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Mazda RX-8Model year report

2009 Mazda RX-8 Problems

Complaints
8filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
39,600miles, 7 complaints with mileage
Recalls
43 do-not-drive
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
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 2009 Mazda RX-8 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 2009 Mazda RX-8. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 3 complaints (38% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control (3) and fuel system (2). 7 of the complaints include a mileage, and 86% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 39,600 miles. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns (3 marked do-not-drive) and 194 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 8 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Vehicle speed control complaints overlap with 3 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.

Example complaints

Transmission and drivetrain: “Normal driving and the clutch pedal popped and became unstable. Shifting the card became difficult. After further inspection discovered the metal bracket for the clutch broke.”

NHTSA complaint #10286577, filed 2009-10, 91,200 miles

Vehicle speed control: “I was driving on the hwy, the cruise control was on, I had been using it for about 20 miles, occasionally bumping the speed up or down as conditions permitted. My primary reason for that is on long trips I get better gas mileage that way. The divided highway came to an end and there was a traffic light about a half mile ahead, so I bumped it down about 2 MPH, then bumped it down a few seconds later another 2 or 3 MPH. The light turned red then, so I stepped on the brakes (doing about 65 at this point). The engine reved up, the cruise control did not disengage so I stepped on the clutch. …”

NHTSA complaint #10307542, filed 2010-02, 6,080 miles

Fuel system: “Mazda recalled all 2004-2008 rx8 models for fuel pump and lockring gasket assembly leakage. My 2009 rx8 has the same issue and starting leaking gas on 1-02-2020 while parked in a garage. I called Mazda and was told there were no recalls; however my car has the same problem the 2004-2008 models had. Now I have to pay close to $1,000.00 for repair that should be covered under the recall.”

NHTSA complaint #11297767, filed 2020-01, 41,000 miles

Body and structure: “I purchased a Mazda rx8 new in 2009. I have noticed the passenger dash cracking. At first it was small lines, and I thought it was the normal look of it, but over time the cracks got bigger. I went to my Mazda dealer and they told me that other customers had same issues and they are still waiting for a Mazda recall. I have even seen other similar complaints online. The cracks look horrible.”

NHTSA complaint #11196476, filed 2019-04

Mileage when problems were reported

86% of the 7 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 21,900 and 41,000 miles.

29%0–1014%10–2543%25–500%50–7514%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (7 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 39,600 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

20092010201122014201720192020
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 2009 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 2009 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 2009 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. 194 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 194 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

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2009 Mazda RX-8 have?

NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 2009 Mazda RX-8 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2009 Mazda RX-8 is reported most often?

Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 3 complaints (38% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control with 3.

Has the 2009 Mazda RX-8 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 4 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 2009 Mazda RX-8 get?

The EPA rates the 2009 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 2009 Mazda RX-8 reported?

Among the 7 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 39,600 miles and the middle half falls between 21,900 and 41,000 miles; 86% 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.