Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2004 Mazda RX-8
NHTSA data on file today
The 2004 Mazda RX-8 has 10 NHTSA recall campaigns and 490 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #19V781000 Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #18V402000 Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #17V474000 Driver's Frontal Air Bag May Rupture NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #17V354000 Fuel Pump Pipe May Crack or Leak NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #17V355000 Ball Joint may Separate from Control Arm NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #16V793000 Fuel Pump Sealing Rings may Leak Fuel NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #05V325000 LOWER SUSPENSION ARMS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #05V317000 THERMAL DAMAGE/HIGH ENGINE RPMS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #04V075000 MAZDA/TRANSMISSION HEAT INSULATOR CRACKS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #04V074000 MAZDA/AIR BAG NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Power Train 154 complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 106 complaints
- Steering 80 complaints
- Air Bags 50 complaints
- Electrical System 33 complaints
- Engine 33 complaints
Of the 490 complaints on file, 17 report a crash and 10 a fire; across all 490 complaints, owners report 15 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $5,000–$15,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2004 Mazda RX-8 has a below-average reliability rating due to significant recall campaigns and numerous owner complaints. With 10 recalls ranging from airbag issues to fuel pump failures, and 490 complaints predominantly in power train and engine cooling, the data suggests common mechanical and safety problems. However, specifics on failure rates and costs remain uncertain.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| power train | 60,000–120,000 miles | $1,000–$5,000 | common |
| engine cooling | 50,000–100,000 miles | $500–$2,500 | common |
| airbags | Unknown | $500–$1,500 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Regular oil changes
- Replace spark plugs
- Brake system inspection
- Coolant replacement
- Transmission fluid change
- Air filter replacement
- Tire rotation and balancing
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Unusual engine noise
- Difficulty shifting gears
- Drivetrain vibrations
- Overheating warning light
- Airbag warning light
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2004 Mazda RX-8 at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.