MAZDA RX-8 · model year

2005 MAZDA RX-8

212 NHTSA complaints, 8 crash reports, and 6 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2005MAZDARX-8 carries 212 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 8 crashes, 1 fire, 8 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2005 RX-8 is power train:manual transmission with 22 filings, followed by air bags (21) and power train (21). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 6 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 21 investigation files overlapping the 2005 RX-8, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

212
Complaints
8
Crashes
1
Fires
8
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

212 filings

Crashes Reported

8 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION22
AIR BAGS21
POWER TRAIN21
STEERING16
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING15
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM12
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL11
ENGINE9
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM8
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE8
UNKNOWN OR OTHER7
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY7
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE)5
SERVICE BRAKES4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC3

Recalls (6)

16V79300031/10/2016

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

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.

17V47400026/07/2017

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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 manufa

18V40200015/06/2018

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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, Ind

18V40400015/06/2018

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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 Dakot

05V31700007/07/2005

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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, NEU

17V35400001/06/2017

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

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.

Recent Complaints

20231013AIR BAGS

See attached document for complaint

20220727FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Part associated with recall 1017E has failed due to improper installation.

20210621SERVICE BRAKES

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

20210621STEERING

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

20210618STEERING

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

20210618POWER TRAIN

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

20210329FireFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

FUEL LEAK AT GAS TANK AREA CAUSED MASSIVE FIRE.

Mileage: 74,000

20191011SERVICE BRAKES

THE CLUTCH PEDAL ASSEMBLY BRACKET BREAKS AT THE SPOTWELDS WHICH ALSO BREAKS THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER AND LUKILY THIS BROKE WHILE STARTING THE CAR

Mileage: 110,200

20191011POWER TRAIN

THE CLUTCH PEDAL ASSEMBLY BRACKET BREAKS AT THE SPOTWELDS WHICH ALSO BREAKS THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER AND LUKILY THIS BROKE WHILE STARTING THE CAR

Mileage: 110,200

20190416ENGINE

OIL COOLER HOSES RUST OUT AT FITTINGS AND LEAK OIL UNCONTROLLABLY. ONE SEARCH OF ANY RX8 FORUM AND YOU WILL FIND ALL YEARS ARE EFFECTED.

Mileage: 102,325

20190312CrashAIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 MAZDA RX-8. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE JUNK YARD. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION AND SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE HEAD, PELVIC, AND RIBS. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

Mileage: 150,000

20190212STEERING

MY STEERING WHEEL TURNS ON ITS OWN WHILE IN MOTION ON THE BELTWAY AND SOMETIMES IT DIFFICULT TO STEER AT ALL WHILE IN MOTION IN TRAFFIC. I PURCHASED NEW TIRES THINKING THAT WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM BUT IT DIDN'T.

Mileage: 115,000

20181206FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TAKATA RECALL MAKING A COMPLAINT ABOUT NOT DOING RECALL IN A TIMELY MANOR

Mileage: 110,000

20181206UNKNOWN OR OTHER

TAKATA RECALL MAKING A COMPLAINT ABOUT NOT DOING RECALL IN A TIMELY MANOR

Mileage: 110,000

20180707POWER TRAIN

CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET BROKEN UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS. I WENT TO PUSH THE CLUTCH IN TO DOWNSHIFT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS TO OVER TAKE A SLOWER VEHICLE AND IT SNAPPED WITH AN AUDIBLE "POP" AND I COULDNT SHIFT INTO THE LOWER GEAR AND MY RPMS, WENT TO IDLE AT HIGHWAY SPEED. HAD IT BROKEN AT A DIFFERENT TIME, I COULD HAVE BEEN LOCKED INTO A CERTAIN GEAR AND HA TO BREAK FAST OR CRASH RISKING THE LIVES OF MY OCCUPANTS AND THE OCCUPANTS OF ANOTHER VEHICLE

Mileage: 150,000

20180707VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET BROKEN UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS. I WENT TO PUSH THE CLUTCH IN TO DOWNSHIFT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS TO OVER TAKE A SLOWER VEHICLE AND IT SNAPPED WITH AN AUDIBLE "POP" AND I COULDNT SHIFT INTO THE LOWER GEAR AND MY RPMS, WENT TO IDLE AT HIGHWAY SPEED. HAD IT BROKEN AT A DIFFERENT TIME, I COULD HAVE BEEN LOCKED INTO A CERTAIN GEAR AND HA TO BREAK FAST OR CRASH RISKING THE LIVES OF MY OCCUPANTS AND THE OCCUPANTS OF ANOTHER VEHICLE

Mileage: 150,000

20180707UNKNOWN OR OTHER

CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET BROKEN UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS. I WENT TO PUSH THE CLUTCH IN TO DOWNSHIFT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS TO OVER TAKE A SLOWER VEHICLE AND IT SNAPPED WITH AN AUDIBLE "POP" AND I COULDNT SHIFT INTO THE LOWER GEAR AND MY RPMS, WENT TO IDLE AT HIGHWAY SPEED. HAD IT BROKEN AT A DIFFERENT TIME, I COULD HAVE BEEN LOCKED INTO A CERTAIN GEAR AND HA TO BREAK FAST OR CRASH RISKING THE LIVES OF MY OCCUPANTS AND THE OCCUPANTS OF ANOTHER VEHICLE

