SQ88

Noise - will take it in for recall pads

samsonite1

Sorry for not posting yesterday.

I will have the results to date later today.

But there is a obvious issue with the MT with build dates on or about 8/2003

Slims8

hmmmm... Sorry... I seemed to have my build date wrong. I don't know what I was thinking, must be the Mustang. My build date was 2/04

Ajax

Build date 01/04

Current mileage 12200

ecu flash level M
Any issues with the previous level? no
Any issues with the current level? no

MT or AT MT
Any issues with the transmission? If so, what?
Issue with gears? Fails to enter reverse on occasion. Not hard shift, literal half shift into reverse, feels like the car is in gear but if you let the clutch out, the synchro just spins.
Issue with the clutch? Sometimes feels like there is resistance in the pedal. Disabling DSC and or TCS removes it usually.
Issue with the T/O bearing? Dont think so.
Issue with noise? Noisey idle.
Issue with flywheel no
Issue with harmonic balance? no

Tires on the car Bridgestone
Issues with alignment? no
Issues with balance no
Issues with cupping on the inside? no

Any aftermarket mods no
Did the mods effect stock components? If so what was the mod and what did it affect?

Driving style normal or aggressive normal with typical shifts between 4 and 5 k

Driving cycle - %city % highway 50% highway 50 % city

Issues the car has been in for: Recalls, center console lid replaced, failure to shift into reverse (not fixed yet)

Outstanding issues: Still have problems getting into reverse sometimes. Rear view mirror vibrates (homelink mirror)

Engine oil - dino or synth dino
Any issues with the motor? no

Transmission oil - Dino or synth dino
Did any issues with the transmission get better with the fluid change? have not changed

Diff oil - dino or synth
Did any issues with the diff get better with the fluid change? have not changed

Body - Any issues? paint chips easily.

Interior - Fit and finish. Rattles and squeaks. Noisy window lifts? Rear view mirror rattles.


Brakes - any issues? Noise? Premature wear? Starting to squeal.

Feras

iTrader: (1)

Build date 5/03 (first boat?)

Current mileage 9500

ecu flash level M
Any issues with the previous level? sluggish starts (J flash)
Any issues with the current level? none

MT or AT: MT
Any issues with the transmission? If so, what? none smooth as silk
Issue with gears? 6th is sometimes hard to get into if jumping from 4th to 6th
Issue with the clutch? none
Issue with the T/O bearing?
Issue with noise? a little noise when idling
Issue with flywheel none
Issue with harmonic balance? none

Tires on the car RE040s were done at 9000 miles, got Blizzak LM22 for the winter
Issues with alignment? none pulls both left and right, tramlining
Issues with balance none
Issues with cupping on the inside? none

Any aftermarket mods none
Did the mods effect stock components? If so what was the mod and what did it affect?

Driving style normal or aggressive: very aggressive (see tire life above)

Driving cycle - %city % highway 80% city 20% highway

Issues the car has been in for: oil pan TSB, M flash, replaced headlights (scratched on shipment), repainted rusty rotors, nuts tightened

Outstanding issues

Engine oil - dino or synth: castrol GTX 5w20
Any issues with the motor? none it rocks

Transmission oil - Dino or synth stock
Did any issues with the transmission get better with the fluid change? mechanic told me not to touch transmission oil till 20k miles lest i get a problem

Diff oil - dino or synth stock
Did any issues with the diff get better with the fluid change? same as above mechanic advised against

Body - Any issues? tail light fogging

Interior - Fit and finish. Rattles and squeaks. Noisy window lifts? Etc center console broken

Brakes - any issues? Noise? Premature wear? noise, replaced with TSB

army_rx8

Build date 06/03

Current mileage 26271

ecu flash level M
Any issues with the previous level? no
Any issues with the current level? no

MT or AT MT
Any issues with the transmission? If so, what? no
Issue with gears? none
Issue with the clutch?none
Issue with the T/O bearing? none
Issue with noise? none
Issue with flywheel none
Issue with harmonic balance? none

Tires on the car Bridgestone potenza re040
Issues with alignment? no
Issues with balance no
Issues with cupping on the inside? no

