2005 Mazda RX-8: common problems and reliability

One of the worst RX-8 years.

One of the Mazda RX-8 years to avoid. All RX-8 years

168 owner complaints, most about power train. 6 recalls.

Should I buy a 2005 RX-8?

The 2005 Mazda RX-8 has 168 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 6 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are power train and engine and engine cooling.

Safety record for the 2005 model year

168
Owner complaints
6
Recalls
6
Crash reports
1
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2005 Mazda RX-8 vehicles (US, public record).

The Year Score compares this year with other RX-8 years only. How we score it

Is 2005 a good year for the RX-8?

Across the 8 RX-8 model years we track, complaint volume runs from 4 (2011) to 514 (2004). With 168 complaints, the 2005 RX-8 sits above the model's median of 38.

These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.

Where owners report problems

power train
55
engine and engine cooling
28
air bags
22
steering
17
vehicle speed control
13

Recalls affecting the 2005 RX-8

air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

Campaign 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.

air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

Campaign 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.

air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

Campaign 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.

fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump

Campaign 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.

Show 2 more recalls

fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump

Campaign 16V793000

Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RX-8 vehicles manufactured April 10, 2003, to February 18, 2008. The affected vehicles have fuel pump sealing rings that may deteriorate due to exposure to heat from the engine or exhaust pipe.

engine and engine cooling

Campaign 05V317000

IF CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES ARE PARKED AND THE ENGINE IS OPERATED AT HIGH RPM'S FOR AN EXCESSIVE LENGTH OF TIME, SOME OF THE PARTS AROUND THE EXHAUST SYSTEM CAN MELT AND PRODUCE A VARIETY OF MALFUNCTIONS. PROBLEMS CAUSED BY THE EXCESSIVE HEAT BUILD-UP CAN RANGE FROM INOPERATIVE OXYGEN SENSOR, NEUTRAL SWITCH AND BACK UP LIGHTS, PROBLEMS WITH THE PARKING BRAKES, MALFUNCTIONS OF THE GAS GAUGE AND/OR POSSIBLE FUEL LEAKS RESULTING FROM HEAT DAMAGE TO THE FUEL TANK.

What owners say across generations

Sentiment is deeply polarized and highly dependent on owner expectations and mechanical aptitude.

Owner insights cover all generations of the RX-8. See the full RX-8 owner picture and every model year.

Typical used price

Used RX-8 listings typically run $8,084–$11,583 across 2004 to 2010 model years.

Other RX-8 model years

Compare every RX-8 year side by side to see how 2005 ranks against the rest.

Compare the RX-8 against its rivals

Looking at a specific car?

We're building a full check by VIN: the exact trim and engine, its known problems and recalls, what to inspect, a fair price, and how it compares with its rivals. Get an email when it's ready.

One email when it launches. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy