2005 MAZDA RX-8 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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N/A

Safety Rating

212

Owner Complaints

8 Crashes 1 Fire

6

Recalls

ACTIVE RECALL

12

Service Bulletins

1

Investigation

Overview of the 2005 MAZDA RX-8

The 2005 MAZDA RX-8 has received a total of 212 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 6 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. 12 technical service bulletins have been issued by Mazda Motor Corp. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Power Trainmanual Transmission (22 complaints), Air Bags (21 complaints), and Power Train (21 complaints).

Recalls for the 2005 MAZDA RX-8

NHTSA has recorded 6 recalls for the 2005 MAZDA RX-8, potentially affecting up to 812,661 vehicles.

Recall 18V402000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

| 308,591 vehicles affected

Defect: Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 and 2004 MPV vehicles nationwide. Mazda is also recalling 2005-2006 MPV vehicles in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas,...

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....

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Recall 18V404000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

| 4,184 vehicles affected

Defect: Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Mazda MPV vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. On July 9, 2019 this recall was expanded to include certain 2005-2009 RX-8...

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...

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Recall 17V474000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

| 308,992 vehicles affected

Defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2004-2008 RX-8, and 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion and other factors, including manufacturing variability that, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

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,...

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Recall 16V793000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

| 69,447 vehicles affected

Defect: Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RX-8 vehicles manufactured April 10, 2003, to February 18, 2008. The affected vehicles have fuel pump sealing rings that may deteriorate due to exposure to heat from the engine or exhaust pipe.

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...

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Recall 17V354000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

| 69,447 vehicles affected

Defect: Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RX-8 vehicles. Heat from the engine and the exhaust may cause the main fuel pump pipe to crack.

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.

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Recall 05V317000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

| 52,000 vehicles affected

Defect: IF CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ARE PARKED AND THE ENGINE IS OPERATED AT HIGH RPM'S FOR AN EXCESSIVE LENGTH OF TIME, SOME OF THE PARTS AROUND THE EXHAUST SYSTEM CAN MELT AND PRODUCE A VARIETY OF MALFUNCTIONS. PROBLEMS CAUSED BY THE EXCESSIVE HEAT BUILD-UP CAN RANGE FROM INOPERATIVE OXYGEN SENSOR, NEUTRAL SWITCH AND BACK UP LIGHTS, PROBLEMS WITH THE PARKING BRAKES,...

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.

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Owner Complaints for the 2005 MAZDA RX-8

212 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2005 MAZDA RX-8. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Power Trainmanual Transmission
Complaints: 22
Air Bags
Complaints: 21 3 Crashes 3 Injuries
Power Train
Complaints: 21 1 Injury
Steering
Complaints: 16
Engine And Engine Cooling
Complaints: 15
Fuelpropulsion System
Complaints: 12 1 Fire
Vehicle Speed Control
Complaints: 11 1 Crash
Engine
Complaints: 9
Electrical System
Complaints: 8
Engine And Engine Coolingengine
Complaints: 8
Power Trainclutch Assembly
Complaints: 7
Unknown Or Other
Complaints: 7
Power Trainclutch Assemblypedalhand Levermotorcycle
Complaints: 5
Service Brakes
Complaints: 4
Engine And Engine Coolingcooling System
Complaints: 3
Equipment
Complaints: 3
Exterior Lighting
Complaints: 3
Seat Belts
Complaints: 3
Service Brakes Hydraulic
Complaints: 3
Suspension
Complaints: 3
Air Bagssidewindow
Complaints: 2 2 Crashes 2 Injuries
Fuel System Gasoline
Complaints: 2
Structure
Complaints: 2
Tires
Complaints: 2
Visibility
Complaints: 2
Wheels
Complaints: 2
Air Bagsfrontal
Complaints: 1 1 Crash 2 Injuries
Electrical System12v24v48v Battery
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemstarter Assembly
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust System
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systememission Control
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systememission Controlcatalytic Convertor
Complaints: 1
Equipmentotherlabels
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lightingheadlights
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Gasolinestoragetank Assembly
Complaints: 1
Parking Brake
Complaints: 1 1 Crash
Seatsfront Assemblyhead Restraint
Complaints: 1
Seatsfront Assemblyseat Heatercooler
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Airdiscrotor
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slipabs Warning Light
Complaints: 1
Steeringelectric Power Assist System
Complaints: 1
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac System
Complaints: 1

