2005 Mazda RX-8 reliability record
Every consumer complaint and recall the U.S. government (NHTSA) has on file for the 2005 Mazda RX-8 — the repair risk behind the ownership cost.
- NHTSA complaints
- 212
- 7 in the last 5 years
- Top problem area
- POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
- 22 complaints
- Recalls on record
- 5
- see below
- Reported harm
- 8 reported crashes · 8 injuries · 1 fire
How this record compares
raw NHTSA counts, not defect ratesComplaint rank
#2,449
of 4,194 vehicle records
Vs Mazda median
+16
median 196 across 81 Mazda records
Vs 2003-2007
-68
median 280 complaints in 857 records
Top component share
20%
Power Train: 43 complaints
What owners report fails — 2005 Mazda RX-8
- POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION 22
- AIR BAGS 21
- POWER TRAIN 21
- STEERING 16
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 15
5 recalls on record for the 2005 Mazda RX-8
- 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 18V404000 · 2018 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR An inflator explosion may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- 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 17V474000 · 2017 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MO In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal
Estimate the 5-year cost to own a 2005 Mazda RX-8
A vehicle's complaint record hints at the repair and maintenance budget you'll need. Add your state, purchase price, and mileage to the TCO calculator for the full picture.
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 2005 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. Data as of 2026. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (public domain).
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2005 Mazda RX-8 reliable?
NHTSA has 212 consumer complaints on record for the 2005 Mazda RX-8 and 5 recalls. The most-reported problem area is power train:manual transmission (22 reports). These are unverified consumer reports filed with the government, not validated failure rates, and are not adjusted for how many 2005 Mazda RX-8 units were produced — popular vehicles naturally accumulate more reports.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Mazda RX-8?
Owners most often report problems with: power train:manual transmission (22), air bags (21), power train (21), steering (16). Each figure is the number of complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
How much does it cost to own a 2005 Mazda RX-8?
Ownership cost depends on your state taxes, insurance, fuel, and the maintenance the vehicle's reliability record implies. Use the CarOutlay 5-year TCO calculator to estimate the full cost including the repair risk this complaint record suggests.