Is the 2005 Mazda RX-8 a bad year?
162 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 54.
Keep it, but watch the transmission
Half of the transmission complaints for this year were filed at 52k–93k miles, where you are now.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2005 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 66,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 54 (33%) | 52k–93k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Engine | 32 (20%) | 38k–85k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Air bags | 22 (14%) | 59k–91k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Steering | 17 (10%) | 58k–100k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Fuel system | 15 (9%) | 55k–106k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Electrical system | 8 (5%) | 11k–87k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Speed control | 11 (7%) | 71k–121k miles · ahead | — |
| Brakes | 9 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Equipment | 6 (4%) | 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 66,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 162 complaints: 6 mention a crash · 1 mentions a fire · 3 report an injury · 1 says the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Oct 2023.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
1. Driving on the freeway at about 50 MPH exiting off a long off ramp. 2. Clutch pedal broke. Pushed clutch in and heard a loud "Crack!".
Clutch pedal in my 2005 RX8 broke while driving, leaving it nearly impossible to shift gears. It's a known issue among RX8 drivers, but Mazda has so far refused to issue a recall.
I was on my way to buy some food supplies for weekend. I was looking for a parking lot at low speed, so when I stepped onto the clutch pedal to put back to neutral and parked suddenly I heard a crack.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 66,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2005 Mazda RX-8: 6
On July 9, 2019 this recall was expanded to include certain 2005-2009 RX-8 vehicles that were previously recalled under 17V-011 but have not yet been repaired. An inflator explosion may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle 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.
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.
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.
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: 124
Repair instructions Mazda sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2005 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…
On some vehicles, a sulfur smell or 'rotten egg' odor may be noticed coming from the exhaust system
NHTSA defect investigations: 4
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Clutch pedal bracket failure
Neighbouring years
2004 RX-8: 490 complaints, consider selling · 2006 RX-8: 60 complaints, keep it.
Every Mazda RX-8 year
2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · All RX-8 years side by side
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.
Questions
Is the 2005 Mazda RX-8 a bad year?
162 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 54. At 66,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the transmission. Half of the transmission complaints for this year were filed at 52k–93k miles, where you are now.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Mazda RX-8?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: transmission and drivetrain (54), engine (32), air bags (22), steering (17), fuel system (15). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 52k–93k miles.
How many recalls does the 2005 Mazda RX-8 have?
6 recall campaigns list this model year: Air bags (NHTSA 18V-404), Air bags (NHTSA 18V-402), Air bags (NHTSA 17V-474), Fuel system (NHTSA 17V-354) 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.