2004 Mazda rx8. Consumer writes in regards to several defects in the vehicle. *Smd the consumer stated about a year after having the vehicle, the rear tail lights started filling up with water. Also, the vehicle stopped running with no warning. The consumer was informed the vehicle needed a catalytic converter. When the consumer took the vehicle to the dealer, he was informed the vehicle needed two oxygen sensors. After the oxygen sensors were replaced, the stalling continued. The consumer had the vehicle towed the dealer, where he was informed the vehicle needed a new engine.
Lights
Mazda RX-8 Lighting problems by year
13 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Mazda RX-8's lights. Headlights, tail lights, brake lights, turn signals and interior lighting failures.
Lighting complaints by model year
Latest RX-8 lighting complaints
Part numbers fe03-51-21yd (rear) and fe03-51-22yc (front). I have complained to the dealer when the car was under warranty that the headlights were not illuminating correctly my driving area at night. I took the car in to the dealer today and I was told that these parts are not covered. There has been a technical service bulletin (tsb) on this car concerning this issue for a long time. There should be a recall on these sensors because this is a severe safety issue. They were faulty to begin with. In addition they have known about it for a long time. *Tr
Most models of the 2005 rx-8 are equipped with hid headlights. In order to prevent accidents, the headlights have a "cutoff" that prevent blinding oncoming drivers, which I understand is required by law. The headlights on this vehicle have an autoleveling function which is supposed to level the headlights at the proper height dependent on the position of the car's suspension. The headlight levelers are controlled by two sensors, one on the drivers side front and one on the driver side rear wheel hub, connected...
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to the suspension components. There is a known defect with these sensors which causes the headlight levelers to malfunction, aiming the headlights either too low (which can cause an accident in the rx-8) or too high (which can cause an accident by blinding oncoming traffic). There is an electrical connector located beneath the car at each sensor that moisture can get inside, causing corrosion. This causes the sensors to fail and the headlights will auto-aim themselves in any orientation, and this cannot be overridden...I know, I have tried repeatedly to manually re-aim them myself. Manually resetting the headlights will only cause the headlights to mis-aim themselves again when the car is restarted and the sensors return faulty signals. Currently, my headlights are aimed far too high for oncoming traffic and I routinely get "flashed" by other drivers. Driving my car at night is unsafe for myself and other drivers due to this defect. As previously noted, this is a known issue and there have been apparently enough complaints about it that mazda has issued a technical bulletin on this defect, and the levelers have been re-engineered to use more heavy-duty connectors. I would urge the nhtsa to evaluate this issue and compel mazda to issue a recall for this defect asap. Thanks for your attention! Link to technical bulletin: http://www.Finishlineperformance.Com/pdf/rx8/bulletin/09-008-07-1729a.Pdf. *Tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 mazda rx8. The contact stated the headlights were extremely cloudy, causing very limited illumination. The manufacturer was contacted and advised that contact that the cloudiness was caused by outside influences due to the vehicle being stationed in florida. They also advised that the headlights would not be covered under factory warranty and provided no further assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were approximately 26,000. Updated 07/26/10. *Lj updated 08/03/10.*Jb
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 mazda rx8. The contact stated whenever it would rain, water would leak into the passengers side tail light. The dealer advised there were no recalls for the failure and repairs would be at the owners expense. In addition, the contact stated when accelerating from a complete stop the accelerator pedal would become extremely resistant to applied pressure or would sporadically lunge forward without warning. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure and could not offer a remedy. The...
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manufacturer would not provide any assistance. The failure mileage was 34,500 the consumer believed the vehicle also had transmission problems, due to it not shifting properly in 1st and gear. Updated 07/06/10.*Jb updated 07/08/10 *bf updated 07/09/10.*Jb
Defective tail light assembly;allows water/rain to enter assembly secondary to defective tail light gasket which degrades with age. 2004 Mazda rx-8. Consumer observed tail light assembly retaining water after a rain event. Consumer researched online and found that mazda issued a "service recall" to replace the defective gasket in the tail light assemblies. Consumer did not receive recall notice because, according to the dealer, my warranty had expired and the recall was not a safety issue. My question to you,...
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nhtsa, is why, when a service recall indicates that water in the tail light could result a short, or, the tail lights no longer working, is this a service recall and not a "safety recall?" It seems to me that if I were on a cross-country trip and at 2am, encountered a sevre winter thunder storm - rain and sleet - and my tail lights accumulated water, and shorted out, that this is not, according to your agency, a safety issue, but a service recall, which is not valid unless the vehicle is under warranty. Since the problem is a defective gasket - which degrades over-time, and when it fails, results in the failure of the tail lights to illuminate, is not classified as safety issue by your department; I respectfully request that you provide me with the documentation (authority) that permits an automobile manufacturer to classify the possibile failure of the vehicles tail lights as a "service recall," and not a safety (issue) recall. I would appreciate if you would forward my (this) inquiry to mr. Lahood's office because he recently idicated befor a congressional that he takes, and considers every inquiry to his department seriously.
