2004 Mazda RX-8 complaints

REGULAR DRIVING LEAD THE CAR A 2004 MAZDA RX-8 6 SPEED CLUTCH PEDAL TO LITERALLY BREAK AT 3 OF THE SPOT WELDS, DISABLING THE ABILITY TO PUSH THE CLUTCH IN. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO PUSH THE CAR HOME AS IT HAPPENED DOWN THE STREET. IF THIS HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY DURING A EMERGENCY DOWNSHIFT TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN GOD KNOWS WHAT COULD HAPPEN. I WENT TO THE LOCAL EXHAUST SHOP AND HAD THEM DO A SOLID BEAD ALL AROUND THE MOUNTING BRACKET FIXING THE ISSUE. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN ITS GOING TO SNAP OFF IT JUST DOES. *TR

THE CLUTCH BEGAN TO SQUEAK AND I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THEY FOUND THAT THE CLUTCH BRACKET HAD CRACKED AT ONE OF THE WELDED LOCATION. THIS HAPPENED UNDER NORMAL DAILY DRIVING TO WORK AND BACK. IT COST ME $369.00 TO REPLACE THE CLUTCH PEDAL ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW ONE. I DON'T THINK THAT THIS SHOULD HAPPEN UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CIRCUMSTANCES. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM BECAUSE IF I DID NOT TAKE IT INTO THE DEALER RIGHT AWAY, THE CRACK WOULD HAVE LED TO A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE.

THIS IS REGARDING A 2004 MAZDA RX-8 WITH ABOUT 65,000 MILES. POWER STEERING ON CAR WORKS OK WHEN CAR FIRST STARTED. AFTER ABOUT 15 MINUTES (AND USUALLY BY THE TIME I HIT THE HIGHWAY) THE CAR WILL JERK ITSELF TO THE LEFT AND BACK TO THE RIGHT VERY SHARPLY, ALMOST CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE CAR ON AT LEAST THREE OCCASIONS. AFTER JERK, STEERING LIGHT WILL LIGHT ON DASHBOARD AND NO POWER STEERING ASSIST IS AVAILABLE. POWER STEERING HAS ALSO GONE OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF A TURN, ALSO ALMOST CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE. I FOUND OUT THROUGH RX8CLUB.COM THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR, AND THE DEALERSHIP WANTS TO CHARGE UPWARD OF $2,000 TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. *TR

2004 MAZDA RX8 HAS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE EXTERNAL OIL COOLER. THE PIPE THAT TRANSPORTS OIL FROM THE ENGINE TO THE COOLER AND BACK IS EXPOSED AND SUBJECT TO CORROSION FROM ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE, IN PARTICULAR THE ALUMINUM REINFORCING MATERIAL IN THE PIPE IS VULNERABLE TO ROAD SALT. THIS PROBLEM IS KNOWN TO MAZDA. IN CANADA THEY HAVE ISSUED FIELD ACTION NUMBER 142-36, WHICH IS A RECALL IN WHICH THEY REPLACE THESE PIPES WITH A REDESIGNED PART THAT IS LESS SUSCEPTIBLE TO THIS DEFECT. THEY HAVE CHOSEN NOT TO EXTEND THIS RECALL TO THE US BECAUSE (QUOTING FROM THE RECALL DOCUMENT): "THE MAZDA RX-8 IS SOLD IN THE U.S., HOWEVER THROUGH REVIEW OF FIELD REPORTS AND WARRANTY CLAIMS WHERE ROAD SALT IS USED, THERE IS VERY LITTLE EVIDENCE OF THIS CONDITION IN THE U.S. MAZDA HAS CONCLUDED THAT NO FIELD ACTION IS REQUIRED IN THE U.S. MARKET AT THIS TIME." THE REASON I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE IS THAT IN MY CASE, THE PIPE PERFORATED WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION, SPRAYING A LARGE AMOUNT OF ENGINE OIL AT HIGH PRESSURE INTO THE INTERNAL ENGINE COMPARTMENT, AND ONTO THE ROAD BEHIND ME. HAD I NOT KILLED THE IGNITION ALMOST IMMEDIATELY, I BELIEVE THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE VOIDED ALL OF ITS OIL ONTO THE ROAD. I BELIEVE THIS EXPOSED THOSE DRIVING BEHIND ME TO HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS, AND COULD HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT (ALTHOUGH NONE OCCURRED IN THIS CASE). AGAIN QUOTING FROM THE CANADIAN RECALL DOCUMENT: "THE SMALL AMOUNT OF POTENTIAL OIL SEEPAGE WILL BE EVIDENCED TO THE CUSTOMER WHEN TH

CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET SNAPPED WHILE SHIFTING FROM SECOND TO THIRD GEAR. CAR HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN TAKEN TO MAZDA DEALERSHIP, WHO INSISTED THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE BRACKET. HAD BEEN MAKING A CLICKING NOISE WHEN CLUTCH PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. PEDAL BECAME LOOSE ON THE HORIZONTAL AXIS (E.G. COULD BE MOVED LEFT OR RIGHT WITH LITTLE PRESSURE. COULD STILL BE SHIFTED WITH CAREFUL APPLICATION OF PRESSURE, BUT NOT SAFE FOR CONTINUED DRIVING. *TR

