2010 Mazda RX-8 Problems
- Complaints
- 5filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 50,550miles, 2 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 2010 Mazda RX-8 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 2010 Mazda RX-8. The part named most often is air bags, with 1 complaints (20% of the total), followed by other or unknown (1) and seat belts (1). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 50,550 miles. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns (3 marked do-not-drive) and 192 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. Other or unknown complaints overlap with 11 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 bags1 20%
- Other or unknown1 20%
- Seat belts1 20%
- Suspension1 20%
Example complaints
Other or unknown: “Safety concerns of Sam Leman Mazda located in blooomington IL installed a radiator from auto zone instead of using Mazda-approved parts. Sam Lemans modified other vehicle components to make the auto zone part fit and initially suggested using zip ties. My vehicle was held from Nov 5-25, 2025 while the dealership attempted to figure out how to alter components to fit the Auto Zone part - my choices were use the (1) Auto Zone part or (2) supply my own. …”
NHTSA complaint #11703597, filed 2025-12Seat belts: “My stepdaughter placed her infant/carseat in the rear seat of our 2010 Mazda RX-8. She reached for the closest seatbelt (that turned out to be the front seatbelt) and latched the car seat in place. After she sat down in the front passenger seat, she realized her mistake. Three people attempted to press the belt release however all of us failed. Also, the belt rolled in as it's designed to so I could not gather enough slack to take the infant out while in the carseat. After a few minutes, we were able to remove her infant from the carseat, and then I forcibly removed the car seat. …”
NHTSA complaint #10371808, filed 2010-12Suspension: “There is already a prior recall on lower control arms for earlier made Mazda rx-8s. Why are the later models also not included? Is it because the model I have there were not as many made, so not as many left on the road? You can hear a dull pop when turning the corner time. Family member is a mechanic, he advised what this was, and to check for recall . . .well there is one, just for 2004-2008 models, why doesn't the recall include 2009 & 2010 also?”
NHTSA complaint #11330941, filed 2020-06Mileage when problems were reported
50% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 40,000 and 61,100 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2010 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 2010 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 2010–2011
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2010-2011 Mazda RX-8 vehicles that were previously recalled under recall 18V-716 but have not yet been repaired. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the…
- 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 2009–2010
Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2009-2010 Mazda RX-8 vehicles that were previously recalled under recall 18V-017 but have not yet been repaired. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the…
- 21V744000Sep 24, 2021Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pumpCovers: Mazda RX-8 2009–2011, MAZDASPEED6 2006–2007
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2009-2011 RX-8 and 2006-2007 MazdaSpeed6 vehicles. Fuel may leak from the fuel pump mounting rings.
Recall details for the 2010 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. 192 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 2010 Mazda RX-8 have?
NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 2010 Mazda RX-8 as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2010 Mazda RX-8 is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 1 complaints (20% of the total), followed by other or unknown with 1.
Has the 2010 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 2010 Mazda RX-8 get?
The EPA rates the 2010 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 2010 Mazda RX-8 reported?
Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 50,550 miles and the middle half falls between 40,000 and 61,100 miles; 50% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
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. 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.