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Mazda RX-8Model year report

2006 Mazda RX-8 Problems

Complaints
60filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
59,250miles, 48 complaints with mileage
Recalls
53 do-not-drive
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
19 mpgcombined, 1.3L 2-cyl RWD · 16 city / 23 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2006 Mazda RX-8 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often write about a clutch pedal that bends or snaps, a cracked dashboard around the passenger airbag and the Takata airbag recalls, sun visors that split and hang into the driver's view, and loss of power steering assist. Many complaints are about recall repairs or parts availability rather than a new failure, and mileage on the reported problems varies widely, from a few thousand miles to well over 100,000.

  1. Transmission and drivetrain

    Clutch pedal bends or snaps

    • 13 complaints (22%)
    • median 70,000 mi at 9.5 yrs old (13 state mileage)
    • filed 2008–2019

    Owners of manual-transmission cars describe the clutch pedal sticking to the floor, bending sideways toward the brake pedal, or breaking with a loud snap while driving or pulling away. Several say they could not shift out of gear or restart the car and had to stop or have the car towed. Complaints mention pedal and bracket assemblies being replaced, sometimes repeatedly, with owners saying the replacement part looked the same as the original; some describe asking the dealer for assistance and being told nothing further could be done without a recall. Reported from roughly 45,000 to 180,000 miles, in everyday driving and at stops as well as on the highway.

    What to check: On a manual car, press the clutch through its full travel and watch the pedal and bracket for flex, cracks or sideways movement, and ask whether the pedal assembly has ever been replaced.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I am a member of a Mazda rx8 website. 25% of our members have had their clutch pedals snap off at a weld point. Mnao has told all of us that this is not something to worry about and it has already been fixed with a new bracket. The problem is that these new brackets are also snapping at a weld point.”

    NHTSA complaint #10213523, filed 2008-01, 9,800 miles

    “2006 Mazda rx8 shinka failed clutch pedal while driving in local area. I took it to machinist next door, and he told me that this pedal is unbelievable how weak it is. The metal part which holds clutch pedal is very thin. Now I've been charged around $400 to fix it, and it feels like it is Mazda's fault. I couldn't go to school yesterday, and my school is private college, so I wasted another $150 missing one day of class.”

    NHTSA complaint #10298686, filed 2010-01, 55,500 miles
  2. Air bags

    Cracked dash above passenger airbag

    • 11 complaints (18%)
    • median 65,000 mi at 9.8 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
    • filed 2006–2017

    Complaints describe cracks appearing in the dashboard cover over the passenger airbag, starting as a short line and spreading into several cracks along the seam where the cover would open in a deployment. Owners say dealers told them this was common on the model and that it was not covered, and some note the dash and airbag are built as one unit, so repair means replacing the whole assembly. Some also report the passenger airbag warning light coming on intermittently. Mostly reported between about 50,000 and 130,000 miles, with several owners in hot, sunny climates and cars parked outside.

    Recall 17V474000 · DO NOT DRIVE2 related service bulletins

    What to check: Look closely at the dashboard cover over the passenger airbag in bright light and check for splits, and confirm with a dealer whether the airbag recalls for this vehicle have been completed.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Crack appeared in the dash where the passenger air bag is contained. The crack started several months ago and the car is not garaged and is in the sun all day so I thought it might be caused by the sun. I live in georgia and this car originally came from the port authority in florida where it is also very hot. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10654096, filed 2014-11, 130,000 miles

    “For almost a year, cracks have started to appear over the passenger side airbag cover. It started off as a 1 cm crack in a single location, but now has progressed to multiple cracks that are up to 8 cm in length. These cracks follow the portions of the passenger airbag cover that would split open during deployment. I have spoken with mechanics and they have advised me that replacement of the passenger side airbag cover requires replacement of the entire passenger airbag system. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10585762, filed 2014-04, 30,000 miles
  3. Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

    Sun visors split and hang down

    • 9 complaints (15%)
    • median 17,250 mi at 2.5 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
    • filed 2006–2017

    Owners report the driver and passenger sun visors splitting along their seams and dropping into the field of view, sometimes within the first few weeks or thousand miles of ownership. The visors then will not stay folded up, and owners describe holding them out of the way while driving. Several say the dealer replaced them under warranty, sometimes more than once, and described the splitting as a common occurrence on this model. Reported from under 1,000 miles up to about 55,000 miles, including on cars that were barely used.

