2004 Mazda RX-8 reliability record
NHTSA consumer complaints and recall campaigns for the 2004 Mazda RX-8 from the dataset labeled 2026. The source file does not provide an exact snapshot date. Use the reported issues to guide further checks; these counts do not establish failure rates or repair costs.
- NHTSA complaints
- 625
- Dataset year: 2026; snapshot day not provided
- Top problem area
- STEERING
- 80 complaints
- Recalls on record
- 6
- see below
- Reported harm
- 23 reported crashes · 24 injuries · 11 fires
How this record compares
raw NHTSA counts, not defect ratesCounts are not adjusted for vehicles sold, time in service or reporting frequency. A larger count does not establish a higher chance of failure, and these comparisons do not set the maintenance budget in our calculator.
Complaint rank
#788
of 4,194 vehicle records
Vs Mazda median
+429
median 196 across 81 Mazda records
Vs 2002-2006
+356
median 269 complaints in 819 records
Top component share
18%
Power Train: 113 complaints
What owners report fails — 2004 Mazda RX-8
- STEERING 80
- POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION 75
- AIR BAGS 49
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 46
- POWER TRAIN 38
6 recalls on record for the 2004 Mazda RX-8
- NHTSA 19V781000 · 2019 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious in
- NHTSA 18V402000 · 2018 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious in
- NHTSA 16V793000 · 2017 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP The deteriorated seals may leak fuel, which, in the presence of an ignition source, can increase the risk of a fire.
- NHTSA 17V354000 · 2017 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP If the fuel pump pipe cracks, fuel may leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
- NHTSA 17V355000 · 2017 · SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM If the ball joint separates, steering control may be lost, increasing the risk of a crash.
Estimate the 5-year cost to own a 2004 Mazda RX-8
Build a separate budget with your purchase price, insurance quote, mileage and maintenance estimate. Complaint counts do not enter that calculation. Unknown local taxes and fees stay listed as costs to confirm.
Open TCO calculatorThese are unverified consumer reports and manufacturer recalls filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — not validated defect rates, and not adjusted for how many 2004 Mazda RX-8 units were produced or sold. High-volume and older vehicles naturally accumulate more complaints. Use this as one research signal, not a verdict on any individual vehicle. Dataset year: 2026; exact snapshot day not supplied. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (public domain).
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2004 Mazda RX-8 reliable?
NHTSA has 625 consumer complaints on record for the 2004 Mazda RX-8 and 6 recalls. The most-reported problem area is steering (80 reports). These are unverified consumer reports filed with the government, not validated failure rates, and are not adjusted for how many 2004 Mazda RX-8 units were produced — popular vehicles naturally accumulate more reports.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Mazda RX-8?
Owners most often report problems with: steering (80), power train:manual transmission (75), air bags (49), engine and engine cooling (46). Each figure is the number of complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
How much does it cost to own a 2004 Mazda RX-8?
This complaint dataset does not measure repair prices or predict a maintenance budget for the 2004 Mazda RX-8. Use your purchase price, insurance quotes, fuel use and a maintenance estimate in the separate five-year cost calculator. It does not convert complaint counts into repair costs, and any unknown taxes remain excluded and clearly listed.