1. THE EVENTS WERE MOST LIKELY COLD WEATHER, ALABAMA HAS HAD AN UNUSUALLY COLD WINTER DURING THE 2009-2010 PERIOD. 2. THE CLUTCH HAS BROKEN. THE WELD THAT HOLDS IT IN PLACE HAS BROKEN. 3. I AM GOING TO HAVE TO REPLACE THE CLUTCH BRACKET DUE TO ITS BREAKING. *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY 2004 MAZDA RX 8 HOME FROM WORK WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CLUTCH PEDAL DROPPED AND MY CAR WOULD NOT SWITCH GEARS, LUCKILY I COASTED ACROSS THE INTERSECTION. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO A MAZDA DEALERSHIP, THEY TOLD ME MY ENTIRE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY WAS DESTROYED TO NOTHING AND MY CLUTCH PEDAL WAS BENT, DUE TO BROKEN BRACKET ON CLUTCH PEDAL. MY EXTENDED WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER THE COST, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS DUE TO A PART THAT WASN'T A WEAR AND TEAR PART. TOTAL COST IS $1490. *TR

BRAND NEW GOODYEAR TIRE WITH LESS THAN 100 MILES ON IT BLEW WHILE GOING DOWN HIGHWAY. *TR

DURING THE COURSE OF MY MORNING COMMUTE TO WORK THE CLUTCH PEDAL ASSEMBLY FAILED. THE CAR WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN TO A SAFE LOCATION BY USE OF "REV MATCHING" SHIFTING AS DEPRESSING THE CLUTCH PEDAL WOULD NO LONGER ENGAGE THE CLUTCH AND THE PEDAL NO LONGER RETURNED TO THE PROPER POSITION. THE ASSEMBLY WAS REMOVED, REWELDED, AND REPLACED. *TR

I FEEL GRINDING WHEN I SHIFT FROM 1 GEAR TO 2. SOMETIMES IS DIFFICULT TO SHIFT TO THE 2 AND 3 GEAR. I BLEED THE CLUTCH LINE, CHANGED TRANSMISSION OIL. IT IS WEIRD BECAUSE THE CAR HAS LOW MILEAGE. *TR

DIVING AT 50 MPH AND MY CLUTCH PEDAL BROKE, MOVING SIDE TO SIDE AND UNABLE TO SHIFT GEARS. I WAS 3 MILES FROM A MAZDA DEALER AND GOT THERE. WAS TOLD THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE PART IN STOCK (IN DEMAND, OF COURSE) AND I HAD TO PAY $25.00 FOR OVER NIGHT SHIPPING TO GET MY CAR FIXED THE NEXT DAY. I WAS GIVEN MY OLD PETAL AND BROKEN PART AND PAID $470 FOR THE FIX. AFTER REVIEWING THIS PROBLEM ON-LINE I SEE THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2004-2008 RX-8'S FROM 20,000-70,000 MILES. HAD MY 18 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER BEEN DRIVING THIS CAR AT THE TIME, THIS WOULD BE A WHOLE DIFFERENT LETTER. PLEASE RECALL THIS CAR AND CORRECT THIS ON GOING DANGEROUS , LIFE THREATENING PROBLEM. MAZDA MECHANIC'S KNOW ALL TO WELL ABOUT THIS, WHY DOESN'T THE PUBLIC. WHY DON'T YOU. *TR

2004 MAZDA RX8 CLUTCH BRACKET BROKE. MY WIFE JUST GAVE BIRTH AND WE HAVEN'T BEEN USING THE RX8, MUCH CAUSE SHE CAN'T DRIVE, BUT I WANTED TO START IT UP AND TAKE IT OUT FOR A TRIP TO THE STORE BECAUSE IT HAD BEEN SITTING FOR A WEEK. WHEN I WENT TO START IT, THE CLUTCH JUST FELT LIKE IT SNAPPED. THE BRACKET SNAPPED IN HALF ON THE LEFT SIDE. WOW THANK GOD THIS DIDN'T HAPPEN WHILE MY WIFE WAS PREGNANT OR WHAT ABOUT WITH MY SON IN THE CAR. SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM NOT BEING ADDRESSED BY MAZDA. I AM SURE THAT WE HAVE THE DRIVER EXPERIENCE AND GOOD ENOUGH DRIVING SKILLS TO HAVE SAFELY AVOIDED DISASTER, BUT I AM VERY HAPPY THAT IT HAPPENED ON JUST A NORMAL STARTUP RATHER THEN AT 70 MPH IN HEAVY ATLANTA TRAFFIC. *TR

