2004 Mazda RX-8 complaints

2004 MAZDA RX8. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SEVERAL DEFECTS IN THE VEHICLE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED ABOUT A YEAR AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE, THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS STARTED FILLING UP WITH WATER. ALSO, THE VEHICLE STOPPED RUNNING WITH NO WARNING. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE NEEDED A CATALYTIC CONVERTER. WHEN THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, HE WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE NEEDED TWO OXYGEN SENSORS. AFTER THE OXYGEN SENSORS WERE REPLACED, THE STALLING CONTINUED. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED THE DEALER, WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW ENGINE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA RX-8. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST WOULD SEIZE AND CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO VEER ABNORMALLY TO THE LEFT. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO MOVE OFF THE ROADWAY AND RESET THE POWER STEERING ASSIST THROUGH THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE BATTERY TERMINAL HAD FAILED. AFTER REPLACING THE BATTERY TERMINAL, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY THEN ADVISED THAT THEY WERE INSPECTING THE WIRING HARNESS BEING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 92,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 92,500.... UPDATED 12/14/12 *BF UPDATED 12/19/2012 *JS

I HAVE BEEN GOING BACK AND FORTH TO THE DEALER FOR MY RX8'S POWER STEERING FAILURE WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. WHEN IT SHUT OFF TWICE OF THE MANY TIMES, IT PULLED MY CAR TO THE HARD RIGHT AND I ALMOST RAN OFF THE ROAD BECAUSE OF IT. THE DEALERSHIP CHARGED ME THE FIRST TIME TO REPLACE THE BATTERY TERMINAL BECAUSE IT WAS LOOSING POWER TO THE STEERING UNIT. THEN MULTIPLE TIMES LATER, HUNDREDS MORE, THEY SAID THAT REPAIRING THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTORS WAS RECOMMENDED BY THEIR TECH LINE AND THEY SAID THAT MAY NOT BE THE LAST THING NEEDED. FIRST OF ALL, THE DEALERSHIP, HERITAGE MAZDA OF LUTHERVILLE, MD, SEEM TO BE WORKING HARD ON THIS PROBLEM, BUT THIS TRULY IS A TRAFFIC SAFETY ISSUE AND ITS COSTING ME HUNDREDS IN A SHOT IN THE DARK TO FIX THE PROBLEM. CAN YOU PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS SAFETY MATTER, EVEN MIKE WITH THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT ADDED THAT IT WAS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDED TO BE ADDRESSED. ON THE RX8 CLUB WEBSITE, THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME POWER STEERING FAILURE. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

VEHICLE'S STEERING WHEEL SHAKES AND IT IS HARD TO TURN RIGHT, SOMETIMES THE STEERING WHEEL WILL SHAKE REPEATEDLY AND SHAKE AND TURN LEFT BY ITSELF. I REPLACED THE STEERING HARNESS WITH A NEW ONE BUT PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED. *TR

THE CLUTCH PEDAL ASSEMBLY BRACKET MOUNTED TO THE FIRE WALL CRACKED ON BROKE ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE UNIT CAUSING THE CLUTCH TO BE UNUSABLE AND UNABLE FOR ANY FORWARD OR REVERSE GEARS TO BE ENGAGED. LUCKILY I WAS PULLING OFF THE ROAD INTO A CONVENIENCE STORE WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND WAS ABLE TO PULL THE TRANSMISSION OUT OF GEAR AND INTO NEUTRAL WITHOUT USE OF THE CLUTCH. THIS IS DANGEROUS BEYOND BELIEF AND IS PRESENTLY COVERED BY MAZDA UNDER AN 8 YEAR 100,000 MILE WARRANTY EXTENSION PLAN BUT THIS SHOULD BE A MANDATED SAFETY RECALL REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE OR YEAR. THE FACTORY PART IS MADE OF TIN AS BEST I CAN TELL AND CAN BE BENT AND DEFORMED WITH BARE HANDS AT THE POINT WHERE ITS BOLTED TO THE FIREWALL, A CRITICAL MOUNTING POINT AS EVIDENCED BY THE GROWING NUMBER OF CASES FOR THIS EXACT DEFECT. I WILL PROBABLY HAVE TO PURCHASE THE PART AT MY OWN EXPENSE BUT DON'T FEEL I SHOULD HAVE TO SINCE THIS IS SUCH A BASIC SAFETY DEFECT THAT COULD HAVE DEADLY RESULTS TO THE DRIVER AND OTHER INNOCENT DRIVERS IN THE VICINITY OF THE AFFECTED MAZDA RX8. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA RX-8. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING FAIL TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPAIRED THE STEERING COLUMN WIRE BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING GEAR BOX NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 53,000. UPDATED 09/26/12 *LJ UPDATED 09/27/2012 *JS

