2004 Mazda RX-8 suspension problems

Filed Dec 18, 2018 · Electrical, Steering · 81,500 miles · CA

Electric-assist power steering, randomly in the parking lot the wheel will turn all by itself, one way turns easier than the other, sometimes you have no power steering and other times your steering wheel turns like butter, I live in the mountains with a very windy and dangerous roads, I've taken it to several mechanics finally one mechanic just unplug the wiring harness so there is no power steering. It is very scary to drive especially with a newborn baby. There are a lot of cars on the road with this issue I know 10 different people that have some sort of power steering issue. This is very dangerous and I'm surprised there is not a recall yet on it. I've had two friends that are close to me that have this issue as well, one friend wrecked his car the other friend sold it I believe to pick-n-pull so it would not hurt anyone, please help and maybe help save a few lives, thank you for your time and I look forward to speaking with you

Filed Nov 1, 2018 · Suspension · 124,000 miles · OH

While driving at approximately 45 miles per hour on a rural road, the front passenger ball joint separated from the lower control arm, causing the control arm to first drop onto the inside surface of the front passenger wheel and then onto the ground as the wheel moved out of its normal position. In the process, the passenger side inner tie rod was severely bent, the inside surface of the wheel was badly scored, the tire surface (which contacted the fender) was damaged, and the passenger front fender was bent when the tire contacted it. I spoke with mazda USA, who put me in contact with a local dealer. I towed the car to the dealer and dropped it off. They have replaced both control arms (per the recall) as well as the bent tie rod and passenger front wheel bearing. They also performed an alignment. Mechanically, they have repaired the car. However, mazda is refusing to remedy the damaged wheel or tire or the fender. Since the car has been lowered, their claim is that the fender may not have been damaged on a stock car at stock ride height. They may be right, and the fender damage is minor, so I'm not worried about that. However, since a stock vehicle would likely have suffered the same wheel/tire damage, I was told that if the vehicle had a stock wheel & tire they would replace the wheel & tire since they were both damaged. I'm not even sure what "stock tire" means on a 14-year-old car since any car will have had the tires replaced multiple times since then, but aftermarket or not the failure of the recalled part caused damage to these parts. Besides, with damage to the tread surface of the tire, it is my opinion that the safety of the tire has been compromised (or, at the very least, the life expectancy of what is a nearly new tire has been severely reduced).

Filed Feb 4, 2018 · Steering, Suspension · 100,051 miles · AL · crash · 1 injury

On september 15th, 2016 I had stopped to vacuum out my car at a car wash on highway 11 in attalla, al. Upon leaving the car wash I turned left onto pleasant valley rd at a slow speed in first gear. As I was turning I shifted into second gear I hear a breaking noise and the steering wheel abruptly spun to the left as the car went in a deep ditch flipping onto its roof, then hitting a small culvert and landing on it's side. As I was inspecting the vehicle to see what might have happened, the passenger lower control had broken and the ball joint had separated from the control arm.

Filed Oct 16, 2017 · Engine, Fuel system · 144,000 miles · CT

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 mazda rx-8. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer (modern mazda dodge ram, 68 waterbury rd, thomaston, ct, 06787, 860‑283‑4304) to be serviced per the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 17v355000 (suspension), 16v793000 (fuel system), and 17v354000 (fuel system). The contact was informed that the recall repairs would take one day to complete; however, it took four days. The contact retrieved the vehicle and, while the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle failed to accelerate and the check engine indicator illuminated. The contact took the vehicle back to the dealer and was informed that they would repair the failure. One week later, the dealer stated that the contact could retrieve the vehicle, but then diagnosed that the compressor failed and it would only last approximately two more years. The dealer stated that the engine needed to be replaced. When the contact retrieved the vehicle again, the vehicle failed to start even with a jump. The vehicle was not repaired and was towed to the contact's residence. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures, performed an investigation, and confirmed that the dealer's information was correct. No additional assistance was offered. The failure mileage was approximately 144,000.

Filed May 28, 2015 · Suspension · 120,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 mazda rx-8. While the vehicle was being serviced for routine maintenance, the mechanic discovered that the front passenger side control arm lower ball joint was deteriorating which could cause a loss of power steering. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that the vehicle was previously serviced under the federal safety agency campaign number: 05v325000 (suspension). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

Filed Apr 30, 2015 · Engine, Suspension · 82,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 mazda rx-8. While driving at various speeds, the contact noticed strong exhaust fumes in the vehicle. In addition, while making a left turn at a low speed, the contact heard a loud noise underneath the vehicle. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle failed to remain in position. The contact had to continuously maneuver the steering wheel in order to make the vehicle remain in position. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to diagnose or repair the vehicle. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was previously repaired under the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 05v325000 (suspension) and 05v317000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 82,000.

Filed Aug 25, 2014 · Suspension · 66,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 mazda rx-8. While driving approximately 35 MPH and making a right turn, the contact heard a loud noise and the ball joints separated and fractured. The contact received a recall notification for the federal safety agency campaign number: 05v325000 (suspension). The dealer inspected the vehicle and determined that the recall remedy was not required. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was pending the manufacturer's approval for the recall repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 66,000.

Filed May 14, 2013 · Steering, Suspension · 98,065 miles · PA

Driver came upon a deer and slammed the brakes, missing the deer. While slamming the brakes the front end collapsed upon the left front wheel causing severe front end damage and making the car inoperable. The front end required new left lower control arm, stabilizer bar control link, new shock/strut assembly, new tie rods (inner and outer), new sway bar link and 4 wheel alignment. The original cause of this damage was a crack in the left lower control arm. The lower control arm was the subject of recall # 36261. I was not notified of this recall. Upon talking with mazda ([xxx]... File #[xxx]) on may 14, 2013 I was informed that while this recall did affect other rx8's of the same year, my rx8 was not covered. I believe my rx8 should have been covered under this recall for the simple fact that the damage was caused by the same defective part which was the subject of recall #36261. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Aug 10, 2011 · Suspension · 49,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 mazda rx-8. The contact stated that the front drivers side tire was being replaced by an independent mechanic when the mechanic stated that the front drivers lower control arm was cracked. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer, where the dealer stated that the recall associated with the federal safety agency campaign id number 05v325000 (suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint) was closed and the repairs would be covered under a warranty price. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 49,000 and the current mileage was 50,000.

Filed May 18, 2011 · Suspension · 78,500 miles · FL

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 mazda rx-8. The contact stated that when having the vehicle serviced, a mechanic stated the lower front ball joint was cracked which could result in a crash. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact called an authorized dealer and referenced recall 05v325000 (suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint); he was informed that the vehicle was inspected according to the recall in 2010 and had passed inspection; therefore, no repairs would be performed. The manufacturer had not been notified of the failure. The current and failure mileages were approximately 78,500.