THE CLUTCH PEDAL IN THE MAZDA RX8 BEGAN CREAKING DURING USE. AFTER INVESTIGATING THE CAUSE ONLINE, I LEARNED THAT THIS PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD AMONG MAZDA RX8 OWNERS AND THAT CONTINUED USE OF THE CLUTCH PEDAL WOULD LEAD TO FAILURE WITH THE CREAKING BEING A SIGN THAT THE PEDAL IS PREMATURELY WEARING. SINCE MAZDA REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE DEFECT AND OFFER A RECALL, I REMOVED THE CLUTCH PEDAL AND HAD THE MOUNTING BRACKET REWELDED. I'VE ALSO OBSERVED THAT THE METAL USED FOR THE BRACKET IS INCREDIBLY THIN AND THAT THE SPOT WELDS MADE AT THE FACTORY BY MAZDA ARE WHOLLY INSUFFICIENT TO KEEP THE BRACKET FROM MOVING UNDER STRESS, LEADING TO PERMANENT FAILURE WHEN IT BREAKS. *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY MAZDA RX8 AT 35MPH DOWN A CITY STREET AT NIGHT. I PUSHED IN THE CLUTCH PEDAL TO SHIFT GEARS. THERE WAS AN EXTREMELY LOUD POP, THEN THE CLUTCH DROPPED TO THE FLOOR. I WAS ABLE TO FORCE IT INTO GEAR TO GET IT HOME. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY SAID THAT THE CLUTCH PEDAL BENT/COLLAPSED, AND THE CLUTCH BURNED OUT. UP TO THIS POINT THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF CLUTCH WEAR, NO SLIPPAGE OF THE CLUTCH, EVERYTHING OPERATED NORMALLY. I HAVE HAD EVERY SERVICE COMPLETED ON THE CAR, AND HAD IT IN THE SHOP FOR A MAJOR REPAIR ONLY 3 MONTHS (OR LESS) AGO. THE CLUTCH PEDAL SHOULD NOT HAVE BENT, AND WAS THE CAUSE OF THE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE CLUTCH. AGAIN, UP TO THIS POINT THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF CLUTCH WEAR, THE CAR WAS OPERATING FINE. I CAN PROVIDE ALL SERVICE RECORDS FOR THE VEHICLE. THIS EXACT PROBLEM HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED SEVERAL TIMES ON RX-8 CLUB THREADS, AND MATCHES IDENTICAL TO THIS VERY THREAD: HTTP://WWW.RX8CLUB.COM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=132912 AND HTTP://WWW.RX8CLUB.COM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=182412&HIGHLIGHT=CLUTCH+BRACKET THIS FAILURE COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT HAD I BEEN TRAVELING AT A HIGHER RATE OF SPEED OR HAD THE CLUTCH PEDAL FOLDED UNDERNEATH THE BREAK PEDAL. THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR THE CLUTCH PEDAL TO FOLD UNDER THE PRESSURE OF MY FOOT, MUCH LESS UNDER NORMAL CLUTCH OPERATING CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE I WAS JUST SHIFTING GEARS. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A DEADLY ACCIDENT! THE DAMAGES TO THE CAR INCURRED AS OF TODAY ARE APPROXIMATELY $1900 BEFORE TAXES. NORMAL

CLUTCH PEDAL IS HAS BEGUN TO MAKE CREAKING SOUNDS AND FEELS LOOSE WHEN FULLY DEPRESSED. I HAVE READ ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF THE PEDAL BREAKING AND SNAPPING AND I SUSPECT THIS IS LEADING UP THAT THE POINT THAT IT ULTIMATELY DOES BREAK. *TR

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, ATTEMPT TO CHANGE INTO 3RD GEAR AND MY CLUTCH PEDAL DROPPED RIGHT TO THE FLOOR, WHICH CAUSED MY CAR TO JERK INTO THE NEXT LANE AS I WASN'T EXPECTING MY FOOT TO HAVE FREEFALL. AFTER STOPPING THE CAR, I FOUND THAT MY CLUTCH PEDAL MOUNT HAD BROKEN AWAY FROM THE ASSEMBLY CAUSING MY CLUTCH TO BE UNABLE TO DISENGAGE ENTIRELY. THE ASSEMBLY WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED OR WELDED TO RETURN TO REGULAR FUNCTIONALITY. *TR

CLUTCH ASSEMBLY FAULTY DESIGN. WHILE DRIVING AND SHIFTING GEARS (MANUAL TRANSMISSION) THE CLUTCH PEDAL ASSEMBLY SNAPS, RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF ABILITY TO SHIFT GEARS. THE THIN METAL TEARS AWAY FROM AROUND ONE OF THE BOLTS THAT HOLDS THE ASSEMBLY TO THE FIREWALL. THIS IS HAPPENING ON OTHER RX-8'S OF PEOPLE I ASSOCIATE WITH TO THE POINT THAT WELDING UP THE OLD BRACKET IS BECOMING COMMON. MAZDA HAS NOT COME UP WITH A STRONGER ASSEMBLY SINCE THEY INTRODUCED THE RX-8 IN 2004. THE ALTERNATIVES TO CORRECT THE ISSUE (OUT OF WARRANTY) IS TO: (A) PURCHASE A NEW ONE FROM MAZDA. (B ) HAVE YOUR OLD ASSEMBLY WELDED OR PURCHASE A REMANUFACTURED WELDED ONE. (C) PURCHASE A BRACKET THAT ADDS SUPPORT TO THE ASSEMBLY I DID BOTH B & C, WELDED AND ADDED SUPPORT. *TR

2004 MAZDA RX8 CLUTCH LEVER BRACKET BROKEN. SHIFTED CAR FROM 3RD TO 4TH HEARD A LOUD SNAP AND THE PEDAL DID NOT FEEL RIGHT. I WAS VERY CLOSE TO HOME SO I MADE IT BUT WAS HARD TO SHIFT. FOUND THE LEVER BRACKET TO BE BROKEN AND CRACKED ON THE RIGHT SIDE. *TR

