2004 Mazda RX-8

Defect. Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2004-2005 MPV, 2004 RX-8, and 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 vehicles. These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy. Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. The recall began December 3, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 2618F. Note: This recall supersedes recalls 13V130, 14V362, 14V773 and 15V869.

Defect. 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 Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. On July 9, 2019 this recall was expanded to include certain 2004-2011 RX-8 vehicles that were previously recalled under 16V-354 but have not yet been repaired. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy. Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began July 6, 2018. Mailing to the affected RX-8 owners began July 6, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 2618F. Note: With the addition of the RX-8 vehicles, this recall fully supersedes recall 16V354.

Defect. Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2004-2008 RX-8, and 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion and other factors, including manufacturing variability that, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy. Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began on September 12, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1417G. Note: This recall supersedes recall 15V-382.

Defect. Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RX-8 vehicles. Heat from the engine and the exhaust may cause the main fuel pump pipe to crack.

Risk. If the fuel pump pipe cracks, fuel may leak, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump filter kit, free of charge. The recall began on July 31, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1017E.

Defect. Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2004 Mazda RX-8 vehicles. The ball joint socket on the front suspension lower control arm may crack and the ball joint may separate from the socket.

Risk. If the ball joint separates, steering control may be lost, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front lower control arms, free of charge. The recall began on July 31, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1117E.

Defect. Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RX-8 vehicles manufactured April 10, 2003, to February 18, 2008. The affected vehicles have fuel pump sealing rings that may deteriorate due to exposure to heat from the engine or exhaust pipe.

Risk. The deteriorated seals may leak fuel, which, in the presence of an ignition source, can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump sealing ring set and add a thermal insulation pad to the fuel tank, free of charge. The recall began July 31, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 0516J.

Defect. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, DUE TO IMPROPER FORGING OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM, CRACKS MAY OCCUR IN THE BALL JOINT SOCKET.

Risk. IN SEVERE DRIVING CONDITIONS, THE BALL MAY SEPARATE FROM THE BALL JOINT SOCKET AND A LOSS OF STEERING MAY OCCUR, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

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

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.

Risk. 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.

Defect. AS A RESULT OF AN NCAP TEST, CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ARE BEING RECALLED FOR IMPROPERLY WIRED FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAGS.

Risk. THE AIR BAG WILL NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION WHEN THE VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW WIRING HARNESS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SYSTEM. THE RECALL BEGAN MARCH 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.

Defect. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS, THE HEAT INSULATOR MAY BE CRACKED CAUSING ABNORMAL NOISE.

Risk. 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.

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at …

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by Takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems.During the course of PE14-016, ODI determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by Takata. No evidence of field …

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by Takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems.During the course of PE14-016, ODI determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by Takata. No evidence of field …

On September 23, 2009, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation to investigate allegations of the clutch pedal bracket failures in MY 2004 - 2006 Mazda RX8 vehicles.In response to an information request letter sent by ODI, Mazda stated that the failure mechanism may be related to an improper fastener attachment sequence to the body.The improper sequence may create a distortion of the pedal bracket and create a stress amplitude during pedal usage that may go beyond the wear out limit of the bracket.Mazda stated that the percentages of vehicles experiencing the …

Subject: ** UPDATE** - Takata Inflator Special Service Program (Extended Warranty) Special Service Program SSPB3: In December 2017 Special Service Program SSPB3 - Takata Inflator Extended Warranty was announced. The extended warranty was a result of the Takata airbag inflator class action settlement. Mazda will provide supplemental warranty coverage for all …

Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as cited in the vehicle-specific workshop manual or owner's manual. Services performed outside of Mazda's factory scheduled maintenance are not recommended. These services are …

Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Cooler and Lines Flushing Procedure: Automatic Transaxle/Transmission (A/T) oil cooler and lines must be power flushed completely before an overhauled or replacement A/T is installed (except SKYACTIV-DRIVE). The most common cause of repeat A/T failures is lack of lubrication to the front and rear planetary gears. This is …

Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as cited in the vehicle specific workshop manual or owner's manual. Services performed outside of Mazda's factory scheduled maintenance are not recommended. These services are …

Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as cited in the vehicle specific workshop manual or owner's manual. Services performed outside of Mazda's factory scheduled maintenance are not recommended. These services are …

MAZDA SPECIAL PROGRAM (MSP16) - ENGINE LACK OF POWER -PCM REFLASH. VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM APRIL 10, 2003 THROUGH NOV. 9, 2007. VIN RANGE JM1FE17**40100053 - 80215462. *NJ UPDATED 6/3/08. *NJ

MANUAL TRANSMISSION-CLUTCH HARD TO DISENGAGE. *KB

The contact owns a 2004 Mazda RX-8. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being serviced at Valvoline for a scheduled oil change, the contact was informed that fuel was leaking. The contact was advised not to drive the vehicle. The dealer was contacted and notified of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where a diagnostic evaluation revealed a fractured fuel system discharge pipe. The contact was informed that the fuel pump required replacement. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V354000 (Fuel System, Gasoline), which was completed on the VIN in 2009. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the repair was not covered under warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

