2005 Mazda RX-8 transmission problems

54 complaints (33% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 70,263.

owner complaints: 54
of this car's complaints: 33%
typical mileage: 70,263
crashes: 0
recalls: 0

Which part fails

Manual transmission
22
Clutch assembly
7
Clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)
5

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

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

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 2005 Mazda RX-8 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jun 18, 2021 · Steering, Transmission · TX

The steering wheel sometimes its hard to control sometimes its normal and when going fast the steering is so loose like there's a gaps that you need your two hands on the steering all time and the weels Weigel at high speed 60mph. its hard drive the car on the freeway And everyday use i already spend $2800 at the dealership get fix but never get fix The car no accident to be like that. Car has 80k mileage

Filed Oct 11, 2019 · Brakes, Transmission · 110,200 miles · TX

The clutch pedal assembly bracket breaks at the spotwelds which also breaks the clutch master cylinder and lukily this broke while starting the car

Filed Jul 7, 2018 · Acceleration, Transmission · 150,000 miles · CA

Clutch pedal bracket broken under normal conditions. I went to push the clutch in to downshift at highway speeds to over take a slower vehicle and it snapped with an audible "pop" and I couldnt shift into the lower gear and my rpms, went to idle at highway speed. Had it broken at a different time, I could have been locked into a certain gear and ha to break fast or crash risking the lives of my occupants and the occupants of another vehicle

Filed Jul 21, 2016 · Transmission · 95,003 miles · PA · 1 injury

Driving my mazda rx8 last night on a local highway shifting from fifth to sixth gear the clutch pedal gave way and doing 65mph and stuck itself under the brake pedal had to shut the car off and hit the e brake to stop. Lucky im not dead.

Filed Aug 22, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 98,000 miles · MI

Oil cooler coupling severely rotted to the point of failure (hoses looked fine just the coupling areas). Warranty will not cover parts and mazda has recalled in canada (special service #76), which is 30 miles from my home but will not do anything to help me in the states. Repair cost is over $1300 for new lines.

Filed Jul 2, 2014 · Suspension, Transmission · 80,000 miles · FL

Clutch bracket snapped while at stop sign. Unable to get car into gear.

Filed May 4, 2014 · Acceleration, Fuel system · 82,480 miles · CA

As I'm driving my clutch pedal gets stuck when it hits the floor and wouldn't up back up on its own and I would have to use my foot to tap it under to go back up. Clutch pedal seems to be leaking oil also. Also at times when I'm wanting to change gears the shift knob would grind gears. If I'm going at a fast speed it often keeps me from shifting to fifth gear and I would have to jump to sixth instead.

Filed Jan 14, 2014 · Transmission · 94,950 miles · CA

I was on my way to buy some food supplies for weekend. I was looking for a parking lot at low speed, so when I stepped onto the clutch pedal to put back to neutral and parked suddenly I heard a crack. At that time I did not know what it was until 30 minutes of shopping later, I started the engine and felt a little odd about the pedal clutch. The clutch pedal was function a little odd when I stepped into the pedal, I felt like it didn't release completely. Fortunately, I made a the way home and checked. When I got home and it snapped off.

Filed Jan 12, 2014 · Transmission · 124,000 miles · NY

As I was shifting into 4th gear, my clutch pedal mad an odd loud "cracking" sounds and ever since then, my pedal is very loose and has a lot of play and engages very low to the floor. It also has very little pressure now.

Filed Sep 10, 2013 · Transmission · 99,700 miles · FL

As I was pressing my clutch pedal to place my car into first gear, I heard and felt a snap in the clutch. I then noticed that my clutch would not fully disengage and I had trouble placing my car into gears and out of them. Once I arrived home I examined my clutch and noticed that the bracket had snapped. I contacted the mazda dealership and I was told my car was no longer covered by the warranty and I would have to replace the part out of pocket for a flaw that mazda created.

Questions about the 2005 Mazda RX-8 transmission

Does the 2005 Mazda RX-8 have transmission problems?

Owners have filed 54 complaints about the transmission of the 2005 Mazda RX-8, 33% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.

At what mileage do 2005 Mazda RX-8 transmission problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 70,263 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2005 Mazda RX-8 transmission?

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

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).