2004 Mazda RX-8 complaints

CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET BREAKING LOOSE CAUSING CLUTCH ENGAGEMENT TO BE STUCK IN CURRENT POSITION. THIS IS A RISK I AM MONITORING DAILY ON MY CAR FOR WHEN THE EVENT FAILS UNTIL EITHER A: I HAVE MONEY TO WELD THE WEAK SPOTWELD TO PREVENT FAILURE. B. MAZDA ADMINISTERS A RECALL TO REPLACE FAULTY PIECE WITH A STABLE PART. MY CONCERN THOUGH BEING PART OF THE RX8FORUM MAKES IT LOOK LIKE IT'S AN EXPONENTIAL ISSUE. IN OPPOSITE RETROSPECT, THIS COULD BE A MORE BROADER ISSUE OF THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF RX-8 SOLDS THAT JUST HASN'T HAD A FATALITY YET. THE FAILING PART CAN BE FORCED TO FAILURE I BELIEVE BY ADMINISTERING REPEATED USE REPLICATING DAILY WEAR. I DON'T LOOK FORWARD TO MY DAY THIS HAPPENS, HENCE I'M FILING THIS FORM REQUESTING INVESTIGATION FOR POTENTIAL RECALL.*TR

MY DRIVERS SIDE DOOR LATCH IS DEFECTIVE. I CAN'T OPEN THE DOOR. I HAVE TRIED TO GET IT REPLACE, BUT THE AUTO BODY SHOP AND DEALER CAN'T DO SO. *TR

EXPERIENCED FAILURE OF POWER STEERING ON 2004 MAZDA RX-8 WITH APPROXIMATELY 25K MILES OF USE. PREVIOUSLY, POWER STEERING WOULD FAIL INTERMITTENTLY BUT WOULD CORRECT ITSELF AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTING IT. WE REQUESTED SERVICING OF THIS PROBLEM IN APRIL OF 2008 BUT IT DIDN'T SHOW UP IN THE COMPUTER SCAN OF THE CAR SO THE DEALERSHIP TOLD US TO BRING IT BACK WHILE THE PROBLEM WAS OCCURRING. HOWEVER, IT WASN'T POSSIBLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE SAFELY WHILE THE FAILURE WAS OCCURRING AND IT WOULD CORRECT ITSELF ONCE THE CAR WAS STOPPED AND RESTARTED. VERY UNSAFE TO HAVE THE STEERING FAIL/SEIZE WHILE THE CAR WAS IN OPERATION. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED INTERMITTENTLY UNTIL JULY 12, 2009 WHEN IT FAILED COMPLETELY. CAR IS CURRENTLY BACK IN THE DEALER SHOP WAITING FOR PARTS THAT CONTAIN A SENSOR THAT SHOULD CORRECT THE PROBLEM TO BE SHIPPED FROM JAPAN. THE REPAIR WILL REQUIRE REMOVING AND REPLACING MOST OF THE STEERING SYSTEM AS THE PART CAN ONLY BE REPLACED AS AN ENTIRE UNIT. WE WERE INFORMED THIS WAS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY AS IT'S NOT A DEFECT AND OCCURS THROUGH NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. *TR

COMPLAINT IS TO MAZDA USA FOR THEIR WEAK CLUTCH PEDAL WELDS. I'VE BEEN DRIVING MY RX8 (2004) SINCE SEPTEMBER 2007 AND THE FIRST TIME IT SNAPPED WAS IN 2008 LATE SUMMER. I GOT IT REWELDED AT A LOCAL SHOP AND AFTER ABOUT 9 MONTHS THE BRACKET BROKE IN HALF, BROKE RIGHT THROUGH THE WELDS AND CRACKED THE METAL. SO I BOUGHT A NEW BRACKET AND AN AFTERMARKET REINFORCEMENT BRACKET FOR ABOUT 450$ WHICH SHOULD ALL BE COVERED BY MAZDA. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA RX-8. WHILE DRIVING 40-60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAITED 30 MINUTES BEFORE THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE DEALER COULD NOT REMEDY THE ISSUE WITH THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE IT CAN SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,206 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

I WANT TO GO ON FILE THAT I HAVE A CONCERN WITH THE SOLUTION TO A PROBLEM WITH OUR 2004 MAZDA RX 8. WE PURCHASED IT USED FROM A REPUTABLE FORD DEALER SEVERAL MONTHS BACK AND HAD AN ISSUE WITH STARTING THE CAR. AFTER SOME ONLINE RESEARCH WE FOUND OUT THE CAR IS PRONE TO GAS FLOODING WHEN NOT ALLOW TO RUN UNTIL THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE IS HALFWAY. IF SHUT OFF BEFORE THE ENGINE FLOODS WITH GAS. I TOOK IT TO CORY FAIRBANKS MAZDA WHERE THE VIN WAS CHECKED AND THAT THE CAR DID HAVE THE RECALL 4206F ALREADY DONE AND THE ONLY SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM IS TO LET THE CAR WARM UP. MY CONCERN IS THE CONSTANT EXCESSIVE FLOW OF GAS DURING START UP, RAW GAS CONSTANTLY FLOWING THROUGH THE CATALYTIC AND THE EXCESSIVE HEAT CREATED BY THESE ENGINES COULD CAUSE A FIRE AND INJURE ALL THOSE IN AND AROUND THE VEHICLE. I HAVE EMAILED MAZDA ALSO ABOUT MY CONCERNS AND FEEL THE SOLUTION IS A DISASTER WAITING TO HAPPEN. THANK YOU. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA RX8. THE VEHICLE HAS BRIDGESTONE ALL SEASON TIRES. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE AIR PRESSURE IN THE TIRES AND NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER. MAZDA SUGGESTED THAT HE TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES, BUT NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE DEALER ONLY PLACED AIR IN THE TIRES. ON ONE OCCASION, WHILE DRIVING ALMOST 60 MPH, THE CONTACT FELT A VERY ROUGH VIBRATION IN THE VEHICLE. HE ATTEMPTED TO MOVE THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD AND THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE EXPLODED. THE TIRE AND VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE BLOW OUT. THE DOT NUMBER AND TIRE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 23,000. THE TAIL LIGHTS WOULD FILL WITH WATER. THERE WAS A STRANGE CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE MAY HAVE A STRUT PROBLEM. UPDATED 07/30/09.*JB

