NHTSA — Fuel/Propulsion System Problems

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
60,216 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2004 Mazda RX-8 fuel system problems

fuel system problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2004 Mazda RX-8:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2004 Mazda RX-8 Owner Comments

problem #20

Aug 022020

RX-8

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Fuel fumes are leaking into passenger compartment and leaking from tank. Previous recall failed to fix

- Washington Court House, OH, USA

problem #19

Jan 102021

RX-8

  • miles
Recently purchased the car from someone else and noticed that the cabin smells like fuel. I thought maybe he spilled some inside it but it's been a week and the smell is still there. I don't know why and I'm worried about the car catching fire or me getting carbon monoxide poisoning.

- New Caney, TX, USA

problem #18

Feb 152017

RX-8

  • 56,000 miles
Multiple trouble codes all at once after not having any trouble codes after a long period. As of now 56,000 original miles. Traction control improperly functioning causing vehicle, S maximum speed to 3 mph. Multiple misfire, S with new spark plug, new spark plug coil packs and new spark plug wires. Gasoline leak not yet narrowed down to specific location. No engine power after shifting to 2nd gear. Check engine light is constantly on however will go out for no more than 2 days. Very strong gasoline odor inside of the vehicle after startup. Loss of engine compression. Goodness knows what is next!!!

- Mills River, NC, USA

problem #17

May 212019

RX-8

  • 152,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving on the highway, the power steering of the vehicle failed snd 2 made it extremely hard to steer. I've heard others have this same problem but Mazda has not addressed

- Highland, CA, USA

problem #16

Feb 012019

RX-8

  • miles
Takata recall I received a call regarding an 'escalation' of my recall and when I called back the individual on the phone said they could not find my information. The last time I tried to get my RX8 repaired I was told I have to drive the car over an hour to the shop to get airbag fixed - this is after I received a very graphic postcard showing and telling me how I will be injured or killed if I don't get my car repaired. I am trying to get this car repaired, however I will not drive this car over an hour in heavy traffic in South Texas heat and humidity in order to make the required 100% compliance easy for takata there are multiple other recalls on this car, including on the engine that I have replaced 4 times. Dealers were told to install the old engines that were in their inventory and not install the new design. The old engines continued to loose compression over time and even though Mazda extended the warranty to 100K on the vehicle, eventually I exceeded 100K - and the 4th engine went bad @102K. Mazda never replaced the engine with an engine that did not have compression issues. The dealers used the same engine and Mazda waited for consumers to exceed the 100K mileage and then refused to provide any further assistance. I have a beautiful RX8 that is basically a rolling chasis because it will not run, overheats the fuel system (can explode or catch fire), and airbags that can injure or kill me at any moment. I cant even open the door on this car for fear of injury or death. If the airbags werent an issue, I cant drive the car because the engine looses compression and power and can put the driver in a very dangerous situation in traffic, and finally if all else were functioning, the exhaust can overheat the fuel tank cause explosion and/or fire. At one point the interior of my trunk melted. My car has zero value because of Mazda and takata.

- Hallettsville, TX, USA

Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...

problem #15

Sep 072018

RX-8

  • 138,000 miles
Steering wheel violently shakes upon turning and now on straight-away driving. Has been smelling of excessive gas for over 4 years upon start up, despite dealer correcting recall issue with fuel pump discharge pipe.