No worries — here it is trimmed to under 2,000 characters: I am reporting a recurring safety defect on my 2004 Mazda RX-8 (VIN: [XXX] a repair under NHTSA Recall 1017E (Fuel Pump Ring / Discharge Pipe). Recall 1017E was completed on my vehicle on September 19, 2017. The same fuel leak has since recurred, with fuel vapor now entering the passenger cabin. Only a few thousand miles have been driven since the recall repair. The vehicle is currently at Della Mazda, Queensbury, NY at approximately 72,000 miles. On May 8, 2026, I contacted Mazda Customer Experience Center. Mazda confirmed the dealer submitted a pre-authorization request for recall coverage, which Mazda corporate denied, stating the recall was previously completed and further repairs are my responsibility. I have a chat transcript documenting this. A recall remedy that fails to correct the covered defect should not be considered complete. I am requesting NHTSA review whether Recall 1017E has produced recurring failures, direct Mazda to honor the recall remedy, and advise on available consumer reimbursement. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

For a year I have responded to every notice for a recall repair (7 total) Mazda has not repaired my vehicle or scheduled its repair. My recall ID is 016742248 and my Campaign Number is 100409. My car has a DO NOT DRIVE status and Mazda tells me I MUST drive the car 2 hours to get it repaired each way. And they refuse to transport y vehicle even thought I have told them in phone conversations about my cars do not drive status. The latest attempt for filing for a repay was 7-21-25 at 9:40am central time.

The contact owns a 2004 Mazda RX-8. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the engine. The dealer determined that the engine had no compression. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 60,000.

The electric power steering randomly pulls hard to one side while driving. There are brief spasms of forceful jerks each jerk is 1-2 seconds the series of jerks lasts 10-20 seconds and usually stops with power steering failure all while driving.

Engine naturally wears out especially after 200k miles due to friction in the natural design of the Rotary engine, resulting in losing its overall function such as turning off in the middle of a drive due to loss of compression from worn Apex Seals of the Rotary. The rotary engine requires a replacement of the Apex Seals to continue functioning normally to avoid any unpredictable accidents due to engine failure. An event occurred where my RX-8 went into limp mode in the middle of the freeway as i was commuting due a misfire from poor compression, this is more then likely a common event nowadays for RX-8 owners starting at the S1 2004 models with newer models soon to follow the same incident as me. This is completely unsafe especially traveling at 65 MPH

The contact owns a 2004 Mazda RX-8. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, he noticed a strong gasoline odor originating from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump was fractured and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V354000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the recall repair failed to fix the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they would follow up with him. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.

Fuel fumes are leaking into passenger compartment and leaking from tank. Previous recall failed to fix

FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG CRACKED DASH AND PUSHED OUT GLOVE BOX.

I NOW HAVE REPLACEDCLUTCH PEDAL THE FORTH TIME. IM WRITING THIS TO SEE IFI CAN STILL GET ONE FACTORY REPAIR OF THE PART THE PEDAL WILL BREAK IN WELD SPOT REGARDLESS OF MY TRYING NOT PUT TO MUCH PRESSURE.

JULY 2017 WHEN I START THE CAR THE STEERING GEAR TURN TOO THE RIGHT ALL THE TIME. FEW MILE THE STEERING GET HARD AND START SHACKING BY IT SELF. NOW THE STEERING IS HARD WITH ABS AND CONTROL TRACTION LIGHT ON. I SEND IT TOO A MECANIC TOO CHECK THE WIRING AND RACK AND PINON AND THE MECANIC INDICATE THAT IS THE TORQUE SENSOR AND I HAVE TOO CHANGE THE RACK AND PINON.

RECENTLY PURCHASED THE CAR FROM SOMEONE ELSE AND NOTICED THAT THE CABIN SMELLS LIKE FUEL. I THOUGHT MAYBE HE SPILLED SOME INSIDE IT BUT IT'S BEEN A WEEK AND THE SMELL IS STILL THERE. I DON'T KNOW WHY AND I'M WORRIED ABOUT THE CAR CATCHING FIRE OR ME GETTING CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING.

CLUTCH PEDAL BROKE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD

STEERING TURN ALONE

PASSENGER DASH COVER HAS LOST INTEGRITY/CRACKED ALONG THE LINES WHERE THE AIRBAG DEPLOYS AND AM CONCERNED THAT THE FORCE OF POTENTIAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT COULD BE AFFECTED AND NOT WORK AS DESIGNED OR DEPLOY WITH TOO MUCH FORCE TO CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH TO THE OCCUPANT IF THE AIRBAG COVER SHOULD FLY OFF UPON DEPLOYMENT. THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH THE DASH OF MANY MAZDA VEHICLES AND SHOULD AT A MINIMUM BE REVIEWED. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS AND THE AIRBAGS RECALL HAS RECENTLY BEEN PERFORMED BY A MAZDA DEALER.