THE ENGINE OIL COOLER HOSES DEVELOPED AN OIL LEAK WHICH WAS CAUSED BY CORROSION TO THE METALLIC PARTS OF THE ASSEMBLY. *TR

AT A STOP LIGHT, I DEPRESSED MY CLUTCH PEDAL. I HEARD AN AUDIBLE SNAP AND THE CLUTCH BECAME UNUSABLE. *TR

I JUMPED INTO MY 2004 MAZDA RX-8 AFTER WORK STARTED IT UP AND WENT TO DRIVE AND NOTICED IT WAS REALLY HARD TO TURN AND I LOOKED AND NOTICED THAT A LIGHT THAT WAS A STEERING WHEEL WITH AN EXCLAMATION MARK NEXT TO IT SO I DROVE IT HOME NOT EVEN A MILE AWAY AND READ ABOUT IT ONLINE AND FOUND OUT IT HAPPENS A LOT. PROBABLY GOING TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER VERY VERY SOON. *TR

POWER STEERING INTERMITTENTLY GOES OUT. A SEARCH OF THE INTERNET INDICATES THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM FOR MAZDA YET THERE ARE NO RECALLS TO FIX FAULTY ENGINEERING. THE RADIATOR OVERFLOW LEAKS ONTO THE CONNECTORS FOR THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING CAUSING CORROSION AND SPORADIC CONNECTIONS. *TR

DRIVING HOME FROM THE STORE, BACKED INTO MY DRIVEWAY. GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND SAW OIL THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE DRIVEWAY AND ALL UNDER THE UNDERCARRIAGE, RIGHT DRIVER SIDE SUSPENSION, AND TIRE. THE OIL COOLER HOSE RUSTED THROUGH AND DUMPED OIL ON THE TIRE. THIS WAS THE REASON I WAS HAVE EXTRA LONG STOPS AND PULLING TO THE PASSENGERS SIDE DURING BRAKING. *TR

PART NUMBERS FE03-51-21YD (REAR) AND FE03-51-22YC (FRONT). I HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER WHEN THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT ILLUMINATING CORRECTLY MY DRIVING AREA AT NIGHT. I TOOK THE CAR IN TO THE DEALER TODAY AND I WAS TOLD THAT THESE PARTS ARE NOT COVERED. THERE HAS BEEN A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) ON THIS CAR CONCERNING THIS ISSUE FOR A LONG TIME. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THESE SENSORS BECAUSE THIS IS A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE. THEY WERE FAULTY TO BEGIN WITH. IN ADDITION THEY HAVE KNOWN ABOUT IT FOR A LONG TIME. *TR

CLUTCH PEDAL ASSEMBLY FAILURE. CAUSING THE PEDAL TO SHIFT INWARD TOWARDS THE BRAKE PEDAL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA RX-8. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING 35 MPH WHEN A VEHICLE CROSSED THE CENTER LANE CRASHING INTO A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF THE CONTACT CAUSING THAT VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS HIT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. THE AIR BAG IN THE STEERING WHEEL DID NOT DEPLOY AS THE STEERING WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE SIDE AIR BAGS DID DEPLOY. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUFFERED A CRUSHED PELVIS, TAIL BONE SHATTERED, AND THEIR URETHRA WAS SEVERED IN HALF. THE CONTACT STATED THE SIDE AIR BAG DID VERY LITTLE TO PROTECT THE DRIVER. THERE WAS NO MENTION OF A POLICE REPORT BEING FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA RX-8. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING 35 MPH WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE PRECEDING THE CONTACT. THE PRECEDING VEHICLE THEN SPUN INTO THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DETACHED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN UPON IMPACT. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED SEVERE INJURIES AND SUFFERED A CRUSHED PELVIS, SHATTERED TAIL BONE AND A SEVERED URETHRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SIDE AIR BAGS DID VERY LITTLE TO PROTECT THE DRIVER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

