RX-8 Control Arm/Ball Joint Problems RECALL
No big deal. Can be sorted when the cars come back in in August. Check the ball joints while the car is having it's underbody inspection for the fuel tank recall. Hopefully it's just going to be an inspection. Hate to be changing 55,000 lower control arms....
Here it is from NHTSA. It only applies to 2004 vehicles (at least so far).
Make: MAZDA
Model: RX8
Type: PASSENGER CAR
Year: 2004
Recall Number: 05V325000
Summary:
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, DUE TO IMPROPER FORGING OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM, CRACKS MAY OCCUR IN THE BALL JOINT SOCKET.
Consequence:
IN SEVERE DRIVING CONDITIONS, THE BALL MAY SEPARATE FROM THE BALL JOINT SOCKET AND A LOSS OF STEERING MAY OCCUR, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL REPAIR THESE VEHICLES. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING AUGUST 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.
Notes:
MAZDA RECALL NO. 3405G. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236; (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
Make: MAZDA
Model: RX8
Type: PASSENGER CAR
Year: 2004
Recall Number: 05V325000
Summary:
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, DUE TO IMPROPER FORGING OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM, CRACKS MAY OCCUR IN THE BALL JOINT SOCKET.
Consequence:
IN SEVERE DRIVING CONDITIONS, THE BALL MAY SEPARATE FROM THE BALL JOINT SOCKET AND A LOSS OF STEERING MAY OCCUR, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL REPAIR THESE VEHICLES. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING AUGUST 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MAZDA AT 1-800-222-5500.
Notes:
MAZDA RECALL NO. 3405G. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236; (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
Originally Posted by SDB
Here it is from NHTSA. It only applies to 2004 vehicles (at least so far).
Summary:
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, DUE TO IMPROPER FORGING OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM, CRACKS MAY OCCUR IN THE BALL JOINT SOCKET.
Consequence:
IN SEVERE DRIVING CONDITIONS, THE BALL MAY SEPARATE FROM THE BALL JOINT SOCKET AND A LOSS OF STEERING MAY OCCUR, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Summary:
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, DUE TO IMPROPER FORGING OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM, CRACKS MAY OCCUR IN THE BALL JOINT SOCKET.
Consequence:
IN SEVERE DRIVING CONDITIONS, THE BALL MAY SEPARATE FROM THE BALL JOINT SOCKET AND A LOSS OF STEERING MAY OCCUR, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Originally Posted by expo1
Guess the 3 day track weekend I have booked 8/19 @ Pocono Raceway is a no go?? I have a 5/03 build, a VIN range on this issue would be VERY helpfull !
As always, thanks for the information to clarify the confusion on this forum lately. It's an exciting time this month for us RX-8 owners since we'll be driving around with the potential to crash (suspension failure) and burn (heat and leaky fuel tank). :D
Thanks for the information. At this point maybe I should get my deposit back and go buy something else. This doesn't look good for getting my car anytime before September...
I just don't even know what to say anymore....
I just don't even know what to say anymore....
Originally Posted by downshift
It's an exciting time this month for us RX-8 owners since we'll be driving around with the potential to crash (suspension failure) and burn (heat and leaky fuel tank). :D
Originally Posted by Crash
Thanks for the information. At this point maybe I should get my deposit back and go buy something else. This doesn't look good for getting my car anytime before September...
I just don't even know what to say anymore....
I just don't even know what to say anymore....

Gomez.
Originally Posted by Crash
Are they likely to give me an 05 for 4,400 under invoice? My guess is probably no.
They have plenty of suckers that'll pay over invoice or even MSRP is some cases.
They have plenty of suckers that'll pay over invoice or even MSRP is some cases.
My suggestion is to try to get the same dealer to swap the car for an 05. If they won't budge get your money back and head over to the nearest other Mazda dealer. I'm sure they'll be happy to sell you one.
Last edited by PUR NRG; May 1, 2011 at 06:29 AM.
As the letter says... when Mazda puts together their little pdf on what to do, how to do it and what to do it with. My guess is a few days to a couple of weeks. All should have already been notified via email and the parts are already available. Until they get the official recall info out they most likely won't do anything for you.



all of the concerns have been talken care of for those builds