Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC)
Power
0–62 mph (0–100 km/h)
Top speed (250 km/h)
Combined, EPA 2011
What owners say
Our take, from owner reports
Sentiment is deeply polarized and highly dependent on owner expectations and mechanical aptitude.
8 problems reported (2 very frequent, 5 recurrent, 1 isolated) · high confidence
Problems owners report
- Very frequentEngine apex seal failure / low compression
Leading to loss of power, hard hot starting, and requiring a full engine rebuild. Cited as the primary, inevitable failure point.
- Very frequentHigh fuel and oil consumption
Described as having "borderline carbureted V8 fuel economy," achieving under 20 MPG (less than 12 L/100km), and consuming oil by design.
- RecurrentEngine flooding
Can occur if started and shut off without sufficient warm-up, requiring a clearing procedure.
+ 5 more issuesShow fewer
- RecurrentIgnition system failures
Stock coils are a known weak point, causing hard starting and misfires.
- RecurrentCooling system concerns
Engines are sensitive to overheating; stock radiators may be inadequate, especially for spirited driving.
- RecurrentRust
Body rust, particularly in sills, rear quarters, and fuel filler area, is a noted issue for 2000s Mazdas.
- RecurrentInterior component aging
Materials and components (window regulators, door lock actuators) noted to wear out or fail quicker than expected.
- IsolatedCatalytic converter clogging
Can lead to engine failure, with some owners recommending removal in areas without emissions testing.
The version owners recommend
The Series 2 (2009-2011) models, particularly the R3 trim, are identified as the most desirable. Owner feedback indicates the Series 2 received substantial improvements to the Renesis engine, suspension, and chassis, making it more reliable and better sorted than the Series 1 (2004-2008). The R3 trim is noted as the pinnacle of the RX-8 platform. Series 1 models, especially 2004-2006, are associated with the most severe engine reliability issues, including inadequate oil injection leading to premature apex seal failure.
Competitors to consider
Owners compare it most often with the Honda S2000, Nissan 350Z, Infiniti G35, Toyota GT86/Subaru BRZ and Mazda MX-5 Miata (NC).
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Overall sentiment
Sentiment is deeply polarized and highly dependent on owner expectations and mechanical aptitude. The vehicle is universally praised by its enthusiasts for its unique driving character, described as a joy to drive with fantastic handling, a high-revving nature, and an unarguably unique experience. Long-term owners report deep satisfaction with the car's dynamics, often comparing its handling favorably to vehicles like the Honda S2000. However, this is counterbalanced by very frequent and severe criticism of the Renesis rotary engine's reliability, demanding maintenance requirements, and high operating costs. The engine is described as "hilariously unreliable" by some, with a notorious reputation that led to class action lawsuits and extended manufacturer warranties. The consensus indicates the RX-8 is a compelling and cheap enthusiast's toy for those prepared for its significant quirks and inevitable major repairs, but a terrible choice as a primary or low-maintenance daily driver.
Positioning vs competitors
Positioned as a unique, lightweight, four-seat sports coupe with an emphasis on high-revving smoothness and handling balance, rather than outright power. Frequently compared to the Nissan 350Z/Infiniti G35, with owners noting the RX-8 handles better but is significantly down on power and reliability. The Honda S2000 is mentioned as a benchmark for handling excellence, which the RX-8 is said to match or approach. The Toyota GT86/BRZ is seen as a modern, more reliable spiritual successor with similar driving priorities but a conventional engine. The NC-generation Mazda MX-5 Miata, which shares a platform, is noted as a more reliable and sensible alternative. The RX-8 is consistently described as offering an experience no other car provides, but at the cost of practicality and peace of mind.
Recommended configurations
Manual transmission is absolutely mandatory; the automatic is universally panned for having less power, not revving high enough, and exacerbating carbon buildup issues. A limited-slip differential is strongly recommended, as open differentials are noted to perform poorly in bad weather. The installation of a Sohn adapter (external oil injection kit) is frequently recommended to allow the use of clean two-stroke oil for engine lubrication instead of conventional engine oil, though premixing oil with fuel is still advised by many. Upgraded ignition coils (e.g., from Black Halo Racing or Ryan Rotary Performance) and an uprated radiator are common recommendations. A proper rotary compression test is the single most critical pre-purchase inspection.
