Is the 2004 Mazda RX-8 a bad year?
490 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 154.
Consider selling
Half of all transmission complaints about the 2004 Mazda RX-8 were filed between 52k and 84k miles. You're at 68,000 miles.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2004 RX-8 owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 68,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 154 (31%) | 52k–84k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 122 (25%) | 26k–81k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Steering | 80 (16%) | 62k–100k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Air bags | 50 (10%) | 62k–92k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 39 (8%) | 46k–106k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Electrical system | 33 (7%) | 9k–87k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Suspension | 17 (3%) | 28k–99k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Body structure | 20 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 16 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exhaust | 14 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Equipment | 13 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 11 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 8 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Engine and cooling | 7 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 68,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 490 complaints: 17 mention a crash · 10 mention a fire · 15 report an injury · 9 say the car was towed.
2 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
I own a Mazda RX-8 2004 model and I was driving down the interstate on approx 10/31/09.
I own a 2004 Mazda RX8 with manual transmission. I had my clutch pedal break while driving. I originally though of it as an isolated case due to a bad component.
While driving my 2004 Mazda RX8 the clutch pedal snapped and went to the floor and wouldn't come back up. I was not able to change gears and had to coast to the side of the road.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 68,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2004 Mazda RX-8: 10
These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
On July 9, 2019 this recall was expanded to include certain 2004-2011 RX-8 vehicles that were previously recalled under 16V-354 but have not yet been repaired. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion and other factors, including manufacturing variability that, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The ball joint socket on the front suspension lower control arm may crack and the ball joint may separate from the socket. If the ball joint separates, steering control may be lost, increasing the risk of a crash.
Heat from the engine and the exhaust may cause the main fuel pump pipe to crack. If the fuel pump pipe cracks, fuel may leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
The affected vehicles have fuel pump sealing rings that may deteriorate due to exposure to heat from the engine or exhaust pipe. The deteriorated seals may leak fuel, which, in the presence of an ignition source, can increase the risk of a fire.
On certain passenger vehicles, due to improper forging of the lower control arm, cracks may occur in the ball joint socket. In severe driving conditions, the ball may separate from the ball joint socket and a loss of steering may occur, which could result in a crash.
If certain passenger vehicles are parked and the engine is operated at high rpm's for an excessive length of time, some of the parts around the exhaust system can melt and produce a variety of malfunctions. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
On certain passenger vehicles with manual transmissions, the heat insulator may be cracked causing abnormal noise. Continued operation of the vehicle can cause the insulator to come off and could pose a hazard to following vehicles.
As a result of an ncap test, certain passenger vehicles are being recalled for improperly wired front passenger seat air bags. The air bag will not provide adequate protection when the vehicle is involved in a frontal crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Mazda: 118
Repair instructions Mazda sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2004 Mazda RX-8. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Cooler and Lines Flushing Procedure: Automatic Transaxle/Transmission…
Ethanol is becoming a common additive in gasoline
If an engine assembly is replaced after a catastrophic internal mechanical failure, clean the intake manifold internally before installing a replacement engine…
In support of the new MRT distribution, Mazda will ship to dealers a new Dual Purpose Diagnostic Leak Detector beginning March, 2019
NHTSA defect investigations: 4
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Clutch pedal bracket failure
Neighbouring years
2005 RX-8: 162 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission.
Every Mazda RX-8 year
2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · All RX-8 years side by side
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Questions
Is the 2004 Mazda RX-8 a bad year?
490 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 154. At 68,000 miles the tool says: Consider selling. Half of all transmission complaints about the 2004 Mazda RX-8 were filed between 52k and 84k miles. You're at 68,000 miles.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Mazda RX-8?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: transmission and drivetrain (154), engine (122), steering (80), air bags (50), fuel system (39). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 52k–84k miles.
How many recalls does the 2004 Mazda RX-8 have?
10 recall campaigns list this model year: Air bags (NHTSA 19V-781), Air bags (NHTSA 18V-402), Air bags (NHTSA 17V-474), Suspension (NHTSA 17V-355) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.