The auto leveling headlights in mazda rx8s and certain other mazda vehicles routinely malfunctions due to corrosion. This causes the headlights to automatically return to their lowest position in most cases too low for driving conditions causing a major hazard to all drivers both of the mazda and other vehicles. Mazda recognized this issue with a service bulletin in 2007 however never recalled the vehicles for repair and weatherproofing. Even if the headlights are manually adjusted they will return to the lowest...
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position once the car is started and the malfunctioning auto leveling sensors kick in. The dealership that we purchased our mazda rx8 from does not see this as a safety issue and therefore will not repair or replace the sensors. After conferring with state law enforcement inspectors, they differ in opinion as to the auto leveling malfunction being a hazard especially if the vehicle is traveling at higher speeds. Mazda should be forced to recall and replace the malfunctioning sensors to prevent accidents due to lacking visibility. *Tr
Water leaks into the rear tail light assemblies. Corrosion affects the operation of the tail lights, turn and stop signals. Mazdausa claims this is "normal". *Tr
The part number of the item is mazda part #fe03-51-21yd and #fe03-51-22yc. This part is installed in the mazda's vehicle the rx8. The part started to fail at around 57,000 miles within just less than two months after the warranty expired and 7,000 miles after the vehicle's manufacturer warranty expired. This part should be considered a safety component because it presents a dangerous threat to both drivers and passengers occupying the vehicle during failure and mazda is claiming that it is not. The reason why...
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is that when this parts fails to function properly the headlight beams cannot be regulated properly in order to see safely. Instead what will happen is that the lights will not adjust to the correct height and will not illuminate the road so that the driver cannot see ahead of the vehicle. On my vehicle specifically when the incident occurred and re-occurred I could not see no further then a range of ten to fifteen feet from my vehicle. In the research I've done I've read in the forums that this is extremely common in all the models built within the time period of 2004-2007 built before the date of november 15, 2006 (before they redesigned the part). *Tr
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 mazda rx8. While driving various speeds, the vehicle will stall without warning. He took the vehicle to a local repair shop and a mechanic stated that fuel flooded the engine and causes the vehicle to stall. The engine was completely replaced. In addition, it takes several attempts to start the vehicle in cold weather conditions. The dealer stated that condensation was present and a vacuum needed to be installed, which would prevent water interference. The rear driver's side...
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exterior lighting needed to be replaced due to the water entry. Finally, the front passenger side wheel bearing failed, which almost caused the tire to separate from the vehicle. The failure mileage was 32,000 and current mileage was 43,000. Updated 020209 *bf the right front wheel bearing was worn. The check engine light illuminated. The front and rear coils were replaced. Updated 02/03/09. *Jb
I'm going in today for the third time because my ac continues to make a noise when the fan is blowing. I cant even begin to list all of the problems I've had with this car. Just to name a few I'm on my second engine, new brakes, battery and tires before 40k miles and I was told by three different shops that something is really wrong with the brakes but mazda claims other wise. I've had a two new radiators and my driver window went out along with everything else from the visor falling off during the hot summer...
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because it just melted. How does a "sun visor" melt. I've had the shifting paddles replaced because they just didn't work and I don't even really use them, the gas cap lock broke and I had to pry it open since the eject no longer worked... I think you get the point and I didn't even mention some of the bi items. I've never had so many problems with a car in my life. I cant wait until I can sell it or maybe ill get lucky and it will implode. It wouldn't surprise me at this point. This car is junk!!! I'm going back to honda. *Tr
The rear passenger tail lamp on the 2004 mazda rx-8 is known to collect water inside the lamp, sometimes as much as 2 inches or more. This is a known issue with mazda and they will replace the lamp only in under warranty. But according to the mazda dealer where I purchased my vehicle, water in a tail lamp is considered a safety hazard and will not allow the vehicle to pass the annual texas department of public safety inspection in the state of texas. According to the dealer, although it is considered a safety...
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hazard by the texas department of public safety, the replacement of the lamp would not be covered by mazda since my vehicle mileage exceeds the warranty. If it is considered a safety hazard by the texas department of public safety and is not acceptable to their inspection procedures and it is a known defect by mazda, I believe that mazda owns the responsibility in replacing the tail lamp. *Tr
I purchased an 05 mazda rx8 in jan of this year. Several weeks ago, I was informed by other drivers that my driver's headlight causes them a distraction because it glows brighter, as if the high beam has come on. I have seen this myself when I drove another car in front of mine. I took the car into service at the local mazda dealer and was informed that the light is functioning properly because the other car on the lot does it also." I believe this issue needs to be looked into because it is a serious...
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distraction and can cause an accident. From a driver looking back at the rx8 through the rear view mirror it looks as if someone is shining a spot light on them. This is a distraction that can lead to a vehicle accident. This is very serious and I can't seem to get anyone to look into this situation. If there is anyone you can suggest that I speak with, please let me know.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data