    1 related service bulletin

    What to check: Fold both visors down and back up and look for seam separation, and ask whether either visor has been replaced.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “While driving, during normal positioning of sun visor, the visor split and fell down, hanging by the electrical wires and dangling in front of my face. It was difficult to see until I could pull off the road. It was still not possible to remove the visor without tools, making even the ride home dangerous.”

    NHTSA complaint #10164964, filed 2006-08, 650 miles

    “Driver's side sun shade broke. This is a common problem apparently with the Mazda rx8. I had the car for only one month with fewer than 1000 miles when this occurred. It wasn't a particularly hot day, and I had barely used the sun shade before it cracked. It became a safety concern as it was hanging in my sight of view, and I had to hold the visor out of the way with my left hand while driving with the other.”

    NHTSA complaint #10168209, filed 2006-09, 1,000 miles
  4. Air bags

    Airbag recall parts unavailable

    • 7 complaints (12%)
    • median 87,500 mi at 10.1 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
    • filed 2015–2017

    Many complaints are about the airbag recalls themselves: owners say they received a notice but were told the parts needed for the repair were not available and sometimes waited a long time. Some describe asking for a loaner vehicle while waiting and being turned down, and a few note that only the inflator was replaced while the cracked airbag cover was left in place. Filed from about 2014 through 2018, at mileages from around 63,000 to 110,000 and in some cases with no mileage given.

    Recall 17V474000 · DO NOT DRIVERecall 18V402000 · DO NOT DRIVERecall 18V404000 · DO NOT DRIVE1 related service bulletin

    What to check: Ask a dealer to run the VIN and confirm every open airbag recall has been completed, and get written confirmation of the work done.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “After receiving a letter and verifying with the mazdausa website it was determined that my RX-8 had a safety recall associated with the airbag. I contacted two separate Mazda dealers about this issue. Their response was less than undesirable. They first informed me that there were no parts available to affect repairs. After I requested a safe loaner vehicle until repairs could be made, my request was denied. So, Mazda has no parts to make repairs and they are unwilling to supply the vehicle owners with safe alternatives. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10683437, filed 2015-02, 110,000 miles

    “Takata recall: the contact owns a 2006 Mazda RX-8. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 15v345000, and 15v382000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.”

    NHTSA complaint #10794711, filed 2015-11
  5. Steering

    Power steering assist cuts out

    • 5 complaints (8%)
    • median 21,675 mi at 9.3 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
    • filed 2011–2020

    Complaints describe the power steering assist dropping out while driving, making the wheel suddenly hard to turn, sometimes coming back after a restart and later failing again. Owners say dealers traced it to the steering control module, the wiring harness or the rack and quoted high repair costs; one describes play in the steering column from a broken bushing that requires replacing the whole column. Several report the same failure returning after an earlier repair. Reported from roughly 18,000 to 25,000 miles in some cases, with other complaints coming in at higher mileage.

    What to check: Start the car and confirm the power steering warning light goes out, then turn the wheel lock to lock and check for heavy effort, intermittent assist or looseness in the column.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I went over to my friends house to swim around 1400 and, at that time, everything was normal. After we were done swimming and I got in the car to leave, I turned the care on and the power steering light came on in the dash. I proceeded to the manual which says it is due to a power steering failure. I've read in many forums that this is a common occurrence with this car model. It has been reported that it is usually the power steering harness or the rack (motor or torque sensor).”

    NHTSA complaint #10423817, filed 2011-09, 18,350 miles

    “I'm writing to state on my rx8 shinka 2006 Mazda has a steering wheel problem most concerning. I have owned it and maintained it. As I was leaving my bank I noticed a white gasket of kind on the floor of the drivers side. I went to drive my car and there was a lot of play in moving the steering wheel. At first I tried unlocking and locking the steering column. This was no good. There was still play in the steering wheel. Meaning you can move the steering wheel column up and down with outside unlocking the column. This should not be an issue. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11170818, filed 2019-01, 98,000 miles

Buying note. Check the clutch pedal assembly, the dashboard above the passenger airbag, the sun visors and the power steering assist on any example, and confirm with a dealer that all open airbag recalls have actually been completed before purchase.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 55 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.