Any aftermarket mods racing beat exhaust/racing beat spark plug wires
Did the mods effect stock components? If so what was the mod and what did it affect? none

Driving style normal or aggressive normal with typical shifts between 4 and 5 k 50/50

Driving cycle - %city % highway 50% highway 50 % city

Issues the car has been in for: Recalls, evap system replaced (dealer f'd it up during service), oil pan replaced due to faulty sensor

Outstanding issues: single bushing makes noise dependent on the temperature (only when warm)

Engine oil - dino or synth dino
Any issues with the motor? no

Transmission oil - Dino or synth dino
Did any issues with the transmission get better with the fluid change? have not changed

Diff oil - dino or synth
Did any issues with the diff get better with the fluid change? have not changed

Body - Any issues? none

Interior - Fit and finish. none


Brakes - any issues? Noise? Premature wear? rear right brack slight sqeel when lightly pushing the brack

expo1

Build date 5/2003

Current mileage 20,100

ecu flash level M-Flash
Any issues with the previous level? NO
Any issues with the current level? NO

MT or AT MT
Any issues with the transmission? If so, what?
Issue with gears? NO
Issue with the clutch? NO
Issue with the T/O bearing? NO
Issue with noise? NO
Issue with flywheel NO
Issue with harmonic balance? NO

Tires on the car RE040 with 20,000 miles + still room for more
Issues with alignment? NO
Issues with balance NO
Issues with cupping on the inside? NO

Any aftermarket mods YES
Did the mods effect stock components? If so what was the mod and what did it affect?
RACING BEAT SWAY BARS (FT & RR) CAR TAKES TURNS BETTER

Driving style normal or aggressive NORMAL

Driving cycle - %city % highway 25% 75%

Issues the car has been in for

OIL PAN REPLACED PER TSB => OIL LIGHT WOULD COME ON
REPALCED SPARK PLUGS AFTER LOSS OF POWER DURING A TRACK DAY

Outstanding issues

Engine oil - dino or synth DINO
Any issues with the motor? NO

Transmission oil - Dino or synth SYNTH
Did any issues with the transmission get better with the fluid change? N/A

Diff oil - dino or synth SYNTH
Did any issues with the diff get better with the fluid change? N/A

Body - Any issues? NO

Interior - Fit and finish. Rattles and squeaks. Noisy window lifts? Etc NO

Brakes - any issues? Noise? Premature wear? SQUEEL SOMETIMES / NO
Reply With Quote

Howard

Build date 08/03

Current mileage 2500

ecu flash level not sure
Any issues with the previous level?
Any issues with the current level?

MT or AT MT
Any issues with the transmission? If so, what? NO
Issue with gears? NO
Issue with the clutch? NO
Issue with the T/O bearing? NO
Issue with noise? NO
Issue with flywheel NO
Issue with harmonic balance? NO

Tires on the car NO
Issues with alignment? NO
Issues with balance NO
Issues with cupping on the inside? NO

Any aftermarket mods NONE
Did the mods effect stock components? If so what was the mod and what did it affect?

Driving style normal or aggressive Aggressive

Driving cycle - %city % highway 90 - 10

Issues the car has been in for gas milage - nail in tire - broken fuse box latch

Outstanding issues Gas Milage as low as 10

Engine oil - dino or synth Dino
Any issues with the motor? NO

Transmission oil - Dino or synth Dino
Did any issues with the transmission get better with the fluid change?

Diff oil - dino or synth dino
Did any issues with the diff get better with the fluid change?

Body - Any issues? NO

Interior - Fit and finish. Rattles and squeaks. Noisy window lifts? Etc Exellent

Brakes - any issues? Noise? Premature wear? rusty rotors

MELRX8

Build date 09/03

Current mileage 7,500

ecu flash level M
Any issues with the previous level? None
Any issues with the current level? None

MT or AT MT
Any issues with the transmission? If so, what? None
Issue with gears? None
Issue with the clutch? None
Issue with the T/O bearing? None
Issue with noise? None
Issue with flywheel None
Issue with harmonic balance? None

Tires on the car
Issues with alignment? None
Issues with balance None
Issues with cupping on the inside? None

