2004 Mazda RX-8: misfire or rough idle

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 Jul 19, 2019 · Driver assistance, Engine · 56,000 miles · NC

Multiple trouble codes all at once after not having any trouble codes after a long period. As of now 56,000 original miles. Traction control improperly functioning causing vehicle,s maximum speed to 3 MPH. Multiple misfire,s with new spark plug, new spark plug coil packs and new spark plug wires. Gasoline leak not yet narrowed down to specific location. No engine power after shifting to 2nd gear. Check engine light is constantly on however will go out for no more than 2 days. Very strong gasoline odor inside of the vehicle after startup. Loss of engine compression. Goodness knows what is next!!!

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 Jun 30, 2010 · Engine, Steering · 40,833 miles · CA

My 2004 mazda rx-8 only has 53,000 miles on it and is again in the shop due to manufacturer-related engine failure. This is the second time in less than 1 year I've been left stranded in hazardous circumstances because of engine failure. I've also experienced power steering failure and loss of engine compression/engine misfires while driving on multiple occasions. As a result, I'm becoming increasingly concerned for my safety, as well as for the safety of others who own/operate this type of mazda vehicle. Please consider organizing a class-action lawsuit against mazda to hold them accountable for putting many valuable lives at risk.

Filed Mar 16, 2010 · Engine · 45,000 miles · IL

I own a 2004 mazda rx8 and have never had more problems with a car in my life. Shortly after buying it, it would not start, had it towed to dealer, they could not find a problem. Have had to have it towed 8 times now because it stalls when coming to a stop or when taking off. It has sat all winter due to not starting. My had sweat just thinking about driving this car and I will only take back roads, one near miss on the highway was enough for me to stay off and stay on back roads, at least then I have some chance of getting it to the side of the road. My car has been in the shop so many times I have lost count although I have all of the repair orders. They did replace the engine, but it still runs rough, now the engine lite is on again!!!! This is the only car I have to drive and I can not trade it in because all the dealers know about the car and will not give me even one half of what I paid for it. I have seen so many complaints on this car for so many reasons and can not believe the car itself has not been recalled. They should buy them all back for what we paid for them mine was $23,000. Why aren't you doing what you have done to toyota??????? I am going to die in this car!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You ask for approximate incident date, well I have about 20 of them and you only allow one.

Filed Dec 24, 2008 · Engine · 37,250 miles · CA · fire

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.

Filed May 15, 2008 · Engine · 49,000 miles · IA

I bought my 2004 rx-8 used with 48,000 miles on it. One month after purchasing the engine started to run rough, especially noticeable while at a stop light or sitting at an idle. Was told I had a compression variance in the engine and that it would have to be replaced. Undisclosed to me at the time of purchase was the fact that this car had already had the engine replace previously. I now have a car that is on its 3rd engine in 52,000 miles.

Filed Aug 5, 2007 · Airbags, Engine · 16,000 miles · FL · 1 injury

Engine failure, purchased car 3/11/2006, a couple of weeks later the car started idling roughly, then stalling, the computer module has been replaced twice, the engine once, I still have problems with acceleration, the last incident happened last week 7/29/2007, I was in the center lane pulling out into the passing lane and the car lost all power but did not stall my head was slammed forward almost hitting the stirring wheel and a few seconds later shot off like a rocket slamming my head back against the drivers seat, causing my neck to whip lash I have had a bad headache since, and I was almost hit by a big diesel truck. The car is in the shop again getting the oil and tires changed, and also getting checked for this problem but they are saying they could not find anything on the road test. Well it happens to me quite often when I go to pass someone on the interstate, it hesitates before it kicks in and someone is going to get killed. I am paying for a car that spends more time in the shop than out. I bought it 3/11/06 it stayed in the shop almost continually until 7/18/2006, and I was making payments. Now it is starting all over again with the rough idle and hesitation. I am getting to the point that I want my money back and I'll give them the car back. I am getting to scared to drive it. Now I find out today about other recalls the control arm I was not aware of, I guess that is why my car is starting to pull hard to the right, now I have to have that taken care of. I have moved 350 miles away and I can't leave until my car gets fixed and out of the shop, this is starting to be bull!!! Someone needs to do something I have a friend who also has an rx8 we purchased ours on the same day and she is having the same problems and hers is a 2006 where mine is a 2004, so mazda hasn't fixed the problem.

Filed Nov 10, 2006 · Engine · 9,700 miles · OH

Purchased a 2004 mazda rx8 during may 2004. Aug. 2004 the car was in for a recall on hard start/ lack of power issues. Since then the car has been out of service for 24 days and has required 8 trips to the service dept. For engine related problems. Subsequently, the PCM was shipped to mazda USA for a reprogram. This solution did not work and the engine had to be replaced. The symptoms include power loss, hesitation, rough idle, and cel light problems. Initially, I was told this was a high speed lean out condition. Actually, this vehicle had a defective engine from the day it was purchased. This is confirmed by the fact mazda has extended the warranty on all rx8 rotary engines and there is a recall on all rotary engines for testing to see if the engine needs replacement. Unfortunately, this fix may or may not work. Other owners have had multiple engine replacements. My car has started to exhibit the same symptoms that LED to the first replacement. Also, the engines are remanufactured further reducing the resale value of the car. The treatment from the dealer and mazda USA customer mediation is actually "customer no service" and a disgrace. In a press release rx8 owners were guaranteed "white glove treatment". It appears that the only remedy seems to an attorney and/or the lemon law.