NHTSA recorded 60 consumer complaints for the 2006 Mazda RX-8. 48 of the complaints include a mileage, and 40% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 59,250 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns (3 marked do-not-drive) and 174 technical service bulletins for this model year.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Engine cooling (1), Equipment (1).

Example complaints

Air bags: “The dash cover over the passenger side air bag is cracking a lot in all different locations. I talked to the dealer about this and they told me it is a common issue in the RX-8's and that the factory won't cover fixing it. This seems like a serious safety issue with the dash cracking apart right above the air bag. I'm not talking about some minor cracks either. I first noticed the cracks in the dash about a year and a half ago and now they grown and expanded substantially since then. It just really looks like a dangerous situation with it occurring right above the passenger air bag. …”

NHTSA complaint #10563034, filed 2014-02, 86,000 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “The clutch pedal binds up,or sticks during releasing from the floor,was replaced before and still has the same issue and my local Mazda dealership does not want to hear the complaint,now I will pay out of pocket for their repeated defect!”

NHTSA complaint #11092355, filed 2018-05, 117,891 miles

Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “Sun visors split at the seams, falls down during driving and block my view. This first happened when my car had 1059 miles, even though I rarely use the visors. The drivers visor was replaced at that time due to the condition. It has since happened again at 3725 miles to the driver and passenger visors. My dealer claims this is a common problem and Mazda is working on it. It is a safety issue and I think it needs to be dealt with in a timely manner. My new visors have not yet been replaced as they have been on order for several weeks.”

NHTSA complaint #10168291, filed 2006-09, 1,059 miles

Fuel system: “Perry Mazda of santa barbara ca is refusing to repair my recall because the fuel pump currently installed is an aftermarket part. I've contacted Mazda, but the representative I spoke with agreed with the technician that they can't repair my recall. He is looking into another solution so I can get my registration, but I'm making sure their acting legally.”

NHTSA complaint #11195321, filed 2019-04, 179,500 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

40% of the 48 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 32,000 and 86,000 miles.

13%0–108%10–2519%25–5025%50–7519%75–10015%100–1502%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (48 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 59,250 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

’06’09’11’13’1513’17’19’23
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2006 Mazda RX-8. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
RX-8 · sedan RWDnot rated4 / 5———

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2006 Mazda RX-8 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
RX-8 RWD1.3L 2-cyl6-speed automatic162319$4,350
RX-8 RWD1.3L 2-cyl6-speed manual162218$4,550

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2006 Mazda RX-8 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

NHTSA investigations

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 174 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 174 bulletins →

Other model years of the Mazda RX-8

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2010550,5504—19—Not enough data
2009839,6004—19—Not enough data
20081767,5005—19—Stable
20073872,0005—19Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20066059,2505—19Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200516262,0006—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200449067,82210—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All Mazda RX-8 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2006 Mazda RX-8?

Owners of this model year most often write about a clutch pedal that bends or snaps, a cracked dashboard around the passenger airbag and the Takata airbag recalls, sun visors that split and hang into the driver's view, and loss of power steering assist. The issues reported most often: Clutch pedal bends or snaps; Cracked dash above passenger airbag; Sun visors split and hang down.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2006 Mazda RX-8 have?

NHTSA recorded 60 consumer complaints for the 2006 Mazda RX-8 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2006 Mazda RX-8 is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 17 complaints (28% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 13.

Has the 2006 Mazda RX-8 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for this model year, 3 of them with a do-not-drive advisory. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2006 Mazda RX-8 get?

The EPA rates the 2006 Mazda RX-8 (RX-8, 1.3L 2-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 16 city and 23 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,350 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2006 Mazda RX-8 reported?

Among the 48 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 59,250 miles and the middle half falls between 32,000 and 86,000 miles; 40% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.