SEAT BUILTS NEED TIGHTING

ON 10/19/19 THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WHEN SWERVING TO AVOID A DEER ON THE ROAD. TWO TREES WERE HIT AND THE VEHICLE WAS FLIPPED ON ITS SIDE. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED DURING THIS ACCIDENT AS I WAS EXPECTED. PICTURES SHOW THE FRONT DAMAGE AND INTERIOR.

WHILE DRIVING MY 2004, MAZDA RX8 THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING MODULE FAILED, AND JERKED THE CAR AGGRESSIVELY TO THE LEFT INTO THE ONCOMING LANE OF TRAFFIC. THE FORCE WAS SO STRONG THAT IT CAUSED MOMENTARY LOSS OF CONTROL. FORTUNATELY, THERE WASN'T ANY ONCOMING TRAFFIC AT THAT MOMENT ON THAT PARTICULAR STRETCH OF ROAD. WHEN REVIEWING THE MAZDA FORUM THERE WERE SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS THAT EXPERIENCED THE SAME LOSS OF CONTROL OR FAILURE. ADDITIONALLY, MAZDA HAD POWER STEERING ASSIST RECALLS FOR THE SAME PROBLEMS, REF. MAZDA3/MAZDA5 POWER STEERING RECALL NOTIFICATION 6010H.

MY POWER STEERING INTERMITTENTLY GOES OUT FROM TIME TO TIME. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE SHOP 4 TIMES. THERE IS SOMETHING SERIOUSLY WRONG WITH THIS DESIGN AND THE VEHICLE IS VERY DANGEROUS.

I SENT MY MAZDA IN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO FIX RECALLS AND MAKE A KEY. IN EXCELLENT SHAPE. ONE AREA WITH SLIGHT BODY DAMAGE. ON 3/16/2018 WAS RETURNED A CAR THAT DOESN'T RUN. WITH. CRACKED DASHBOARD, TORN SEATS, MULTIPLE DENTS, CHARGED 345 DOLLARS ON 6/10 2019. I WAS SENT A TOW BILL AS NOTIFICATION TO PICK IT UP.

SEVERE OUTSIDE PAINT DEGREDATION WITH 54,000 MILES.

MULTIPLE TROUBLE CODES ALL AT ONCE AFTER NOT HAVING ANY TROUBLE CODES AFTER A LONG PERIOD. AS OF NOW 56,000 ORIGINAL MILES. TRACTION CONTROL IMPROPERLY FUNCTIONING CAUSING VEHICLE,S MAXIMUM SPEED TO 3 MPH. MULTIPLE MISFIRE,S WITH NEW SPARK PLUG, NEW SPARK PLUG COIL PACKS AND NEW SPARK PLUG WIRES. GASOLINE LEAK NOT YET NARROWED DOWN TO SPECIFIC LOCATION. NO ENGINE POWER AFTER SHIFTING TO 2ND GEAR. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY ON HOWEVER WILL GO OUT FOR NO MORE THAN 2 DAYS. VERY STRONG GASOLINE ODOR INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AFTER STARTUP. LOSS OF ENGINE COMPRESSION. GOODNESS KNOWS WHAT IS NEXT!!!

THE MOTOR LOOSE COMPRESSION TO EASY, AFTER THAT ,THE CAR ITS JUNK.

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY,THE POWER STEERING OF THE VEHICLE FAILED SND 2 MADE IT EXTREMELY HARD TO STEER. I'VE HEARD OTHERS HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM BUT MAZDA HAS NOT ADDRESSED IT

THE PASSENGER AIR BAG IS AFFECTING THE DASH CAUSING IT TO CRACK. IF THE AIR BAG IS TO DEPLOY THE DASH COULD SPLINTER FROM THE CRACKS AND CAUSE SERIOUS BODILY ENJURY.

RUSTED OIL COOLER - LINES CAUSING MAJOR LEAKS THAT ARE SOAKING THE BRAKES AND TIRES WITH OIL.THIS COULD ALSO CAUSE THE ENGINE TO SEIZE WHILE DRIVING.

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND CAME TO A STOP LIGHT, ENGAGED THE CLUTCH HEARD A POP AND HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO GET INTO GEAR SINCE.I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AND WAS NEARLY REAR ENDED CAUSE THE COUCH WOULDN'T DISENGAGE TO BUT IT IN GREAT CAUSE THE BRACKET HAD BROKEN COMPLETELY.

