Mazda RX-8 problems, recalls & best years
The deets on every RX-8 from 2004 to 2011: 783 owner complaints and 42 recalls across 8 model years.
The model years with the most owner complaints are 2004 (489), 2005 (162), 2006 (60). Best fuel economy: 19 mpg combined (2011).

Problem areas across all years
Year by year
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Best mpg | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 10 | 489 | 18 | |
| 2005 | 6 | 162 | 18 | |
| 2006 | 5 | 60 | 19 | |
| 2007 | 5 | 38 | 19 | |
| 2008 | 5 | 17 | 19 | |
| 2009 | 4 | 8 | 19 | |
| 2010 | 4 | 5 | 19 | |
| 2011 | 3 | 4 | 19 |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the Mazda RX-8.
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FAQ
What is the worst year for the Mazda RX-8?
The model years with the most owner complaints are 2004 (489), 2005 (162), 2006 (60).
How many recalls has the Mazda RX-8 had?
Across 2004–2011, NHTSA lists 42 vehicle recall campaigns by model year (a campaign that covers several years counts once per year).