Any aftermarket mods Yes
Did the mods effect stock components? If so what was the mod and what did it affect? aFe air filter, better air flow, improved mileage

Driving style normal or aggressive aggressive

Driving cycle - %city % highway 60/40

Issues the car has been in for drivers side door lock, window not functioning (electrically)

Outstanding issues None

Engine oil - dino or synth dino
Any issues with the motor? None

Transmission oil - Dino or synth synth
Did any issues with the transmission get better with the fluid change? quieter, smoother operation

Diff oil - dino or synth synth
Did any issues with the diff get better with the fluid change? No issues to begin with

Body - Any issues? poor front bumper fit and color match

Interior - Fit and finish. Rattles and squeaks. Noisy window lifts? Etc clicking sound in drivers seat during turns

Brakes - any issues? Noise? Premature wear? None

Rick

Build date: 06-03

Current mileage 9894

ecu flash level M
Any issues with the previous level? NO
Any issues with the current level? NO

MT or AT AT
Any issues with the transmission? If so, what? NO
Issue with gears?
Issue with the clutch?
Issue with the T/O bearing?
Issue with noise?
Issue with flywheel
Issue with harmonic balance?

Tires on the car
Issues with alignment? NO
Issues with balance? NO
Issues with cupping on the inside? NO

Any aftermarket mods? NO
Did the mods effect stock components? If so what was the mod and what did it affect?

Driving style normal or aggressive MIX

Driving cycle - %city % highway 90/10

Issues the car has been in for SMOG PUMP FAILURE

Outstanding issues NO

Engine oil - dino or synth DINO
Any issues with the motor? NO

Transmission oil - Dino or synth OEM
Did any issues with the transmission get better with the fluid change? N/A

Diff oil - dino or synth OEM
Did any issues with the diff get better with the fluid change? N/A

Body - Any issues? NO

Interior - Fit and finish. Rattles and squeaks. Noisy window lifts? Etc A FEW SQUEAKS

Brakes - any issues? Noise? Premature wear? NO

intakedrotary

Build date - Not sure, early '04

Current mileage 13500

ecu flash level-none
Any issues with the previous level? N/A
Any issues with the current level? Poor mpg

MT or AT -MT
Any issues with the transmission? If so, what? lost of all gears and clutch and flywheel are gone, blew up clutch
Issue with gears? lost all gears except for 1st.
Issue with the clutch? blew out clutch
Issue with the T/O bearing? no
Issue with noise? in neutral, clutch released, it's noisy, hampster on wheel!!
Issue with flywheel won't engage with clutch, whinning noise
Issue with harmonic balance? no

Tires on the car OEM
Issues with alignment? no
Issues with balance no
Issues with cupping on the inside? no

Any aftermarket mods K&N intake, Tein S-tech springs, borla exhaust
Did the mods effect stock components? If so what was the mod and what did it affect? did not affect anything

Driving style normal or aggressive- normal except for getting onto the interstate then normal again.

Driving cycle - %city % highway 70/30

Issues the car has been in for - none yet.

Outstanding issues

Engine oil - dino or synth - synthetic
Any issues with the motor? no

Transmission oil - Dino or synth- stock
Did any issues with the transmission get better with the fluid change?

Diff oil - dino or synth -stock
Did any issues with the diff get better with the fluid change?

Body - Any issues?

Interior - Fit and finish. Rattles and squeaks.- driver side window is out of track and driver door handle outside rattles because of soundsystem.

Brakes - any issues? Noise? Premature wear? excessive brake dust

houstonrx8er

iTrader: (8)

Build date: 10/03
Current mileage 27000
ecu flash level M
Any issues with the previous level? NO
Any issues with the current level? NO

MT or AT AT
Any issues with the transmission? If so, what? Yes
Issue with gears? 4th gear i shard to go into at high RPM's (happened with another driver also)
Issue with the clutch? no
Issue with the T/O bearing? no
Issue with noise? no
Issue with flywheel ? no
Issue with harmonic balance? no

Tires on the car- Potenza
Issues with alignment? NO
Issues with balance? NO
Issues with cupping on the inside? NO

Any aftermarket mods? Replaced stock filter w/K&N
Did the mods effect stock components? If so what was the mod and what did it affect?

