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2004 Mazda RX-8 visibility problems

16 complaints (3% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 37,600. 1 crash reported.

owner complaints
16
of this car's complaints
3%
typical mileage
37,600
crashes
1
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Defroster/defogger/HVAC system: windshield: electrical heating element
    2
  • Defroster/defogger/HVAC system
    2
  • Rearview mirrors/devices
    1
  • Defroster/defogger/HVAC system: heater core
    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 visibility problems in other years

20042005200620072011

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2004 Mazda RX-8 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed May 5, 2011 · Visibility · 24,000 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 mazda rx8. The contact stated the climate control knob failed and when the air conditioner was engaged, the heat would activate instead and vice versa. The contacts was advised by his personal mechanic that there was a failure within the climate control unit and it would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 24,000. Updated 07/08/11*lj the consumer stated it took four visits to the dealer for them to fix the defetive heater/ AC controls. Updated 10/26/11

Filed Apr 11, 2011 · Electrical, Visibility · 75,000 miles · FL

My visor literally fell off the car which shut down the radio. And now the car is starting funny. I need help soon.

Filed Jun 3, 2010 · Visibility · AL

2004 mazda rx-8 passenger side sun visor slipped at the seams and dropped and would not stay back up. This impaired my vision while driving making seeing out the right side of the car through the front minimal. I had to hold it up while making turns or crossing roads with traffic arriving from the right. I could not repair the visor and had to remove it in order to drive the vehicle safely.

Filed Apr 28, 2010 · Transmission, Visibility · 37,728 miles · NY

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 mazda rx8. While driving at approximately 15 MPH, the clutch pedal broke and the contact could not shift; he had to be assisted to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealership where the clutch pedal bracket was replaced at the contact's expense. The sun visor also broke twice; the first time, it was replaced under warranty. The vehicle had not been repaired for the sun visor failure at the time of the complaint. The failure mileage was 37,728. The current mileage was approximately 38,400.

Filed Apr 1, 2010 · Transmission, Visibility · 37,600 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 mazda rx-8. While driving approximately 10 MPH, he engaged the clutch and the pedal extended to the floor. He stated that the engine stalled and he had to push the vehicle onto the emergency lane. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where the clutch pedal assembly was replaced. The contact had not called the manufacturer when the complaint was filed. The current mileage was approximately 37,800. The failure mileage was approximately 37,600. Updated 06/08/10. *lj the consumer also stated the driver side sun visor broke and obstructed his vision. Updated 08/11/10

Filed Nov 4, 2009 · Visibility · 60,000 miles · MD

2004 mazda rx-8: while attempting to swing driver side sun visor down for use, the sun visor separated at the top molded plastic seam edge and no longer stays in upright position, blocking driver's vision. Visor had to be forcible removed from roof attachment stem since it hung in complete down position, creating a driving hazard if it would be allowed to remain. It could not be swung to side as this blocked the side vision. Visor was rarely used, so failure was not due to wear or neglect. This is second occurrence for exact same problem. Last occurred approximately 2.5 years ago, and was replaced by mazda under the original car warranty at no cost. The vehicle is now beyond the original warranty period and beyond the 12 month part replacement warranty. When requesting this repair recently through the at local mazda dealer to be covered as a latent defect at no cost, explaining this was second occurrence, the service writer took information and stated he would try to have mazda cover repair again. Contacted service writer on 11-4-09, he stated mazda denied my request to have the repair covered at no cost. I have a current request into mazda USA at 800‑222‑5500 again requesting relief for the repair. This formal complaint is being filed since this is the second occurrence for the exact same problem.

Filed Aug 23, 2009 · Visibility · 32,000 miles · SC

I have an rx-8 and the drivers side sun visor just fell off. And I rarely use. It appears to have separated around the edges or came unglued. The mazda dealer will not replace because my is an 04' with 32,000 miles is not under warranty, even though it on the tsb.

Filed Aug 5, 2009 · Lights, Visibility · 57,000 miles · MA

The part number of the item is mazda part #fe03-51-21yd and #fe03-51-22yc. This part is installed in the mazda's vehicle the rx8. The part started to fail at around 57,000 miles within just less than two months after the warranty expired and 7,000 miles after the vehicle's manufacturer warranty expired. This part should be considered a safety component because it presents a dangerous threat to both drivers and passengers occupying the vehicle during failure and mazda is claiming that it is not. The reason why is that when this parts fails to function properly the headlight beams cannot be regulated properly in order to see safely. Instead what will happen is that the lights will not adjust to the correct height and will not illuminate the road so that the driver cannot see ahead of the vehicle. On my vehicle specifically when the incident occurred and re-occurred I could not see no further then a range of ten to fifteen feet from my vehicle. In the research I've done I've read in the forums that this is extremely common in all the models built within the time period of 2004-2007 built before the date of november 15, 2006 (before they redesigned the part).

Filed Jan 27, 2008 · Visibility · 38,000 miles · WY

The heater control units are failing on mazda rx8. When driving the air goes hot to cold back and forth. If you move the knob back and forth you can get your heat back. I have had windows fog up because the heat has gone out. I have contacted mazda and they will not address it. I am not the only person this affects. If you do a search on rx8club.com you will see all the failures.

Filed Nov 14, 2007 · Visibility · 3,000 miles · CO

Ac and general cabin temperature problems. I am having a combination of problems with the heating and cooling of the car. In the summer when it is very hot there is a noticeable "pulsing" or on/off symptom of the cold air generated by the AC. I timed it and very cold air comes out of the vent for about 30 - 45 seconds. Then it is followed by about the same duration of regular air (the AC seems to shut off) so on hot days you get a pulse of cold followed up by a pulse of warm air. The effect is that the cabin heats up and the AC cannot keep up with it. It the winter when it is cold out there is a different issue. It seems that the vents are allowing outside air to get into the mixture. In the winter ice cold air is being mixed in with the heat which has the same effect where the heater cannot keep up with heating the cabin of the car. There is also an annoying feature on the defroster. You cannot defrost the window with inside air as soon as you turn on the defroster it flips the outside air vent open. So when it is very cold you have to chose between seeing out the wind shield and freezing or heat the cabin and the wind shield fogs up. I have taken the car in three times and have since gave up. The tech's obviously cannot or will not fix it. The tech actually had a thermometer in the vent of the car and of course the car is inside the garage in the shade. So he pops in the thermometer and comes back and checks it a - ok. I gave them a detailed description, do you think they took the car out and drove it when it is above 85 degrees outside? Nope

Questions about the 2004 Mazda RX-8 visibility

Does the 2004 Mazda RX-8 have visibility problems?

Owners have filed 16 complaints about the visibility of the 2004 Mazda RX-8, 3% of all its complaints.

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

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 37,600 miles.

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

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

Other 2004 Mazda RX-8 problems

Transmission 154Engine 139Steering 80Airbags 50Fuel system 39Electrical 33Body 20Suspension 17Acceleration 11Lights 8Brakes 6Locks 4Driver assistance 3Tires 3Seat belts 2Wheels 2Seats 1

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