Mazda RX-8 Problems — All Years, Common Issues & Reliability
Year-by-year breakdown of safety recalls, NHTSA owner complaints, reported deaths, injuries, crashes, and worst problem areas. Updated daily from federal databases.
Own a Mazda RX-8? Check your specific VIN for a full history report.
Mazda RX-8 — Year-by-Year Problem Comparison
| Year | Verdict | Recalls | Complaints | Crashes | Injuries | Deaths | Top Issue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011Best | Excellent | 3 | 3 | 1 | — | — | Suspension | Full report → |
| 2010 | Excellent | 4 | 3 | — | — | — | Power Train | Full report → |
| 2009 | Excellent | 4 | 5 | — | — | — | Vehicle Speed Control | Full report → |
| 2008 | Excellent | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | Air Bags | Full report → |
| 2007 | Good | 4 | 26 | 1 | 1 | — | Air Bags | Full report → |
| 2006 | Good | 4 | 39 | — | — | — | Air Bags | Full report → |
| 2005 | Caution | 4 | 114 | 4 | 2 | — | Power Train | Full report → |
| 2004Worst | Avoid | 6 | 304 | 11 | 10 | — | Steering | Full report → |
8 model years shown. Crashes, injuries, and deaths from NHTSA complaint filings. Click any year for full details.
Most Common Mazda RX-8 Problems
Based on 496 owner complaints filed with NHTSA across all model years.
RX-8 Years to Avoid
Best RX-8 Years to Buy
Mazda RX-8 Problems by Year
Frequently Asked Questions — Mazda RX-8 Reliability
What year RX-8 has the most problems?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2004 Mazda RX-8 had the highest combined complaint and recall count — 304 complaints and 6 safety recalls. See the full 2004 report for specific defects.
Is the Mazda RX-8 reliable?
The Mazda RX-8 has accumulated 496 owner-filed complaints and 33 safety recalls across all model years in NHTSA's database. The 2011 model year shows the fewest reported issues. Always run a VIN check before purchasing any used RX-8.
What are the most common RX-8 problems?
The most frequently cited problem areas are: Power Train (114 reports), Engine And Engine Cooling (73 reports), Steering (54 reports), Air Bags (45 reports). Based on NHTSA complaints across all model years.
How do I check if my RX-8 has an open recall?
Use the vehicle's 17-character VIN at VinCheckEngine.com. Our free VIN report pulls the latest NHTSA recall data along with auction history, odometer records, and 30+ intelligence signals.
Check a Specific Mazda RX-8 VIN
Model-level data shows what can go wrong. A VIN-specific report shows what has gone wrong with a particular vehicle — including auction history, odometer discrepancies, open recalls, accident records, and 30+ intelligence signals.
Run a Free Mazda RX-8 VIN Report →No account required · Instant results · Updated daily