2004 MAZDA RX-8: WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SWING DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR DOWN FOR USE, THE SUN VISOR SEPARATED AT THE TOP MOLDED PLASTIC SEAM EDGE AND NO LONGER STAYS IN UPRIGHT POSITION, BLOCKING DRIVER'S VISION. VISOR HAD TO BE FORCIBLE REMOVED FROM ROOF ATTACHMENT STEM SINCE IT HUNG IN COMPLETE DOWN POSITION, CREATING A DRIVING HAZARD IF IT WOULD BE ALLOWED TO REMAIN. IT COULD NOT BE SWUNG TO SIDE AS THIS BLOCKED THE SIDE VISION. VISOR WAS RARELY USED, SO FAILURE WAS NOT DUE TO WEAR OR NEGLECT. THIS IS SECOND OCCURRENCE FOR EXACT SAME PROBLEM. LAST OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY 2.5 YEARS AGO, AND WAS REPLACED BY MAZDA UNDER THE ORIGINAL CAR WARRANTY AT NO COST. THE VEHICLE IS NOW BEYOND THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY PERIOD AND BEYOND THE 12 MONTH PART REPLACEMENT WARRANTY. WHEN REQUESTING THIS REPAIR RECENTLY THROUGH THE AT LOCAL MAZDA DEALER TO BE COVERED AS A LATENT DEFECT AT NO COST, EXPLAINING THIS WAS SECOND OCCURRENCE, THE SERVICE WRITER TOOK INFORMATION AND STATED HE WOULD TRY TO HAVE MAZDA COVER REPAIR AGAIN. CONTACTED SERVICE WRITER ON 11-4-09, HE STATED MAZDA DENIED MY REQUEST TO HAVE THE REPAIR COVERED AT NO COST. I HAVE A CURRENT REQUEST INTO MAZDA USA AT 800-222-5500 AGAIN REQUESTING RELIEF FOR THE REPAIR. THIS FORMAL COMPLAINT IS BEING FILED SINCE THIS IS THE SECOND OCCURRENCE FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. *TR

CLUTCH PEDAL ON MY 2004 RX8 BROKE AND CAUSED ME TO ALMOST GET IN ACCIDENT WHEN THE CAR WOULD NOT RELEASE OUT OF 4 GEAR. THE CLUTCH SHIFTED TOWARDS MY BREAK PEDAL AND IT ALMOST MADE ME WRECK. *TR

MY MAZDA RX8 HAS BEEN BURNING OIL SINCE IT WAS NEW. I DON"T HAVE IT ANYMORE. DO I HAVE ANY RECOURSE AGAINST MAZDA CORPORATION? *TR

I OWN A MAZDA RX-8 2004 MODEL AND I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE ON APPROX 10/31/09. I DIDN'T REALIZE IT UNTIL I NEEDED TO CHANGE GEARS BUT I REALIZED THAT MY CLUTCH WAS GETTING STUCK BEHIND MY BRAKE PEDAL AND THAT I COULD NOT SHIFT GEARS PROPERLY. I SLOWED DOWN AND AFTER TUGGING AND TUGGING I WAS ABLE TO SWITCH GEARS. I STOPPED THE CAR TO CALL MY FRIENDS THINKING IT WAS A BAD CLUTCH BUT NO ONE COULD GIVE ME A STRAIGHT ANSWER. I CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND SPENT 200 DOLLARS GETTING IT TOWED AND ANOTHER 180 TO GET IT FIXED. THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN MY CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET. ITS MADE OUT OF MATERIAL SO FLIMSY THAT IT HAD SNAPPED FROM THE WELDS. I THINK THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND AFTER DOING MY RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THAT MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. I FOR ONE DON'T WANT TO EVER BE STUCK O THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSTATE AGAIN. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA RX8. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TURN THE IGNITION THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A NO-START CONDITION. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED. THE REPAIR DID NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR IDENTICAL FAILURES, BUT THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN REMEDIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AS 59,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

1. CLUTCH PEDAL FELT ABOUT A 1/2" LOW (AS IF HYDRAULIC FLUID HAD AN AIR POCKET AND NEEDED BLEEDING) ABOUT TWO BLOCKS BEFORE FAILURE. 2. I WAS STOPPED AT A LIGHT BEHIND 3 CARS IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE, SHIFTED INTO FIRST WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN; ACCELERATED VERY SLOWLY AND TRIED SHIFTING TO SECOND GEAR BUT THE PEDAL MADE A SNAPPING SOUND AND WENT TO THE FLOOR, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS STUCK IN FIRST UNTIL I LET THE CAR ROLL BACK A LITTLE AND GOT IT IN NEUTRAL. I WAS STUCK IN A MAJOR INTERSECTION AND THERE WAS GRIDLOCK, LOTS OF HONKING AND YELLING AND A FEW CARS CAME VERY CLOSE TO HAVING ACCIDENTS. I PUSHED MY CAR TO THE EDGE OF THE INTERSECTION AND WAITED FOR THE TOW TRUCK. THE TOW TRUCK HAD TO HAVE SMALLER PICKUP BROUGHT IN TO WINCH MY CAR OUT OF THE INTERSECTION BECAUSE HE SAID IT WAS UNSAFE TO SET UP THE TOW RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION. 3. MY CAR WAS TOWED TO MY MECHANIC AND AFTER INSPECTION HE SAID IT WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN TO A NEW PEDAL FROM MAZDA. HE WAS SURPRISED IT LASTED FOR 60K MILES. AFTER SOME RESEARCH I ORDERED A REINFORCED CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET ASSEMBLY FROM HERE: HTTP://WWW.FLUIDMOTORSPORTS.COM/P-188-TRANSMISSION-AND-ACCESSORIES.ASPX TURNS OUT HERE ARE THREE AFTERMARKET COMPANIES MANUFACTURING REINFORCEMENTS, MAZSPORT, BHR AND RACE ROOTS; EACH HAS THEIR OWN DESIGN AND THEY ARE SELLING HUNDREDS OF THEM BECAUSE ALL THE PEDALS FAIL IN 40 - 80K MILES. *TR