TAKATA RECALL I RECEIVED A CALL REGARDING AN 'ESCALATION' OF MY RECALL AND WHEN I CALLED BACK THE INDIVIDUAL ON THE PHONE SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND MY INFORMATION. THE LAST TIME I TRIED TO GET MY RX8 REPAIRED I WAS TOLD I HAVE TO DRIVE THE CAR OVER AN HOUR TO THE SHOP TO GET AIRBAG FIXED - THIS IS AFTER I RECEIVED A VERY GRAPHIC POSTCARD SHOWING AND TELLING ME HOW I WILL BE INJURED OR KILLED IF I DON'T GET MY CAR REPAIRED. I AM TRYING TO GET THIS CAR REPAIRED, HOWEVER I WILL NOT DRIVE THIS CAR OVER AN HOUR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC IN SOUTH TEXAS HEAT AND HUMIDITY IN ORDER TO MAKE THE REQUIRED 100% COMPLIANCE EASY FOR TAKATA THERE ARE MULTIPLE OTHER RECALLS ON THIS CAR, INCLUDING ON THE ENGINE THAT I HAVE REPLACED 4 TIMES. DEALERS WERE TOLD TO INSTALL THE OLD ENGINES THAT WERE IN THEIR INVENTORY AND NOT INSTALL THE NEW DESIGN. THE OLD ENGINES CONTINUED TO LOOSE COMPRESSION OVER TIME AND EVEN THOUGH MAZDA EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 100K ON THE VEHICLE, EVENTUALLY I EXCEEDED 100K - AND THE 4TH ENGINE WENT BAD @102K. MAZDA NEVER REPLACED THE ENGINE WITH AN ENGINE THAT DID NOT HAVE COMPRESSION ISSUES. THE DEALERS USED THE SAME ENGINE AND MAZDA WAITED FOR CONSUMERS TO EXCEED THE 100K MILEAGE AND THEN REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE. I HAVE A BEAUTIFUL RX8 THAT IS BASICALLY A ROLLING CHASIS BECAUSE IT WILL NOT RUN, OVERHEATS THE FUEL SYSTEM (CAN EXPLODE OR CATCH FIRE), AND AIRBAGS THAT CAN INJURE OR KILL ME AT ANY MOMENT. I CANT EVEN OPEN THE DOOR ON THIS CAR FOR FEAR OF INJURY OR DE

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. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER SAFELY WHILE ROLLING AS THE ENGINE HAD BEEN DISABLED IN THE EXPLOSION. I COULD FEEL MY LEFT FOOT WAS IN EXTREME PAIN. MY CAR WOULD NOT START. I FEARED THAT THE ENGINE HAD BLOWN UP. MY CAR IS VERY WELL MAINTAINED AND SERVICED REGULARLY WITH NO MODIFICATIONS. WHAT I DISCOVERED WAS THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD DETONATED, THE GEARBOX BELL HOUSING WAS TORN APART (GOT PICTURES TO PROVE IT) AND I FOUND PARTS OF THE CLUTCH IN MANY TINY PIECES ALL OVER THE ROADS. THE CLUTCH WAS REPLACED BY MAZDA 30,000KMS AGO AND AT A MAZDA DEALERSHIP USING OEM CLUTCH KIT. THE FORCE OF THE GEARBOX EXPLOSION WAS SO GREAT THAT THE CLUTCH PEDAL IMPACTED MY LEFT FOOT AND SHATTERED THE BONES OF THE LEFT FOOT IN PIECES (YES I WAS WEARING THICK SOLED SNEAKERS) AND CAUSED SEVERE TRAUMA TO MY FOOT IN GENERAL. AT THE HOSPITAL, THE SURGEONS WORDS WERE " IT LOOKS REALLY BAD". I WAS OPERATED ON AND TITANIUM PLATES AND 4 SCREWS WERE INSERTED TO TRY TO HOLD MY SHATTERED BONES IN PLACE. 8 MONTHS AND A LOT OF HOSPITAL VISITS LATER, I AM STILL RECOVERING FROM THE DAY. I HAD FURTHER SURGERY FEW WEEKS AGO TO PERFORM A BONE GRAFT BECAUSE ONE BREAK WASN'T HEALING. I HAVE APPROACHED MAZDA REGIONAL HEAD OFFICE

SPORADIC POWER STEERING LOSS, ALMOST GOT INTO 2 ACCIDENTS. WHILE DRIVING I WOULD LOSS POWER STEERING.