FAILURE OF POWER STEERING ON 2004 MAZDA RX-8. POWER STEERING SHUTS DOWN INTERMITTENTLY DURING DRIVING. STEERING THEN PULLS TO THE RIGHT DURING DRIVING AND AT A STOP, THE STEERING WHEEL WILL ROTATE ON IT'S OWN. DEALER HAS REPAIRED SUSPECTED SHORT IN WIRING HARNESS, CLEANED HARNESS GROUND CONNECTIONS, REPLACED A SENSOR IN THE POWER STEERING CIRCUIT. CAR IS CURRENTLY BACK IN THE DEALER SHOP WAITING FOR A NEW HARNESS "PIGTAIL" TO REPLACE ON THE ELECTRICAL STEERING HARNESS. CONTACTED MAZDA AND THEY SAID SINCE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY, IT'S MY PROBLEM--EVEN THOUGH I CONSIDER THE CAR UNSAFE FOR DRIVING. *TR

CLUTCH PEDAL STOPPED WORKING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD OF MY 2004 MAZDA RX-8. EVERYTIME I SWITCHED GEARS IT SQUEAKED UNTIL IT SNAPPED AND CAR STALLED. CONSEQUENCE IS THAT I COULDN'T DRIVE MY CAR ANYMORE AND HAD TO TOW IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP HAD TO REPLACE THE CLUTCH PEDAL ASSEMBLY ACCORDING TO PAPERWORK. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA RX8. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CLUTCH PEDAL DETACHED FROM THE MOUNTS. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO MOVE IN OR OUT OF GEAR AND WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE A CRASH COULD HAVE OCCURRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 85,000.

CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET BROKE WHILE SHIFTING GEARS ON FREEWAY. COULD BARELY GET CAR INTO AND OUT OF GEAR TO REMOVE CAR FROM TRAFFIC AND SAFELY IN PARKING LOT. *TR

I WAS DRIVING ALONG THE HIGHWAY AS I SHIFTED GEARS THE BRACKET KEEPING MY CLUTCH PEDAL TOGETHER BROKE...HAD TO DRIVE REALLY SLOW BECAUSE DEPRESSING THE CLUTCH PEDAL CAUSES IT TO ALMOST GO INTO THE BRAKE PEDAL...PEDAL KEEPS SHIFTING TO THE RIGHT...THERE SEEMS TO ME A DESIGN FLAW AS MORE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN REPORTING THIS AND ON THE RX8CLUB.COM WEBSITE...THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO ADDRESSED BEFORE SOMEBODY GETS KILLED BECAUSE IT ALMOST CAUSED ME TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT ON THE HIGHWAY...AND IT SEEMS LIKE MAZDA IS NOT TAKING ANY RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS, HAVING PEOPLE PAY ALMOST 400 OR MORE TO REPLACE AN OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW...PICTURES OF THE BROKEN BRACKET HAVE BEEN TAKEN BY MY MANY PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME ISSUE...PLEASE CONTACT MAZDA AND HAVE THEM ISSUE A RECALL OF SOME SORT...HOPEFULLY THIS ISSUE IS RESOLVED BEFORE SOMEBODY GETS HURT...BECAUSE I KNOW I ALMOST DID , BUT WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO GAIN CONTROL.. *TR

ONLY A PARTIAL FAILURE OCCURRED, BUT HAD I NOT TAKEN PREVENTIVE MEASURES, A FULL FAILURE WOULD CERTAINLY HAVE OCCURRED. NOTICED BIZARRE SQUEAKING FROM CLUTCH PEDAL UNDER NORMAL USE. REMOVED PEDAL ASSEMBLY AND NOTICED METAL HAD TORN HALFWAY THROUGH ON BRACKET. HAD USE CONTINUED, METAL WOULD HAVE TORN COMPLETELY THROUGH, RENDERING THE CLUTCH PEDAL USELESS WITHOUT REPAIR. HAD A FULL FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING, IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A CAR ACCIDENT, ENDANGERING LIFE AND PROPERTY. TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, I HAD THE CLUTCH BRACKET SEAM-WELDED IN THE EXISTING PROBLEM AREA AND IN ALL POTENTIAL PROBLEM AREAS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA RX-8. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE ENGINE, THE MOTOR WOULD KICK, BUT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT STOP. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS FAULTY AND MADE THE REPLACEMENT. THE REPAIR ONLY LASTED ONE WEEK. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MAZDA DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS A FLOODING ISSUE. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE FOR FREE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED A MONTH LATER. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE OUTER GRIP ON THE FLY WHEEL WAS LOOSE. THE MECHANIC REPAIRED THE VEHICLE, BUT THE ENGINE STILL WOULD NOT START. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,000.

