2008 Mazda RX-8 Problems
- Complaints
- 17filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 67,500miles, 12 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 2008 Mazda RX-8 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 17 consumer complaints for the 2008 Mazda RX-8. The part named most often is air bags, with 8 complaints (47% of the total), followed by steering (4) and other or unknown (3). 12 of the complaints include a mileage, and 33% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 67,500 miles. Of all complaints, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns (3 marked do-not-drive) and 186 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 3 recall campaigns covering the inflator module and 9 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Steering complaints overlap with 14 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
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.
- Air bags8 47%
- Steering4 24%
- Other or unknown3 18%
- Engine2 12%
- Fuel system2 12%
- Brakes1 5.9%
- Engine cooling1 5.9%
- Seats1 5.9%
Example complaints
Air bags: “The plastic casing on my drivers side dashboard that encases the air bag is pushing it's way through the dashboard. It is the exact shape of a rectangle which the dealership says is the plastic casing. I feel this is a defect in the car and also dangerous but I was told that this is not a warranty issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10780493, filed 2015-10, 62,000 milesSteering: “Power steering failed at only 85000 miles, almost caused me to crash with my two toddlers in the back seats!!! Now it is going to cost me over 2k to fix it, I am a military wife, in germany, and almost crashed due to Mazda's lack of quality!!!!”
NHTSA complaint #10984505, filed 2017-05, 85,000 milesOther or unknown: “The dashboard that covers the passenger airbag has been cracking in the outline of the airbag since prior to 10/4/2012. Mazda said they would not cover the replacement. I've attached my 10/4/2012 request for an estimate of repair, but I did not get it repaired. I believe they should be paying for this defect. I've also attached a picture of the dashboard as of today. I am afraid it is going to burst open and injure or kill someone.”
NHTSA complaint #10986337, filed 2017-05, 45,437 milesEngine: “Takata recall, my car suddenly stopped on the side, of the 101 freeway off the west lake village exit going south, and would not turn on. I had my car towed to the Mazda dealership after finding out of the recall on the fuel pump and air bags on the Mazda website. After 3 days at the dealership and being charged 3 hours of $115.00 hour they were not able to repair my car or replace the recall. They suggested for me to buy a new engine that would cost me $7000.00”
NHTSA complaint #11045867, filed 2017-11, 73,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
33% of the 12 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 45,437 and 85,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2008 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.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RX-8 · sedan RWD | not rated | 4 / 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 2008 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).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RX-8 RWD | 1.3L 2-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 16 | 23 | 19 | $4,350 |
| RX-8 RWD | 1.3L 2-cyl | 6-speed manual | 16 | 22 | 18 | $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
- Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator moduleCovers: Mazda RX-8 2004–2011, MAZDA6 2003–2008, MPV 2004–2006 +1 more
Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 and 2004 MPV vehicles nationwide. Mazda is also recalling 2005-2006 MPV vehicles in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, the District of…
- Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator moduleCovers: Mazda RX-8 2005–2009, MPV 2005–2006
Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Mazda MPV vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North…
- Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator moduleCovers: Mazda RX-8 2004–2008, MAZDA6 2003–2008, MAZDASPEED6 2006–2007
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2004-2008 RX-8, and 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture…
- 17V354000Jun 1, 2017Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pumpCovers: Mazda RX-8 2004–2008
Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RX-8 vehicles. Heat from the engine and the exhaust may cause the main fuel pump pipe to crack.
- 16V793000Oct 31, 2016Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pumpCovers: Mazda RX-8 2004–2008
Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RX-8 vehicles manufactured April 10, 2003, to February 18, 2008. The affected vehicles have fuel pump sealing rings that may deteriorate due to exposure to heat from the engine…
Recall details for the 2008 Mazda RX-8 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
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. 186 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11037899Sep 11, 2026Electrical system. DESCRIPTION If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, DTC(s) stored...), interview the customer before proceeding with normal MGSS diagnosis by asking if…
- 11037013Aug 20, 2026Other or unknown. Product Quality Information (PQI) DESCRIPTION Service Information MT-041/12 is no longer valid. It has been unpublished and superseded by the Field Quality Information Report (FQIR) reporting system.
- 11035599Jul 29, 2026Electrical system, Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). This bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red text. 09-042/04 12/10/04 DESCRIPTION Some vehicles may exhibit inoperative electric rear window…
- 11034447Jun 19, 2026Electrical system, Engine. This SA supersedes the previously issued SA(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red. SA-061/25 12/17/25 DESCRIPTION If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine…
- 11032103Apr 21, 2026Engine, Brakes, Other or unknown, Transmission and…. This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA listed below: The changes are noted in Red. SA-011/24 02/12/24, 06/06/24, 07/29/24 DESCRIPTION Mazda has developed factory recommended…
- 11026917Dec 17, 2025Electrical system. If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, DTC(s) stored...), interview the customer before proceeding with normal MGSS diagnosis by asking if any…
- 11022742Aug 22, 2025Body and structure, Other or unknown. Some vehicles may experience exterior trim heat damage such (melted, separating, etc.) when parked near a glass building or Low-E windows. This may be caused by the sun's reflection. If a…
- 11022727Aug 14, 2025Other or unknown. When replacing the SiriusXM satellite radio unit, a call must be made to inform SiriusXM of the existing Radio ID and the new/replacement SAT Radio ID as soon as possible to ensure the customer…
- 11020039Jun 19, 2025Other or unknown. Some customers may complain about a noisy HVAC blower motor or odor after a cabin air filter replacement. Foreign debris on the blower motor after servicing the cabin air filter may be the cause…
- 11007022Aug 15, 2024Body and structure. Some vehicles may experience exterior trim heat damage such (melted, separating, etc.) when parked near a glass building or Low-E windows. This may be caused by the sun's reflection.
Other model years of the Mazda RX-8
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 5 | 50,550 | 4 | — | 19 | — | Not enough data |
| 2009 | 8 | 39,600 | 4 | — | 19 | — | Not enough data |
| 2008 | 17 | 67,500 | 5 | — | 19 | — | Stable |
| 2007 | 38 | 72,000 | 5 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2006 | 60 | 59,250 | 5 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2005 | 162 | 62,000 | 6 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 490 | 67,822 | 10 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
All Mazda RX-8 model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2008 Mazda RX-8 have?
NHTSA recorded 17 consumer complaints for the 2008 Mazda RX-8 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2008 Mazda RX-8 is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 8 complaints (47% of the total), followed by steering with 4.
Has the 2008 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 2008 Mazda RX-8 get?
The EPA rates the 2008 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 2008 Mazda RX-8 reported?
Among the 12 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 67,500 miles and the middle half falls between 45,437 and 85,000 miles; 33% 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.