2004 Mazda RX-8: engine failure

Filed Mar 29, 2023 · Engine · NV

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

Filed Feb 28, 2019 · Airbags, Engine · TX

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 death. If the airbags werent an issue, I cant drive the car because the engine looses compression and power and can put the driver in a very dangerous situation in traffic, and finally if all else were functioning, the exhaust can overheat the fuel tank cause explosion and/or fire. At one point the interior of my trunk melted. My car has zero value because of mazda and takata.

Filed May 8, 2018 · Airbags, Engine · TX

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 open the door of the vehicle because according to the notices I have received, there is no way to know when or what might cause the airbag to deploy. I really cannot put a specific date on when the issues occurred, other than the service records for engine replacements up until the 100k mark. At 102k mazda refused to replace another engine that had gone out.

Filed Aug 25, 2017 · Engine · TX

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.

Filed Jun 12, 2017 · Engine · 80,000 miles · OH

Car experienced engine failure. Engine received proper care and oil changes every 3000 miles. Certified mazda mechanic determined the issue was due to engine failure due to faulty apex seals. Because of this the car immediately lost engine power and could not be driven. Was required to buy new engine. The vehicle was stationary at the time.

Filed Jul 28, 2015 · Engine · 134,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 mazda rx-8. When attempting to start the vehicle, the engine failed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be rebuilt or replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 134,000.

Filed May 26, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 108,000 miles · WI

I purchased the car in 5/14/2013 after a week or so it started to lose power and misfiring , popping noise, transmission warms up. The gear that I hold and shift just warms up all the time it feels like it might fire up. Then I took the car to a mechanic they couldn't do anything. I took it to mazda mechanic they charged around 900$. Then it didn't fix anything I went another one and they told me loss compression it was 115 that time. I kept driving it and they said I need to rebuild the transmission too.. I paid this car 6500. And now it s all bad. And apparently I need to buy new engine and transmission. I believe it will cost me about 6000$ .now its on 129,000miles.

Filed May 23, 2014 · Engine · CA

On 2/9/12 my 2004 mazda rx-8 was brought in for engine replacement as part of a recall. Since the engine replacement the clutch is engaging at different places or sticking to the floor. On 3/30/12 the car was taken back to dick edwards manhattan for "...when clutch is engaged there is a funny noise coming from transmission & there is a vibration." it was misdiagnosed and not fixed. The car was taken back to the dealership on 6/26/12 because "when using clutch that the first half of the pedal is empty and the second half engages but if you try to shift in the middle it will get stuck and not come out." it was misdiagnosed & not fixed. On 10/26/12 it was taken to overland park mazda & it was found that "clutch was sticking to the ground and traced to the master and slave cylinder..." it was misdiagnosed & not fixed. On 11/9/12 the car was brought to overland park mazda to "bleed clutch and adjust free play from clutch pedal push rod to make clutch pedal more responsive." the problem was still not fixed. In 8/13 I bought the car in kansas city, mo. Since then I had the clutch diagnosed at rick's performance in california who found "play in the engine crankshaft - the flywheel is moving back and forth over 1/2 inch" & concluded that the engine replaced in the recall on 2/9/12 at dick edwards manhattan was defective and that a part had been left out of the engine during assembly. I took the car to ken harvey's dublin mazda in dublin, ca and they confirmed the diagnosis by rick's performance & recommended mazda replace the engine as it shows signs of internal damage. However, mazda refused to replace the engine as it is outside of the 1 year/12,000 mile warranty even though it had been brought in for service 4 times within the warranty but was never fixed. Also, only 9k miles have been put on the car in that time frame.

Filed Nov 28, 2012 · Engine, Lights · CA

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.

Filed Nov 10, 2011 · Engine · NY

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.

Filed Oct 24, 2011 · Engine · 28,000 miles · NC

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).

Filed May 27, 2011 · Engine · 40,000 miles · AL

Engine failure, loss of power, multiple episodes.