ELECTRIC-ASSIST POWER STEERING, RANDOMLY IN THE PARKING LOT THE WHEEL WILL TURN ALL BY ITSELF, ONE WAY TURNS EASIER THAN THE OTHER, SOMETIMES YOU HAVE NO POWER STEERING AND OTHER TIMES YOUR STEERING WHEEL TURNS LIKE BUTTER, I LIVE IN THE MOUNTAINS WITH A VERY WINDY AND DANGEROUS ROADS, I'VE TAKEN IT TO SEVERAL MECHANICS FINALLY ONE MECHANIC JUST UNPLUG THE WIRING HARNESS SO THERE IS NO POWER STEERING. IT IS VERY SCARY TO DRIVE ESPECIALLY WITH A NEWBORN BABY. THERE ARE A LOT OF CARS ON THE ROAD WITH THIS ISSUE I KNOW 10 DIFFERENT PEOPLE THAT HAVE SOME SORT OF POWER STEERING ISSUE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND I'M SURPRISED THERE IS NOT A RECALL YET ON IT. I'VE HAD TWO FRIENDS THAT ARE CLOSE TO ME THAT HAVE THIS ISSUE AS WELL, ONE FRIEND WRECKED HIS CAR THE OTHER FRIEND SOLD IT I BELIEVE TO PICK-N-PULL SO IT WOULD NOT HURT ANYONE, PLEASE HELP AND MAYBE HELP SAVE A FEW LIVES, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SPEAKING WITH YOU

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA RX-8. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE AN ACCURATE DESCRIPTION OF THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE MAY BE DUE TO THE RACK AND PINION OR AN ELECTRICAL FAULT WITH THE POWER STEERING. THE ELECTRIC CONNECTOR WAS REMOVED, CLEANED, DIELECTRIC GREASE WAS ADDED TO THE CONNECTOR, AND THE CONNECTOR WAS RE-INSTALLED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. KELLY MAZDA (1200 WYOMING AVE, SCRANTON, PA 18509, (570) 342-7831) WAS CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

STEERING WHEEL VIOLENTLY SHAKES UPON TURNING AND NOW ON STRAIGHT-AWAY DRIVING. HAS BEEN SMELLING OF EXCESSIVE GAS FOR OVER 4 YEARS UPON START UP, DESPITE DEALER CORRECTING RECALL ISSUE WITH FUEL PUMP DISCHARGE PIPE.

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MILES PER HOUR ON A RURAL ROAD, THE FRONT PASSENGER BALL JOINT SEPARATED FROM THE LOWER CONTROL ARM, CAUSING THE CONTROL ARM TO FIRST DROP ONTO THE INSIDE SURFACE OF THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL AND THEN ONTO THE GROUND AS THE WHEEL MOVED OUT OF ITS NORMAL POSITION. IN THE PROCESS, THE PASSENGER SIDE INNER TIE ROD WAS SEVERELY BENT, THE INSIDE SURFACE OF THE WHEEL WAS BADLY SCORED, THE TIRE SURFACE (WHICH CONTACTED THE FENDER) WAS DAMAGED, AND THE PASSENGER FRONT FENDER WAS BENT WHEN THE TIRE CONTACTED IT. I SPOKE WITH MAZDA USA, WHO PUT ME IN CONTACT WITH A LOCAL DEALER. I TOWED THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND DROPPED IT OFF. THEY HAVE REPLACED BOTH CONTROL ARMS (PER THE RECALL) AS WELL AS THE BENT TIE ROD AND PASSENGER FRONT WHEEL BEARING. THEY ALSO PERFORMED AN ALIGNMENT. MECHANICALLY, THEY HAVE REPAIRED THE CAR. HOWEVER, MAZDA IS REFUSING TO REMEDY THE DAMAGED WHEEL OR TIRE OR THE FENDER. SINCE THE CAR HAS BEEN LOWERED, THEIR CLAIM IS THAT THE FENDER MAY NOT HAVE BEEN DAMAGED ON A STOCK CAR AT STOCK RIDE HEIGHT. THEY MAY BE RIGHT, AND THE FENDER DAMAGE IS MINOR, SO I'M NOT WORRIED ABOUT THAT. HOWEVER, SINCE A STOCK VEHICLE WOULD LIKELY HAVE SUFFERED THE SAME WHEEL/TIRE DAMAGE, I WAS TOLD THAT IF THE VEHICLE HAD A STOCK WHEEL & TIRE THEY WOULD REPLACE THE WHEEL & TIRE SINCE THEY WERE BOTH DAMAGED. I'M NOT EVEN SURE WHAT "STOCK TIRE" MEANS ON A 14-YEAR-OLD CAR SINCE ANY CAR WILL HAVE HAD THE TIRES REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES SINCE THEN, BUT AFTERMARKET

MY POWER STEERING MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON WHEN I STARTED MY CAR. TOO HARD TO STEER MY CAR WHEN I DRIVE.