THE BRACKET FOR THE CLUTCH PEDAL ON MY 2004 MAZDA RX-8 BROKE WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE. OVER THE PAST FEW WEEKS, THE CLUTCH WOULD SQUEAK A LITTLE BIT WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT. I NOTICED THAT THE BRACKET WAS LOOSE ONCE, SO I TIGHTENED THE BOLT ON IT, BUT THAT DIDN'T CHANGE THE SQUEAKING. LITTLE DID I KNOW THAT THE WHOLE BRACKET WAS ABOUT TO FAIL! I TOOK A CLOSE LOOK AT THE BROKEN BRACKET, AND IT APPEARS THAT A WELD BROKE. IT OCCURRED ONE MORNING ON MY WAY TO WORK. AS I DOWNSHIFTED FROM THIRD TO SECOND GEAR, I HEARD A 'CRACK' AND THEN MY CLUTCH WOULDN'T WORK PROPERLY. I LOOKED DOWN, AND THE CLUTCH PEDAL WAS NEXT TO (AND TOUCHING) THE BRAKE PEDAL (IT SHOULD NOT BE THAT CLOSE). I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO SHIFT. NOW, I CANNOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE, AS THE CLUTCH WILL NOT ENGAGE WITH THE BROKEN BRACKET. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, ESPECIALLY IN CASES LIKE MINE WHEN IT HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA RX-8. HE STATED THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO START AND THAT WHILE DRIVING IT FAILED TO OPERATE AT MINIMAL SPEED. HE ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PROPERLY. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND HE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND THE MIDDLE INTERIOR CONSOLE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS A PREVIOUS CAMPAIGN PERTAINING TO THE SAME FAILURES; HOWEVER, THE REPAIRS WERE MADE WITH THE ORIGINAL OWNER. THE CONTACT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING THE REPAIR COST. THE CONTACT STATED THE PART WAS REPROGRAMMED BUT NOT REPLACED AS RELAYED TO HIM BY THE MANUFACTURER. NO REPAIRS HAD BEEN MADE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNDER 101,000.

THE CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET ON MY MAZDA RX-8 SNAPPED WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND SINCE THEN HAVE HAD A LOT OF DIFFICULTY SWITCHING GEARS WHILE DRIVING. I LEARNED HOW TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE LIKE THIS EVEN THOUGH THE PEDAL AT TIMES BECAME STUCK BENEATH THE BREAK PEDAL. I HIRED AN MOBILE MECHANIC TO REWELD THE PEDAL BRACKET ALTHOUGH JUST YESTERDAY IT SNAPPED AGAIN. MY VEHICLE IS A MAZDA 2004 RX-8 AND THERE IS NOT A SINGLE DEALERSHIP I HAVE FOUND THAT WILL ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM. *TR

1. NO EVENTS, JUST DRIVING 2.CLUTCH PEDAL SNAPPED OFF NOT ALLOWING ME TO CHANGE GEARS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS 3. SINCE MAZDA DIDN'T WANT TO COVER IT, I HAD IT REWELDED MYSELF. *TR

CLUTCH BRACKET FAILURE; (1) OF THE 3 WELDING POINTS FAILED, CAUSING THE BRACKET TO SEPARATE AT THE WELD, BENDING, AND SEPARATING THE PLATE INTO 2 PIECES, MAKING SHIFTING IN AND OUT OF GEARS DIFFICULT DURING OPERATION. THE SERVICE REP. AT GAINESVILLE MAZDA LAUGHED AT ME WHEN I ASKED IF THEY WOULD GIVE ME A DISCOUNT ON A NEW BRACKET. GAINESVILLE MAZDA IS AT 2600 N MAIN STREET GAINESVILLE, FL 32609 (352) 505-9459. *TR

IT WAS APPROXIMATELY 11:15 IN THE NIGHT, I WAS ON MY WAY BACK FROM A LATE NIGHT FOOD RUN AT MCDONALD'S. THE DISTANCE FROM MY RESIDENCE TO MCDONALD'S IS APPROXIMATELY 2.2 MILES. AS I APPROACHED A STOP SIGN, ONE (1) BLOCK AWAY FROM MY RESIDENCE, I DEPRESSED MY CLUTCH PEDAL IN ORDER TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, AND THAT IS WHEN I HEARD A LOUD CLATTERY CLANG. IMMEDIATELY AFTER, THE CLUTCH PEDAL FELT EXTREMELY SOFT AND I FOUND IT VERY HARD TO CHANGE GEARS. BEING THAT I WAS SO CLOSE TO HOME I DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO FURTHER EXAMINE AND EVALUATE WHAT EXACTLY HAD HAPPENED. HENCE, I IGNORED IT PARKED MY CAR AND WENT INSIDE. THE NEXT MORNING ON MY REGULAR ROUTINE I STARTED MY CAR TO GO TO SCHOOL, AGAIN THE CLUTCH FELT EXTREMELY SOFT AND MUSHY. TRIED TO PUT THE GEARS IN REVERSE BUT FAILED. THIS IS WHEN I FINALLY REALIZED THAT SOMETHING WAS DEFINITELY WRONG. MY FIRST INCLINATION WAS THAT THE CLUTCH DISC THAT HAD WORN, BUT AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION I FOUND THAT THE CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET HAD BROKEN.*TR

