Mazda RX-8: which model years draw the most owner complaints?
784 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Mazda RX-8, model years 2004 to 2011. 2 model years stand out for the engine or transmission: 2004 (engine, transmission); 2005 (transmission). Counts of unverified owner reports, compared only with other years of the same model; not failure rates.
Complaints by model year
| MODEL YEAR | COMPLAINTS | VS OTHER YEARS | STANDS OUT | RECALLS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 RX-8 | 490 | engine, transmission | 10 | |
| 2005 RX-8 | 162 | transmission | 6 | |
| 2006 RX-8FEW REPORTS | 60 | — | 5 | |
| 2007 RX-8FEW REPORTS | 38 | — | 5 | |
| 2008 RX-8FEW REPORTS | 17 | — | 5 | |
| 2009 RX-8FEW REPORTS | 8 | — | 4 | |
| 2010 RX-8FEW REPORTS | 5 | — | 4 | |
| 2011 RX-8FEW REPORTS | 4 | — | 3 |
"Stands out" = 40 or more complaints naming that system and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share seen across every vehicle of that model year. Newer years have had less time on the road. "Quiet" ranks only years with 7+ years on the road and 20+ complaints. NHTSA data through November 2026.
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Other Mazda models
Mazda 626 · Mazda B-Series Truck · Mazda CX-30 · Mazda CX-5 · Mazda CX-50 · Mazda CX-7 · Mazda CX-9 · Mazda CX-90 · Mazda MPV · Mazda MX-5 · Mazda Mazda3 · Mazda Mazda5 · Mazda Mazda6 · Mazda Protege · Mazda Tribute. All makes and models.
Source: NHTSA public complaints, recalls, service bulletin and investigation databases, data received through November 2026. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not failure rates: sales volumes are unknown, so a model year is only compared with other years of the same model. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Year pages: 20042005