Is the Mazda RX-8 Reliable?
2004–2011 reliability analysis based on NHTSA safety recalls and owner complaints.
Reliability Score
Own a Mazda RX-8? Check your specific VIN for a full history report.
Mazda RX-8 Reliability by Year
| Model Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Reliability Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 3 | 3 | — | — | 82 | Excellent |
| 2010 | 4 | 3 | — | — | 77 | Good |
| 2009 | 4 | 5 | — | — | 75 | Good |
| 2008 | 4 | 2 | — | — | 78 | Good |
| 2007 | 4 | 26 | 1 | — | 54 | Fair |
| 2006 | 4 | 39 | — | — | 50 | Fair |
| 2005 | 4 | 114 | 2 | — | 49 | Fair |
| 2004 | 6 | 304 | 10 | — | 35 | Poor |
Reliability scores are proprietary to VinCheckEngine and incorporate multiple weighted safety signals.
How the RX-8 Compares to Similar Vehicles
The RX-8 scores 4 points below the average sports. Consider checking years with lower complaint volumes.
Known Mazda RX-8 Reliability Issues
The following components appear most frequently in owner complaints filed with NHTSA:
Based on 496 owner complaints across recent model years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Mazda RX-8 reliable?+
The Mazda RX-8 scores 63/100 on our reliability index — rated "Fair." Across 8 recently analyzed model years, it accumulated 33 recall campaigns and 496 owner complaints in the NHTSA database.
What year RX-8 is most reliable?+
Among the years analyzed, the 2011 RX-8 achieved the highest reliability score of 82/100 with 3 recalls and 3 complaints.
How many miles does a RX-8 last?+
With consistent maintenance, most Mazda RX-8 owners report 150,000 to 200,000+ miles of service life. Checking the VIN of any specific used RX-8 will reveal its actual mileage history and any title events.
More Mazda RX-8 Research
Check a Specific Mazda RX-8 VIN
Model-level reliability scores show general trends. A VIN-specific report reveals the exact history of any individual vehicle — accidents, odometer records, auction events, and open recalls.
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