Most Recent Complaints

#11549803 | AIR BAGS | | N/A miles
See attached document for complaint
#11476049 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | | N/A miles
Part associated with recall 1017E has failed due to improper installation.
#11421597 | SERVICE BRAKES | | N/A miles
My cars steering will loosen up and stiffen up randomly also the traction control will randomly engage and the tire pressure lights and another light
#11421597 | STEERING | | N/A miles
My cars steering will loosen up and stiffen up randomly also the traction control will randomly engage and the tire pressure lights and another light
#11421371 | POWER TRAIN | | N/A miles
The steering wheel sometimes its hard to control sometimes its normal and when going fast the steering is so loose like there's a gaps that you need your two hands on the steering all time and the weels Weigel at high speed 60mph. its hard drive the car on the freeway And everyday use i already spend $2800 at the dealership get fix but never get fix The car no accident to be like that. Car has 80k mileage

View all Power Trainmanual Transmission complaints →

Safety Rating for the 2005 MAZDA RX-8

NHTSA has not yet tested the 2005 MAZDA RX-8 in its New Car Assessment Program.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 2005 MAZDA RX-8

Mazda Motor Corp. has issued 12 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2005 MAZDA RX-8. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

SA-013-19 — EQUIPMENT

MAZDA IDS INOPERATIVE WITH VCM-II LICENSE EXPIRATION MESSAGE - If you encounter an IDS inoperative problem with VCM-II license expiration message, follow the instructions below: 1. CLICK HERE to download the resetting tool to your PC desktop. 2. Reboot your PC, DO NOT start any application after restarting. 3. Run...

09-018-17 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Display shows inaccurate ambient temperature. Some customers may complain that the ambient temperature display is not accurate, or it takes too long for the display to show actual temperature.

SB-09-057-10 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:CONCEALMENT DEVICES

MAZDA: THERE IS CONDENSATION AND FOG IN THE FRONT AND REAR COMBINATION LIGHTS. *RM

SB-09-057-10 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING

MAZDA: THERE IS CONDENSATION AND FOG IN THE FRONT AND REAR COMBINATION LIGHTS. *RM

02-005-08 — SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

MAZDA: NOISE FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE/STABILIZER CONTROL LINK BROKEN. THE PLASTIC INSERT CONNECTING THE STABILIZER CONTROL LINK BALL JOINT TO THE CONTROL LINK MAY CRACK AND BECOME SEPARATED. *PE UPDATED 3/19/09. *PE

0901407 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING

WATER IN REAR COMBINATION LIGHT. *KB

0100704 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

A MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) P0300-0302 (MISFIRE) WHEN RUNNING, AFTER THE ENGINE HAS BEEN REPLACED. AFTER REPLACING THE ENGINE, THE ECCENTRIC SHAFT POSITION SENSOR WILL REMAIN IN THE PCM, CAUSING THE PCM TO MISDIAGNOSE THE ECCENTRIC SHAFT POSITION SENSOR SIGNAL, RESULTING IN THE DTC P0300-P0302 STORED...

0103105 — FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

FUEL DISTRIBUTOR INSULATOR-REMOVAL / INSTALLATION CAUTIONS-SERVICE TIP. *TS

0104204 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

BATTERY REPLACEMENT - SERVICE TIP. *TT

0901005 — LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LOCK

RETRACTABLE KEY TRUNK RELEASE BUTTON - REVISED HOLD DOWN TIME SPECIFICATION - SERVICE TIP. *TT

Showing 10 of 12 technical service bulletins.

NHTSA Investigations for the 2005 MAZDA RX-8

NHTSA has opened 1 investigation into potential safety defects in the 2005 MAZDA RX-8.

Investigation PE09045 — POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE) Closed

Opened:

CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET FAILURE

Other Model Years of the MAZDA RX-8

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Other MAZDA Models

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Check any vehicle history by VIN - Free vehicle history report