Driving style normal or aggressive MIX

Driving cycle - %city % highway 20%/80%

Outstanding issues NO

Engine oil - dino or synth OEM
Any issues with the motor? NO

Transmission oil - Dino or synth OEM
Did any issues with the transmission get better with the fluid change? N/A

Diff oil - dino or synth OEM
Did any issues with the diff get better with the fluid change? N/A

Body - Any issues? NO

Interior - Fit and finish. Rattles and squeaks. Noisy window lifts? Etc I have 4 rattles back window speaker, center speaker, sun roof when in tilt, both door speakers (or handles)

Brakes - any issues? Noise? Premature wear? NO

Slims8

Any luck with the trending?

Landon_Starr

This would not be a "statistically sound" sample to trend from. Response to a posting such as this would be significantly biased to people with "problems". There's not a proper control population or a large enough sample size to determine ANY trending here. You'd need data from Mazda to do this appropriately.

--Landon

rotten42

Build date Not sure - I'll ad it later

Current mileage 7200 miles

ecu flash level M
Any issues with the previous level? N
Any issues with the current level? N

MT or AT MT
Any issues with the transmission? If so, what? N
Issue with gears?
Issue with the clutch?
Issue with the T/O bearing?
Issue with noise?
Issue with flywheel
Issue with harmonic balance?

Tires on the car Stock for Summer - Bridgestone LM-22 winter
Issues with alignment? N
Issues with balance N
Issues with cupping on the inside? B

Any aftermarket mods
Did the mods effect stock components? If so what was the mod and what did it affect? Just added side strakes for appearance

Driving style normal or aggressive Normal

Driving cycle - %city % highway 80 city 20 highway

Issues the car has been in for Replace the engine @ 2400 miles

Outstanding issues None

Engine oil - dino or synth Dino
Any issues with the motor? yes, replaced - no compression

Transmission oil - Dino or synth Dino
Did any issues with the transmission get better with the fluid change?

Diff oil - dino or synth Dino
Did any issues with the diff get better with the fluid change?

Body - Any issues? No

Interior - Fit and finish. Rattles and squeaks. Noisy window lifts? Etc No

Brakes - any issues? Noise? Premature wear? No

Omicron

Build date: 08/03

Current mileage: 7700

ecu flash level: "N" (one flash past M)
Any issues with the previous level? None
Any issues with the current level? Recalled, but have not myself had any issues

MT or AT: MT
Any issues with the transmission? If so, what? None
Issue with gears? None
Issue with the clutch? None
Issue with the T/O bearing? None
Issue with noise? None
Issue with flywheel None
Issue with harmonic balance? None

Tires on the car: Pirelli PZero Nero M+S 245/40-18
Issues with alignment? None
Issues with balance? None
Issues with cupping on the inside? None

Any aftermarket mods: Too many to list here. Click the pic in my signature. :D
Did the mods effect stock components? If so what was the mod and what did it affect?

Driving style normal or aggressive: Normal mostly, sometimes agressive :D.

Driving cycle - %city % highway 20% city, 60% rural roads, 20% highway

Issues the car has been in for: None except 2 recalls (tranny damper and airbag) and reflashes as they come out.

Outstanding issues: None

Engine oil - dino or synth: Dino
Any issues with the motor? None

Transmission oil - Dino or synth: Synth (Redline)
Did any issues with the transmission get better with the fluid change? None. No mileage gain noted either.

Diff oil - dino or synth: Synth (Redline)
Did any issues with the diff get better with the fluid change? Smoother.

Body - Any issues? None

Interior - Fit and finish. Rattles and squeaks. Noisy window lifts? Etc No problems.

Brakes - any issues? Noise? Premature wear? No noise, no premature wear

Love my car! :D

Haze

Build Date August 2003

Current Mileage 21,000

Flash Level: Original M

Previous issue with prior flash levels: At K the car was fouling its plugs all over the place which caused poor mileage and severe deposits on plugs. The car was misfiring so I had the dealer compression test. They replaced the plugs with the hotter plug range and reflashed to L.