2004 MAZDA RX8 IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME RECALL PROBLEM AS THE 2005-08 MAZDA RX8. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED HIS VEHICLE FAILED EMISSIONS DUE TO AN EVAPORATOR LEAK. *JB

WHILE DRIVING MY 2004 MAZDA RX8 THE CLUTCH PEDAL SNAPPED AND WENT TO THE FLOOR AND WOULDN'T COME BACK UP. I WAS NOT ABLE TO CHANGE GEARS AND HAD TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT BUT IF I HAD BEEN ON THE FREEWAY AND TRAVELING AT A HIGHER RATE OF SPEED IT COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS. AFTER INSPECTING THE CLUTCH PEDAL I DETERMINED THAT A WELD JOINT ON THE BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE CLUTCH PEDAL COMPLETE BROKE OFF. CLEARLY THIS IS THE RESULT OF POOR DESIGN, POOR WELDS AND POOR METAL THICKNESS. MAZDA CLAIMS THIS PART IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY SO I PROCEEDED TO REMOVE THE BRACKET AND REPAIR THE WELDS MYSELF. FROM WHAT I'VE READ ON THE FORUMS THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE AND I WOULD THINK IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT OCCURS. MAZDA WANTS OVER $500 TO MAKE THE REPAIR WHICH IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. *TR

I'VE BEEN HAVING A COUPLE OF INCIDENTS WHERE MY SAFETY HAS BEEN IN DANGER BECAUSE MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUTS DOWN IN MIDDLE OF ROAD. LAST TIME HAPPENED IN A MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION, BUT IT HAS HAPPENED IN CURVY UPHILL ROADS AND HIGHWAYS, WHERE I HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO ACCIDENTS BECAUSE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN. I AM MORE THAN CONCERNED BECAUSE ITS NOT JUST MY SAFETY BUT THE ONES TRAVELING WITH ME AND THE ONES THAT NOT. MAZDA HAS ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE OF THE 2004 RX-8, BUT IN THE DEALERSHIP THEY ALWAYS MAKE SOMETHING UP NOT TO CHECK IT UNDER WARRANTY. I NEED YOUR INTERVENTION TO DEAL WITH THIS ISSUE. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN INVOLVED IN ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE FOUND ABOUT THE RECALL IN THIS WEBSITE. I HAVE LOST MONEY, AND TIME BUT NOT WILLING TO RISK MY LIFE. I NEED TO KNOW WHAT STEPS TO TAKE ACTION, BECAUSE ALL THEY DO IS DENY THAT'S ITS WARRANTY RELATED EVEN WHEN THEY KNOW ABOUT THE RECALLS THAT RELATED TO THIS PROBLEM, ALL THEY DO IS SELL YOU SPARK PLUGS AND IGNITION COILS (WHICH THEY SAY IS THE CAUSE AND NEVER SOLVES ANYTHING BUT THEIR SALES). THIS HAS TO STOP. ITS NOT FAIR TO PAY SO MUCH FOR A 2004 CAR AND GET BACK SUCH A NIGHTMARE. I NEED TO KNOW WHAT TO KNOW IF I CAN GET A REMEDY UNDER FEDERAL LAWS OF TRANSPORTATION SAFETY. THIS IS SERIOUS. *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY 2004 MAZDA RX-8 ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 60MPH AND WENT TO SHIFT FROM 5TH GEAR INTO 4TH GEAR WHEN I FELT A "POP" AT WHICH POINT MY CLUTCH FELL TO THE FLOOR AND I NO LONGER HAD ANY ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. FORTUNATELY TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT AND I WAS ABLE TO COAST OFF ONTO THE NEXT EXIT RAMP AND PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I CALLED MAZDA ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WHO TOWED THE CAR TO MAZDA BEDFORD. I WAS TOLD THAT THE CLUTCH WAS "BLOWN" AND NEEDED TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED. THE MAZDA FORUM IS FULL OF SIMILAR EPISODES AND I WAS ENCOURAGED TO FILE A COMPLAINT. *TR

MAZDA HAS REPLACED THE ENGINE IN MY 2004 RX8 3 TIMES IN THE LAST 700 MILES. THEY KEEP SAYING BAD ROTARY ENGINE BUT THIS IS TERRIBLE. HOW MANY MORE ENGINES WILL IT TAKE??? *TR

THE CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET BROKE WHILE DRIVING, RENDERING ME UNABLE TO SHIFT I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY STOP THE CAR, BUT ON THE HIGHWAY OR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC THIS COULD HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. *TR

I'M VERY UPSET, I BOUGH MY CAR RX8 2004 ON JANUARY 2009 FROM A MAZDA DEALER AND MY CAR JUST DIED 3 MONTH AFTER BUYING THE CAR, THEY WON'T REPLACE MY ENGINE BECAUSE OF AND AFTERMARKET HEADERS. NOW I UNDERSTAND THAT AFTERMARKET PARTS WILL VOID THE WARRANTY OF THE CAR BUT THE FIRST MONTH I BOUGHT THE CAR WENT TO THE DEALER 5 TIMES AND I HAVE THE RECORD OF THAT, THE KNEW THE CAR WAS DAMAGE AND THEY NEVER REPLACE MY ENGINE NOW THAT I PUT MY HEADERS AND THEY SAW THEM THEY DON'T WANT TO REPLACE IT AND PRETTY MUCH I LOST 13K ON A CAR THAT LAST ME ONLY 3 MONTH AND I'M STILL PAYING THE CAR A MONTH I DON'T HAVE MONEY TO REPAIR THE CAR JUST BECAUSE THEY KNOWING THAT THIS CARS HAVE PROBLEMS AND STILL DON'T WANT TO HELP IF I DON'T HAVE CAR I PROBABLY CAN LOSE MY JOB AND TRUST ME I DON'T WANT THAT BUT I CAN EVEN BUY A NOTHER CAR BECAUSE I'M STILL PAYING THIS CAR I NEED MY CAR FIX AND I WANT SOMEONE TO TAKE ACTION ON THIS, I WILL REALLY WANT TO REPORTS THIS ISSUE TO THE LOCAL NEWS PAPERS AND LET EVERYONE KNOWS ABOUT THIS PLEASE HELP ME HERE I CAN AFFORD TO LOSE MY JOB MY WIFE DOESN'T WORK AND MY SON IS ONLY 2Y AND 5 MONTH PLEASE SOMEONE HELP ME...!!!! *TR