04 RX8 REPLACED MAF COIL PACKS PLUG WIRES 2 02 SENSORS SELINOID SHUTTER VALVE ACTUATER MAIN FUEL LINE FROM FRONT TO BACK OF TANK THE CAR WILL NOT STAY RUNNING AT FIRST EARLIER ON IT DIED ON MANY TIMES AN CONTINUED TO GET WORSE ITS BEEN TO SHOPS NO LUCK NO HELP IT NEVER SEEMED TO HAVE GAS NOW PRESENT PULLED UP BACK SEAT AN FOUND GAS LEAKING IS HIS A RECALL THE SHOE THAT DID RUN A TEST STATED HE DIDNT THINK IT WAS ENGINE OR TRANSMISSION PROBABLY MECHANICAL WHERES IS THE FUEL FILTERS COULD THAT BE AN ISSUE I TRY T O CRANK CAR IT SOUNDS BAD LIKE SOMETHING IS GONNA FALL OUT OR DOWN ALSO WAS TOLD IF YOU CLAMP ON SENDING UNIT THAT IT MAY NOT WORK PROPER????? *TT

MY CLUTCH PEDAL WAS ALREADY REPLACED AT 101,000 MILES BY ANOTHER DEALER PART BY MAZDA THAT WAS SUPPOSE TO BE UPDATED BY MAZDA BECAUSE OF SO MANY CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKETS IN THE RX8'S ALWAYS BREAKING. MAZDA EVEN EXTENDED THE WARRANTY OVER 100,000 MILES BECAUSE IT WAS BECOMING SO COMMON. THE SO CALLED UPDATED ONE THEY REPLACED, BROKE AGAIN, AND IT WAS NEW WHEN IT WAS PUT IN. IT LASTED 50K MILES AND THAT'S ALL. IM GOING ON MY 3RD CLUTCH PEDAL ASSEMBLY AND MAZDA WILL ONLY COVER THE FIRST BREAKAGE. I CALLED MAZDA CORPORATE AND THEY SAID THAT THE REPLACEMENT CLUTCH ONLY CARRIES A PART WARRANTY OF 30,000 MILES. AND THAT THE CLUTCH PEDAL ASSEMBLY IS A WEAR AND TEAR ITEM. CLUTCH PEDALS IN EVERY OTHER CAR ON THE MARKET LAST THE LIFETIME OF THE CAR. AND IM GOING ON 3 IN THIS CAR ALONE. MAZDA WAS SUPPOSE TO HAVE PUT AN UPDATED CLUTCH PEDAL ASSEMBLY IN MY CAR AND THEY DIDN'T. GIVEN, THE WORK WAS DONE AT FIRESTONE BECAUSE MY CAR WAS THE CLOSEST TO THAT PLACE BECAUSE IT WAS UNDRIVABLE. BUT EVEN IF IT WAS DONE AT MAZDA THEY STILL WOULD HAVE GIVEN ME THE SAME CRAPPY WARRANTY. MAZDA SAYS THAT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ONLY COVERS THE FIRST CLUTCH PEDAL ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT. THE FIRST ONE LASTED LONGER THAN THE SECOND ONE! AND THE SECOND ONE WAS SUPPOSE TO BE BETTER. COME TO FIND OUT. THE MAZDA DEALER THAT SOLD FIRESTONE THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY, SOLD THEM THE OLD MODEL ONE AND CHARGED ME NEW PRICING! MY COMPLAINT TO YOU IS THAT SINCE ALL OF THESE RX8 OWNERS ARE BREAKING THEIR CLUTCH STILL. MAZDA IS NOT HO

