Mazda RX-8 engine failure problems

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 Mar 29, 2019 · Engine · 88,862 miles · OH

I took my rx in to get power steering issues fixed just to find out that the oil cooler lines were rusting out which is also a recall in other parts of the world but not the us. In the upper states this can be a massive problem if oil starts spraying all over the motor and the ground it could cause environmental, and safety hazards to other people on the road. If gone unnoticed it could easily cause engine failure and potential fires from the motor while on the road which no one wants, there's no reason this recall should not apply to the us, atleast the northernmost states.

Filed Feb 28, 2019 · Airbags, Engine · TX

Takata recall I received a call regarding an 'escalation' of my recall and when I called back the individual on the phone said they could not find my information. The last time I tried to get my rx8 repaired I was told I have to drive the car over an hour to the shop to get airbag fixed - this is after I received a very graphic postcard showing and telling me how I will be injured or killed if I don't get my car repaired. I am trying to get this car repaired, however I will not drive this car over an hour in heavy traffic in south texas heat and humidity in order to make the required 100% compliance easy for takata there are multiple other recalls on this car, including on the engine that I have replaced 4 times. Dealers were told to install the old engines that were in their inventory and not install the new design. The old engines continued to loose compression over time and even though mazda extended the warranty to 100k on the vehicle, eventually I exceeded 100k - and the 4th engine went bad @102k. Mazda never replaced the engine with an engine that did not have compression issues. The dealers used the same engine and mazda waited for consumers to exceed the 100k mileage and then refused to provide any further assistance. I have a beautiful rx8 that is basically a rolling chasis because it will not run, overheats the fuel system (can explode or catch fire), and airbags that can injure or kill me at any moment. I cant even open the door on this car for fear of injury or death. If the airbags werent an issue, I cant drive the car because the engine looses compression and power and can put the driver in a very dangerous situation in traffic, and finally if all else were functioning, the exhaust can overheat the fuel tank cause explosion and/or fire. At one point the interior of my trunk melted. My car has zero value because of mazda and takata.

Filed May 8, 2018 · Airbags, Engine · TX

Takata recall after responding to numerous notices regarding this recall and the deadly danger of the airbags, mazda still insists that I drive the vehicle an hour away and in heavy city traffic to have the service done to correct the airbag issue. In addition, for years the engine had compression issues and I found out that after replacing the engine 4 times under warranty, mazda was replacing the engine with the same engine that has compression issues after a time. I was told that I could buy a $7,000 gen ii engine that did not have compression problems, or take the replacement with the potential for compression issues as a warranty repair. They were able to deplete their stock of bad engines by using them as replacements, and as soon as my warranty expired I still have a faulty engine which also keeps me from safely driving driving for service work. The engine will loose compression and power in traffic and cause a safety issue. I keep my vehicles well past the 100k mark because I take care of them and keep them on the road. However, that has not been the case with this car, due to a combination of mazda's bad faith method of replacing faulty engines, and the potentially fatal airbag issue. Apparently the car also has issues with the exhaust overheating and causing a fire hazard, which I have never been notified of. Although a beautiful car that I would love to be able to drive, this vehicle is unsafe in more than one way and has a current value of $0. Im even afraid to open the door of the vehicle because according to the notices I have received, there is no way to know when or what might cause the airbag to deploy. I really cannot put a specific date on when the issues occurred, other than the service records for engine replacements up until the 100k mark. At 102k mazda refused to replace another engine that had gone out.

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 Apr 19, 2018 · Engine · 75,000 miles · NH

My vehicle experienced a defect known to mazda to the extent of them issuing a recall (or ssp) in the canadian market due to use of corrosives and excessive wet seasons causing build up on and corrosion of the oil cooler lines. Mazda clearly stated in the canadian ssp (#76) that extensive corrosion could cause a leak and/or loss of pressure, and knowing that a loss of pressure or a significant amount of oil while the car was in operation would cause drastic mechanical engine failure by way of burning out the seals/rotors/bearings and eventual seizure or total loss of compression in the motor. The loss of oil pressure due to corrosion directly resulting from this caused my apex seals to overheat and no longer provide a seal to allow the motor to hold compression. Due to this failure directly caused by the known defect, and the fact that the issue was put in place for canada due to their high propensity for extended wet seasons and high use of corrosives to alleviate wintery conditions on the roadways, mazda should also have issued regional or case-by-case recalls of vehicles that experience this same defect in areas of the united states that experience similar conditions. Had I been travelling on the highway and not on a 25mph city road, I could have experience a major accident or incident because of my motor failure. There are numerous other cases of this defect showing in american vehicles across the country, from near me (in new england) to california that have been reported online. I can contact the licensed mechnic who dealt with the vehicle for copies of his work orders, and I have receipts to prove that I purchased oil cooler lines as replacements before I knew of the loss of compression and ruined motor. Mazda USA was of no help in alleviating the problem, and I am now out thousands of dollars on a vehicle that I had recently purchased before the event occurred

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 Nov 14, 2017 · Airbags, Engine · 73,000 miles · CA

Takata recall, my car suddenly stopped on the side, of the 101 freeway off the west lake village exit going south, and would not turn on. I had my car towed to the mazda dealership after finding out of the recall on the fuel pump and air bags on the mazda website. After 3 days at the dealership and being charged 3 hours of $115.00 hour they were not able to repair my car or replace the recall. They suggested for me to buy a new engine that would cost me $7000.00

Filed Aug 25, 2017 · Engine · TX

Engine loses combustion. Initial onset can happen at any time, including while driving. Mazda replaced engine 4 times using original style engine that loses combustion, and extended warranty to 100,000 miles. At 100,000 miles the 5th engine went out and mazda would not replace the engine. Note: mazda replaced these engines with the exact same engine with the exact same loss of compression issues. For about $8,000 they will replace the engine with the gen ii engine that has been redone and does not have the compression issues. This car now has $0 value. I cannot even drive it to have the airbag and other recall work done on it. This has been an ongoing issue, with no solution to fix the problem, just patched it with another faulty engine. Mazda was able to deplete their stock of faulty engines, claim the recall work hours and parts, and still anyone with this faulty engine ends up with a car that doesn't work and is dangerous to drive in traffic because you never know when the engine will go out - you only know that it will.

Filed Jun 12, 2017 · Engine · 80,000 miles · OH

Car experienced engine failure. Engine received proper care and oil changes every 3000 miles. Certified mazda mechanic determined the issue was due to engine failure due to faulty apex seals. Because of this the car immediately lost engine power and could not be driven. Was required to buy new engine. The vehicle was stationary at the time.