Vehicle Data Hub

2005 Mazda RX-8 engine problems

35 complaints about engine have been filed for the 2005 Mazda RX-8, which is 17% of all its NHTSA complaints. It is the most reported problem area for this model year.

At a glance

Complaints
35 17% of this year's complaints
Typical mileage
49,000 miles 26 complaints with mileage
Crashes and fires
0 and 0
Injuries and deaths
0 and 0

Source: NHTSA owner complaints

When engine problems show up

Engine complaints by mileage, 2005 Mazda RX-8 Complaints by odometer reading in 20,000-mile steps. The median is about 49,000 miles. 0k to 20k miles: 5 complaints 20k to 40k miles: 5 complaints 40k to 60k miles: 7 complaints 60k to 80k miles: 3 complaints 80k to 100k miles: 2 complaints 100k to 120k miles: 3 complaints 120k to 140k miles: 1 complaints 140k to 160k miles: 0 complaints 160k to 180k miles: 0 complaints 180k to 200k miles: 0 complaints 200k+ miles: 0 complaints 040k80k120k160k200k miles Typical: 49,000 miles
Based on 26 complaints that include mileage. 65% were reported before 60,000 miles. The amber marker shows the median: half of these complaints happened before that mileage.
View the numbers
MileageComplaints
0k to 20k miles5
20k to 40k miles5
40k to 60k miles7
60k to 80k miles3
80k to 100k miles2
100k to 120k miles3
120k to 140k miles1
140k to 160k miles0
160k to 180k miles0
180k to 200k miles0
200k+ miles0

What the data shows

Of the 26 engine complaints that report mileage, the median is about 49,000 miles, and 65% were reported before 60,000 miles.

None of the engine complaints mention a crash, fire, injury or death.

What owners wrote

Dt: the consumer purchased a new mazda rx8. The vehicle experienced what the consumer suspected was a problem that occurred while in park and the rpms increased, causing excessive heat buildup which affected the oxygen sensors as well as the ability to drive the vehicle. This could also lead to a fuel tank leak and ultimately a fire. Vehicle would not restart and had to be towed to the mazda dealer. The mazda dealer notified the consumer about a recall of a similar nature concerning the fuel tank.

Reported at 1,300 miles, September 2005

Driving the car it cuts off and rolls backwards and could possible hit another car. Was told that service center change maintenance schedule on the car an would not cover a repair like this under warranty due to my neglect of not knowing the new schedule they made up. And because I followed my owners manual that the repair would not be covered. I feel that these cars should be recalled and have the problem fixed to why the cut off this is a danger to anyone who is driving to have a car cut off an roll backwards.

Reported at 48,000 miles, March 2009

Other problems reported for the 2005 Mazda RX-8

Engine problems in other years

  • 2011
  • 2010
  • 2009
  • 2008
  • 2007
  • 2006
  • 2005
  • 2004

Engine problems across all Mazda models