I BOUGHT A CAR THAT HAD A RECALL OF THE AIR BAG THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG HAD BEEN DEPLOYED WAS TOLD BY DEALER IT WAS UNDER RECALL.AFTER CHECKING WITH THE DEALER THE SIDE SEAT AIR BAG WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL WAS NOT REPLACED OR EVEN LOOKED AT .SO WE TOOK THE SEAT OUT TO SEE ANT OBVIOUS ISSUES AND WE FOUND ALL THE WIRES THAT PLUG INTO SEAT ALL WAY TO UNDER CARPET AGAINST FRAME ALL THE WIRES WERE MELTED.WITCH IS AN OBVIOUS MANAFATURING PROBLEM.WE HAVE READ MUPLTILE FORUMS WHERE TONS OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD SAME PROBLEM BUT YET NO RECALL WE COULD FIND ON THIS ISSUE.MY MOTHER IS ON OXYGEN AND IF MY CAR CATCHES FIRE TO DO THIS AND NO ONE LOOKING INTO THIS IT CAN BE FAR WORSE.THIER IS ANOTHER RECALL ON FRONT END SUSPSION THAT THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO REPLACE AT THIS TIME.THEY TELL ME THEY ARE WAITING TO SEE IF THEY COME UP WITH A BETTER SOLUTION TO FIX IT.IM GOING TO MAZDA DEALER TOMORROW MORNING TO EXPLAIN TO THEM WHAT I'M EXPLAIN TO YOU AND SINCE THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE IF THEY REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING I'M TURNING THIS OVER TO LAWYER.I FEEL WHEN I MENTIONED IT TO THEM THE FIRST TIME AND THEY DID NOTHING TO FIND OUT WHAT THE ISSUE WAS THEY HAVE NO INTENTION OF FIGURING THIS OUT BUT I WILL TRY AGAIN.THE AIR BAG WAS DEPLOYED WHEN I BOUGHT IT AND THE PERSON SAID THEY WERE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD.THATS HOW I KNEW ABOUT AIR BAG RECALL .WHEN I TOOK CAR TO BE FIXED THE TECH TOLD ME IT DIDN'T COVER MY SEAT. AND NEVER BOTHERED CHECKING IT.

THE COOLANT OVERFLOW HOSE IS ABOVE POWER STEERING HARNESS. THE FLUID LEAKS ON THE ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING HARNESS CAUSING A LOSS OF CONTINUITY AND GROUND,CAUSING A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AT START UP AND WHILE DRIVING AND TURNING ON CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS. ITS JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THIS FAULTY ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING UNIT AND POWER STEERING MODULE WILL RESULT IN INJURY AND OR DEATH.

TAKATA RECALL AFTER RESPONDING TO NUMEROUS NOTICES REGARDING THIS RECALL AND THE DEADLY DANGER OF THE AIRBAGS, MAZDA STILL INSISTS THAT I DRIVE THE VEHICLE AN HOUR AWAY AND IN HEAVY CITY TRAFFIC TO HAVE THE SERVICE DONE TO CORRECT THE AIRBAG ISSUE. IN ADDITION, FOR YEARS THE ENGINE HAD COMPRESSION ISSUES AND I FOUND OUT THAT AFTER REPLACING THE ENGINE 4 TIMES UNDER WARRANTY, MAZDA WAS REPLACING THE ENGINE WITH THE SAME ENGINE THAT HAS COMPRESSION ISSUES AFTER A TIME. I WAS TOLD THAT I COULD BUY A $7,000 GEN II ENGINE THAT DID NOT HAVE COMPRESSION PROBLEMS, OR TAKE THE REPLACEMENT WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR COMPRESSION ISSUES AS A WARRANTY REPAIR. THEY WERE ABLE TO DEPLETE THEIR STOCK OF BAD ENGINES BY USING THEM AS REPLACEMENTS, AND AS SOON AS MY WARRANTY EXPIRED I STILL HAVE A FAULTY ENGINE WHICH ALSO KEEPS ME FROM SAFELY DRIVING DRIVING FOR SERVICE WORK. THE ENGINE WILL LOOSE COMPRESSION AND POWER IN TRAFFIC AND CAUSE A SAFETY ISSUE. I KEEP MY VEHICLES WELL PAST THE 100K MARK BECAUSE I TAKE CARE OF THEM AND KEEP THEM ON THE ROAD. HOWEVER, THAT HAS NOT BEEN THE CASE WITH THIS CAR, DUE TO A COMBINATION OF MAZDA'S BAD FAITH METHOD OF REPLACING FAULTY ENGINES, AND THE POTENTIALLY FATAL AIRBAG ISSUE. APPARENTLY THE CAR ALSO HAS ISSUES WITH THE EXHAUST OVERHEATING AND CAUSING A FIRE HAZARD, WHICH I HAVE NEVER BEEN NOTIFIED OF. ALTHOUGH A BEAUTIFUL CAR THAT I WOULD LOVE TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE, THIS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE IN MORE THAN ONE WAY AND HAS A CURRENT VALUE OF $0. IM EVEN AFRAID TO OP

VEHICLE IN MOTION (3RD GEAR). SLOWED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. DEPRESSED CLUTCH PEDAL TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL. PEDAL STAYED ON FLOOR. I PULLED IT UP WITH MY FOOT AND ATTEMPTED TO PUMP IT IN AN EFFORT TO BUILD PRESSURE. WITH CLUTCH DEPRESSED VEHICLE COULD NOT BE SHIFTED INTO GEAR UNLESS PUMPED MULTIPLE TIMES, THEN CLUTCH WOULD ENGAGE LESS THAN 2 INCHES OF TRAVEL FROM FLOOR. PEDAL MOVES BACK AND FORTH SIDE WAYS AS WELL..

