2006 Mazda RX-8: common problems and reliability
One of the weaker RX-8 years.
60 owner complaints, most about air bags. 5 recalls.
Should I buy a 2006 RX-8?The 2006 Mazda RX-8 has 60 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are air bags and power train.
Safety record for the 2006 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2006 Mazda RX-8 vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other RX-8 years only. How we score it
Is 2006 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 60 complaints, the 2006 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
Recalls affecting the 2006 RX-8
air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Campaign 18V402000Mazda 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 18V404000Mazda 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 17V474000Mazda 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 17V354000Mazda 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 1 more recall
fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
Campaign 16V793000Mazda 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.
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 2006 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