I WAS STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN, START ENGAGING THE CLUTCH TO GO INTO FIRST GEAR AND I HEAR A CRACK. I AM IN FIRST GEAR AND AS I AM ABOUT TO SHIFT INTO SECOND GEAR I AM UNABLE TO DO SO. I NOTICE THAT THE CLUTCH PEDAL HAS NO PRESSURE AND IT IS NEAR THE BRAKE PEDAL. FROM HERE ON I WAS NOT ABLE TO SHIFT INTO ANY GEAR. SO AFTER FURTHER INSPECTION I SEE THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL IS BROKEN AND CAN EASILY MOVE FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. I AM JUST GLAD THAT I WAS ON THE STREET BECAUSE I WAS ON MY WAY TO CATCH THE FREEWAY. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND HAS TO BE FIXED, SOMETHING BAD COULD HAVE HAPPENED AND TO THINK I HAVE BEEN DRIVING THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY FOR LONG TRIPS IS VERY SCARY. *TR

I WAS DRIVING AND NOTICE MY TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE. I HAD TO SHUT OFF THE CAR TO GET IT IN REVERSE. I THEN TOOK IT TO A DEALER AND THEY SAID MY SLAVE CYLINDER WAS OUT. SO THEY REPLACED IT. LATER I RECEIVED A PHONE CALL TELLING MY CLUTCH PEDAL ASSEMBLY BRACKET WAS ALSO BROKE. WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN THE RESULT IN MY SLAVE CYLINDER TO FAIL. THE BRACKET WAS BROKE ON THE LEFT BOTTOM BOLT PATTERN THAT CONNECTS TO THE FIRING WALL. I AM GLAD THIS DID NOT HAPPEN OR COMPLETELY BRAKE OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING FOR THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A POSSIBLE FATAL ACCIDENT. I AM PUTTING IN FOR THIS BECAUSE APPARENTLY I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING THIS BRACKET BRAKE. IT SEEMS TO BE ON THE SAME SIDE AS EVERYONE ELSE IS DESCRIBING. AS THE PEDAL BRAKES IT LEANS OR BRAKES TO THE RIGHT WHICH HEADS TOWARDS THE BRAKE PEDAL ITSELF. *TR

THE AUTO LEVELING HEADLIGHTS IN MAZDA RX8S AND CERTAIN OTHER MAZDA VEHICLES ROUTINELY MALFUNCTIONS DUE TO CORROSION. THIS CAUSES THE HEADLIGHTS TO AUTOMATICALLY RETURN TO THEIR LOWEST POSITION IN MOST CASES TOO LOW FOR DRIVING CONDITIONS CAUSING A MAJOR HAZARD TO ALL DRIVERS BOTH OF THE MAZDA AND OTHER VEHICLES. MAZDA RECOGNIZED THIS ISSUE WITH A SERVICE BULLETIN IN 2007 HOWEVER NEVER RECALLED THE VEHICLES FOR REPAIR AND WEATHERPROOFING. EVEN IF THE HEADLIGHTS ARE MANUALLY ADJUSTED THEY WILL RETURN TO THE LOWEST POSITION ONCE THE CAR IS STARTED AND THE MALFUNCTIONING AUTO LEVELING SENSORS KICK IN. THE DEALERSHIP THAT WE PURCHASED OUR MAZDA RX8 FROM DOES NOT SEE THIS AS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THEREFORE WILL NOT REPAIR OR REPLACE THE SENSORS. AFTER CONFERRING WITH STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT INSPECTORS, THEY DIFFER IN OPINION AS TO THE AUTO LEVELING MALFUNCTION BEING A HAZARD ESPECIALLY IF THE VEHICLE IS TRAVELING AT HIGHER SPEEDS. MAZDA SHOULD BE FORCED TO RECALL AND REPLACE THE MALFUNCTIONING SENSORS TO PREVENT ACCIDENTS DUE TO LACKING VISIBILITY. *TR

I WAS DRIVING 1200 MILES FROM HOME DOING ABOUT 45 MPH ON THE LOCAL ROADS, AND MY CLUTCH PEDAL STARTED FEELING FUNNY, MAYBE A LITTLE LOOSE. THEN I HEARD A LOUD POP AS I WAS TRYING TO CHANGE GEARS AND CHECKED IT OUT. THE CLUTCH PEDAL ASSEMBLY BRACKET HAD FAILED AND I CALLED UP THE DEALERSHIP AS IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. THEY OFFERED TO REPLACE IT AT MY COST ($600) AT WHICH THIS IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT SO I SHOULDN'T BE LIABLE FOR SUCH DAMAGES, EVEN AFTER 59,000 MILES. AND ESPECIALLY AFTER SEEING THAT SO MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM, IT POSES A HUGE SAFETY RISK. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT BACK HOME, SHIFTING PERFECTLY TO MATCH REVS BUT WAS ALWAYS DIFFICULT TO START. SOMETIMES THE PEDAL WOULD BE PUSHED SO FAR BACK THAT IT WOULD RUN BEHIND THE BRAKE PEDAL. IT WORRIED ME SO MUCH THAT I MIGHT HAVE HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED SO FAR TO GET SOMEONE TO FIX IT. BUT THIS IS A REAL PROBLEM! *TR

