Mazda RX-8 Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Mazda RX-8 model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2011 drew the fewest (4) and the 2004 the most (489).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 Among the fewest complaints |
4 | 3 | Fuel system | — | 18–19 |
| 2010 Among the fewest complaints |
5 | 4 | Air bags | — | 18–19 |
| 2009 Among the fewest complaints |
8 | 4 | Power train | — | 18–19 |
| 2008 | 17 | 5 | Air bags | — | 18–19 |
| 2007 | 38 | 5 | Air bags | — | 18–19 |
| 2006 Among the most complaints |
60 | 5 | Air bags | — | 18–19 |
| 2005 Among the most complaints |
162 | 6 | Power train | — | 18 |
| 2004 Among the most complaints |
489 | 10 | Power train | — | 18 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Mazda RX-8 years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2004 Mazda RX-8: 489 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 154 (31%); Engine and engine cooling 106 (22%); Steering 80 (16%).
Reports mention 17 crashes, 10 fires, 15 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 67,900 miles. 10 recall campaigns listed.
2005 Mazda RX-8: 162 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 54 (33%); Engine and engine cooling 28 (17%); Air bags 22 (14%).
Reports mention 6 crashes, 1 fire, 4 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 62,000 miles. 6 recall campaigns listed.
2006 Mazda RX-8: 60 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 17 (28%); Power train 13 (22%); Visibility 9 (15%).
Reports mention 1 crash. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 63,000 miles. 5 recall campaigns listed.
The Mazda RX-8 years with the fewest complaints
2011 Mazda RX-8: 4 complaints
Most-reported: Fuel system 1 (25%); Fuel/propulsion system 1 (25%); Suspension 1 (25%).
Reports mention 1 crash, 2 fires. 3 recall campaigns listed.
2010 Mazda RX-8: 5 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 1 (20%); Power train 1 (20%); Seat belts 1 (20%).
4 recall campaigns listed.
2009 Mazda RX-8: 8 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 3 (38%); Vehicle speed control 3 (38%); Fuel/propulsion system 2 (25%).
4 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Mazda RX-8 owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2010 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2009 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2008 | 17 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 73,000 |
| 2007 | 38 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 72,000 |
| 2006 | 60 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 63,000 |
| 2005 | 162 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 62,000 |
| 2004 | 489 | 17 | 10 | 15 | 0 | 67,900 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Mazda RX-8 recalls
- Driver's Frontal Air Bag May Rupture (2004–2008 model years; 308,992 vehicles across all models; filed Jul 2017; 17V474000)
- Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode (2004–2011 model years; 308,591 vehicles across all models; filed Jun 2018; 18V402000)
- Fuel Pump Pipe May Crack or Leak (2004–2008 model years; 69,447 vehicles across all models; filed Jun 2017; 17V354000)
- Fuel Pump Sealing Rings may Leak Fuel (2004–2008 model years; 69,447 vehicles across all models; filed Oct 2016; 16V793000)
- THERMAL DAMAGE/HIGH ENGINE RPMS (2004–2005 model years; 52,000 vehicles across all models; filed Jul 2005; 05V317000)
All 14 Mazda RX-8 recall campaigns · Mazda RX-8 problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Mazda RX-8 years FAQ
Which Mazda RX-8 year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2011 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (4). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Mazda RX-8 years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2004, 2005 and 2006 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the power train. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Mazda RX-8 problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the power train (235 of 783 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Mazda RX-8 have?
NHTSA lists 14 recall campaigns covering the Mazda RX-8. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Mazda RX-8 recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.