MAZDA RX-8 · model year

2011 MAZDA RX-8

5 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2011MAZDARX-8 carries 5 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 2 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall Not Rated/5 rating, with Not Rated/5 front crash, Not Rated/5 side crash, and 5/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2011 RX-8 is suspension with 1 filings, followed by visibility/wiper (1) and unknown or other (1). 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 3 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 2011 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.

5
Complaints
1
Crashes
2
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

5 filings

Crashes Reported

1 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: Not Rated/5 — Not rated · Front: Not Rated/5 · Side: Not Rated/5 · Rollover: 5/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SUSPENSION1
VISIBILITY/WIPER1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE1
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1

Recalls (3)

21V74400024/09/2021

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2009-2011 RX-8 and 2006-2007 MazdaSpeed6 vehicles. Fuel may leak from the fuel pump mounting rings.

19V48800024/06/2019

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2010-2011 Mazda RX-8 vehicles that were previously recalled under recall 18V-716 but have not yet been repaired. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used

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

Recent Complaints

20230711FireFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

The contact owns a 2011 Mazda Rx 8. The contact stated after performing NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V744000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) while driving at 35 MPH, the contact smelled the odor of smoke in the vehicle, but no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. While the vehicle was being diagnosed, the vehicle caught on fire and burned. The contact did not have any details of the fire. The vehicle was diagnosed and stated that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 55,000.

Mileage: 55,000

20230711FireFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

The incident occurred on 02/08/2023. Prior to this, I brought my car to the dealership due to a recall to fix gas mounting rings, recall number . I do not feel comfortable with their repairs and I do not believe that the dealership performed the repairs properly which caused my car to smoke and stall on the road and then caught on fire at their shop. They claimed that their own business insurance fire fixed the damages but I believe that the car is damaged beyond repair. Furthermore, they held the car since February 2023. Until now, July 2023 the Guam dealership is unable to fix my car. To add, the repairs they claim far exceed the market value of the car and the car is at a total loss. I consider it totaled. I do not feel safe driving this car. 2011 Mazda RX-8 Recall Item Affected: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE Date Announced: 09/24/2021Description of Recall: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2009-2011 RX-8 and 2006-2007 MazdaSpeed6 vehicles. Fuel may leak from t

20180727VISIBILITY/WIPER

THE RING/ASSEMBLY HOLDING THE DRIVER SIDE VISOR CRACKED WITH NORMAL USE (PUTTING THE VISOR DOWN (NO EXCESS FORCE WAS USED) AND THE VISOR FELL INTO THE DRIVER'S LINE OF VISION, OBSCURING VISION. IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO PUT THE VISOR BACK UP AGAIN. THE RING FELL OUT OF THE CAR INTERIOR.

Mileage: 48,500

20180727UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE RING/ASSEMBLY HOLDING THE DRIVER SIDE VISOR CRACKED WITH NORMAL USE (PUTTING THE VISOR DOWN (NO EXCESS FORCE WAS USED) AND THE VISOR FELL INTO THE DRIVER'S LINE OF VISION, OBSCURING VISION. IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO PUT THE VISOR BACK UP AGAIN. THE RING FELL OUT OF THE CAR INTERIOR.

Mileage: 48,500

20130604CrashSUSPENSION

ON MAY 7, 2013, I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO PARETTI MAZDA OF METAIRIE BECAUSE A FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM SOMEWHERE NEAR THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE. THE SERVICE TECH TOLD ME THEY WOULD TAKE CARE OF IT AND DIRECTED ME TO ENTERPRISE RENTAL FOR A RENTAL CAR. ABOUT AN HOUR AFTER I OBTAINED THE RENTAL CAR, THE SERVICE TECH CALLED ME AND TOLD ME THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR SHOCK HAD COMPLETELY FAILED AND WAS LEAKING FLUID FROM THE UPPER SEAL AND THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR SHOCK HAD ALSO FAILED, BUT WAS NOT LEAKING THAT MUCH FLUID. HE TOLD ME THE CAR WAS DRIVEABLE AND ASKED THAT I RETURN THE RENTAL CAR AND PICK UP MY MY VEHICLE, WHICH I DID. THE SERVICE TECH TOLD ME HE WAS ORDERING THE REAR SHOCKS. ON MAY 9, 2013, I RECEIVED AN AUTOMATED CALL FROM THE DEALERSHIP STATING THAT MY PARTS HAD ARRIVED. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, I CALLED THE SERVICE TECH, WHO ASKED IF I COULD DROP THE CAR OFF ON MONDAY, MAY 13, 2013, FOR THE REPAIRS. I EXPRESSED CONCERN TO THE SERVICE TECH THAT WHEN I DROVE OVER THE SLIGH

Mileage: 17,000

Compare 2011MAZDARX-8 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2011 MAZDA RX-8 have?
The 2011 MAZDA RX-8 has 5 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2011 MAZDA RX-8?
The 2011 MAZDA RX-8 received an overall NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5, front crash rating of Not Rated/5, side crash rating of Not Rated/5, and rollover rating of 5/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2011 MAZDA RX-8?
Yes, the 2011 MAZDA RX-8 has 3 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 2011 MAZDA RX-8?
The most-complained component for the 2011 MAZDA RX-8 is SUSPENSION with 1 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include VISIBILITY/WIPER and UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
Is the 2011 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. The 2011 MAZDA RX-8 has an NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5. 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.