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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2005 Mazda RX-8 Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
54about this part
Share
33%of 162 total for the year
Median mileage
66,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 54 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2005 Mazda RX-8, 33% of the 162 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 66,000 miles.

Example complaints

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

“Clutch pedal bracket broken under normal conditions. I went to push the clutch in to downshift at highway speeds to over take a slower vehicle and it snapped with an audible pop and I couldnt shift into the lower gear and my rpms, went to idle at highway speed. Had it broken at a different time, I could have been locked into a certain gear and ha to break fast or crash risking the lives of my occupants and the occupants of another vehicle”

NHTSA complaint #11109969, filed 2018-07, 150,000 miles

“Oil cooler coupling severely rotted to the point of failure (hoses looked fine just the coupling areas). Warranty will not cover parts and Mazda has recalled in canada (special service #76), which is 30 miles from my home but will not do anything to help me in the states. Repair cost is over $1300 for new lines.”

NHTSA complaint #10627632, filed 2014-08, 98,000 miles

“As I'm driving my clutch pedal gets stuck when it hits the floor and wouldn't up back up on its own and I would have to use my foot to tap it under to go back up. Clutch pedal seems to be leaking oil also. Also at times when I'm wanting to change gears the shift knob would grind gears. If I'm going at a fast speed it often keeps me from shifting to fifth gear and I would have to jump to sixth instead.”

NHTSA complaint #10586448, filed 2014-05, 82,480 miles

“The clutch pedal bracket on my '05 rx8 broke. It had been squeaking for some time but I did not recognize it was under an extended warranty. The left side spot weld failed and the mounting ear sheared off of the bracket. Mazda na refused to apply the 100k mile warranty to my 106.8k mile car.”

NHTSA complaint #10505472, filed 2013-04, 106,800 miles

“I drive a 2005 Mazda RX-8 mt. It has around 73k miles. The clutch started squeaking couple of days back and yesterday when the traffic light turned green I engaged the clutch and I heard a snapping sound. I could not engage the gear later and had to get my car towed. I took it to the garage and I am told that the clutch bracket is broken.”

NHTSA complaint #10325873, filed 2010-04, 73,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2010120%
2009338%
200816%
2007924%
20061322%
20055433%
200415431%

Other parts of the 2005 Mazda RX-8

Engine cooling
28 complaintsAir bags
22 complaintsSteering
17 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 30, 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