2004 Mazda RX-8 transmission problems

154 complaints (31% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 69,600. 1 crash reported.

owner complaints: 154
of this car's complaints: 31%
typical mileage: 69,600
crashes: 1
recalls: 1

Which part fails

Manual transmission
75
Clutch assembly
19
Clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)
15
Automatic transmission
5
Manual transmission: floor shift assembly
2
Driveline
1
Clutch assembly: bell housing
1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k

25k-50k

50k-75k

75k-100k

100k-125k

125k-150k

150k-175k

175k-200k

200k+

Mazda RX-8 transmission problems in other years

Specific symptoms reported on the 2004 Mazda RX-8 transmission

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Jerking 13 Won't shift 9

Related recalls

Power train: manual transmissionReported February 17, 2004 · 12,000 vehicles affected

What is wrong: On certain passenger vehicles with manual transmissions, the heat insulator may be cracked causing abnormal noise.
Risk: Continued operation of the vehicle can cause the insulator to come off and could pose a hazard to following vehicles.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the heat insulator. The recall began march 5, 2004. Owners should contact mazda at 1‑800‑222‑5500.

Recall number 04V075000 · Recall details

Related investigations

Clutch pedal bracket failureOpened September 23, 2009, closed August 19, 2010

On September 23, 2009, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation to investigate allegations of the clutch pedal bracket failures in MY 2004 - 2006 Mazda RX8 vehicles.In response to an information request letter sent by ODI, Mazda stated that the failure mechanism may be related to an improper fastener attachment sequence to the body.The improper sequence may create a distortion of the pedal bracket and create a stress amplitude during pedal usage that may go beyond the wear out limit of the bracket.Mazda stated that the percentages of vehicles experiencing the defect is low at approximately 1% of the vehicle population projected to 10 years in service based on analysis of warranty claim data that best represented the alleged defect.In terms of risk to motor vehicle safety, Mazda stated that the failure is progressive with warning manifested in noise and difficulty in shifting gears prior to complete failure of the bracket.Mazda also stated that when a bracket fracture occurs the clutch pedal may lean towards the brake pedal however gear shifting becomes impossible prior to any contact of the clutch pedal to the brake pedal. ODI is not aware of any crashes associated with a clutch pedal bracket failure in the subject vehicles.ODI's analysis of warranty claim data provided by Mazda yielded failure rates of approximately 3% projected over 10 years in service. ODI's analysis of Vehicle Owner Questionnaire (VOQ) data complaint indicates that approximately 5% of the VOQ complainants allege they were unable to get out of the roadway as a result of a clutch pedal bracket failure.None of these incidents occurred on a highway. Approximately 7% of the complainants alleged a contact condition after a clutch pedal bracket failure of the clutch pedal to the brake pedal. None of these complaints noted difficulty in getting the vehicle stopped.Mazda has informed ODI that it will conducted an Owner Notification of an extended warranty coverage program increasing the clutch pedal assembly warranty to 8 years and limited at 100K miles for model years 2004 through 2009 RX8 vehicles.A safety-related defect trend has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will continue to monitor this issue and will take further action if warranted by the circumstances.

PE09045

What 2004 Mazda RX-8 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Feb 10, 2020 · Transmission · 140,000 miles · OK

Clutch pedal broke driving down the road

Filed Mar 8, 2019 · Transmission · 109,369 miles · IN

Driving down the road and came to a stop light, engaged the clutch heard a pop and haven't been able to get into gear since.I was in the middle of traffic and was nearly rear ended cause the couch wouldn't disengage to but it in great cause the bracket had broken completely.

