2004 Mazda RX-8 Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 2%of 490 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 37,550miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2004 Mazda RX-8, 2% of the 490 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 37,550 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The rear passenger tail lamp on the 2004 Mazda RX-8 is known to collect water inside the lamp, sometimes as much as 2 inches or more. This is a known issue with Mazda and they will replace the lamp only in under warranty. But according to the Mazda dealer where I purchased my vehicle, water in a tail lamp is considered a safety hazard and will not allow the vehicle to pass the annual texas department of public safety inspection in the state of texas. …”
NHTSA complaint #10195033, filed 2007-06, 7,000 miles“Part numbers fe03-51-21yd (rear) and fe03-51-22yc (front). I have complained to the dealer when the car was under warranty that the headlights were not illuminating correctly my driving area at night. I took the car in to the dealer today and I was told that these parts are not covered. There has been a technical service bulletin (TSB) on this car concerning this issue for a long time. There should be a recall on these sensors because this is a severe safety issue. They were faulty to begin with. In addition they have known about it for a long time.”
NHTSA complaint #10463597, filed 2012-06, 40,600 miles“The auto leveling headlights in Mazda rx8s and certain other Mazda vehicles routinely malfunctions due to corrosion. This causes the headlights to automatically return to their lowest position in most cases too low for driving conditions causing a major hazard to all drivers both of the Mazda and other vehicles. Mazda recognized this issue with a service bulletin in 2007 however never recalled the vehicles for repair and weatherproofing. …”
NHTSA complaint #10287243, filed 2009-10, 43,598 miles“The part number of the item is Mazda part #fe03-51-21yd and #fe03-51-22yc. This part is installed in the Mazda's vehicle the rx8. The part started to fail at around 57,000 miles within just less than two months after the warranty expired and 7,000 miles after the vehicle's manufacturer warranty expired. This part should be considered a safety component because it presents a dangerous threat to both drivers and passengers occupying the vehicle during failure and Mazda is claiming that it is not. …”
NHTSA complaint #10279506, filed 2009-08, 57,000 miles“The contact owns a 2004 Mazda rx8. The contact stated whenever it would rain, water would leak into the passengers side tail light. The dealer advised there were no recalls for the failure and repairs would be at the owners expense. In addition, the contact stated when accelerating from a complete stop the accelerator pedal would become extremely resistant to applied pressure or would sporadically lunge forward without warning. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure and could not offer a remedy. The manufacturer would not provide any assistance. …”
NHTSA complaint #10328125, filed 2010-04, 34,500 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10153332Jan 3, 2019Some customers may complain of condensation/fog inside the front (headlamp/headlight) or rear (taillamp/taillight) combination lights. The recent new models have been fitted with…
- 10134701Mar 22, 2018Some customers may complain of condensation/fog inside the front (headlamp/headlight) or rear (taillamp/taillight) combination lights. The recent new models have been fitted with…
- 10111011Mar 9, 2017Take caution when cleaning plastic headlight lenses. Damage can occur when using some cleaners that contain strong acid, alkaline cleanser or organic solvent. Damage caused by…
- 10092413Apr 28, 2016Some customers may complain about improper operation of the auto-dimming mirror. This may be caused by an obstruction of the front and/or rear light sensor(s) (e.g. Hanging a…
- 10100888Jan 25, 2016Some customers may complain of condensation/fog inside the front (headlamp/headlight) or rear (taillamp/tail-light) combination lights. The recent new models have been fitted…
- 10097982Jan 24, 2014Some customers may complain of condensation/fog inside the front or rear combination lights. The recent new models have been fitted with a clear lens which can cause the symptom…
- 10097941Dec 21, 2012Some customers may complain of condensation/fog inside the front or rear combination lights. The recent new models have been fitted with a clear lens which can cause the symptom…
- 10037655Dec 23, 2010Mazda: there is condensation and fog in the front and rear combination lights.
- 10021567Apr 13, 2007Water in rear combination light.
- 10021393Mar 5, 2007Headlight auto-leveling malfunction indicator light illuminates.
Exterior lighting: other model years
Other parts of the 2004 Mazda RX-8
154 complaintsEngine cooling
106 complaintsSteering
80 complaintsAir bags
50 complaintsFuel system
39 complaintsElectrical system
33 complaintsEngine
33 complaintsBody and structure
20 complaintsOther or unknown
18 complaintsSuspension
17 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
16 complaintsVehicle speed control
11 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Mazda RX-8
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology