONDITIONING -WILL NOT PROVIDE A VEHICLE UNTIL FIXED. 2005 MAZDA RX8. CONTACTED MAZDA CORPORATION SUPPOSEDLY AND THEY WILL NOT HELP. WHO SHOULD I CONTACT TO GET ASSISTANCE? *NM

Aug 17, 2006

2006 MAZDA RX-8 Problems & Complaints

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