2004 Mazda RX-8: ball joint or control arm failure

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 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 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.

Filed Aug 24, 2010 · Suspension · 110,683 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 mazda rx8. The contact was attempting to change a tire when the ball joint fractured in his hand. The vehicle was taken to a local repair facility where repairs were made to the ball joint. The manufacturer advised that the vehicle was serviced by the previous owner under the federal safety agency recall campaign id number: 05v325000 (suspension lower ball joints) in 2005 and would not provide any assistance. There were no further repairs. The failure and current mileage was 110,683.

Filed Dec 5, 2008 · Engine, Suspension · 8,000 miles · NY

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 mazda rx8. While driving 15 MPH, the vehicle made a creaking noise whenever the steering wheel was turned. He took the vehicle to a local repair shop and the mechanic stated that there was a tear line crack in the lower control arm in the suspension. The contact received a recall notice in 2005 for the federal safety agency campaign id number 05v325000 (suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint) and the manufacturer repaired the vehicle for free. The failure has recurred, but the manufacturer refuses to repair the vehicle according to the recall. He believes that the component that was used to previously repair the vehicle was faulty; therefore, the manufacturer should be responsible for the repairs. The check engine indicator would randomly illuminate while driving various speeds. A local mechanic stated that the vehicle experienced a ruptured oil cooling line. During the repair, the technician noticed that the oil pan was perforated and leaking oil. The oil pan needed to be replaced; however, the oil cooling line was replaced. The mechanic stated that this was all caused by rust. The contact was unable to find a recall for the failure, but believed it should have also been recalled by the manufacturer. The approximate failure mileage was 8,000 and current mileage was 42,000.

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 Dec 21, 2005 · Suspension · 9,800 miles · OK · crash · 1 injury

Hi, I want to report a control arm failure on my 2004 mazda rx-8 that resulted in an accident and minor injury. I was driving the car on december 7 in oklahoma city and after completing a right hand turn at approximately 30 MPH, I was accelerating away when the right front control arm separated at the ball joint resulting in loss of control. The car spun around and went over a 10" curb with all four wheels and struck a highway sign. I suffered a jammed right thumb and hyper-extended right shoulder, with no medical attention needed. The vehicle was towed to bob moore mazda in edmond oklahoma where it remains with parts on back order. Interestingly the vehicle had just been to the dealer on or about october 15 and the inspection recall on the control arms was performed. I personally think that the recall should be replacement of all suspect control arms and not just an "inspection.

Filed Nov 10, 2005 · Engine, Suspension · 16,400 miles · TX

I received 2 safety recall notices on my rx8. I took the car to the dealer where I leased the vehicle and I thought they corrected and/or inspected the problem. Over the course of the past 60 days, the service I have received has been unsatisfactory and I have been lead to believe that the dealer may not have addressed the safety recall issues. (cracked ball joint and heat insulation). I have a check engine light problem and I think they don't know what to do, to the point they will replace the engine. This will inevitably cause my vehicle to lose value.