2004 Mazda RX-8 fuel system problems

Filed Oct 13, 2026 · Fuel system · 70,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2004 Mazda RX-8. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being serviced at Valvoline for a scheduled oil change, the contact was informed that fuel was leaking. The contact was advised not to drive the vehicle. The dealer was contacted and notified of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where a diagnostic evaluation revealed a fractured fuel system discharge pipe. The contact was informed that the fuel pump required replacement. The contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 17V354000 (Fuel System, Gasoline), which was completed on the VIN in 2009. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the repair was not covered under warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

Filed May 8, 2026 · Fuel system · NY

No worries — here it is trimmed to under 2,000 characters: I am reporting a recurring safety defect on my 2004 Mazda RX-8 (VIN: [XXX] a repair under the federal safety agency Recall 1017E (Fuel Pump Ring / Discharge Pipe). Recall 1017E was completed on my vehicle on September 19, 2017. The same fuel leak has since recurred, with fuel vapor now entering the passenger cabin. Only a few thousand miles have been driven since the recall repair. The vehicle is currently at Della Mazda, Queensbury, NY at approximately 72,000 miles. On May 8, 2026, I contacted Mazda Customer Experience Center. Mazda confirmed the dealer submitted a pre-authorization request for recall coverage, which Mazda corporate denied, stating the recall was previously completed and further repairs are my responsibility. I have a chat transcript documenting this. A recall remedy that fails to correct the covered defect should not be considered complete. I am requesting the federal safety agency review whether Recall 1017E has produced recurring failures, direct Mazda to honor the recall remedy, and advise on available consumer reimbursement. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Dec 23, 2022 · Fuel system · 86,000 miles · UT

The contact owns a 2004 Mazda RX-8. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, he noticed a strong gasoline odor originating from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump was fractured and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 17V354000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the recall repair failed to fix the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they would follow up with him. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.

Filed Aug 2, 2021 · Fuel system · OH

Fuel fumes are leaking into passenger compartment and leaking from tank. Previous recall failed to fix

Filed Feb 22, 2021 · Fuel system · TX

Recently purchased the car from someone else and noticed that the cabin smells like fuel. I thought maybe he spilled some inside it but it's been a week and the smell is still there. I don't know why and I'm worried about the car catching fire or me getting carbon monoxide poisoning.

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 22, 2019 · Fuel system, Steering · 152,500 miles · CA

While driving on the highway,the power steering of the vehicle failed snd 2 made it extremely hard to steer. I've heard others have this same problem but mazda has not addressed it

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 Nov 27, 2018 · Fuel system, Steering · 138,000 miles · CA

Steering wheel violently shakes upon turning and now on straight-away driving. Has been smelling of excessive gas for over 4 years upon start up, despite dealer correcting recall issue with fuel pump discharge pipe.

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.