Mazda RX-8 overheating problems

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 Nov 7, 2018 · Engine · 95,000 miles · PA

Takata recall the vehicle was stuttering as I was driving home it wasn't hot or overheating or low on oil, I drove it home and shut it off I then later tried to start it it wouldn't start it just cranked and cranked it wouldn't even start or try to , the apex seals on this car went out which is due to the loss of compression which ultimately caused the sputtering, mazda is well aware of this issue as it was recalled almost a year ago but I didn't have the issue so I didn't see a need to get it replaced ! This issue is unacceptable as now I'm without a car please help me out !

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 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 Jul 10, 2016 · Fuel system · 130,000 miles · IL

The fuel pump outlet pipe connector was leaking for sometime. It eventually caused startup problem in very hot weather. This leaked very slowly and all rx-8 should be recalled to replace the 12" flexible pipe/tubing with a reliable connector that does not leak. This connector must have been a issue, not a lot of cars used this since mid 2000. Very hard to find replacement parts. And coupled with overheated cat emissions its a fire waiting to happen.

Filed May 27, 2015 · Airbags, Electrical · 80,010 miles · SC

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 mazda rx-8. The contact stated that the entire center console overheated to the point that it was unable to be touched. The contact mentioned that the passenger side air bag cover was bulging and could crack at any moment. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,010.

Filed May 23, 2013 · Steering · 100,000 miles · FL

Power steering fails due to faulty power steering harness connections. This failure happened while driving on the expressway at 65 MPH. (very dangerous). This is a very common problem with rx-8 owners. Power steering connectors are situated directly under coolant fluid reservoir tank overflow hose. If coolant leaks on these connectors it fouls the connection resulting in power steering loss. Insufficient soldering of these connectors to the connection housing by the manufacturer is also to blame. This harness has been revised 3 times by mazda in hopes of correcting an extremely dangerous malfunctioning part. There should be a recall sent to all mazda owners to have the faulty power steering harness f151-67-shob and f151-67-shoc replaced with the most recent revised part f151-67-shod free of charge and cost of labor.

Filed Oct 24, 2011 · Engine · 28,000 miles · NC

Vehicle was bought new,2004. I have every oil change, every 2,900-3,000 miles and vehicle is perfectly maintained by the dealership ( harrelson mazda -charlotte,nc ). Once 30,000 miles were put on the vehicle, engine began to fail ( stopped at red lights, stopped while on the highway,etc.). After about 5 return visits to the dealership technicians, my engine was finally 'replaced' under warranty. Now my new engine has failed again at about 40,000 miles for the same reason as originally: mazda specifically advises 10w-20 oil in this vehicle. But this is only to satisfy u.s. Epa standards. Everywhere else in the world, mazda strictly advises 10w-30 oil, because anything less will allow engine to overheat and fail. I was never warned this. I was never advised this. I serviced vehicle by every recommendation of mazda, the owners manual, and my mazda authorized dealership/technicians. My safety has been placed in jeopardy, solely at the fault of mazda, for not notifying buyers that the engine had incorrect maintenance specifications,etc. Feel free to contact me anytime for further information, receipts of service,maintenance, and technician testimony. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Jun 21, 2010 · Engine · 72,000 miles · NC · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 mazda rx-8. While driving at 45 MPH the exhaust system overheated and caused unknown wires to overheat and smoke. The dealer advised there were no recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The current mileage was 80,000 and the failure mileage was 72,000.

Filed Jul 24, 2008 · Engine · NY

2004 mazda rx8 with water mixing in with the oil. Consumer states that the mechanic stated that water in the oil was normal and how the vehicle vented. There was red antifreeze in the vehicle and green antifreeze should have been used. *kb the dip stick was covered in a hard, crystallized, orange/white substance. The vehicle overheated and steam emitted from the vehicle. After inspecting the vehicle, it was determined that the thermostat had malfunctioned. The consumer was informed that because the wrong anti-freeze had been used, there may be future cooling issues with the vehicle.