- Beaumont, CA, USA

problem #14

May 082018

RX-8

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Takata recall after responding to numerous notices regarding this recall and the deadly danger of the airbags, Mazda still insists that I drive the vehicle an hour away and in heavy city traffic to have the service done to correct the airbag issue. In addition, for years the engine had compression issues and I found out that after replacing the engine 4 times under warranty, Mazda was replacing the engine with the same engine that has compression issues after a time. I was told that I could buy a $7,000 gen II engine that did not have compression problems, or take the replacement with the potential for compression issues as a warranty repair. They were able to deplete their stock of bad engines by using them as replacements, and as soon as my warranty expired I still have a faulty engine which also keeps me from safely driving driving for service work. The engine will loose compression and power in traffic and cause a safety issue. I keep my vehicles well past the 100K mark because I take care of them and keep them on the road. However, that has not been the case with this car, due to a combination of Mazda's bad faith method of replacing faulty engines, and the potentially fatal airbag issue. Apparently the car also has issues with the exhaust overheating and causing a fire hazard, which I have never been notified of. Although a beautiful car that I would love to be able to drive, this vehicle is unsafe in more than one way and has a current value of $0. im even afraid to open the door of the vehicle because according to the notices I have received, there is no way to know when or what might cause the airbag to deploy. I really cannot put a specific date on when the issues occurred, other than the service records for engine replacements up until the 100K mark. At 102K Mazda refused to replace another engine that had gone out.

- Hallettsville, TX, USA

problem #13

Mar 022018

RX-8

  • miles
"takata recall"-car starts when cold, then it dies in the traffic, got engerys pushing car out of traffic, like car but it has lots of recalls and needs to be fixed right away.won't drive madza 2004 after this happened. The consumer stated while attempting to push the car off of the highway, after it died, he lost his grip and was dragged behind the vehicle.

- Peach Orchard, AR, USA

problem #12

Aug 172017

RX-8

  • 71,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Mazda Rx-8. the contact noticed a strong fuel odor inside the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle performed normally prior to being repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 17V354000 (fuel system, gasoline). Broen and wood Buick GMC Mazda (329 greenville blvd sw, greenville, nc) diagnosed that the vehicle needed a new fuel tank. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 71,000. Updated 8/2/18

- Cofield, NC, USA

problem #11

Sep 212017

RX-8

  • 144,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Mazda Rx-8. the contact took the vehicle to the local dealer (modern Mazda Dodge Ram, 68 waterbury rd, thomaston, ct, 06787, 860-283-4304) to be serviced per NHTSA campaign numbers: 17V355000 (suspension), 16V793000 (fuel system), and 17V354000 (fuel system). The contact was informed that the recall repairs would take one day to complete; however, it took four days. The contact retrieved the vehicle and, while the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle failed to accelerate and the check engine indicator illuminated. The contact took the vehicle back to the dealer and was informed that they would repair the failure. One week later, the dealer stated that the contact could retrieve the vehicle, but then diagnosed that the compressor failed and it would only last approximately two more years. The dealer stated that the engine needed to be replaced. When the contact retrieved the vehicle again, the vehicle failed to start even with a jump. The vehicle was not repaired and was towed to the contact's residence. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures, performed an investigation, and confirmed that the dealer's information was correct. No additional assistance was offered. The failure mileage was approximately 144,000.

- Terryville, CT, USA

problem #10

Apr 152017

RX-8

  • 83,800 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2004 Mazda Rx-8. while the vehicle was parked, the contact's neighbor noticed a strong fuel odor emitting from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to Liberty Mazda (91 w service rd, hartford, ct 06120), but the contact was unsure of the diagnostic results. The dealer stated that they would repair the vehicle, but would charge for labor because the rear cross member would need to be removed to gain access to the fuel tank. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that they would call back to assist in scheduling an appointment. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 16V793000 (fuel system, gasoline) and 17V354000 (fuel system, gasoline). The approximate failure mileage was 83,800.

- Portland, CT, USA

problem #9

Aug 232016

RX-8

  • miles
The contact owns a 2004 Mazda Rx-8. the contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V793000 (fuel system). The part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The local dealer (koons Mazda of silver spring, 3111 automotive blvd, silver spring, md 20904) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #8

Jun 082017

RX-8

  • 105,523 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Mazda Rx-8. after the vehicle was taken to Mazda of georgetown to be repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 16V793000 (fuel system, gasoline), the contact noticed a lack of acceleration. The check engine warning indicator illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17V354000 (fuel system, gasoline). The parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The vehicle was taken to O'reilly auto parts where it was diagnosed that the vehicle's secondary air injection system was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer did not know when the parts would be available. The failure mileage was approximately 105,523. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Round Rock, TX, USA

problem #7

Mar 282017

RX-8

  • 106,500 miles
Fuel pump nozzle is cracked allowing fuel to leak and fuel pressure to drop cause driveability problems and stalling. Mazda claims its the ring and gasket on their recall but it's the fuel pump cracking. My car started bucking and running erratically. Installed and would not restart for a short period of time. This has been an ongoing problem for roughly one year.

