2004 Mazda RX-8: jerking or lurching

Filed Feb 11, 2024 · Steering · GA

The electric power steering randomly pulls hard to one side while driving. There are brief spasms of forceful jerks each jerk is 1-2 seconds the series of jerks lasts 10-20 seconds and usually stops with power steering failure all while driving.

Filed Oct 10, 2019 · Steering · 83,000 miles · CO

While driving my 2004, mazda rx8 the electric power steering module failed, and jerked the car aggressively to the left into the oncoming lane of traffic. The force was so strong that it caused momentary loss of control. Fortunately, there wasn't any oncoming traffic at that moment on that particular stretch of road. When reviewing the mazda forum there were several other owners that experienced the same loss of control or failure. Additionally, mazda had power steering assist recalls for the same problems, ref. Mazda3/mazda5 power steering recall notification 6010h.

Filed Nov 18, 2017 · Steering · 85,000 miles · TX

Synopsis: power steering going crazy at highway speeds. Starting approx 2 years ago, the power steering would shudder, or jerk back and forth, when turning the steering wheel (somewhat sharply), for several minutes after the car was started. This happened exclusively in cold weather, and at low speeds. Once the car was in motion for a few minutes, the behavior would cease. The colder the weather, the stronger the jerking (it seems). However, a few weeks ago, the steering exhibiting the "normal" amount of shudder, and then stopped as usual. But a few minutes later when I was traveling on a highway (at highway speeds), in relatively straight line, the steering suddenly began violently jerking back and forth. Needless to say this was disconcerting. I was able to control the car using both hands (I am a strong athletic male). The event lasted about 5-10 seconds. I have researched this behavior when I first noticed it a few years ago, and there are numerous reports online about the shuddering behavior at startup. One such thread (there are many) is here: https://www.rx8club.com/series-I-trouble-shooting-95/steering-wheel-shakes-mornings-219210/ and a video showing the behavior is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xzsrxwth8s&feature=youtu.be&t=1s all of the reports indicate it happens in the first few minutes of operation, then the steering is fine. So I was not overly concerned. But this last episode at highway speeds was very scary, and I think warrants immediate investigation. Thanks, rick

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 Mar 27, 2017 · Steering · 124,000 miles · MN · crash

There has been countless times where I am driving and my steering just wants to fail. Ok so now it fails and sometimes, without warning, jerks my wheel one direction. If I am not paying attention I could easily sideswip another car. It has done it while driving 55 MPH and I have hit the center medium bending my rim and destroying my tire. I have brought it into the dealership and they can never get it with the light on. I have paid for two diagnostics where they have not been able to diagnos the issue. The one time I got it in they were able to see the light but once they plugged their stuff in it disappeared. They then said the terminals just needed to get cleaned charging me for that and less then 1 day later the issue was back. Sometimes it also does just fail when sitting stationary as well and the wheel just starts turning itself and eventually the light comes on. Please help in fixing this issue.

Filed Feb 9, 2015 · Steering · 70,093 miles · MO

Car turns left way too easy. Also car will pull left really hard and jerk out of my hands at higher speeds.

Filed Jan 2, 2015 · Steering · 95,000 miles · TX

In early 2012 I started to notice that when the weather was cold my steering wheel would shudder as I backed out of my driveway. After a the initial wheel turn the problem would disappear until the next day, or week. Throughout the years the problem has gotten worse to the point that the power steering failed all together for 3 months in late 2013. Inexplicably the power steering returned in early 2014, but if the temperature was cold the steering was very heavy for a few degrees of turning and then the car would sense I had turned the wheel a few degrees and would then assist too much and the vehicle would jerk in that direction. As the year progressed the problem changed to a constant shake back and forth when I first started the vehicle. This issue would happen at speeds ranging from 0-10mph and only when either initiating a turn or while unwinding the wheel from a turn. I have had problems in the past couple of months, as the temperature has fallen again, when driving straight and entering a gradual curve in the road (travelling at any speed) the wheel will not give power steering assist and the wheel is very difficult to turn (compared to if power assist was working correctly) and then after a couple of degrees the assist will jump in and the car quickly over corrects and vehicle veers in the direction of the steer necessitating immediate correction in the opposite direction. There appear to be many complaints from a loyal mazda fan base about this exact issue, and how several people have nearly had an accident, but there has been no response from mazda. There seems to be no exact fix issued, not even a service bulletin.

Filed Jun 5, 2013 · Engine · 93,700 miles · KY · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 mazda rx-8. The contact stated that while at a stop light, the vehicle started to shake and jerk forward. The contact accelerated and the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact restarted the engine but black smoke was seen from exhaust. The vehicle was unable to be driven. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local mechanic, who stated that the engine had experienced an internal fire. The mechanic advised the contact that the entire engine needed to be rebuilt. The contact reported the failure to the manufacturer but they provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 93,700.

Filed Mar 15, 2013 · Steering · 84,000 miles · TN

Power steering jerks and shuts down while driving. Very dangerous. Also while setting still steering wheel did a complete 360.

Filed Apr 28, 2012 · Steering · 70,000 miles · NY · crash · 1 injury

On april 3,2012 at 10pm in buffalo ny. I was driving my 04 rx8 around a bend at 35mph. I experienced a jerk/twitch in the power steering. The indicator light came on instantly I lost the steering sending me into the front of a steel divider of a train bridge. I was taken to ecmc by ambulance. I luckily only suffered minor injuries to my back neck ribs head and shoulder. I am not one to sue nor am I'm going to pursue any legal action against mazda. I will say my airbags did not deploy my car was considered totaled $10,000 in damage. I just thought anyone looking to buy an rx8 should read on numerous sites that this malfunction is an extremely common problem that mazda is aware about but still does not wish to post a tsb or a recall. Love the car but have lost faith in mazda. Sincerely unhappy owner.

Filed Jan 31, 2010 · Steering · 50,000 miles · NJ

This is regarding a 2004 mazda rx-8 with about 65,000 miles. Power steering on car works ok when car first started. After about 15 minutes (and usually by the time I hit the highway) the car will jerk itself to the left and back to the right very sharply, almost causing loss of control of the car on at least three occasions. After jerk, steering light will light on dashboard and no power steering assist is available. Power steering has also gone out in the middle of a turn, also almost causing loss of control of vehicle. I found out through rx8club.com that this is a common problem with this car, and the dealership wants to charge upward of $2,000 to fix this problem.

Filed Nov 10, 2009 · Transmission · 56,000 miles · 00

Driving down the road, attempt to change into 3rd gear and my clutch pedal dropped right to the floor, which caused my car to jerk into the next lane as I wasn't expecting my foot to have freefall. After stopping the car, I found that my clutch pedal mount had broken away from the assembly causing my clutch to be unable to disengage entirely. The assembly will have to be replaced or welded to return to regular functionality.