Mazda RX-8 ball joint problems

Filed Jun 26, 2020 · Suspension · IL

There is already a prior recall on lower control arms for earlier made mazda rx-8s. Why are the later models also not included? Is it because the model I have there were not as many made, so not as many left on the road? You can hear a dull pop when turning the corner time. Family member is a mechanic, he advised what this was, and to check for recall . . .well there is one, just for 2004-2008 models, why doesn't the recall include 2009 & 2010 also?

Filed Nov 1, 2018 · Suspension · 124,000 miles · OH

While driving at approximately 45 miles per hour on a rural road, the front passenger ball joint separated from the lower control arm, causing the control arm to first drop onto the inside surface of the front passenger wheel and then onto the ground as the wheel moved out of its normal position. In the process, the passenger side inner tie rod was severely bent, the inside surface of the wheel was badly scored, the tire surface (which contacted the fender) was damaged, and the passenger front fender was bent when the tire contacted it. I spoke with mazda USA, who put me in contact with a local dealer. I towed the car to the dealer and dropped it off. They have replaced both control arms (per the recall) as well as the bent tie rod and passenger front wheel bearing. They also performed an alignment. Mechanically, they have repaired the car. However, mazda is refusing to remedy the damaged wheel or tire or the fender. Since the car has been lowered, their claim is that the fender may not have been damaged on a stock car at stock ride height. They may be right, and the fender damage is minor, so I'm not worried about that. However, since a stock vehicle would likely have suffered the same wheel/tire damage, I was told that if the vehicle had a stock wheel & tire they would replace the wheel & tire since they were both damaged. I'm not even sure what "stock tire" means on a 14-year-old car since any car will have had the tires replaced multiple times since then, but aftermarket or not the failure of the recalled part caused damage to these parts. Besides, with damage to the tread surface of the tire, it is my opinion that the safety of the tire has been compromised (or, at the very least, the life expectancy of what is a nearly new tire has been severely reduced).

Filed May 1, 2018 · Electrical, Steering · 94,000 miles · MO

I had many recalls done last year. Now, today, oliver at mazda corporate said that joe machens dealerships aren't equipped to have done the work properly. Recalls: 16v793, 17v‑354 & 355, front end stearing from inappropriate caulking of ball joint , engine replaced twice, oil mixing with coolant, again, and now my alarm goes off as soon as I start it. Joe machens told me to remove the battery. A new lithium battery is being developed by mazda because rotary engines can't use a regular battery. They had my car for six weeks last year, august, and kept yelling that they didn't have the new, correct parts. My stearing is difficult at times and they never told me about the recall concerning this. The seals deteriorated making issues. Now they are making new gaskets, rings, etc. To be heat resistant. They are fighting me, again, while they have admitted my car needs proper fixing with proper parts from inappropriate work done last year. One corporate worker said maybe a new engine should have been done with proper parts. Yet not at a dealership, at a mechanical shop that knows how to work on rotory engines. My car was parked in my lot. I had my oil checked to have fluids changed with valvoline because of their offer for 150,000 miles on engine if using their oil. I couldn't go forward with this because of the same issues . Oil foamy, alarm goes off, faulty light they knew about also. It worked before they did recall work on it. It is not safe for fire hazard, stearing difficulty, goes through a lot of oil since they worked on it. Ignition switch recall they never did. Were supposed to contact me when parts arrived. I will need to fax you paperwork. Many pages. Also shows how they x'd out one recall concerning gaskets. I couldn't check the boxes as I wished to report.

Filed Feb 21, 2018 · Steering · 109,000 miles · SC

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 mazda rx-8. While driving 65 MPH, the contact noticed that the power steering indicator illuminated as the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the highway. The vehicle was turned off and then restarted approximately 20 times before the contact was able to regain full control. The dealer (midlands mazda, 655 broad river rd, columbia, sc 29210) stated that the vehicle was known for having a ball joint issue and it could possibly be due to the rack and pinion. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 109,000.

Filed Feb 4, 2018 · Steering, Suspension · 100,051 miles · AL · crash · 1 injury

On september 15th, 2016 I had stopped to vacuum out my car at a car wash on highway 11 in attalla, al. Upon leaving the car wash I turned left onto pleasant valley rd at a slow speed in first gear. As I was turning I shifted into second gear I hear a breaking noise and the steering wheel abruptly spun to the left as the car went in a deep ditch flipping onto its roof, then hitting a small culvert and landing on it's side. As I was inspecting the vehicle to see what might have happened, the passenger lower control had broken and the ball joint had separated from the control arm.

Filed May 28, 2015 · Suspension · 120,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 mazda rx-8. While the vehicle was being serviced for routine maintenance, the mechanic discovered that the front passenger side control arm lower ball joint was deteriorating which could cause a loss of power steering. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that the vehicle was previously serviced under the federal safety agency campaign number: 05v325000 (suspension). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

Filed Aug 25, 2014 · Suspension · 66,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 mazda rx-8. While driving approximately 35 MPH and making a right turn, the contact heard a loud noise and the ball joints separated and fractured. The contact received a recall notification for the federal safety agency campaign number: 05v325000 (suspension). The dealer inspected the vehicle and determined that the recall remedy was not required. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was pending the manufacturer's approval for the recall repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 66,000.

Filed Jun 4, 2013 · Suspension · 17,000 miles · LA · crash

On may 7, 2013, I brought the vehicle to paretti mazda of metairie because a fluid was leaking from somewhere near the driver's side rear tire. The service tech told me they would take care of it and directed me to enterprise rental for a rental car. About an hour after I obtained the rental car, the service tech called me and told me that the driver's side rear shock had completely failed and was leaking fluid from the upper seal and that the passenger side rear shock had also failed, but was not leaking that much fluid. He told me the car was driveable and asked that I return the rental car and pick up my my vehicle, which I did. The service tech told me he was ordering the rear shocks. On may 9, 2013, I received an automated call from the dealership stating that my parts had arrived. Shortly thereafter, I called the service tech, who asked if I could drop the car off on monday, may 13, 2013, for the repairs. I expressed concern to the service tech that when I drove over the slighest imperfection in a road, the rear end would make a loud noise, which was rear end suspension bottoming out. The service tech assured me that the car was fine, and that I could drive it over the weekend. Later that evening, around 8 p.m., I drove into the driveway of my house and the driver's lower side control arm failed and sheered off where the strut connects to the lower control arm. I managed to get the car out of the street and fully into the driveway.

Filed May 14, 2013 · Steering, Suspension · 98,065 miles · PA

Driver came upon a deer and slammed the brakes, missing the deer. While slamming the brakes the front end collapsed upon the left front wheel causing severe front end damage and making the car inoperable. The front end required new left lower control arm, stabilizer bar control link, new shock/strut assembly, new tie rods (inner and outer), new sway bar link and 4 wheel alignment. The original cause of this damage was a crack in the left lower control arm. The lower control arm was the subject of recall # 36261. I was not notified of this recall. Upon talking with mazda ([xxx]... File #[xxx]) on may 14, 2013 I was informed that while this recall did affect other rx8's of the same year, my rx8 was not covered. I believe my rx8 should have been covered under this recall for the simple fact that the damage was caused by the same defective part which was the subject of recall #36261. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Aug 10, 2011 · Suspension · 49,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 mazda rx-8. The contact stated that the front drivers side tire was being replaced by an independent mechanic when the mechanic stated that the front drivers lower control arm was cracked. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer, where the dealer stated that the recall associated with the federal safety agency campaign id number 05v325000 (suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint) was closed and the repairs would be covered under a warranty price. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 49,000 and the current mileage was 50,000.