"TAKATA RECALL"-CAR STARTS WHEN COLD,THEN IT DIES IN THE TRAFFIC,GOT ENGERYS PUSHING CAR OUT OF TRAFFIC,LIKE CAR BUT IT HAS LOTS OF RECALLS AND NEEDS TO BE FIXED RIGHT AWAY.WON'T DRIVE MADZA 2004 AFTER THIS HAPPENED. *TT THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PUSH THE CAR OFF OF THE HIGHWAY, AFTER IT DIED, HE LOST HIS GRIP AND WAS DRAGGED BEHIND THE VEHICLE. *JS

ON SEPTEMBER 15TH, 2016 I HAD STOPPED TO VACUUM OUT MY CAR AT A CAR WASH ON HIGHWAY 11 IN ATTALLA, AL. UPON LEAVING THE CAR WASH I TURNED LEFT ONTO PLEASANT VALLEY RD AT A SLOW SPEED IN FIRST GEAR. AS I WAS TURNING I SHIFTED INTO SECOND GEAR I HEAR A BREAKING NOISE AND THE STEERING WHEEL ABRUPTLY SPUN TO THE LEFT AS THE CAR WENT IN A DEEP DITCH FLIPPING ONTO ITS ROOF, THEN HITTING A SMALL CULVERT AND LANDING ON IT'S SIDE. AS I WAS INSPECTING THE VEHICLE TO SEE WHAT MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED, THE PASSENGER LOWER CONTROL HAD BROKEN AND THE BALL JOINT HAD SEPARATED FROM THE CONTROL ARM.

MY POWER STEERING GOES IN AND OUT AS IT PLEASES; ONLY WORKS WHEN IT WANTS TO AND CUTS UP WHEN DRIVING AND HAD TO TURN OFF CAR TO MAKE IT WORK TO ONLY MAKE IT REPEAT AGAIN. DOES THIS ONLY WHEN DRIVING. AND NOT SAFE FOR ANYBODY WHO IS DEALING WITH THE NO POWERSTEERING ISSUES OR HAVE STEERING BUT WITH MANY FAULTS THAT CAN LEAD TO ACCIDENTS/DEATH MAZDA FIXED OTHERS BY WIRE TAPPING ALL DELETING THE POWERSTEERING CONNECTIONS. BUT ONLY HAVING THE ISSUE LATER DOWN THE ROAD THEY DID THIS AROUND FEBRUARY/MARCH OF LAST YEAR AND HAD IN AND OUT POWERSTEERING AFTER 3 MONTH OF THEIR REPAIR.

SYNOPSIS: POWER STEERING GOING CRAZY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. STARTING APPROX 2 YEARS AGO, THE POWER STEERING WOULD SHUDDER, OR JERK BACK AND FORTH, WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL (SOMEWHAT SHARPLY), FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AFTER THE CAR WAS STARTED. THIS HAPPENED EXCLUSIVELY IN COLD WEATHER, AND AT LOW SPEEDS. ONCE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION FOR A FEW MINUTES, THE BEHAVIOR WOULD CEASE. THE COLDER THE WEATHER, THE STRONGER THE JERKING (IT SEEMS). HOWEVER, A FEW WEEKS AGO, THE STEERING EXHIBITING THE "NORMAL" AMOUNT OF SHUDDER, AND THEN STOPPED AS USUAL. BUT A FEW MINUTES LATER WHEN I WAS TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY (AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS), IN RELATIVELY STRAIGHT LINE, THE STEERING SUDDENLY BEGAN VIOLENTLY JERKING BACK AND FORTH. NEEDLESS TO SAY THIS WAS DISCONCERTING. I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR USING BOTH HANDS (I AM A STRONG ATHLETIC MALE). THE EVENT LASTED ABOUT 5-10 SECONDS. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS BEHAVIOR WHEN I FIRST NOTICED IT A FEW YEARS AGO, AND THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS ONLINE ABOUT THE SHUDDERING BEHAVIOR AT STARTUP. ONE SUCH THREAD (THERE ARE MANY) IS HERE: HTTPS://WWW.RX8CLUB.COM/SERIES-I-TROUBLE-SHOOTING-95/STEERING-WHEEL-SHAKES-MORNINGS-219210/ AND A VIDEO SHOWING THE BEHAVIOR IS HERE: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=8XZSRXWTH8S&FEATURE=YOUTU.BE&T=1S ALL OF THE REPORTS INDICATE IT HAPPENS IN THE FIRST FEW MINUTES OF OPERATION, THEN THE STEERING IS FINE. SO I WAS NOT OVERLY CONCERNED. BUT THIS LAST EPISODE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WAS VERY SCARY, AND I THINK WARRANTS IMMEDIATE INVESTIGATI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA RX-8. THE CONTACT NOTICED A STRONG FUEL ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE PERFORMED NORMALLY PRIOR TO BEING REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V354000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). BROEN AND WOOD BUICK GMC MAZDA (329 GREENVILLE BLVD SW, GREENVILLE, NC) DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW FUEL TANK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 71,000. *BF UPDATED 8/2/18*JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA RX-8. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL DEALER (MODERN MAZDA DODGE RAM, 68 WATERBURY RD, THOMASTON, CT, 06787, 860-283-4304) TO BE SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V355000 (SUSPENSION), 16V793000 (FUEL SYSTEM), AND 17V354000 (FUEL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALL REPAIRS WOULD TAKE ONE DAY TO COMPLETE; HOWEVER, IT TOOK FOUR DAYS. THE CONTACT RETRIEVED THE VEHICLE AND, WHILE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD REPAIR THE FAILURE. ONE WEEK LATER, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTACT COULD RETRIEVE THE VEHICLE, BUT THEN DIAGNOSED THAT THE COMPRESSOR FAILED AND IT WOULD ONLY LAST APPROXIMATELY TWO MORE YEARS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WHEN THE CONTACT RETRIEVED THE VEHICLE AGAIN, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START EVEN WITH A JUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES, PERFORMED AN INVESTIGATION, AND CONFIRMED THAT THE DEALER'S INFORMATION WAS CORRECT. NO ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 144,000. *JS