2004 MAZDA RX8 WAS REPAIRED ON 2/27/09 AT HERNANDO MISTUBISHI THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOR GULFVIEW MOTORS, DUE TO THE FUEL GAUGE READING INCORRECTLY AND THE VEHICLE RUNNING OUT OF GASOLINE ON A READING OF A 1/2 OF TANK. ON 2/28/09, AFTER VEHICLE WAS SUPPOSEDLY REPAIRED , THE 2004 MAZDA BROKE DOWN DUE TO IN ACCURATE FUEL READING, A DAY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALSO CAME BACK ON AND HAS CONSISTENTLY STAYED ON. JOHN MORRIS AND LINDA SANFORD WERE BOTH AWARE THAT THIS WAS A MAJOR PROBLEM THAT CLEARLY FAILS THE REQUIRED NYS MOTOR VEHICLE INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED AT MAZDA AND IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF GULF VIEW MOTORS. I HAVE DRIVEN TO SYRACUSE, N.Y. OUT OF MY WAY AND PAYING FOR GASOLINE TO SPEAK WITH MR. PAUL COREY, SERVICE MANAGER FOR MAZDA. *TR

DURING NORMAL DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THE CLUTCH BRACKET OF MY MAZDA RX-8 SNAPPED DURING SHIFTING AND THE CLUTCH BECAME INOPERABLE. THIS MADE CHANGING GEARS IMPOSSIBLE AND CAUSED A SERIOUS HAZARD. APPARENTLY, THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WAS THE USAGE OF WEAK MATERIALS AND POOR QUALITY SPOT WELDS. UPON SOME INVESTIGATION, IT TURNS OUT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AS THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION THREAD SHOWS: HTTP://WWW.RX8CLUB.COM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=132912 TO FIX THE PROBLEM, THE CLUTCH BRACKET WAS REPLACED. IT IS APPARENTLY ALSO POSSIBLE TO WELD THE BROKEN PARTS OR TO INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT BRACKET TO PREVENT THE FAILURE. I DID NOT KEEP THE BROKEN (REPLACED) BRACKET, SO THE OLD PART IS NOT AVAILABLE. *TR

I BOUGHT MY 2004 MAZDA RX8 FROM AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP IN DORAL, FL WITH 53M MILES ON IT, STILL UNDER POWERTRAIN WARRANTY & I PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR 2 YEARS.THE CAR HAS BEEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP 8 TIMES (THAT IS AVERAGING ONCE A MONTH) SINCE PURCHASE, BACK FOR VARIOUS REASONS INCLUDING: ENGINE LIGHT ON, COOLANT LIGHT ON, AND THE MOST IMPORTANT AND DANGEROUS-LOCKED POWER STEERING! OF THE 8 TIMES, 4 OF THOSE ARE FOR THE POWER STEERING LOCKING ON ME, EITHER WHEN I START THE CAR, OR WHILE DRIVING, IT'S RANDOM THAT IT HAPPENS, WHEN IT 'FEELS LIKE IT'. I CAN'T TRUST THIS CAR, AND THOUGH THE SERVICE DEPT AT THE DEALERSHIP HAS ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR IT NUMEROUS TIMES, THE PROBLEM HAS NOT SUBSIDED. THE TIMES THAT I START THE CAR AND THE POWER STEERING IS NOT LOCKED, WHILE DRIVING THE WHEEL BECOMES VERY LOOSE, THEN THE CAR SHAKES, THEN THE STEERING LOCKS. I HAVE BEEN LUCKY AND HAVE GOTTEN SAFELY OUT OF TRAFFIC, BUT THE WHEEL IS VERY HARD TO TURN, ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS. I'M OFFICIALLY FILING A COMPLAINT B/C IT SEEMS TO BE A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM, AND I WANT THIS ISSUE RESOLVED. I WOULD PREFER TO HAVE MAZDA BUY BACK THE CAR FROM ME, SINCE, AT THIS POINT, I DON'T FEEL SAFE IN MY CAR, ESPECIALLY TO DRIVE LONG DISTANCES. BUT IF MAZDA CAN REPAIR THE PROBLEM FOR GOOD, I'LL BE SATISFIED. THANK YOU. *TR

I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT THE SUBSTANDARD PERFORMANCE OF A CAR THAT WILL SOON BE KNOW AS THE LIVING COFFIN. THE MAZDA RX8 IS IN MY OPINION A DEATH TRAP. WHILE IN HOUSTON , MY CAR WAS ALWAYS IN THE SHOP BECAUSE IT WOULD STOP ON ME IN BUSY TRAFFIC. NOW I AM IN AUSTIN AND THE CAR STARTED STALLING AGAIN. WHAT DOES MAZDA DO TO REMEDY THIS PROBLEM, THEY SENT OUT A DVD, THAT TELLS YOU HOW TO START THE CAR WHEN IT STOPS. WHILE, I WAS IN DALLAS, I MET PEOPLE ON LINE THAT ALSO HAVE THESE MAZDA RX8'S. THEY TOO ARE DISGUSTED. THIS CAR IS VERY UNSAFE, AND WILL STOP ON YOU AT THE DROP OF A HAT. MAZDA HAS BEEN SECRETLY REPLACING ENGINES, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE WARRANTY IS NOW AT 100,000 MILES. NOW THE CATCH: YOU TAKE THE CAR IN AND WHAT YOU THOUGHT WOULD BE UNDER WARRANTY ENDS UP COSTING YOU MONEY. I HAVE 70,000 MILES ON MY 2004 RX8, AND IT HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE. I HAVE ALSO TALKED TO PEOPLE, THAT ARE UPSIDE DOWN, AND THEN OTHER DEALERS ARE AWARE OF THIS CRAP OF A CAR. I HAVE CONTACTED YOUR AGENCY ONCE BEFORE, AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE, MY NEXT COURSE OF ACTION IS A COMPLAINT WITH THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT. ALL I NEED IS A EMAIL ADDRESS FOR SOMEONE IN YOUR AGENCY, AND I WILL HAVE MANY STORIES. TODAY, MY CAR STOPPED JUST AS I CROSSED LAKE TRAVIS, AND AGAIN AS I ATTEMPTED TO CLIME A HILL. WE RX8 OWNERS NEED HELP. YOU PEOPLE ONLY REACT ONLY AFTER SOMEONE HAS DIED. IT IS OBVIOUS THERE IS A PROBLEM. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS, AND MAZDA IS DOING NOTHING. I NEED HELP AND I NEED IT NOW. *TR

CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET WELD BROKE OFF, WHEN DRIVING. UNABLE TO SHIFT IN OR OUT OF GEARS AND CAR NEEDS TO BE TOW. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA RX8. THE CONTACT NOTICED A FAILURE WITH THE ENGINE ON FOUR DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PROPERLY. SHE ALSO NOTICED A BURNT, RUBBERY SMELL COMING FROM THE PASSENGER CONSOLE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES AND THEY STATED THAT SHE NEEDED A NEW MOTOR. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FIRST MOTOR IN JULY OF 2008 DURING HER THIRD VISIT. THE CONTACT NOTED THAT THE DEALER WOULD ATTEMPT TO REPAIR THE ISSUE, BUT SHE WAS NEVER ABLE TO DRIVE HOME SUCCESSFULLY WITHOUT A FAILURE OCCURRING. SHE WAS RECENTLY INFORMED THAT A SECOND NEW MOTOR WOULD BE NEEDED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 59,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA RX8. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WILL STALL WITHOUT WARNING. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND A MECHANIC STATED THAT FUEL FLOODED THE ENGINE AND CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE ENGINE WAS COMPLETELY REPLACED. IN ADDITION, IT TAKES SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE IN COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE DEALER STATED THAT CONDENSATION WAS PRESENT AND A VACUUM NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED, WHICH WOULD PREVENT WATER INTERFERENCE. THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE EXTERIOR LIGHTING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE WATER ENTRY. FINALLY, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL BEARING FAILED, WHICH ALMOST CAUSED THE TIRE TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43,000. UPDATED 020209 *BF THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARING WAS WORN. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FRONT AND REAR COILS WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 02/03/09. *JB

2004 MAZDA RX8 VEHICLE WOULD NOT START IN COLD WEATHER OR DAMP WEATHER. MANY TRIPS TO DEALER TO NO ONE COULD FIND WHAT WAS WRONG. PROBLEM PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE WOULD ONLY START WHEN IT WANTED TO, FINALLY GOT TO THE POINT THAT IT WOULD NOT START AT ALL. ONCE THIS HAPPENED, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT IT WAS THE IMMOBILIZER MODULE HOWEVER SERVICE TECH'S AT DEALER CAN NOT SAY FOR SURE THAT IT IS THE ONLY PROBLEM. HAVE READ COMPLAINTS FROM OTHERS THAT OWN THIS VEHICLE HAVE HAD SAME PROBLEM BELIEVE THAT IT IS A DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA RX-8. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 30-40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ALL THE GEARS LOST POWER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO REPAIR THE FLUID ISSUES AND HAVE THE SPARK PLUGS CHANGED, BUT THE FAILURES PERSIST. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 40,000.

CLUTCH BRACKET BREAKS OFF WHILE SWITCHING GEARS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY @ 60 MPH HAPPENS TO A LOT OF MAZDA RX8S 2004-2008. *TR

ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WITH NO NOTICEABLE PROBLEMS. CALLED DEALER WHO ADVISED BRINGING IT IN. ON WAY TO DEALERSHIP, APPROX. 4 MILES, CAR BEGAN TO MISFIRE, PRODUCING SMOKE FROM EXHAUST PIPES. BY THE TIME I PULLED INTO THE DEALERSHIP, SMOKE WAS COMING FROM EVERY AREA OF UNDERSIDE OF CAR, AS WELL AS INTERIOR. WIFE FOLLOWING SAID FLAMES WERE COMING FROM BOTH EXHAUST PIPES. CAR ONLY HAS 37,000 MILES, AND ALL DEALER SERVICING WERE DONE SINCE PURCHASE OF VEHICLE. AFTER 2 WEEKS OF CONTACT WITH HOME OFFICE, MAZDA HAS AGREED TO PAY FOR REPAIRS OF EXHAUST SYSTEM, BUT I AM LIABLE FOR PHYSICAL DAMAGE TO CAR WHICH INCLUDES MELTED CARPETING, SPARK PLUGS, ETC. WAS TOLD BOTH COILS WERE THE CAUSE OF PROBLEM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA RX8. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE A CREAKING NOISE WHENEVER THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS A TEAR LINE CRACK IN THE LOWER CONTROL ARM IN THE SUSPENSION. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN 2005 FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V325000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT) AND THE MANUFACTURER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE FOR FREE. THE FAILURE HAS RECURRED, BUT THE MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE ACCORDING TO THE RECALL. HE BELIEVES THAT THE COMPONENT THAT WAS USED TO PREVIOUSLY REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS FAULTY; THEREFORE, THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR WOULD RANDOMLY ILLUMINATE WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. A LOCAL MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A RUPTURED OIL COOLING LINE. DURING THE REPAIR, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE OIL PAN WAS PERFORATED AND LEAKING OIL. THE OIL PAN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE OIL COOLING LINE WAS REPLACED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THIS WAS ALL CAUSED BY RUST. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO FIND A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE, BUT BELIEVED IT SHOULD HAVE ALSO BEEN RECALLED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,000.

