I have a 2004 RX-8 that I haven't been able to drive for over a year because nobody can figure out what's wrong with it. It's an automatic transmission where every time I get to 4th gear it slips down to 3rd, the engine revs for a while and it sometimes goes back to 4th and sometimes just stalls. Hopefully this description is enough detail as I'm not much of a mechanic but I'd love to hear if anyone has heard of similar problems or knows of any solutions. Thank you so much for listening.

 

First thing to check would be the fluid level but it sounds like your transmission is ready for some major work. I'd suggest a visit to a transmission shop.

 

So, if you never get to 4th gear, it runs fine?

And when you say "and sometimes just stalls", do you mean the engine stops running? And does it restart ok when this happens?

 

I had that same problem on my last 8 that was an auto.. My dealership did a reprogram and it worked fine after that

 

jcook where are you located?

 

Im located in central Jersey zoom. Thanks lilring, I'll have to ask about that. Wingz, it mostly runs fine otherwise, the only other thing I forgot to mention was sometimes at red-lights it stalls too. But yes, it always restarts just fine. Btw, the car only has 45K miles on it

 

which dealership?

 

That definitely sounds like something's wrong with the ecu... the slip to 3rd could be the clutches inside the tranny, but in that case the car would simply rev without engaging 4th... any CEL's?

 

it was the dealership in Brick, NJ

 

correct me if im wrong but if that car has 45k miles...you are still within the 100,000mi engine and powertrain warranty....that dealership should be replacing your trans if they go through all of the diagnostic work.

 

Okay, you're wrong.

Power train warranty is only for 4 years, 50k miles.
Engine Warranty is for 8 years 100k miles.

No new transmission for the OP, unless they have an extended warranty.

BC.

 

Take it to Wayne Mazda. It sounds like a Bad engine and Tranny to me.

Right about the Engine.
Powertrain warranty is 5 years, 60K miles. whichever comes first.

at least mine is