2004 Mazda RX-8: stuck in gear or won't shift

Filed Mar 29, 2023 · Engine · NV

Engine naturally wears out especially after 200k miles due to friction in the natural design of the Rotary engine, resulting in losing its overall function such as turning off in the middle of a drive due to loss of compression from worn Apex Seals of the Rotary. The rotary engine requires a replacement of the Apex Seals to continue functioning normally to avoid any unpredictable accidents due to engine failure. An event occurred where my RX-8 went into limp mode in the middle of the freeway as i was commuting due a misfire from poor compression, this is more then likely a common event nowadays for RX-8 owners starting at the S1 2004 models with newer models soon to follow the same incident as me. This is completely unsafe especially traveling at 65 MPH

Filed Jul 27, 2010 · Transmission · 112,000 miles · 00

For a week or so prior to failure, I heard a squeak coming from the clutch. Had car in to change tires, mechanic noted clutch pedal was soft and advised I have it looked at the next day. On the way home clutch pedal kicked over to the right and I wasn't able to engage clutch & shift,stuck in 2nd gear. Lucky for me I didn't get in a collision, was rolling through a busy intersection, was able to get to a parking lot and stalled and stopped the car. Reset clutch pedal red greened it and limped it home till I had it fixed a couple of days later.

Filed Jun 26, 2010 · Transmission · 70,000 miles · AZ

2004 mazda rx8 manual transmission. The clutch pedal bracket has ripped at the upper outboard bolt to firewall. The clutch pedal return spring inboard retainer clip has broken off,outboard clip is intact but has multiple fractures. The return spring has worn into the bracket about 7 mm. Vehicle owner stated there was a snap like noise and the pedal fell to the floor. The vehicle lost its ability to shift. I have verified that the vehicle will not shift into any gear.. Unless you have it in first when trying to start it. Even with clutch pressed in, the starter will force the vehicle forward. The bracket to firewall tear is about 3 inches long.

Filed Mar 25, 2010 · 94,000 miles · NJ

Clutch pedal bracket snapped and cannot go into any gear. Got stuck in a stop light unable to shift into gear immediately...when I was able to (after 1min of trying to get into gear), I couldn't get out of it immediately (took 15secs)...very dangerous considering if I was on a highway and got stuck in gear while exiting...luckily I wasn't

Filed Oct 27, 2009 · Acceleration, Transmission · 63,000 miles · CA

1. Clutch pedal felt about a 1/2" low (as if hydraulic fluid had an air pocket and needed bleeding) about two blocks before failure. 2. I was stopped at a light behind 3 cars in the right hand lane, shifted into first when the light turned green; accelerated very slowly and tried shifting to second gear but the pedal made a snapping sound and went to the floor, the engine stalled and the transmission was stuck in first until I let the car roll back a little and got it in neutral. I was stuck in a major intersection and there was gridlock, lots of honking and yelling and a few cars came very close to having accidents. I pushed my car to the edge of the intersection and waited for the tow truck. The tow truck had to have smaller pickup brought in to winch my car out of the intersection because he said it was unsafe to set up the tow right in the middle of the intersection. 3. My car was towed to my mechanic and after inspection he said it would happen again to a new pedal from mazda. He was surprised it lasted for 60k miles. After some research I ordered a reinforced clutch pedal bracket assembly from here: http://www.fluidmotorsports.com/p-188-transmission-and-accessories.aspx turns out here are three aftermarket companies manufacturing reinforcements, mazsport, bhr and race roots; each has their own design and they are selling hundreds of them because all the pedals fail in 40 - 80k miles.

Filed Oct 13, 2009 · Transmission · 95,000 miles · NM

I was driving and notice my transmission would not shift into reverse. I had to shut off the car to get it in reverse. I then took it to a dealer and they said my slave cylinder was out. So they replaced it. Later I received a phone call telling my clutch pedal assembly bracket was also broke. Which may have been the result in my slave cylinder to fail. The bracket was broke on the left bottom bolt pattern that connects to the firing wall. I am glad this did not happen or completely brake off while I was driving for this could have been a possible fatal accident. I am putting in for this because apparently I am not the only one having this bracket brake. It seems to be on the same side as everyone else is describing. As the pedal brakes it leans or brakes to the right which heads towards the brake pedal itself.

Filed Nov 17, 2008 · Transmission · 46,000 miles · WA

One night when I was leaving work I tried to reverse out of my parking space and my car would not go into reverse. After trying over and over the clutch finally engaged and I was able to back out. A few blocks later I was at a stoplight trying to get the car into first gear and same thing happened. I finally got home and took a look underneath the driver side dash and looked up to see one of the welds on the clutch plate holding the clutch pedal in place had broken. I am waiting to see if a friend who is a professional welder can re-weld it because the mazda dealership where I live does not weld anything and will only replace the whole unit, which I cannot afford.

Filed Sep 30, 2008 · Transmission · 37,700 miles · NC

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 mazda rx8. While driving 50 MPH, the clutch pedal began squeaking. The clutch pedal brace failed and would not shift into gear at all. The dealer stated that the clutch pedal was bent, not broken and they could replace or weld the part. The failure and current mileages were 37,700.

Filed Feb 23, 2008 · Transmission · 40,136 miles · TX

Clutch pedal started squeaking, clutch pedal brace broke and car won't go into gear at all, ordering a new clutch pedal.