Mazda RX-8 years to avoid
More than twice the RX-8's typical complaint count for a model year.
Best Mazda RX-8 years
Not enough model years on the road yet to compare.
Mazda RX-8 complaints by model year
Owner complaints by model year. Newer years have had less time on the road, so expect them to grow.
Most common Mazda RX-8 problems
All model years combined.
- Transmission235
- Engine188
- Airbags114
- Steering111
- Fuel system72
- Electrical45
- Body34
- Visibility31
- Acceleration27
- Suspension22
- Brakes17
- Lights13
Most reported problems on the Mazda RX-8
Stalling 63Engine failure 54Check engine light 38Grinding brakes 37Power steering loss 32Loss of power 28Won't start 26Fuel pump 23Jerking 17Ball joint 17
Mazda RX-8 problems year by year
Tap a year to see its problems, recalls and what owners say.
| Year | Score | Complaints | Top problem | Typical mileage | Recalls | Crashes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 94 | 4 | Fuel system | 3 | 1 | ||
| 2010 | 92 | 5 | Airbags | 4 | 0 | ||
| 2009 | 90 | 8 | Acceleration | 39,600 | 4 | 0 | |
| 2008 | 84 | 17 | Airbags | 73,000 | 5 | 0 | |
| 2007 | 70 | 38 | Airbags | 72,000 | 5 | 2 | |
| 2006 | 56 | 60 | Airbags | 63,000 | 5 | 1 | |
| 2005 | 19 | 162 | Transmission | 62,000 | 6 | 6 | Avoid |
| 2004 | 5 | 490 | Transmission | 67,900 | 10 | 17 | Avoid |
Recalls 14
Questions about the Mazda RX-8
What years of the Mazda RX-8 should you avoid?
2004 and 2005. Each has more than twice the Mazda RX-8's typical number of owner complaints for a model year; 2004 alone has 490, mostly about transmission and engine.
What is the best year for a used Mazda RX-8?
There are not enough model years on the road yet to compare.
What is the most common problem with the Mazda RX-8?
Transmission, with 235 complaints across all years, followed by engine (188) and airbags (114).
How many recalls does the Mazda RX-8 have?
14 recalls between 2004 and 2011. The 2004 model year has the most, with 10.
VIN decoder
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Buying a used Mazda RX-8?
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