Filed Feb 7, 2019 · Transmission · 112,000 miles · CA · crash · 1 injury

As I pressed my cars clutch to change gears (6 speed manual ) while driving on my regular sunday drive in a city street, I heard and felt a very loud explosion and noises of metal pieces ejecting from under my car. I was in the 60km/h zone so was not speeding or going fast such as on a freeway etc. I was able to pull over safely while rolling as the engine had been disabled in the explosion. I could feel my left foot was in extreme pain. My car would not start. I feared that the engine had blown up. My car is very well maintained and serviced regularly with no modifications. What I discovered was that the transmission had detonated, the gearbox bell housing was torn apart (got pictures to prove it) and I found parts of the clutch in many tiny pieces all over the roads. The clutch was replaced by mazda 30,000kms ago and at a mazda dealership using oem clutch kit. The force of the gearbox explosion was so great that the clutch pedal impacted my left foot and shattered the bones of the left foot in pieces (yes I was wearing thick soled sneakers) and caused severe trauma to my foot in general. At the hospital, the surgeons words were " it looks really bad". I was operated on and titanium plates and 4 screws were inserted to try to hold my shattered bones in place. 8 months and a lot of hospital visits later, I am still recovering from the day. I had further surgery few weeks ago to perform a bone graft because one break wasn't healing. I have approached mazda regional head office. Initially mazda contacted me via phone asking for details of the crash. I sent them photos via email. I have not heard from them since. I then also contacted the dealership. They promised to ring back and they too, have stopped. It's been difficult to find a lawyer who can see the obvious problem, that a vehicle should not blow up, or catch fire etc no matter what age it is. Help!

Filed Apr 9, 2018 · Transmission · 82,976 miles · CA

Vehicle in motion (3rd gear). Slowed to make a left turn. Depressed clutch pedal to shift into neutral. Pedal stayed on floor. I pulled it up with my foot and attempted to pump it in an effort to build pressure. With clutch depressed vehicle could not be shifted into gear unless pumped multiple times, then clutch would engage less than 2 inches of travel from floor. Pedal moves back and forth side ways as well..

Filed Jul 31, 2017 · Transmission · 111,000 miles · FL

I was driving down the road and I went to slow down at a light and when I pressed the clutch pedal to engage the brake I heard a pop and my clutch felt like it was shifting to the side and it barely cuts off enough to come out of gear. I inspected the the assembly by looking under the steering wheel and I found that a weld had snapped.

Filed May 20, 2017 · Airbags, Steering · 140,000 miles · VA

"takata recall" my power stering goes out all the time doesnt matter if im sitting still or im going down the high way. It does eventually come back on but does go back off. It also will cause my stering wheel to jurk left and right by itself cause me to swerve in an out of lanes. It got to the point now where I have the power stering unplugged so that it doesnt jerk my wheel while driving. I just need to know if there is a recall that will pay to fix this cause its getting dangerous. Please contact back with any info

Filed Apr 20, 2017 · Transmission · 72,000 miles · IL

The clutch pedal assembly broke where it attaches to the vehicle. This is the second time this has happened. When I bought the card 21 months ago it was broken. I had it replaced by a mechanic with an oem replacement and it has now occurred again but in a different position.

Filed Sep 20, 2016 · Acceleration, Transmission · 102,000 miles · MN

The clutch pedal (already a known problem by mazda, but no recall has yet been announced) cracked while I was driving last year. I was on hwy 13 in minnesota and barely got control of my speed (was barely able to maintain use of the clutch) it sat until I could get it repaired, the same pedal is now craking in another spot, working on getting it repaired before it breaks again, this time will reinforce it.

Filed Jul 19, 2016 · Transmission · 160,000 miles · KS

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 mazda rx-8. When the ignition was started and the accelerator pedal was applied, the gear shifter was activated and the clutch pedal assembly bracket snapped. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.

Filed Apr 14, 2015 · Transmission · 103,800 miles · TX

I was slowing down at an intersection and pushed in the clutch pedal to put the car in neutral and slow down. When I did this the clutch pedal snapped and went all the way to the floor. I was unable to use the clutch to shift at this point. I was lucky enough that I was on a downhill slope so I was able to shift into second gear and get enough momentum to drive the rest of the way home, but I was stalled in traffic until I did get the speed I needed to get into gear.

Questions about the 2004 Mazda RX-8 transmission

Does the 2004 Mazda RX-8 have transmission problems?

Owners have filed 154 complaints about the transmission of the 2004 Mazda RX-8, 31% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.

At what mileage do 2004 Mazda RX-8 transmission problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 69,600 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2004 Mazda RX-8 transmission?

Yes, 1 recall: 04V075000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Mazda RX-8 have bad transmission?

The Mazda RX-8 model years with the most transmission complaints are 2004 (154 complaints), 2005 (54 complaints) and 2006 (13 complaints).