- Earl, NC, USA

problem #6

Jul 222016

RX-8

  • miles
The contact owns a 2004 Mazda Rx-8. the contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 16V354000 (air bags) and 16V7963000 (fuel system). The parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect and VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Takoma, WA, USA

problem #5

Jun 152011

RX-8

  • 90,000 miles
The fuel line input nipple, on the fuel pump assembly, cracks and causes a leak. The fuel pump lock ring is not the problem and can be reused. Replacing the fuel pump assembly fixes the problem. It is very common on all 2004-2008 models.

- Maryville, TN, USA

problem #4

Mar 242015

RX-8

  • 110,000 miles
The clutch pedal assembly broke as I was driving in the freeway.

- Watsonville , CA, USA

problem #3

Jun 012014

RX-8

  • 90,000 miles
Vehicle had strong smell of raw gasoline fumes in the cabin and outside the car. Upon removing the rear seat to access the fuel pump for inspection, a pool of gasoline was found around the fuel pump and surrounding area to include the electrical wiring for the pump. It appears the leak occurs from a faulty plastic nipple on the fuel pump assembly that connects the pump to the main fuel line. A quick internet search uncovered this is not an isolated incident with the Mazda RX8. The fire and safety hazard associated with this issue is immense. I would recommend a further review by the NHTSA to assess the severity and spectrum of the fuel pump issue in the Mazda RX8.

- Hanford, CA, USA

problem #2

Feb 062013

RX-8

  • 57,000 miles
I purchased my 2004 automatic RX8 in September of 2011. It began giving me trouble with the type of gas it took. I finally figured out that bp premium seemed to keep it from "coughing". I thought that I had fixed the issues and it drove fine for a good while. I changed the oil religiously at about 3000 miles or less. It would display the oil light after only about 1500-2000miles. I had a dealership look at it and they said the oil level was fine and they didn't understand why it had the light on. The oil light now comes on at just 300miles into the last oil change. In Feb of this year is when the car started deteriorating at a rapid pace, and I was completely dumbfounded till I began doing some research and saw that many others have had the exact same issues I have had. For one- the ac never works correctly. I have to play with the knob for a bit to make it cool, and still even then it does not work. I am not able to drive it to and from the store now because I am worried it will not start back up. I always make sure the engine is warmed up and sometimes just leave it running instead of taking the chance of turning it off. The engine light also comes on and random times, and I was told that it was because the gas cap was not on tight enough. That is a lie, I always make sure to tighten it, and why would the engine light come on after the oil light everytime if it was human error. The car whines when at a stoplight or sitting for a brief period of time. It sounds as if it is coming from the front left side of the engine if you are sitting in it. No one knows what that noise is either. This faulty car should come with a warning on the front windshield. I am scared to drive it, I am scared to put my family in it, and I am disgusted with the way Mazda decided to treat me when I called them to inquire about certain recalls.

- Clemmons, NC, USA

problem #1

May 232012

RX-8

  • miles
04 RX8 replaced maf coil packs plug wires 2 02 sensors selinoid shutter valve actuater main fuel line from front to back of tank the car will not stay running at first earlier on it died on many times an continued to get worse its been to shops no luck no help it never seemed to have gas now present pulled up back seat an found gas leaking is his a recall the shoe that did run a test stated he didnt think it was engine or transmission probably mechanical wheres is the fuel filters could that be an issue I try T O crank car it sounds bad like something is gonna fall out or down also was told if you clamp on sending unit that it may not work proper"???"

- Folsom, LA, USA

Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...

Not what you are looking for?