MY 2004 MAZDA RX-8 CATALYTIC CONVERTER WENT OUT TWICE IN LESS THAN 1 YEAR. MY PERSONAL MECHANICS SAID TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THAT BLOGS ON LINE SAID THE ENGINE WOULD LOOSE COMPRESSION AND THE ENGINE WOULD GO OUT COMPLETELY. I READ SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THAT VERY SAME THING. THE DEALER SAID THEY WOULD REPLACE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AGAIN. I SAID WHAT ABOUT THE LOW COMPRESSION AND ENGINE FAILURE DOWN THE ROAD. AND THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THAT WHAT THE 100K WARRANTY IS FOR. I DON'T THINK THAT'S RIGHT THEY SHOULD BUY THE CAR BACK FROM ME. IT IS NOT DEPENDABLE. IT IS AT MAZDA CITY OF ORANGE PARK, FL. PHONE # 904-7790600. *TR

TAKING OFF (SMOOTHLY) FROM A TRAFFIC LIGHT, I ACCELERATE THE CAR TO 15 MPH AND BEING TO SHIFT IN 2ND GEAR. AS I DEPRESS THE CLUTCH PEDAL I HEARD A LOUD THUD AND REALIZED THAT MY CLUTCH PEDAL HAD COMPLETELY SNAPPED OFF AT THE FRAME OF THE CAR. I WAS IN CITY TRAFFIC WITH NO WAY TO SHIFT THE CAR BACK INTO GEAR (I HAD ALREADY PULLED THE GEAR SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR). I MANAGED TO COAST THE CAR TO A PARKING LOT BUT BECAUSE OF THIS FAILURE OF EQUIPMENT - TRAFFIC WAS BACKED UP FOR AT LEAST A 1/2 MILE. 1. EVENT THAT LEAD TO FAILURE: NORMAL OPERATION 2: THE FAILURE: CLUTCH PEDAL 3: THE REPAIR: NEW CLUTCH PEDAL ASSEMBLY. *TR

I'M HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY 2004 MAZDA RX8 I HAD A REPLACE ENGINE ON MY CAR AND THE CAR HAD A ENGINE FLOODED BEFORE AND NOW LAST NIGHT DOESN'T WANT 2 START AND THERE'S ARE A FEW RECALLS FOR THIS CAR AND I WANT 2 TAKE ACTIONS WITH MAZDA. *TR

ONE NIGHT WHEN I WAS LEAVING WORK I TRIED TO REVERSE OUT OF MY PARKING SPACE AND MY CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE. AFTER TRYING OVER AND OVER THE CLUTCH FINALLY ENGAGED AND I WAS ABLE TO BACK OUT. A FEW BLOCKS LATER I WAS AT A STOPLIGHT TRYING TO GET THE CAR INTO FIRST GEAR AND SAME THING HAPPENED. I FINALLY GOT HOME AND TOOK A LOOK UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER SIDE DASH AND LOOKED UP TO SEE ONE OF THE WELDS ON THE CLUTCH PLATE HOLDING THE CLUTCH PEDAL IN PLACE HAD BROKEN. I AM WAITING TO SEE IF A FRIEND WHO IS A PROFESSIONAL WELDER CAN RE-WELD IT BECAUSE THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP WHERE I LIVE DOES NOT WELD ANYTHING AND WILL ONLY REPLACE THE WHOLE UNIT, WHICH I CANNOT AFFORD. *TR

CLUTCH PEDAL BECAME SOMEWHAT LOOSE AND START MAKING LOUD SQUEAKING NOISES ON MY MAZDA 2004 RX-8 6SP MANUAL WITH APPROX ~37K MILES. CLUTCH BRACKET ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY IN MARCH 2007. NOW AT 50K MILES I HAVE SIMILAR SYMPTOMS AGAIN! *TR

I HAVE BEEN READING ARTICLES ON THE RX8CLUB WEBSITE REGARDING CLUTCH PEDAL BREAKING. I TOOK MY CAR IN TO GET CLUTCH REPLACED AND ON THE WAY INTO REPAIR SHOP, CLUTCH PEDAL BROKE. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP, TO HAVE CLUTCH AND CLUTCH PEDAL REPAIRED. *TR

I WAS LUCKILY PULLING UP TO A STOP SIGN AND PRESSED THE CLUTCH AND HEARD A LOUD SNAP. I THEN PUT IT IN FIRST GEAR, WENT TO SHIFT TO SECOND AND THE CLUTCH PEDAL WAS GONE. I PULLED OVER AND GOT OUT AND FOUND THE CLUTCH PEDAL STUCK BEHIND THE BRAKE PEDAL. I WAS EXTREMELY ANGRY AFTERWARDS REALIZING HOW DANGEROUS THIS COULD HAVE BEEN. WHAT IF I WAS MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN AND COULD NOT FIND THE CLUTCH?? I AM ALSO UPSET THAT MAZDA TOLD ME THAT I YES ME! HAD TO PAY $470 TO GET THIS PROBLEM THAT SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN FIXED. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS EVER, NO MATTER HOW OLD A CAR IS THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN!!! I CANNOT AFFORD $470 TO FIX THINGS LIKE THIS THAT SHOULD NEVER BREAK. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER AS I HAVE FOUND ON RX8CLUB.COM THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS CAR!! UNACCEPTABLE!~ *TR

