Hey guys,
I am in the process of writing up the Car and Driver article on the RX-8 and in one very small section we need a quick blurb about known issues with the 2004-2008 RX-8s. Can you guys let me know of any major issues or problems? Don't worry it's not going to make the RX-8 look bad (it's not even a sentence of stuff), every car has issues so we just want future buyers to look out for problem areas.

Thanks!
Jon

 

Uh haha, I'm currently getting my third engine under the extended engine warranty but typically beside that there are common problems such as the starter, moisture in the tail lights and broken sun visors. A lot of these issues were addressed in TSB's along with other things (not the tail lights and visors though).

check out this thread.

https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discussion-3/satisfaction-survey-your-rx-8-a-15032/

 

Motor mounts like to fail

 

most rx8s dont have a spare tire, because its dead weight. so when i got a flat i busted out my emergency flat tire repair kit [standard in my rx8] it includes patches and this liquid that you pour into the tire and it will set and dry and fill any holes, or so it claims. i leaked out and dryed on the ground. not a huge deal though. id rather have a 2900 lb rx8 than a 3050 lb rx8 anyday. besides that, the car is a dream. Its as smooth as a car twice the price and it looks really cool too,

2008 Special Edition 40th Anniversary RX-8 - Greddy SE Catback Exhaust - K&N 69-Series Typhoon Short Ram Intake - COBB AccessPORT ECU Programmer - Bilstein Shocks, exclusively designed for this limited edition RX-8 - Urethane Foam filled Suspension Cross Member - P225/45R18 Tires - APR GTC-200 Carbon Fiber Spoiler / MazdaSpeed Spoiler - 18 in" Aluminum Alloy Rims, Flat Black - Black and Purple painted Emblems - Purple painted Calipers Mmm, purps!

 

The starter wasn't a failure issue, but was undersized. There were TSBs for the tail lights and sun visors. Those three items (and I think nearly all of the other minor issues) were fixed by the 2006 model.

I've got an '06, and the only problem I've had is wiping the smile off my face after every drive.

Ken

 

Oh ok. In 95k, I have had drivers side visor replaced twice and the passenger side once with the "upgraded" visors and I have had two or three "upgraded" tail lights. Since I was out of basic warranty the last time, I sealed the light with black RTV and it seems to have worked. Not to mention a local guy here with an 07' just had his tails replaced due to condensation.

But yes many of the issues were seemingly small and were addressed but the engine issue is the biggest glaring issue.

 

im just over 80k and most of my issue's have been minor. with the exception of a new tranny at about 40k-50k, compliments of mazda.

 

Ignition coils tend to fail and need replacement every 40K miles or so. There are aftermarket kits to replace them and OEM replacements are $30 each for 4.

Cat. converters can melt and clog due to high exhaust temps. These are replaced under emissions warranty.

+1 on engine replacement on early RX8s due to not enough oil injection and lubrication. They have extended engine warranty to 8yr/100K.

 

THE DAMN CLUTCH PEDAL.....it has been known to randomly snap

 

^ +1 on the clutch pedal. Mine's squeakin' right now

 

Clutch pedal and coils are the top two IMO.

 

^^^ + 1

I have an '06 with 25k and I have not had any issues so far however this is a known MAJOR issue.
Please look here:
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-trouble-shooting-95/clutch-pedal-snap-off-8-year-warranty-recall-%7E%7E%7E-132912/


Again my '06 manual has given me no issues at 25k miles.

 

Most of my stuff was changed by the dealer under warranty after I bought the car...for the most part, I had no idea what they were doing until I asked why was a 30 min oil change taking like 4hours!! They only thing I did bring the car in for was the sun roof issue..again, covered under warranty... I am having the clutch pedal squeak now.. I wonder if I can get them to replace that too..

 

Great, thanks guys. I will check out those threads. Anything else, just keep it coming.