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND WHEN I WENT TO DEPRESS THE CLUTCH PEDAL TO SHIFT UP A GEAR THE CLUTCH PEDAL SNAPPED. I CAN FORCE THE TRANSMISSION INTO FIRST AND UP, BUT I CANNOT GET IT INTO REVERSE. *TR

ON APRIL 3,2012 AT 10PM IN BUFFALO NY. I WAS DRIVING MY 04 RX8 AROUND A BEND AT 35MPH. I EXPERIENCED A JERK/TWITCH IN THE POWER STEERING. THE INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON INSTANTLY I LOST THE STEERING SENDING ME INTO THE FRONT OF A STEEL DIVIDER OF A TRAIN BRIDGE. I WAS TAKEN TO ECMC BY AMBULANCE. I LUCKILY ONLY SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES TO MY BACK NECK RIBS HEAD AND SHOULDER. I AM NOT ONE TO SUE NOR AM I'M GOING TO PURSUE ANY LEGAL ACTION AGAINST MAZDA. I WILL SAY MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY MY CAR WAS CONSIDERED TOTALED $10,000 IN DAMAGE. I JUST THOUGHT ANYONE LOOKING TO BUY AN RX8 SHOULD READ ON NUMEROUS SITES THAT THIS MALFUNCTION IS AN EXTREMELY COMMON PROBLEM THAT MAZDA IS AWARE ABOUT BUT STILL DOES NOT WISH TO POST A TSB OR A RECALL. LOVE THE CAR BUT HAVE LOST FAITH IN MAZDA. SINCERELY UNHAPPY OWNER. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA RX-8. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 5-10 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE ENGINE COOLANT WARNING LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER RESTARTED AND TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND A PRIVATE MECHANIC. THE DIAGNOSIS FROM BOTH WAS THAT THE ENGINE WAS FLOODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 139,000.

THIS IS THE 2ND TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED. MY CLUTCH PEDAL SNAPPED THE FIRST TIME AND IT WAS COVERED BY A RECALL DUE TO THE CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET FAILING. I HAD IT REPLACED ON 11-11-08. THE 2ND TIME IT HAPPENED ON 4-10-12. LUCKILY, I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT. I PUSHED IN THE CLUTCH TO GO WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, HEARD A POP, AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. THE CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET SNAPPED AGAIN. I CONTACTED THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP WHERE I HAD IT REPLACED THE 1ST TIME. THEY STATED IT WAS NO LONGER COVERED AND THE RECALL HAD JUST RECENTLY EXPIRED. NOW, I KNOW THE CAR IS OUT OF MANUFACTURER WARRANTY, BUT THIS IS TRULY A SAFETY ISSUE. THIS IS WELDED METAL BREAKING. WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF YOU WERE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND THIS HAPPENED WHEN YOU WENT TO CHANGE GEARS AND YOUR CLUTCH PEDAL ASSEMBLY SNAPS? ALL OF THE SUDDEN NO ACCELERATION DANGEROUS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA RX-8. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHILE EXITING A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 71,100.

CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET SNAPPED WHILE DRIVING. PREVENTED CAR FROM GOING INTO GEAR AND WAS LEFT STRANDED. *TR

CAR WOULD LOOSE ITS POWER STEERING, NEVER ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR

