CarModelProblems.com

2004 Mazda RX-8 Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Steering — runs 2.6× the fleet median for that category across the 1655 model-years tracked on this site.
489Complaints
10Recalls
17Crashes
10Fires
15Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Steering (16.4% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.

Steering complaints here are 2.6× the median for that category across the 1655 model-years tracked on this site.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Steering80 · 16.4%not available
Power Train:manual Transmission75 · 15.3%RecalledRecall 04V075000
Air Bags49 · 10%RecalledRecall 19V781000 · Recall 18V402000 · Recall 17V474000 · Recall 04V074000
Engine And Engine Cooling46 · 9.4%RecalledRecall 05V317000
Power Train38 · 7.8%RecalledRecall 04V075000
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine37 · 7.6%RecalledRecall 05V317000

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

STEERING80 · 16.4%
AIR BAGS49 · 10%
POWER TRAIN38 · 7.8%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE37 · 7.6%
ENGINE33 · 6.7%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM27 · 5.5%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM21 · 4.3%
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY19 · 3.9%

Percentages are the share of the 489 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 10 campaigns

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

NHTSA campaign 19V781000 · 2019 · reported 10/31/2019

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

Park it  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

NHTSA campaign 18V402000 · 2018 · reported 06/15/2018

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

Park it  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

NHTSA campaign 17V474000 · 2017 · reported 07/26/2017

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

Park it  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

NHTSA campaign 17V354000 · 2017 · reported 06/01/2017

If the fuel pump pipe cracks, fuel may leak, increasing the risk of a fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm

NHTSA campaign 17V355000 · 2017 · reported 06/01/2017

If the ball joint separates, steering control may be lost, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

NHTSA campaign 16V793000 · 2016 · reported 10/31/2016

The deteriorated seals may leak fuel, which, in the presence of an ignition source, can increase the risk of a fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint

NHTSA campaign 05V325000 · 2005 · reported 07/20/2005

IN SEVERE DRIVING CONDITIONS, THE BALL MAY SEPARATE FROM THE BALL JOINT SOCKET AND A LOSS OF STEERING MAY OCCUR, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Engine And Engine Cooling

NHTSA campaign 05V317000 · 2005 · reported 07/07/2005

FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Power Train:manual Transmission

NHTSA campaign 04V075000 · 2004 · reported 02/17/2004

CONTINUED OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE CAN CAUSE THE INSULATOR TO COME OFF AND COULD POSE A HAZARD TO FOLLOWING VEHICLES. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:frontal

NHTSA campaign 04V074000 · 2004 · reported 02/17/2004

THE AIR BAG WILL NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION WHEN THE VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

What owners report

“I BOUGHT MY 2004 MAZDA RX8 FROM AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP IN DORAL, FL WITH 53M MILES ON IT, STILL UNDER POWERTRAIN WARRANTY & I PURCHASED…”NHTSA complaint 10258192 — filed 02/10/2009 · STEERING
“PURCHASED USED VEHICLE IN APRIL 2007, FIRST INCIDENT 8/14/2007 ENGINE STALLED (ENGINE INTERNAL FAILURE) AT 45,107 MILES ENGINE REPLACED BY MAZDA DEALERSHIP. SECOND INCIDENT SEPTEMBER…”NHTSA complaint 10206845 — filed 10/25/2007 · STEERING

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

4520122226201445172016322420182512020612022122024112026

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Mazda RX-8?

Steering issues are the most-reported category, cited in 80 of 489 NHTSA complaints (16.4%), followed by power train:manual transmission (75), air bags (49), engine and engine cooling (46). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2004 Mazda RX-8 have?

489 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 17 involved a crash, 10 involved a fire, and 15 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 2004 Mazda RX-8 have any recalls?

Yes — 10 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 19V781000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2004 Mazda RX-8's reported problems?

Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.