2004 Mazda RX-8 engine problems

The 2004 Mazda RX-8 has 144 engine complaints filed with NHTSA — 23% of the year's total, and the first year with meaningful reports in this category.

144

Engine complaints

23%

Share of year

Crash-involved

Related recalls

Engine complaints by year

RX-8 engine complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

05V317000EngineJuly 7, 2005 · 52,000 units

Defect

IF CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ARE PARKED AND THE ENGINE IS OPERATED AT HIGH RPM'S FOR AN EXCESSIVE LENGTH OF TIME, SOME OF THE PARTS AROUND THE EXHAUST SYSTEM CAN MELT AND PRODUCE A VARIETY OF MALFUNCTIONS. PROBLEMS CAUSED BY THE EXCESSIVE HEAT BUILD-UP CAN RANGE FROM INOPERATIVE OXYGEN SENSOR, NEUTRAL SWITCH AND BACK UP LIGHTS, PROBLEMS WITH THE PARKING BRAKES, MALFUNCTIONS OF THE GAS GAUGE AND/OR POSSIBLE FUEL LEAKS RESULTING FROM HEAT DAMAGE TO THE FUEL TANK.

Consequence

FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE PARTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 30, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.

What owners report

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA RX-8. WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH THE EXHAUST SYSTEM OVERHEATED AND CAUSED UNKNOWN WIRES TO OVERHEAT AND SMOKE. THE DEALER ADVISED THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 21, 2010 · fire

Common questions

How many engine complaints does the 2004 Mazda RX-8 have?

NHTSA has 144 complaints about the 2004 Mazda RX-8 engine — 23% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2004 Mazda RX-8 engine?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the engine: 05V317000.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.