VEHICLE MILEAGE UNDER 100,000. HAS HOT START ISSUE, LOW COMPRESSION. ENGINE WARRANTY SHOULD BE MET BY MILEAGE AND NOT BY YEARS. I AM REQUESTING RECALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ABOVE ISSUE. THANK YOU

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA RX-8. WHILE DRIVING THROUGH A DRIVE-THRU WINDOW, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED TO A PARKING SPACE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, A LOUD POP SOUND EMERGED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARDS, SMOKE AND FLAMES APPEARED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EVALUATED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

MY ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING HAS BEEN ACTING LIKE IT IS SHORTING OUT. IT STARTED OFF AS SOMETHING THAT FELT WEIRD BUT GOT PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. AS I WOULD TURN AROUND A CORNER THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD FEEL LIKE IT WAS BOUNCING BACK OR FIGHTING BACK, YOU COULD FORCE IT PAST THE JOLTING BUT IT WOULD MAKE CORNING VERY AWKWARD AND CONCERNING. AT FIRST IT WOULD HAPPEN MAYBE EVERY FEW TIMES I DROVE BUT IT GOT MORE AND MORE TO EVERY TIME I DROVE THE CAR. I EVENTUALLY JUST UNPLUGGED THE POWER STEERING AND HAVE BEEN DRIVING WITHOUT IT SINCE.

ENGINE LOSES COMBUSTION. INITIAL ONSET CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME, INCLUDING WHILE DRIVING. MAZDA REPLACED ENGINE 4 TIMES USING ORIGINAL STYLE ENGINE THAT LOSES COMBUSTION, AND EXTENDED WARRANTY TO 100,000 MILES. AT 100,000 MILES THE 5TH ENGINE WENT OUT AND MAZDA WOULD NOT REPLACE THE ENGINE. NOTE: MAZDA REPLACED THESE ENGINES WITH THE EXACT SAME ENGINE WITH THE EXACT SAME LOSS OF COMPRESSION ISSUES. FOR ABOUT $8,000 THEY WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE WITH THE GEN II ENGINE THAT HAS BEEN REDONE AND DOES NOT HAVE THE COMPRESSION ISSUES. THIS CAR NOW HAS $0 VALUE. I CANNOT EVEN DRIVE IT TO HAVE THE AIRBAG AND OTHER RECALL WORK DONE ON IT. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE, WITH NO SOLUTION TO FIX THE PROBLEM, JUST PATCHED IT WITH ANOTHER FAULTY ENGINE. MAZDA WAS ABLE TO DEPLETE THEIR STOCK OF FAULTY ENGINES, CLAIM THE RECALL WORK HOURS AND PARTS, AND STILL ANYONE WITH THIS FAULTY ENGINE ENDS UP WITH A CAR THAT DOESN'T WORK AND IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE IN TRAFFIC BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN THE ENGINE WILL GO OUT - YOU ONLY KNOW THAT IT WILL.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA RX-8. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, A BURNING ODOR ENTERED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE, LIFTED THE HOOD, AND NOTICED SMOKE. THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE WIRES UNDERNEATH THE HOOD WERE MELTED. THE CONTACT ALSO SMELLED FUEL COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC IN LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS HAD MELTED DUE TO A FAULTY ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,777. UPDATED 10/17/17*LJ *TR