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2004 Mazda RX-8 Engine And Engine Cooling Problems

NHTSA component category: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING · data through 07/12/2026

46Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
9.4%Of all 489 complaints
#4Most-reported category

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

How engine and engine cooling ranks on this vehicle

STEERING80 · 16.4%
AIR BAGS49 · 10%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING46 · 9.4%
POWER TRAIN38 · 7.8%

Share of the 489 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2004 Mazda RX-8 overview page.

What owners report

“2004 MAZDA RX8 IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME RECALL PROBLEM AS THE 2005-08 MAZDA RX8. THE CONSUMER STATED HIS VEHICLE FAILED EMISSIONS DUE TO AN EVAPORATOR…”NHTSA complaint 10269168 — filed 05/11/2009
“MAZDA HAS REPLACED THE ENGINE IN MY 2004 RX8 3 TIMES IN THE LAST 700 MILES. THEY KEEP SAYING BAD ROTARY ENGINE BUT THIS IS…”NHTSA complaint 10267232 — filed 04/29/2009
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA RX-8. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 30-40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ALL THE GEARS LOST POWER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE…”NHTSA complaint 10253897 — filed 01/05/2009

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

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints by year filed

320045200542006220076200810200992010520111201212014

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2004 Mazda RX-8 have engine and engine cooling problems?

Engine And Engine Cooling is the #4 most-reported problem area on the 2004 Mazda RX-8: 46 of 489 complaints on file (9.4%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

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

489 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 17 involved a crash, 10 involved a fire, 15 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's engine and engine cooling category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

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.