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#BS-2004-MAZRX8-58082004 Mazda Rx 8
Based on reports from 624 owners and 10 recalls for this exact model.
Preliminary Verdict
Red Flag
Based on 624 complaints, 23 crashes, 11 fires, and 10 recalls. Complaint rate is 6.3x the class average.
Top reported problems
engine failure
4 complaints • Severity 6.5/10
power steering jerks
3 complaints • Severity 9.3/10
lost power steering
1 complaints • Severity 8/10
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Mechanic Inspection Checklist
80 owners reported steering issues — failures commonly reported around 67K miles.
Failure Timeline by Mileage
Peak failure range: 60–90K miles (147 reports) • Median: 67K miles
30,000-Mile Cost Projection
Best Case
Most Likely
Worst Case
Top cost driver: Steering (80 reports).
Also in your report
Owner Intelligence
AI-synthesized themes from real complaints
Buyer Lot Checklist
Questions, test drive checks, walk-away triggers
Negotiation Talking Points
Data-backed dollar deductions
Buy / Skip Verdict
Final recommendation with conditions
Where the complaints fall
2004 Mazda Rx 8: Known Issues & Problem Areas
Steering Issues
Steering complaints account for 13% of all reports filed for the 2004 Mazda Rx 8, with 80 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. The median mileage at time of complaint is 67,000 miles, suggesting issues tend to surface around the 67K-mile mark.
Engine Issues
Engine complaints account for 13% of all reports filed for the 2004 Mazda Rx 8, with 79 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to engine-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Power Train:manual Transmission Issues
Power Train:manual Transmission complaints account for 12% of all reports filed for the 2004 Mazda Rx 8, with 75 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to power train:manual transmission-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Airbags Issues
Airbags complaints account for 8% of all reports filed for the 2004 Mazda Rx 8, with 49 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to airbags-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Data sourced from NHTSA owner complaints and community reports. The full report analyzes severity, repair costs, and failure patterns for each category.
Complaint trend by year
Complaints filed with NHTSA by year for the 2004 Mazda Rx 8. Recent trend: decreasing.
Don't negotiate blind — know what this car costs to own
Repair costs • Negotiation scripts • Mechanic checklist • Buy/skip verdict
Recall History (10 recalls)
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
AS A RESULT OF AN NCAP TEST, CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ARE BEING RECALLED FOR IMPROPERLY WIRED FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAGS.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS, THE HEAT INSULATOR MAY BE CRACKED CAUSING ABNORMAL NOISE.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
IF CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ARE PARKED AND THE ENGINE IS OPERATED AT HIGH RPM'S FOR AN EXCESSIVE LENGTH OF TIME, SOME OF THE PARTS AROUND THE EXHAUST SYSTEM CAN MELT AND PRODUCE A VARIETY OF MALFUNCTIONS. PROBLEMS CAUSED BY THE EXCESSIVE HEAT BUILD-UP CAN RANGE FROM INOPERATIVE OXYGEN SENSOR, NEUTRAL SWITCH AND BACK UP LIGHTS, PROBLEMS WITH THE PARKING BRAKES, MALFUNCTIONS OF THE GAS GAUGE AND/OR POSSIBLE FUEL LEAKS RESULTING FROM HEAT DAMAGE TO THE FUEL TANK.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, DUE TO IMPROPER FORGING OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM, CRACKS MAY OCCUR IN THE BALL JOINT SOCKET.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RX-8 vehicles manufactured April 10, 2003, to February 18, 2008. The affected vehicles have fuel pump sealing rings that may deteriorate due to exposure to heat from the engine or exhaust pipe.
+ 5 more recalls in the full report
Recall severity analysis & seller scripts
The full report rates each recall's severity and gives you scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.
The worst model year for the Mazda Rx 8 is the 2007 — worth knowing if you're cross-shopping years. The biggest problem area is engine.
2004 Mazda Rx 8 vs. Class Average (Subcompact Cars)
This vehicle
624
Class avg
99
6.3x the class average — significantly more complaints than typical subcompact cars vehicles.
Complaint counts correlate with sales volume — popular vehicles naturally generate more reports. The full report normalizes for this.
About this data
NHTSA Complaints
Federal database of owner-filed safety complaints. 624 records for this vehicle.
NHTSA Recalls
Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 10 recalls found for this vehicle.
Repair Cost Data
Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.
2004 Mazda Rx 8: Frequently Asked Questions
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10 sections of AI analysis based on 624 owner reports. Know before you buy.