L worked OK, but I got reflashed to M anyway, which has been generally more satisfactory than L.

Manual Trans. The throwout bearing is extremely loud when cold and getting worse. Gears are hard to engage when cold, which I consider pretty normal for any car. Trans works fine other than the throwout bearing which I don't expect to live forever. Other than that, this is a very good transmission.

Running stock Bridgestones in Summer and Bridgestone Winter tires in Winter with an extra set of wheels. The stock Bridgestones started out catching every groove in the road, but have worn very well to become very good tires. The handle well and no longer wander.

No Mods

Driving generally normal; sometimes quite agressive.

40% highway; 60% city

It's been to the dealer for two recalls: tranny damper and airvag wiring; it has been in to be reflashed twice; oil changes; plug replacement due to misfire.

Needs to go in for a clunk out of the front left wheel that sounds like an under torqued sway bar bushing.

Have not repaired the broken sliding compartment in the armrest, which just sucks.

Engine oil: Castrol 5-20. Tried Pennzoil, which was horrible in the car.

Change the oil every 3,750 miles with new filter every time.

Trans and Diff oil are original.

Body solid as a church.

Interior fit and finish are excellent (with the exception of compartment lid)! No rattles, and the car is the quitest car that I have ever driven. Love it!

Brakes have squeaked, mostly in summer, but by applying the brakes with a little more force than normal, they clean up well. They are wearing fine. I will not replace, unless the dealer does it without asking.

Slims8

First, good luck getting anything from Mazda. Second, this isn't seeing what % of people are having problems. Sure there are more people with problems going to post here than those without problems. This is mainly to see if there is a trend in Builds, Mods, or anything like that in the problems we do see. After recently reading a post which said Mazda admitted to having a "bad batch" of transmissions, it would be nice to see if we can see the same trend. This is especially helping me since I have been paying for a $30,000 that I have driven for 12 days since August 9th due to transmission issues . I am interested in the kind of data that shows up here.

RX8-TX

Build date: Mid '03

Current mileage: 20,600

ecu flash level: M
Any issues with the previous level? None
Any issues with the current level? None

MT
Any issues with the transmission? If so, what? None
Issue with gears? Tricky to get out of 1st Gear.
Issue with the clutch? None
Issue with the T/O bearing? None
Issue with noise? Noisy with clutch released, quiet when depressed.
Issue with flywheel None
Issue with harmonic balance? None

Tires on the car Stock: Bridgestone Potenza RE-040
Issues with alignment? None
Issues with balance None
Issues with cupping on the inside? None

Any aftermarket mods None
Did the mods effect stock components? If so what was the mod and what did it affect?

Driving style normal or aggressive: Agressive
Driving cycle - %city % highway: 70/30

Issues the car has been in for: 2 Recalls / Quiet front brake pads / Steering cover insulated for rattles / Shift **** changed for unusual wear

Outstanding issues

Engine oil - dino or synth: dino
Any issues with the motor? None

Transmission oil - Dino or synth: Never Changed
Did any issues with the transmission get better with the fluid change? N/A

Diff oil - dino or synth Never Changed
Did any issues with the diff get better with the fluid change? N/A

Body - Any issues? None

Interior - Fit and finish. Rattles and squeaks. Noisy window lifts? Etc: some unidentified rattles & squeaks, center console lid is dying.

Brakes - any issues? Noise? Premature wear? Front brake pads replaced for "quiet" version per TSB.

Labop

Build date: I'll get back to ya

Current mileage: 9160

ecu flash level: M
Any issues with the previous level? No
Any issues with the current level? No

MT
Any issues with the transmission: no
Issue with gears: no
Issue with the clutch: no
Issue with the T/O bearing: no
Issue with noise: no
Issue with flywheel: no
Issue with harmonic balanc: no

Tires on the car: OEM Potenzas
Issues with alignment: no
Issues with balance: no
Issues with cupping on the inside: no

Any aftermarket mods: tinting, clear corners, no performance mods
Did the mods effect stock components? no

Driving style normal or aggressive: normal to moderatly aggressive

Driving cycle - 70% city, 30% highway

Issues the car has been in for:
- Squeeling Brakes
- Fouled Plugs, one plug was bent
- M Flash

Outstanding issues:
- latch on center console is loose

Engine oil - dino
Any issues with the motor: no

Transmission oil - OEM, don't think it's been changed yet

Diff oil - OEM, don't think it's been changed yet

Body - Any issues: swirls on the paint when under flourescent lights.