General recommendations
Only suitable for experienced enthusiasts with mechanical skills, a garage for repairs, a second reliable vehicle, and a dedicated maintenance budget. Not recommended for students, first-time owners, or those seeking a low-cost, low-hassle daily driver. Before purchase, a professional rotary compression test is non-negotiable. Also check for rust (a known issue), verify cold and hot starts, and review meticulous maintenance records. Budget for an engine rebuild (apex seal replacement) as an inevitability, typically between 90,000 and 120,000 miles (145,000 - 193,000 km), though failures can occur much earlier. Ownership requires strict adherence to a specialized care regimen: frequent oil changes (every 3,000 miles/5,000 km), using specific oil types (non-synthetic 10W-30 commonly cited), premixing fuel with two-stroke oil, never turning the engine off before it is fully warmed up, and regularly driving at high RPM to clear carbon deposits. Short trips are detrimental to engine health.
Remarks
The Renesis engine's reliability crisis was significant enough to result in class action lawsuits, with Mazda being forced to extend the powertrain warranty to 100,000 miles (160,000 km) for Series 1 models. The manufacturer was criticized for not being upfront about the extra care and maintenance required. Series 2 (2009+) models addressed some flaws, including adding a third oil injector to improve lubrication. The vehicle's low current market value is directly attributed to its notorious maintenance demands and engine reliability fears, making it a high-risk, potentially high-reward purchase for a very specific, knowledgeable buyer. Analysis based on approximately 52 substantive owner discussions and experiences.
Generation by generation
Owner insights per generation and US complaint/recall records (NHTSA).
Complaints and recalls by model yearWorst year: 2004. Years to avoid: 2005, 2004Source: NHTSA (US)Show table
Each year graded against the model's other years: Year Score. See all Mazda RX-8 years to avoid
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 4 | 3 | fuel system |
| 2010 | 5 | 4 | unknown or other |
| 2009 | 8 | 4 | power train |
| 2008 | 17 | 5 | air bags |
| 2007 | 38 | 5 | air bags |
| 2006 | 60 | 5 | air bags |
| 2005 | 168 | 6 | power train |
| 2004 | 514 | 10 | power train |
Complaint counts come from owner reports filed with the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Higher-selling years naturally accumulate more complaints.
Recall notices42 on record · Source: NHTSA (US)Show recalls
2011 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 18V402000
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.
2011 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 19V488000
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.
2011 · fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pumpcampaign 21V744000
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.
2010 · fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pumpcampaign 21V744000
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.
2010 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 18V402000
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.
2010 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 18V403000
Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2009-2010 Mazda RX-8 vehicles that were previously recalled under recall 18V-017 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.
2010 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 19V488000
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.
2009 · fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pumpcampaign 21V744000
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.
2009 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 18V404000
Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Mazda MPV vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. On July 9, 2019 this recall was expanded to include certain 2005-2009 RX-8 vehicles that were previously recalled under 17V-011 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.
2009 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 18V403000
Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2009-2010 Mazda RX-8 vehicles that were previously recalled under recall 18V-017 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.
2009 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 18V402000
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.
2008 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 18V402000
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.
2008 · air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator modulecampaign 18V404000
Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Mazda MPV vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. On July 9, 2019 this recall was expanded to include certain 2005-2009 RX-8 vehicles that were previously recalled under 17V-011 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.
2008 · air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator modulecampaign 17V474000
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2004-2008 RX-8, and 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion and other factors, including manufacturing variability that, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
2008 · fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pumpcampaign 17V354000
Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RX-8 vehicles. Heat from the engine and the exhaust may cause the main fuel pump pipe to crack.
27 older recalls not shown. Check nhtsa.gov with your VIN for the full history.
Specifications
1.3 Wankel
1.3L 2-cylinder · 250 hp · RWD · manual
Built 2003–2009