MY CLUTCH PEDAL BEGAN SQUEAKING ABOUT 4,000 MILES AGO. JUST YESTERDAY, I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN I DOWNSHIFTED INTO 4TH GEAR AND THE CLUTCH PEDAL SNAPPED. I WAS NOT ABLE TO SHIFT GEARS SO I HAD TO STAY IN 5TH UNTIL I COULD SAFELY PULL OF AT AN EXIT. *TR

2004 MAZDA RX-8 CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET BROKE OFF DURING NORMAL DRIVING. NO CORRECTIVE ACTIONS HAVE BEEN TAKEN YET MAZDA REFUSED TO COVER IT UNDER THERE NEW EXTENDED WARRANTY. *TR

THE MAZDA PEOPLE HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR FAILING. THEY HAVE A TSB OPEN ON IT. I HAVE A 2004 RX8 AND I JUST INSTALLED MY 6TH VISOR. UP UNTIL NOW MAZDA HAS REPLACED THEM FOR FREE, BUT NOW IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY AND I'M PAYING FOR THEM. SOMETIMES WHEN THEY FAIL THEY FAIL BY DROPPING DOWN AND INTERFERING WITH THE DRIVERS VISION. I THINK IT'S HIGH TIME THAT MAZDA ENGINEER A FIX AND REPLACE ALL OF THESE VISORS OUT ON THE ROAD. FROM NHTSA WEB SITE. *TR

1) NOTHING JUST DRIVING IT 2) FAULTY CLUTCH PEDAL ASSEMBLY SNAPPED RENDERING THE CLUTCH USELESS. 3) NOT YET CORRECTED. *TR

I NOTICED MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL LEAKING FROM UNDER MY 2004 MAZDA RX8 ONTO THE DRIVEWAY OF A FRIEND'S LANDLORD'S DRIVEWAY. I DROVE IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE OIL COOLER LINES HAD CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FOR $1200. MAZDA DOES NOT COVER THIS UNDER WARRANTY BUT HAS ISSUED A RECALL IN CANADA FOR THIS VERY ISSUE BUT DOES NOT RECOGNIZE IT IN THE U.S.A. LEAKS CAN BE FAIRLY SLOW AND UNNOTICEABLE FOR QUITE A WHILE AND COAT THE WHEELS AND BRAKES WITH OIL, CAUSING LOSS OF HANDLING AND TROUBLE BRAKING. *TR

PURCHASED MAZDA RX 8, FEB 28,2009, GULF VIEW AUTO, PORT RICHEY, FL, IMMEDIATELY MOVED TO UPSTATE NY 2 DAYS LATER. GAS GAUGE, INOPERATIVE. FEDERAL RECALL, MAZDA REFUSES TO FIX AFTER RECALL ISSUED DUE TO FIRES.SECTION 30120(1), FAILING TO REPAIR DEFECT, CAN BE PUNISHABLE BY CIVIL FINES. *TR

THE CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET OF THE MAZDA RX-8 IS PRONE TO SNAPPING AND BREAKING DURING NORMAL USE. MAZDA CONSIDERS THIS ITEM TO BE A "WEAR ITEM" DESPITE THE SAFETY IMPLICATIONS THAT A BREAKAGE COULD POSE. A BROKEN CLUTCH PEDAL COULD POSSIBLY LEAD TO A CRASH WITH FATALITIES IF THE DRIVER CAN NO LONGER PULL THE CAR OUT OF GEAR OR SHIFT GEARS. THE EVENTS LEADING UP TO MY CASE WERE NORMAL. I WAS DRIVING AS I DO REGULARLY IN THE CITY AND THE PEDAL SNAPPED WITHOUT WARNING. IN MY CASE I WAS STILL ABLE TO SHIFT GEARS AND WAS CLOSE ENOUGH THAT I COULD DRIVE HOME. NOTHING HAS YET BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. I AM GOING TO HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE CLUTCH PEDAL ASSEMBLY WHICH MAZDA WAS ASKING $415.00 FOR TO REPLACE. *TR

THE VEHICLE IS A 2004 MAZDA RX-8. THE OIL LINES CONNECTING THE ENGINE TO THE OIL COOLER RUPTURED SENDING OIL SPEWING ALL OVER THE TIRES AND BRAKES. THE ENGINE LOST 100% OF IT'S OIL AND CONTROLLING THE CAR WAS DIFFICULT. THIS PROBLEM IS REPORTEDLY DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION OF THE OIL LINES IN COLD CLIMATES WHERE SALT IS OFTEN ON THE ROAD. IN CANADA, THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. THERE SHOULD BE ONE IN THE US AS WELL. *TR

I HAVE AN RX-8 AND THE DRIVERS SIDE SUN VISOR JUST FELL OFF. AND I RARELY USE. IT APPEARS TO HAVE SEPARATED AROUND THE EDGES OR CAME UNGLUED. THE MAZDA DEALER WILL NOT REPLACE BECAUSE MY IS AN 04' WITH 32,000 MILES IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY, EVEN THOUGH IT ON THE TSB. *TR

WHILE DRIVING MY 2004 RX-8 6SPEED MY CLUTCH PEDAL BROKE. THE ACTUAL WELDING BROKE ALONG THE INSIDE OF THE CAR UNDERNEATH THE DASH. IT IS NOT THE CLUTCH ITSELF, BUT THE ACTUAL PEDAL ASSEMBLY. IT WAS WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND SEEMS TO BE A PRETTY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE GOOGLED THIS ISSUE A BIT AND FOUND A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM THANKS *TR

