The most-reported RX-8 run is JM1FE173640 (2004 builds) with 33 complaints, 5× the typical run. Power train problems make up 29% of reports; 2004 is the worst model year at 12.8 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 14 recall campaigns for RX-8 model years 2004–2011.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Mazda RX-8 has 98 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 24% of every RX-8 complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JM1FE173640•••••• | 2004 | — | 2 | |
| JM1FE173440•••••• | 2004 | 1 | — | |
| JM1FE173940•••••• | 2004 | — | 1 | |
| JM1FE173X40•••••• | 2004 | 1 | 1 | |
| JM1FE173040•••••• | 2004 | — | 1 | |
| JM1FE173340•••••• | 2004 | 1 | — | |
| JM1FE173740•••••• | 2004 | 1 | — | |
| JM1FE173540•••••• | 2004 | 1 | — | |
| JM1FE173240•••••• | 2004 | 2 | — | |
| JM1FE17N540•••••• | 2004 | — | 1 | |
| JM1FE173840•••••• | 2004 | — | — | |
| JM1FE17NX40•••••• | 2004 | — | 2 |
Each of the other 86 RX-8 runs has 17 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 12 RX-8 VINs so far, most often 2005, 2004, 2006 builds; 1 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Mazda RX-8 the gap between build years is 12.8×: a 2004 car draws 12.8 complaints per run, a 2009 one 1.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 4 | 3 | 1 | |
| 2010 | 5 | 4 | — | |
| 2009 | 8 | 8 | — | |
| 2008 | 13 | 8 | — | |
| 2007 | 34 | 11 | 1 | |
| 2006 | 49 | 13 | 1 | |
| 2005 | 131 | 25 | 5 | |
| 2004 | 398 | 31 | 16 |
Heaviest year here is 2004 at 12.8 complaints per run; lightest is 2009 at 1.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 29% of everything Mazda RX-8 owners report: Power Train, 187 of 642 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 1 | 1 | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 | 7 | |
| Air Bags | 10 | — | |
| Steering | 7 | — | |
| Fuel/propulsion System | — | 2 | |
| Engine | — | 2 | |
| Electrical System | 1 | 2 | |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 14 recall campaigns on the Mazda RX-8; the 6 below cover build years 2004 to 2011. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 18V402000 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module | 2004–2011 |
| 18V404000 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module | 2005–2009 |
| 17V474000 | Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module | 2004–2008 |
| 16V793000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump | 2004–2008 |
| 17V354000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump | 2004–2008 |
| 21V744000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump | 2009–2011 |
18V402000 was opened in 2018 on cars built from 2004: 14 years on the road before the recall.
The RX-8 against its rivals
The RX-8 draws 6.6 complaints per production run; the Mitsubishi Eclipse 2.3 and the Hyundai Tiburon 2.7. That is the highest rate of the 3.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mazda RX-8 | 642 | 98 | 3.7% | |
| Mitsubishi Eclipse | 1,735 | 757 | 11.2% | |
| Hyundai Tiburon | 560 | 208 | 13.8% |
How serious were they
Of the 642 reports on the Mazda RX-8, 3.7% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.
| Outcome | Mazda RX-8 | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 642 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 24 (3.7%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 15 (2.3%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 16 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 36% below the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Mazda RX-8 share of that is 642 complaints over 98 runs, 0.06% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Mazda RX-8 VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 642 NHTSA complaints from 98 RX-8 runs and 14 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which RX-8 production run has the most complaints?
JM1FE173640, a 2004 build, with 33 complaints. The typical RX-8 run has 6.6.
Which RX-8 years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2004 is heaviest at 12.8 complaints per run and 2009 lightest at 1.
Does the RX-8 get more complaints than the Mitsubishi Eclipse?
Yes: 6.6 complaints per production run for the RX-8 against 2.3 for the Mitsubishi Eclipse.
How many RX-8 complaints involve a crash?
3.7% of 642 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 15 involved a fire.
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