Interior - Fit and finish. Rattles and squeaks. Noisy window lifts? Etc
some rattles on the dash when cornering or over bumps.

Brakes - any issues? Noise? Premature wear?
yup, see above. since repair action, noise is zero, and there is a dramatic reduction in brake dust.

Rotor 8

Hey im thinking of buying a 2005 m/t rx-8 is there anything i need to know about it...problems...need to do's......etc...whats all this reflash stuff im reading...someone explain please....thanks

valpac

iTrader: (2)

man, you have alot of reading to do.

ProToolsKid

Build date Mid '03-Arrived to dealer Aug 1st '03

Current mileage 28,500 Houston's a Big Place and I love to drive..

ecu flash level D/K one level past M
Any issues with the previous level? Car was sluggish
Any issues with the current level? Flooding

MT or AT
Any issues with the transmission? If so, what? YES
Issue with gears? 1st & 2nd Grinding on upshift until dealer changed oil now 2nd & 3rd Grind in upshift horrible and loud grind on any gear downshift to 2nd at any speed even if below 50Mph. Took to dealer and Refused to repair said it was normal Wear and Tear and the service Director was rude and loud about the whole thing. I thingk he influanced the decision w/ the regional rep to over turn the warranty claim. Also after they changed gear oil they frogot to tighten Diff fill plug and oil drained out and burned on muffler. The Same Director denied that it happened there and was a really rude to me about the whole thing
Issue with the clutch? Dealer Said it's worn out but I do nothing but normal Driving very little hard clutching
Issue with the T/O bearing? D/K
Issue with noise? Weird wirring sound in Nuetral
Issue with flywheel D/K
Issue with harmonic balance? D/K

Tires on the car Front= Factory Potenza RE040---Rear=Potenza S03 Factory Size
Issues with alignment? YES
Issues with balance D/K
Issues with cupping on the inside? D/K

Any aftermarket mods Not Really just corner lights and other bulbs, & strakes
Did the mods effect stock components? If so what was the mod and what did it affect?

Driving style normal or aggressive Normal

Driving cycle - %city % highway 60% City, 40% Highway

Issues the car has been in for Seats Creeking and lack of padding in seat back, Brakes Squeel, Flooding, Center Console Lid 2 times, Door Sills, Rattilng in Rear doors, CAT Ratteling, Vibration Mount on Tranny, Air Bag Rattle, Metallic Ratteling sound 4 times ended up being rotor shields hitting rotors when crossing over Lane markers, Rear Cup Holder Lid Broke on first use, Front Bumper Sag, Ignition switch Loud when shut of car, Dealer forgot to tighten oil fill plug on differential, Water Pupm Leaking and more.

Outstanding issues

Engine oil - dino or synth Castrol GTX
Any issues with the motor? Feels Sluggish and weird in Idle

Transmission oil - Dino or synth Dealer replaced
Did any issues with the transmission get better with the fluid change? Hell No They got worse

Diff oil - dino or synth Dealer Installed
Did any issues with the diff get better with the fluid change? Hell No, Dealer forgot to tighten fill plug sprayed gear oil all over muffler and exhaust, very stinky

Body - Any issues? Front Bumper Sag, Fog Lights keep cracking not hitting anything I think is the heat and Glass.

Interior - Fit and finish. Rattles and squeaks. Noisy window lifts? Etc Yes Center Console broke twice, Seats Squeek, Also there was an issue with Driver seat and a seat frame protruding too far forward and hurtng my lower back over time got worse and lots of other squeeks and rattles

Brakes - any issues? Noise? Premature wear? Already Replaced but lots of origional issues included Rotor Warping 3 time. Brakes Squeeled really bad, and pads wore down too quickly I changed at 18,000 probably coz of rotors warping

khtm

Noise in front

ProToolsKid

What post is it talking about Mazda admitting a bad batch of transmissions?