NHTSA vehicle safety data
2011 Mazda RX-8 Recalls, Ratings & Complaints
The 2011 Mazda RX-8 has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 4 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Mazda dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2011 Mazda RX-8, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
2011 Mazda RX-8 owner complaints
Owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Mazda RX-8, describing incidents dated May 9, 2013 to February 28, 2023.
Most-cited components
- Fuel/Propulsion System 2 complaints
- Suspension 1 complaint
- Unknown or Other 1 complaint
- Visibility/Wiper 1 complaint
Of the 4 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash and 2 a fire (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Newest complaints
ODI #11531617 · Filed
The incident occurred on 02/08/2023. Prior to this, I brought my car to the dealership due to a recall to fix gas mounting rings, recall number . I do not feel comfortable with their repairs and I do not believe that the dealership performed the repairs properly which caused my car to smoke and…
ODI #11531601 · Filed
The contact owns a 2011 Mazda Rx 8. The contact stated after performing NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V744000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) while driving at 35 MPH, the contact smelled the odor of smoke in the vehicle, but no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. While the vehicle was…
ODI #11114136 · Filed
THE RING/ASSEMBLY HOLDING THE DRIVER SIDE VISOR CRACKED WITH NORMAL USE (PUTTING THE VISOR DOWN (NO EXCESS FORCE WAS USED) AND THE VISOR FELL INTO THE DRIVER'S LINE OF VISION, OBSCURING VISION. IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO PUT THE VISOR BACK UP AGAIN. THE RING FELL OUT OF THE CAR INTERIOR.
NHTSA defect investigations
NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2011 Mazda RX-8 in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.
- Engineering Analysis EA21-002: Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Open since September 17, 2021
Fuel May Leak From Fuel Pump Mounting Rings
NHTSA #21V744000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Delivery — Fuel Pump · NHTSA notice
Reported September 24, 2021 · Mazda North American Operations
Potentially affected: 13,891 vehicles
Repair completion: 24.76% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Mazda campaign 5121I · Owners notified November 17, 2021
Defect description
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2009-2011 RX-8 and 2006-2007 MazdaSpeed6 vehicles. Fuel may leak from the fuel pump mounting rings.
Safety consequence
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Manufacturer remedy
Dealers will install new fuel pump mounting rings. Dealers will also add a thermal insulation pad to the fuel tank on RX-8 vehicles. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 17, 2021. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 5121I.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode
NHTSA #19V488000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice
Reported June 24, 2019 · Mazda North American Operations
Potentially affected: 211 vehicles
Repair completion: 41.9% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Mazda campaign 2618F · Owners notified July 9, 2019 · Vehicles built June 1, 2009 – April 26, 2011 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
Recall group: Takata airbag inflators
Defect description
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2010-2011 Mazda RX-8 vehicles that were previously recalled under recall 18V-716 but have not yet been repaired. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Safety consequence
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Manufacturer remedy
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. The recall began July 9, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 2618F.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode
NHTSA #18V402000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice
Reported June 15, 2018 · Mazda North American Operations
Potentially affected: 308,591 vehicles
Repair completion: 9.53% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Mazda campaign 2618F · Owners notified July 6, 2018 · Vehicles built April 10, 2003 – May 16, 2011 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
Recall group: Takata airbag inflators
Defect description
Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 and 2004 MPV vehicles nationwide. Mazda is also recalling 2005-2006 MPV vehicles in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. 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. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Safety consequence
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Manufacturer remedy
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began July 6, 2018. Mailing to the affected RX-8 owners began July 6, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 2618F. Note: With the addition of the RX-8 vehicles, this recall fully supersedes recall 16V354.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Other Mazda RX-8 model years
Check your 2011 Mazda RX-8 VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Mazda RX-8 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
Check a Mazda VIN