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SteeringPart report

2005 Mazda RX-8 Steering Problems

Complaints
17about this part
Share
10%of 162 total for the year
Median mileage
94,500miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the steering of the 2005 Mazda RX-8, 10% of the 162 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 94,500 miles.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“My steering wheel turns on its own while in motion on the beltway and sometimes it difficult to steer at all while in motion in traffic. I purchased new tires thinking that would solve the problem but it didn't.”

NHTSA complaint #11176448, filed 2019-02, 115,000 miles

“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 had many recalls done last year. Now, today, oliver at Mazda corporate said that joe machens dealerships aren't equipped to have done the work properly. Recalls: 16v793, 17v-354 & 355, front end stearing from inappropriate caulking of ball joint , engine replaced twice, oil mixing with coolant, again, and now my alarm goes off as soon as I start it. Joe machens told me to remove the battery. A new lithium battery is being developed by Mazda because rotary engines can't use a regular battery. …”

NHTSA complaint #11091262, filed 2018-05, 94,000 miles

“The problem started in july 2005, when my car lose the power steering, the dealership and the distributor trying to fix the problem, but they never fixed the car, I sent to them for 11 times between july 2005 to september 2006. One of those times the car ( Mazda RX-8) lose the power steering when I drove the car at 65 MPH on the highway. The steering it`s hard to move.”

NHTSA complaint #10350129, filed 2010-08, 16,000 miles

“It was on a saturday afternoon. While driving there was a pothole on the road that I didn't see. I jumped into the pothole and got out and continue driving for a 2nd making a turn I than realized my steering was locked I couldn't turn my car. My engine was on and my car still moving at a pace. I step on my brakes tried to turn to a nearest parking nearby forcing a turn and my steering just couldn't . Luckily with a stiff turn into a parking I stopped my car and than turned the engine off and pulled the key out. Once I did that the steering was released. …”

NHTSA complaint #10577175, filed 2014-04, 38,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Steering: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2008424%
2007411%
2006610%
20051710%
20048016%

Other parts of the 2005 Mazda RX-8

Transmission and drivetrain
54 complaintsEngine cooling
28 complaintsAir bags
22 complaintsFuel system
15 complaintsVehicle speed control
11 complaintsBrakes
10 complaintsEngine
9 complaintsElectrical system
8 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaintsEquipment
4 complaintsExterior lighting
4 complaintsSeat 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 28, 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