LOSS OF POWER STEERING. RESTART ENGINE OK. HAPPENED TWICE AGAIN SINCE THEN, SAME SOLUTION. *TR

POWER STEERING WENT OUT. COMES & GOES?? *TR

CURRENTLY THERE IS A CRACK THAT IS FORMING AROUND MY DASH BOARD WHERE THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS LOCATED. I'VE SEEN SEVERAL OTHER FORUM POSTS ABOUT THIS EVENTUALLY FORMING AN OUTLINE AROUND WHERE THE AIRBAG IS. I'M CONCERNED THAT THIS WILL AFFECT THE AIRBAG FROM EITHER OPENING OR OPENING WHEN IT SHOULDN'T. ANOTHER CONCERN OF MINE IS A PROBLEM THAT ALL RX8 OWNERS HAVE AND THAT IS THE FISHBOWL TAILLIGHTS. OUR TAILLIGHTS GET SO MUCH WATER IN THEM THAT THEY TURN INTO FISHBOWLS. I HAVE REPLACED THE GASKETS ON MINE 3 TIMES ALREADY. THIS TO ME IS AN ELECTRICAL HAZARD NOT TO MENTION A DRIVING SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR, THE POWER STEERING HAS REPEATEDLY FAILED. THE MAZDA DEALER SAID THE PROBABLE CAUSE WAS THE STEERING CONTROL MODULE, HOWEVER THEY WOULD NOT GUARANTEE CHANGING THE PART ( $1600 DOLLARS PARTS AND LABOR ) WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A COMMON DEFECT IN THESE CARS. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED IN OCTOBER 2010. *TR

FIRST INDICATIONS, THE FAILURE WARNING LIGHT UPON STARTING. USED ANOTHER CAR THAT DAY. NEXT DAY, NO WARNING LIGHT, HOWEVER, ON THE WAY HOME, THE STEERING ABRUPTLY MADE A *FULL* TURN TO THE RIGHT VERY QUICKLY (GOING ABOUT 30MPH ON A DIRT ROAD). I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR BEFORE IT RAN OFF THE ROAD - NO FAILURE WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASH. SINCE THEN THE FAILURE LIGHT HAS APPEARED IN INCREASING FREQUENCY TO THE POINT IT IS MOSTLY ON. WHEN THE WARNING LIGHT IS ON, THE STEERING IS ESSENTIALLY MANUAL, BUT WORKABLE. THE WORST CASE IS WHEN IT IS OFF, AND SUDDENLY GOES INTO A FAILURE MODE WITHOUT *ANY* INDICATION (I.E. THE WARNING LIGHT STAYS OFF). IT HAS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES, EVEN WHEN AT A FULL STOP AND THE WHEEL TURNS BY ITSELF TO THE RIGHT. PRETTY DISCONCERTING. THE FULL SYMPTOM DESCRIPTION IS THAT IT BECOMES EXTREMELY EASY TO TURN CLOCKWISE AND MORE DIFFICULT TO TURN COUNTER-CLOCKWISE. I'D RATHER IT WAS IN FAILURE MODE AND HARD TO STEER THAN INDICATING EVERYTHING IS FINE AND THEN SUDDENLY DECIDE IT WANTS TO GO A DIFFERENT DIRECTION - ALWAYS TO THE RIGHT IN MY CASE. REVIEWING THE OTHER COMPLAINTS HERE MAKES IT SEEM LIKE A FLAW IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OR PROBABLY THE SELECTED PART(S) MAZDA USED, BUT WORSE EVEN, THERE ARE TWO DIFFERENT FAILURE MODES, ONE MAKING IT HARD TO STEER, BUT AT LEAST CONSISTENT, AND THE OTHER MODE LEAVING THE DRIVER GUESSING AS TO WHAT DIRECTION THE CAR WILL TRAVEL AND WHEN IT MAY DECIDE TO DO THAT. I'M HAVING IT REPAIRED AND WILL RETAIN THE FAILED COMPONENTS.

MY HUSBAND DROVE ME TO THE GROCERY STORE AND WE HEARD A LOUD POP. THE CAR BARELY WENT INTO FIRST GEAR AND STARTED GRINDING WHEN IT WENT INTO SECOND. WE BARELY MADE IT HOME!! IT STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF US TURNING INTO OUR ROAD AND WE ALMOST GOT HIT. WHEN WE LOOKED AT IT AFTER WE( LUCKILY) MADE IT HOME. THE ENTIRE CLUTCH PEDAL MOVED AND ANGLED TO THE RIGHT WHEN DEPRESSED AND WENT BACK TO REGULAR POSITION WHEN WE LET GO OF IT. *TR