OWNER OF AN 2004 RX-8. THE VEHICLE HAD 8,000 MILES AT TIME OF PURCHASE. WITHIN 2,000 MILES OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE, WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN. MAZDA REPLACED THE SENSOR SYSTEM. THEY STATED THAT THE KEY BECAME UNPROGRAMMED WHILE DRIVING? THE CAR WAS WORKED ON AT PREBEL MAZDA IN GEORGIA. MY CAR NOW HAS 26,000 MILES. I TAKE VERY PARTICULAR CAR WITH THE MAINTENANCE OF THE CAR. LAST FRIDAY NIGHT, I SHUT MY CAR OFF AND IT WOULDN'T RESTART. AFTER SOME RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND THAT MOST ALL RX-8 MAZDA'S HAVE THIS SIMILAR ISSUE. I AM CURRENTLY PAYING OUT OF POCKET, TO HAVE TEST RUN TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. THERE IS A BIG CHANCE THAT THE VEHICLE WILL NEED IT'S ENGINE REPLACED. DUE TO A RECALL "COMPRESSION" ISSUE BY MAZDA. I AM VERY UPSET THAT I HAVE A VEHICLE WITH MAJOR MANUFACTURER DEFAULTS. *TR

MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE DEALERSHIP FOR RECALLS ECT. LAST NIGHT I STARTED MY VEHICLE AND STARTED TO LEAVE, BACKING OUT OF PARKING LOT AND THE THROTTLE STARTED TO SURGE. I STOP TURNED IT OFF AND IT STOPPED. I PULLED OUT ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND WHEN SHIFTED INTO 2ND GEAR THE THROTTLE STUCK AND WAS RACING BETWEEN 3500 AND 4000 RPMS. I PUT THE CLUTCH IN AND IT PEGGED OUT ON THE RPM GAUGE, I MANAGED TO NOT HIT ANYONE OR ANYTHING AND PULLED OFF HIGHWAY CALLED MAZDA FOR ASSISTANCE, I SHUT VEHICLE OFF AND STARTED IT BACK UP AFTER A FEW MIN TO SEE IF IT RESET ITSELF, STARTED IT BACK UP AND IT JUST SURGED AND STUCK BETWEEN 3000 AND 4000 RPMS. I'VE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE BUT NOTHING LIKE THIS AND FRANKLY I WAS VERY LUCKY. I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE ANY INPUT OR INQUIRY ON THIS MATTER, NEEDLESS TO SAY I DON'T TRUST MY CAR ANYMORE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA RX8. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CLUTCH PEDAL BEGAN SQUEAKING. THE CLUTCH PEDAL BRACE FAILED AND WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR AT ALL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CLUTCH PEDAL WAS BENT, NOT BROKEN AND THEY COULD REPLACE OR WELD THE PART. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 37,700.

DRIVERS SIDE OIL COOLER LINES HAVE METAL SECTION AND CONNECTOR AS THEY PASS FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT TO WHEEL WELL. THIS METAL SECTION HAS CORRODED THROUGH AND PRODUCED A HOLE IN THE METAL OIL LINE ALLOWING ENGINE OIL TO BE SPRAYED ONTO BRAKE SYSTEM, FRONT TIRE AND RIM, AND CONSEQUENTLY UNDER REAR TIRE TRACK. THIS RESULTED IN HARD PULLING TO RIGHT (PASSENGER SIDE) UNDER STIFF BRAKING, SKIPPING AND LOSS OF TRACTION OF FRONT LEFT (DRIVERS) TIRE DUE TO OIL SOAKED CONDITION AND LOSS OF TRACTION OF LEFT REAR TIRE FROM TRACKING IN OIL PATTERN. MAZDA CANADA HAS ISSUED SPECIAL SERVICE PROGRAM (SSP 76) FOR THIS ISSUE. MAZDA EUROPE HAS INITIATED A SIMILAR PROGRAM, THERE IS NO US RECALL OR SSP AS OF THIS DATE. SSP REPLACES EFFECTED PARTS AND PROVIDES FOR REDESIGNED WHEEL WELL LINER TO PROTECT OIL FITTINGS FROM CORROSIVE ROAD SALTS AND WATER. *TR

DRIVING HOME WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN THE VEHICLE STOPPED DEAD IN THE ONCOMING LANE. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 3 TIMES BEFORE WITH NO INDICATION FROM THE DEALER AS TO THE CAUSE OR SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM. ACCORDING TO REPORTS ON THE INTERNET MANY COMPLAINTS HAVE INDICATED THAT AROUND 28,000 MILES THE ENGINE WAS REPLACE DUE TO LACK OF COMPRESSION. *TR

2004 MAZDA RX8 WITH WATER MIXING IN WITH THE OIL. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE MECHANIC STATED THAT WATER IN THE OIL WAS NORMAL AND HOW THE VEHICLE VENTED. THERE WAS RED ANTIFREEZE IN THE VEHICLE AND GREEN ANTIFREEZE SHOULD HAVE BEEN USED. *KB THE DIP STICK WAS COVERED IN A HARD, CRYSTALLIZED, ORANGE/WHITE SUBSTANCE. THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND STEAM EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE THERMOSTAT HAD MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT BECAUSE THE WRONG ANTI-FREEZE HAD BEEN USED, THERE MAY BE FUTURE COOLING ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE. *JB

