The 2004 Mazda RX-8 has 156 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 25% of the year's total, and the first year with meaningful reports in this category.
156
Transmission complaints
25%
Share of year
1
Crash-involved
1
Related recalls
Defect
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS, THE HEAT INSULATOR MAY BE CRACKED CAUSING ABNORMAL NOISE.
Consequence
CONTINUED OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE CAN CAUSE THE INSULATOR TO COME OFF AND COULD POSE A HAZARD TO FOLLOWING VEHICLES.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEAT INSULATOR. THE RECALL BEGAN MARCH 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.
“AS I PRESSED MY CARS CLUTCH TO CHANGE GEARS (6 SPEED MANUAL ) WHILE DRIVING ON MY REGULAR SUNDAY DRIVE IN A CITY STREET, I HEARD AND FELT A VERY LOUD EXPLOSION AND NOISES OF METAL PIECES EJECTING FROM UNDER MY CAR. I WAS IN THE 60KM/H ZONE SO WAS NOT SPEEDING OR GOING FAST SUCH AS ON A FREEWAY ETC.…”
NHTSA has 156 complaints about the 2004 Mazda RX-8 transmission — 25% of all complaints filed for that model year.
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the transmission: 04V075000.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.