MY CLUTCH PEDAL ASSEMBLY HAS BEEN CREAKING NOW AND SHAKING NOW FOR QUITE SOME TIME. ORIGINALLY (A YEAR OR SO AGO) WHEN I ASKED TO RECEIVE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ON IT FROM MAZDA THEY SAID THAT IT WAS NOT "BAD" ENOUGH BUT WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO WAIT FOR IT TO FAIL ON THE ROAD SO I HAVE TO PAY TO GET IT REPLACED AND A TOW TRUCK? I HAVE A 2004 AND THE WARRANTY FOR EVERYTHING IS NOW OVER BASED ON TIME. *TT

AS I TURNED ON MY CAR ONE TIME, THE POWER STEERING JUST DIDN'T COME ON. I THEN SHUT IT OFF, AND THEN TURNED IT BACK ON AND IT WORKED. AFTER THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES THE POWER STEERING CEASED TO TURN ON AT ALL. IT WASN'T AS IF THE MOTOR FOR THE ELECTRIC STEERING WAS SLOWLY GOING OUT; IT WAS EITHER NIGHT OR DAY. *TR

MY MAZDA RX8 HAD POWER STEERING FAIL WHILE DRIVING MY CHILD HOME FROM SCHOOL. SO NOT COOL. *TR

POWER STEERING ISSUES, FAILING, ELECTRICAL ISSUES WHERE COOLANT OVERFLOW IS LOCATED NOT COVERED IN WARRANTY. *TR

MY ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING IS GOING IN AND OUT CAUSING ME TO LOSE POWER STEERING. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT MANY 2004 RX-8 OWNERS ARE DISCUSSING ONLINE AND IN FORUMS. DEALERS AND MECHANICS KNOW OF THE PROBLEM WITH CONNECTORS AND RACKS GOING BAD BUT MAZDA HAS REFUSED TO ADDRESS THE CHRONIC PROBLEM. IT IS DANGEROUS AND COSTLY, I AM ON MY SECOND REPAIR OF THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PUSH MAZDA TO STEP UP AND ADDRESS THIS GROWING AND CHRONIC PROBLEM. *TR

MY POWER STEERING LIGHT COMES OFF AND ON RANDOMLY. WHEN THE LIGHT COMES ON MY POWER STEERING DOES NOT WORK, WHICH IN MOST CASES I AM ALREADY ON THE ROAD AND THIS IS VERY UNSAFE. THE POWER STEERING COMES AND GOES, SOMETIMES IT LAST FOR A COUPLE DAYS BEFORE IT TURNS OFF BUT MOST OF THE TIME IT DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. I HAVE ALREADY TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAY ITS THE RACK, WHICH I SPENT OVER $1000 TO REPLACE AND IT STILL DOES NOT WORK. I HAVE ABOUT 15 FRIENDS WITH THIS SAME CAR AND THEY HAVE ALL HAD THE SAME ISSUE. MAZDA NEEDS TO FIX THIS BEFORE A WRECK HAPPENS WHEN SOMEONES POWER STEERING GOES OFF WHILE THEY ARE DRIVING 70 MPH DOWN THE INTERSTATE. *TR

THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP DUE TO AN ENGINE RECALL, AFTER THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY THE DEALER INFORMED ME OF LARGE OIL LEAKS. LEAKS ARE VISIBLE AND ARE COVERING PARTS OF THE WHEELS AND JOINTS WITH OIL. MAZDA HAS ADMITTED TO THIS DEFECT IN CANADA (FIELD ACTION NUMBER 142-36) AND ARE PROVIDING CANADIAN CUSTOMERS WITH A RECALL ON THIS FAULTY AND DANGEROUS PART BUT US CUSTOMERS HAVE YET TO RECEIVE SUCH TREATMENT. MY CAR IS A 2004 MODEL AND IT SHOULD NOT HAVE SUCH ISSUES. THIS IS A HAZARD TO BOTH MY SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF OTHERS ON THE ROAD DUE TO THE AMOUNTS OF OIL THAT THE CAR IS LEAKING DUE TO POOR ENGINEERING AND BAD DESIGN. THE MAZDA DEALERSHIPS ARE CHARGING CUSTOMER AN UPWARD OF 1,600 DOLLARS TO REPAIR THIS ISSUE WHICH SHOULD NOT BE AN ISSUE TO BEGIN WITH IF THIS CAR WAS DESIGNED IN A RELIABLE WAY. *TR

VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT NEW,2004. I HAVE EVERY OIL CHANGE, EVERY 2,900-3,000 MILES AND VEHICLE IS PERFECTLY MAINTAINED BY THE DEALERSHIP ( HARRELSON MAZDA -CHARLOTTE,NC ). ONCE 30,000 MILES WERE PUT ON THE VEHICLE, ENGINE BEGAN TO FAIL ( STOPPED AT RED LIGHTS, STOPPED WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY,ETC.). AFTER ABOUT 5 RETURN VISITS TO THE DEALERSHIP TECHNICIANS, MY ENGINE WAS FINALLY 'REPLACED' UNDER WARRANTY. NOW MY NEW ENGINE HAS FAILED AGAIN AT ABOUT 40,000 MILES FOR THE SAME REASON AS ORIGINALLY: MAZDA SPECIFICALLY ADVISES 10W-20 OIL IN THIS VEHICLE. BUT THIS IS ONLY TO SATISFY U.S. EPA STANDARDS. EVERYWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD, MAZDA STRICTLY ADVISES 10W-30 OIL, BECAUSE ANYTHING LESS WILL ALLOW ENGINE TO OVERHEAT AND FAIL. I WAS NEVER WARNED THIS. I WAS NEVER ADVISED THIS. I SERVICED VEHICLE BY EVERY RECOMMENDATION OF MAZDA, THE OWNERS MANUAL, AND MY MAZDA AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP/TECHNICIANS. MY SAFETY HAS BEEN PLACED IN JEOPARDY, SOLELY AT THE FAULT OF MAZDA, FOR NOT NOTIFYING BUYERS THAT THE ENGINE HAD INCORRECT MAINTENANCE SPECIFICATIONS,ETC. FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME ANYTIME FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, RECEIPTS OF SERVICE,MAINTENANCE, AND TECHNICIAN TESTIMONY. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

THE CLUTCH PEDAL IS STARTING TO SQUEAK A LOT AND WILL EVENTUALLY FAIL. HOPEFULLY IT DOESN'T FAIL WHILE I AM DRIVING. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA RX-8. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH DOORS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WOULD NOT OPEN FROM THE INTERIOR OR EXTERIOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 82,000.

I FIRST NOTICED A PROBLEM IN MY STEERING WHILE DRIVING IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD. THE STEERING FELT VERY LIGHT AND CRISP WHEN I WOULD TURN TO THE LEFT. WHEN I WOULD RETURN TO DEAD CENTER AND THEN TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT, THE STEERING BECAME VERY STIFF. THE NEXT DAY WHEN I STARTED THE CAR, THE "POWER STEERING MALFUNCTION" LIGHT WAS ON. POWER STEERING WAS COMPLETELY DISABLED AT THAT TIME. UPON DOING RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2004 AND 2005 RX8'S. *KB

FAILURE OF THE CLUTCH PETAL AS IT ATTACHES TO THE FIREWALL UNDER EMERGENCY DECELERATION. THE METAL ATTACHING THE PETAL TO THE FIRE WALL SHEARED ON THE VERTICAL ATTACHMENTS. CAUSED A NEAR ACCIDENT, DANGEROUS CONDITIONS OF A VEHICLE STRANDED IN A TRAVEL LANE, AND SUBSEQUENT TOWING ON THE VEHICLE. *TR

I JUST GOT THE CAR BACK FROM DEALERSHIP THEY HAD TO PUT NEW MOTOR IN AT 67000 MILES REPLACED MOTOR AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER 3 COILS AND ALSO TOLD ME THEY HAD TO FLUSH IT OUT AS IT WAS FLOODED I DROVE LESS THAN 100 MILES AND POWER STEERING WENT OUT? NOW I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND HAVE TO TAKE IT BACK LESS THAN A MONTH LATER THIS IS CRAZY!!!! COST ME OVER 1100.00 TO GET IT BACK AND DRIVE 2 TIMES AND NOW BROKE AGAIN THIS CAR IS A PIECE OF CRAP SHOULD HAVE DONE HOMEWORK ON IT BEFORE BUYING. *TR