Mileage: 150,000

20180501ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I HAD MANY RECALLS DONE LAST YEAR. NOW, TODAY, OLIVER AT MAZDA CORPORATE SAID THAT JOE MACHENS DEALERSHIPS AREN'T EQUIPPED TO HAVE DONE THE WORK PROPERLY. RECALLS: 16V793, 17V-354 & 355, FRONT END STEARING FROM INAPPROPRIATE CAULKING OF BALL JOINT , ENGINE REPLACED TWICE, OIL MIXING WITH COOLANT, AGAIN, AND NOW MY ALARM GOES OFF AS SOON AS I START IT. JOE MACHENS TOLD ME TO REMOVE THE BATTERY. A NEW LITHIUM BATTERY IS BEING DEVELOPED BY MAZDA BECAUSE ROTARY ENGINES CAN'T USE A REGULAR BATTERY. THEY HAD MY CAR FOR SIX WEEKS LAST YEAR, AUGUST, AND KEPT YELLING THAT THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE NEW, CORRECT PARTS. MY STEARING IS DIFFICULT AT TIMES AND THEY NEVER TOLD ME ABOUT THE RECALL CONCERNING THIS. THE SEALS DETERIORATED MAKING ISSUES. NOW THEY ARE MAKING NEW GASKETS, RINGS, ETC. TO BE HEAT RESISTANT. THEY ARE FIGHTING ME, AGAIN, WHILE THEY HAVE ADMITTED MY CAR NEEDS PROPER FIXING WITH PROPER PARTS FROM INAPPROPRIATE WORK DONE LAST YEAR. ONE CORPORATE WORKER SAID MAYBE A NEW ENGINE SHOULD H

Mileage: 94,000

20180501STEERING

I HAD MANY RECALLS DONE LAST YEAR. NOW, TODAY, OLIVER AT MAZDA CORPORATE SAID THAT JOE MACHENS DEALERSHIPS AREN'T EQUIPPED TO HAVE DONE THE WORK PROPERLY. RECALLS: 16V793, 17V-354 & 355, FRONT END STEARING FROM INAPPROPRIATE CAULKING OF BALL JOINT , ENGINE REPLACED TWICE, OIL MIXING WITH COOLANT, AGAIN, AND NOW MY ALARM GOES OFF AS SOON AS I START IT. JOE MACHENS TOLD ME TO REMOVE THE BATTERY. A NEW LITHIUM BATTERY IS BEING DEVELOPED BY MAZDA BECAUSE ROTARY ENGINES CAN'T USE A REGULAR BATTERY. THEY HAD MY CAR FOR SIX WEEKS LAST YEAR, AUGUST, AND KEPT YELLING THAT THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE NEW, CORRECT PARTS. MY STEARING IS DIFFICULT AT TIMES AND THEY NEVER TOLD ME ABOUT THE RECALL CONCERNING THIS. THE SEALS DETERIORATED MAKING ISSUES. NOW THEY ARE MAKING NEW GASKETS, RINGS, ETC. TO BE HEAT RESISTANT. THEY ARE FIGHTING ME, AGAIN, WHILE THEY HAVE ADMITTED MY CAR NEEDS PROPER FIXING WITH PROPER PARTS FROM INAPPROPRIATE WORK DONE LAST YEAR. ONE CORPORATE WORKER SAID MAYBE A NEW ENGINE SHOULD H

Mileage: 94,000

20180501SUSPENSION

I HAD MANY RECALLS DONE LAST YEAR. NOW, TODAY, OLIVER AT MAZDA CORPORATE SAID THAT JOE MACHENS DEALERSHIPS AREN'T EQUIPPED TO HAVE DONE THE WORK PROPERLY. RECALLS: 16V793, 17V-354 & 355, FRONT END STEARING FROM INAPPROPRIATE CAULKING OF BALL JOINT , ENGINE REPLACED TWICE, OIL MIXING WITH COOLANT, AGAIN, AND NOW MY ALARM GOES OFF AS SOON AS I START IT. JOE MACHENS TOLD ME TO REMOVE THE BATTERY. A NEW LITHIUM BATTERY IS BEING DEVELOPED BY MAZDA BECAUSE ROTARY ENGINES CAN'T USE A REGULAR BATTERY. THEY HAD MY CAR FOR SIX WEEKS LAST YEAR, AUGUST, AND KEPT YELLING THAT THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE NEW, CORRECT PARTS. MY STEARING IS DIFFICULT AT TIMES AND THEY NEVER TOLD ME ABOUT THE RECALL CONCERNING THIS. THE SEALS DETERIORATED MAKING ISSUES. NOW THEY ARE MAKING NEW GASKETS, RINGS, ETC. TO BE HEAT RESISTANT. THEY ARE FIGHTING ME, AGAIN, WHILE THEY HAVE ADMITTED MY CAR NEEDS PROPER FIXING WITH PROPER PARTS FROM INAPPROPRIATE WORK DONE LAST YEAR. ONE CORPORATE WORKER SAID MAYBE A NEW ENGINE SHOULD H

Mileage: 94,000

Compare 2005MAZDARX-8 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2005 MAZDA RX-8 have?
The 2005 MAZDA RX-8 has 212 NHTSA complaints, 8 crashes, 1 fires, 8 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2005 MAZDA RX-8?
Yes, the 2005 MAZDA RX-8 has 6 recall(s). The most common affected component is FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 MAZDA RX-8?
The most-complained component for the 2005 MAZDA RX-8 is POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION with 22 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include AIR BAGS and POWER TRAIN.
Is the 2005 MAZDA RX-8 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.