I HAVE A 2004 MAZDA RX8 WITH ONLY 51,000 MILES ON THE CAR. I RECENTLY, WITHIN THE LAST MONTH OR TWO, NOTICED A SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE PEDAL AREA. I THOUGHT I JUST NEED SOME LUBE OR WD40 DOWN THERE TO STOP THE NOISE. THIS WAS NOT THE CASE! YESTERDAY, WHILE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, I GO TO ENGAGE THE CLUTCH TO PUT INTO FIRST GEAR AND TAKE OFF, AND I HEAR A POP. I COULDN'T GO ANYWHERE, I COULDN'T GET THE CAR IN GEAR OR MOVE AT ALL. SOMETHING HAD HAPPENED AND I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT. WHILE IN THE MIDDLE OF A HUGE INTERSECTION I AM IN A STATIONARY POSITION WHILE CARS ARE PASSING ME. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE SOMEONE STOP AND HELP ME PUSH THE CAR DOWN THE STREET, WHERE A LOCAL MAZDA DEALERSHIP WAS. MAZDA TECH'S TAKE A LOOK AT IT AND TELL ME MY CLUTCH BRACKET IS BROKE! I THEN PROCEEDED TO ASK THEM TO SEE IT FOR MYSELF BECAUSE I COULDN'T BELIEVE A CAR WITH SO LITTLE MILES ON IT COULD HAVE THIS HAPPEN. IT WAS TRUE, I SAW FOR MYSELF THAT IT HAS SNAPPED OFF AND WAS NOT STABLE. NOW I HAVE TO PAY NEARLY 700 DOLLARS TO REPLACE THIS FAULTY PART! THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY MATTER FOR THE MAZDA RX8 AND THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY MAZDA AND FIXED IMMEDIATELY! I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE AT A STAND STILL WHILE IN THE CAR AND TO FIND SOMEONE TO HELP ME OFF THE ROAD. THIS MAY NOT BE THE CASE FOR OTHERS IF MAZDA DOES NOT FIX THIS FAULTY PART. I WILL BE CONTACTING MAZDA CORP AS WELL, BUT COULD PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS SITUATION AND TRY TO HAVE MAZDA ADDRESS THIS ASAP. THANK YOU! *TR

I BOUGHT A 2004 MAZDA RX8 BRAND NEW IN EARLY 2005 FROM THE DEALER. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED IN FOR REPAIR OVER 10 TIMES. THEY HAVE TRIED TO FIX IT EACH TIME. THEY EVEN HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE AFTER ONLY 23,000 MILES. NOW LOOKS LIKE I WILL NEED ANOTHER ENGINE. THEY HAVE HAD NUMEROUS RECALLS ON IT. IT HAS STALLED ON ME BEFORE BUT THE OTHER DAY IT ALMOST COST ME MY LIFE. IT STALLED DUE TO HOT WEATHER WITH ON COMING TRAFFIC. I NEARLY HAD A HEAD ON COLLISION. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I FIND THAT IT HAS YET MORE RECALLS ON IT FOR SAME PROBLEM OF STALLING. THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE CAR. I READ ON DIFFERENT FORUMS OF ALL THE HORROR STORIES OTHERS ARE HAVING WITH SAME PROBLEMS. THE DEALERSHIPS ARE TRYING TO SAY THERE IS NO PROBLEM OR THAT ITS SOMETHING WE DID AND TRY TO CHARGE US TO REPAIR THEIR DEFECTS. SOMETHING HAS GOT TO BE DONE BEFORE PEOPLE ARE KILLED. I NOW FIND OUT THAT NO ONE WANTS TO TAKE IT IN ON TRADE FOR FAIR VALUE. MAZDA SOLD THIS CAR BEFORE IT WAS READY FOR PRODUCTION AND THEY SHOULD BUY IT BACK AT FAIR VALUE. THEY NEED TO GET THEM OFF THE ROAD BEFORE ITS TO LATE. PLEASE HELP PUT PRESSURE ON THEM TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT. *TR

THE 2004 RX8 HAS INTERNAL SEALS FAIL PREMATURELY. THIS CAUSES THE ENGINE TO "BLOW" BY A LOSS OF COMPRESSION IN ONE OF THE TWO ROTOR CHAMBERS. THE PROBLEM BEING THE CAR WITH STILL RUN WITH HALF POWER. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE TO FIND HELP OFF THE HIGHWAY. THE ROTOR THAT IS NOT WORKING IS DUMPING GAS INTO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. BY THE TIME I PARKED, I COULD SMELL BURNING FIBER AND PLASTIC AND THE EXHAUST SHOT OUT SEVERAL LARGE CHUNKS OF RED HOT CERAMIC MATERIAL. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS BRIGHT ORANGE AND THE ENTIRE UNDERSIDE OF MY CAR IS MELTED. LOOKING ON INTERNET UNDER "2004 RX 8 ENGINE FAILURE" I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL OTHER STORIES WITH SIMILAR RESULTS BUT WORSE. IS IT POSSIBLE THAT THE FUEL TANK COULD EXPLODE WITH SUCH HEAT SO NEAR IF YOU CONTINUED TO DRIVE. THIS HAPPENS ANYWHERE FROM 12,000 MILES TO 100,000 MILES AND BEYOND. MAZDA KNOWS OF THE ENGINE DEFECT AND HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THE MOTOR AS OF MAY 2008. MY CAR IS AT HANCOCK MAZDA IN DALLAS. THEY SAID DAMAGE AMOUNTED TO $9,500.00 FROM HEAT. *TR

I HAVE A 2004 MAZDA RX-8. THREE TIMES WITHIN THE LAST SIX MONTHS (SINCE DECEMBER 2007) I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER BECAUSE ALTHOUGH THE CAR WOULD START, IT WOULD NOT "CATCH" AND FIRE UP. THE DEALER SAYS THAT IT IS A PROBLEM PARTICULAR TO THE 2004 RX-8 (NO OTHER YEAR OF THIS MODEL HAS THIS PROBLEM). THEY SAID THE ENGINE GETS FLOODED IF THE CAR ISN'T RUN "HOT" FOR AT LEAST 1/2 HOUR (LIKE IT CAN HAPPEN IF I JUST RUN TO THE GROCERY STORE AND BACK). THEY SAID THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE 2004 RX-8. IF THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM, WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A RECALL TO REPAIR IT? IT COSTS ME OVER $150 EACH TIME IT HAS TO GO IN, NOT TO MENTION LOST HOURS AT WORK BECAUSE MY CAR WON'T START. *TR