ENGINE STALLS AND LACK OF POWER. DEALER KEEPS SAYING ITS FINE. CANNOT EVEN DRIVE ANYMORE. IT STARTED WITH NOT STARTING THEN AFTER GETTING IT STARTED HESITATION AND LACK OF POWER KEPT GETTING WORSE. BECAME UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY 2004 MAZDA RX-8, WHICH HAD APPROXIMATELY 60,000 MILES AT THE TIME, WHEN I SUDDENLY LOST POWER STEERING IN ONE DIRECTION AND STEERING BECAME VERY LIGHT IN THE OTHER DIRECTION. THIS PROBLEM DISAPPEARED THE NEXT TIME I STARTED THE CAR, BUT REAPPEARED INTERMITTENTLY FOR SEVERAL HUNDRED MILES, EVENTUALLY CAUSING THE CAR TO LOSE POWER STEERING IN BOTH DIRECTIONS. THIS WAS INTERMITTENT FOR A WHILE, AS WELL, BUT EVENTUALLY THE POWER STEERING CEASED TO FUNCTION ALTOGETHER. THESE FAILURES WERE ACCOMPANIED BY A POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT, WHICH REMAINS ILLUMINATED TO THIS DAY. THE FIRST TIME I EXPERIENCED THE PHENOMENON, I WAS VERY STARTLED BY IT AND FEEL THAT, HAD THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AT AN INOPPORTUNE MOMENT, IT COULD HAVE VERY WELL CONTRIBUTED TO AN ACCIDENT. *TT

THE DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS SIDE OIL COOLER LINE CONNECTORS ARE CORRODED SO BADLY AT 7 YEARS OF AGE THAT IT'S LITERALLY SPEWING OIL WHILST THE CAR IS RUNNING. I'VE DRIVEN CARS THAT WERE 15+ YEARS OLD WITH NO SUCH ISSUES. NOT ONLY IS THIS A MECHANICAL CONCERN, BUT IT COATS THE TIRES IN OIL, AND LEAVES TRACTION ON THEM ALMOST NIL. MAZDA CANADA HAS A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM, YET, MAZDA USA HAS DONE NOTHING, EXCEPT FOR QUOTE PEOPLE ANYWHERE FROM 1800-2100 DOLLARS TO HAVE THESE LINES REPLACED. I THINK IT'S A COMPLETE DISGRACE TO AN OTHERWISE VERY RELIABLE CAR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA RX-8. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE TIRE WAS BEING REPLACED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHEN THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVERS LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHERE THE DEALER STATED THAT THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V325000 (SUSPENSION: FRONT: CONTROL ARM: LOWER BALL JOINT) WAS CLOSED AND THE REPAIRS WOULD BE COVERED UNDER A WARRANTY PRICE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

POWER STEERING FAILURE. *TR

I NOTICED A SMALL OIL LEAK COMING FROM BELOW THE DRIVER'S SIDE OIL COOLER. UPON TAKING THIS APART, I SAW THAT THE OIL LEAK WAS COMING FROM THE OIL COOLER HOSE AND THE OIL COOLER HOSE FITTINGS WERE VERY RUSTED. I ORDERED THE PART TO REPLACE THE DRIVER SIDE, COSTING ME $350. I HAVEN'T RECEIVED THE PART YET AND WILL BE WITHOUT A VEHICLE FOR ONE WEEK. I HAVE READ UP ON THIS PROBLEM, AND I HAVE FOUND THAT THERE IS A RECALL AFFECTING MY MAKE, MODEL, AND YEAR THAT MY CAR WAS BUILT, BUT ONLY FOR PEOPLE WHO RESIDE IN CANADA. MAZDA USA WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THIS RECALL. *TR

AS MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING HOME MY CLUTCH PEDAL STUCK TO THE FLOOR. I COULDN'T SHIFT GEARS SO I HAD TO COAST TO THE EMERGENCY LANE. *TR