Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2005 Mazda RX-8
NHTSA data on file today
The 2005 Mazda RX-8 has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 162 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #18V402000 Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #18V404000 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 #16V793000 Fuel Pump Sealing Rings may Leak Fuel NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #05V317000 THERMAL DAMAGE/HIGH ENGINE RPMS NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Power Train 54 complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 28 complaints
- Air Bags 22 complaints
- Steering 17 complaints
- Fuel/Propulsion System 12 complaints
- Vehicle Speed Control 11 complaints
Of the 162 complaints on file, 6 report a crash and 1 a fire; across all 162 complaints, owners report 4 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $4,500–$8,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2005 Mazda RX-8 has a below-average reliability rating, based on a significant number of owner complaints and six recall campaigns. Common issues involve the power train, engine cooling, and fuel system. Although the data presents noticeable patterns of failure, it remains insufficient to conclusively assess all potential issues. Buyers should be prepared for moderate maintenance needs and potential repairs.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| power train | 60,000–100,000 miles | $1,500–$3,000 | common |
| engine cooling | 70,000–120,000 miles | $500–$1,500 | common |
| fuel system | Unknown | $300–$1,200 | occasional |
| air bags | 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.
- Oil and filter changes
- Brake fluid replacement
- Coolant system flush
- Spark plug replacement
- Brake pad replacement
- Air filter replacement
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Hard engine starts
- Reduced power output
- Unusual engine noises
- Unresponsive steering
- Fuel smell in the cabin
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2005 Mazda RX-8 at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.