2005 Mazda RX-8 problems
The 2005 Mazda RX-8 has 212 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (17%) concerns engine. After that come drivetrain & axles (16%) and air bags (11%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 212 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Engine 17% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 8 and 1
- Injuries and deaths
- 8 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 62,000 miles 159 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 27 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 16 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 30 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 29 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 23 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 19 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 7 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 5 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 2 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 1 |
What the data shows
Among the 159 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 62,000 miles. For engine specifically, the median reported mileage is about 49,000 miles (26 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 8 complaints mention a crash; 1 complaint mentions a fire; 8 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2005 ranks 2nd most-complained-about out of 4 model years of the Mazda RX-8 with enough data (102 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 6 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Airbags failed to deploy after front and side impact accident resulting in significant damage (vehicle might be totaled). Speed at impact was approximately 40 to 60 mpg resulting in injury to driver and passenger.
Tl*- the front seat belt in a 2005 rx-8 was inserted into the back seat receiver where the back seat belt would normally go. The individual that did this was unfamiliar with the car and ended up being trapped in the rear of the car. The individual who was trapped weight about 80-90 pounds ,and had to wiggle his way out of the seat belt to get out. The contact states that the fact that the individual was able to get the buckle locked into the rear receiver and could not disengage itwas a serious safety issue.
I was driving my 2005 mazda rx-8 home, and after a normal drive home with no issues, I was going from 1st gear to 2nd near my house and the clutch pedal dropped to the floor, the clutch wouldn't release and I couldn't change gears. Had this happened a dozen shifts earlier, I would have been caught in a highway merge, and my safety seriously endangered. Upon inspection when I managed to baby the car in 1st gear home, the clutch pedal had broken at the bracket. Under no circumstances should a clutch pedal break.