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EnginePart report

2005 Mazda RX-8 Engine Problems

Complaints
9about this part
Share
6%of 162 total for the year
Median mileage
95,620miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the engine of the 2005 Mazda RX-8, 6% of the 162 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 95,620 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.

“My steering wheel is turning to the left on its own and it is difficult to turn to the right. I have researched online and I'm not the only one having the problem. I don't feel safe driving my vehicle and I am disappointed in the quality of parts. Issue 2: after the first recall on my vehicle, my motor is giving me issues again after being replaced 40,000 miles later. It turns off at idle and has problems starting. I fear this might be a safety issue.”

NHTSA complaint #10824047, filed 2016-02, 100,000 miles

“I purchased a used 2005 Mazda RX-8 from a dealer. Signed a warranty although there were not a buyers guide or a used car sticker displayed anywhere on the vehicle. The vehicle originally belonged to Mazda bommarito as evidenced by the faded residual imprint of the bommarito lettering that had beem removed likely due to being unwanted inventory. I knew ahead of time that this particular vehicle has a rotary engine that requires standard maintenance and care which I have been performing and documenting along with all recalls. …”

NHTSA complaint #10958332, filed 2017-03, 50,000 miles

“There is a flaw in the Mazda rx8 engine. It is why they stopped making them in 2011. The engines have bad apex seals. As a result - the seals blow around 70 thousand miles and the engine is useless. Mazda replaced my engine in 2011. However - it does not solve the problem. The engine still shuts down in traffic. This is extremely dangerous. When you are coming to a stop or slowing down the engine will just shut off. It has also shut off when I attempted to pass in the left lane while accelerating on the highway. …”

NHTSA complaint #10785176, filed 2015-10, 123,000 miles

“I went to start my rx8 and it would not start. I called aaa to have it jumped, thinking it was a battery problem. The aaa employee sent to jump the car could not jump it and I had to tow it to my mechanic the next day. My personal mechanic looked at it and said it was a specific problem with the engine that was covered by an extended warranty Mazda issued because the 2005 rx8s had so many complaints about this particular problem. Instead of doing a recall, Mazda does extended warranties. …”

NHTSA complaint #10498181, filed 2013-02, 49,814 miles

“I believe safety and emissions recall 0516j is causing my car to turn off while in motion, it can be in neutral or in gear. I called Mazda corp and told them the vehicle turns off while in motion and believe it's cause by the recall; they said that they do not have a solution at the moment and did not suggest anything but wait. This is a daily driving car and I can not afford to call out of work because of the safety of this vehicle. I would suggest a courtesy vehicle while this recall is being fixed.”

NHTSA complaint #10957579, filed 2017-02

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2008212%
2006610%
200596%
2004337%

Other parts of the 2005 Mazda RX-8

Transmission and drivetrain
54 complaints
Engine cooling
28 complaints
Air bags
22 complaints
Steering
17 complaints
Fuel system
15 complaints
Vehicle speed control
11 complaints
Brakes
10 complaints
Electrical system
8 complaints
Other or unknown
7 complaints
Equipment
4 complaints
Exterior lighting
4 complaints
Seat belts
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2005 Mazda RX-8

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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