IN JUNE OF 2005, I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM THE MAZDA NORTH AMERICAN OPERATIONS INFORMING ME THAT MY VEHICLE HAD AN INHERENT SAFETY ISSUE CONCERNING THE ENGINE AMONG OTHER THINGS. I TOOK THE CAR FOR A CHECK AND WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR CHECKED OUT FINE. IN AUGUST 2006, MAZDA NORTH AMERICAN OPERATIONS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THE CAR BECAUSE THE INHERENT DEFECT DOES NOT NECESSARILY SHOW UP IMMEDIATELY BUT MAY SHOW UP MUCH LATER. IN MY CASE IT SHOWED UP IN JUNE OF 2008. THE CAR STARTED RUNNING HOT, THE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND THE CAR WOULD IDLE HIGH AT A STOP LIGHT. ONCE THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF, THE COOLING FAN WOULD CONTINUE FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE MAZDA DEALER WHO STATED THAT I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. THE INVOICE INDICATED THAT A NEW ENGINE WAS AUTHORIZED AMONG OTHER THINGS. AFTER THAT INCIDENT, THE VEHICLE RAN ALRIGHT UP UNTIL THE MIDDLE OF AUGUST 2009 WHEN THE SAME ISSUES REAPPEARED. SUPPOSEDLY, THEY INSTALLED AN NEW ENGINE BUT APPARENTLY THAT WAS NOT TRUE. ON AUGUST 16, 2009, I DROPPED THE CAR OFF AT THE DEALERSHIP TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM OR THE GIVE ME ANOTHER CAR. THIS CAR HAS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I WANT MAZDA TO GIVE ME ANOTHER CAR BECAUSE I JUST DON'T TRUST DRIVING THE ONE WITH THE DEFECT. *TR

MY CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET BROKE FROM MY 2004 MAZDA RX-8 AT 62K MILES. *TR

DRIVING 2004 MAZDA RX/8 UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS AND THE CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET BROKE. THE BRACKET BROKE AT A WELD POINT AND THROUGH A BOLT CONNECTION CAUSING THE PEDAL TO SHIFT TO THE RIGHT. IT DID NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, BUT COULD HAVE IF I WERE IN A DIFFERENT LOCATION WHEN DRIVING. *TR

I HAVE A 2004 MAZDA RX8 AND I BOUGHT IT 4 MONTHS AGO IT HAS 48500 AND IT KEEPS STOPPING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD IT GETS HOT AND WILL TURN OFF WHILE RUNNING . IF I STOP AT A LIGHT IT WILL TURN OFF. IT HAS BEEN SENT TO 2 DIFFERENT MAZDA PLACES BEEN PUT ON MACHINES AFTER MACHINE SENT TO 2 SHOP AND CAN'T FIND A SOLUTION AND NO BODY KNOWS WHAT THE PROBLEM IS NOT EVEN THE MAZDA DEALER THE DEALER PUT A NEW CONVERTER AND SAID IT WAS FIXED BUT,ITS BEEN IN THE SHOP TWO MORE TIMES NOW THE WARRANTY IS OUT AND THEY THINK IT MIGHT BE, BECAUSE ITS NOT WARMED UP IN THE MORNING ,BUT DO NOT GUARANTEE IT YAH RIGHT I LIVE IN TEXAS. WELL IF THE MAZDA DEALER DON'T KNOW WHO DOES? THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS ,I COULD HAVE A BAD WRECK BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM .PLEASE TELL ME WHO TO CONTACT. *TR

THE PART NUMBER OF THE ITEM IS MAZDA PART #FE03-51-21YD AND #FE03-51-22YC. THIS PART IS INSTALLED IN THE MAZDA'S VEHICLE THE RX8. THE PART STARTED TO FAIL AT AROUND 57,000 MILES WITHIN JUST LESS THAN TWO MONTHS AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED AND 7,000 MILES AFTER THE VEHICLE'S MANUFACTURER WARRANTY EXPIRED. THIS PART SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A SAFETY COMPONENT BECAUSE IT PRESENTS A DANGEROUS THREAT TO BOTH DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS OCCUPYING THE VEHICLE DURING FAILURE AND MAZDA IS CLAIMING THAT IT IS NOT. THE REASON WHY IS THAT WHEN THIS PARTS FAILS TO FUNCTION PROPERLY THE HEADLIGHT BEAMS CANNOT BE REGULATED PROPERLY IN ORDER TO SEE SAFELY. INSTEAD WHAT WILL HAPPEN IS THAT THE LIGHTS WILL NOT ADJUST TO THE CORRECT HEIGHT AND WILL NOT ILLUMINATE THE ROAD SO THAT THE DRIVER CANNOT SEE AHEAD OF THE VEHICLE. ON MY VEHICLE SPECIFICALLY WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED AND RE-OCCURRED I COULD NOT SEE NO FURTHER THEN A RANGE OF TEN TO FIFTEEN FEET FROM MY VEHICLE. IN THE RESEARCH I'VE DONE I'VE READ IN THE FORUMS THAT THIS IS EXTREMELY COMMON IN ALL THE MODELS BUILT WITHIN THE TIME PERIOD OF 2004-2007 BUILT BEFORE THE DATE OF NOVEMBER 15, 2006 (BEFORE THEY REDESIGNED THE PART). *TR

CLUTCH PEDAL IN 2004 RX8 FAILING/BREAKING AT A LIGHT ON A BUSY HIGHWAY. *TR