FaultScore

Mercedes Benz E Class vs Mazda RX-8

Both cars' complete complaint records, side by side.

Read the totals carefully. NHTSA publishes no sales figures, so the car that sold more collects more complaints regardless of quality. The rows worth weighing are the proportions — the share of complaints that involved harm, and which part dominates.

Measure Mercedes Benz E Class Mazda RX-8
Complaints on file 412 1,004
Model years covered 1993–2008 2004–2011
Worst model year 2003 2004
Best model year 1996 2008
Crashes reported 14 35
Fires reported 12 17
Injuries reported 8 30
Deaths reported 0 0
Most complained-about part Electrical System Transmission & Drivetrain
Share of complaints involving harm 8.3% 8.2%

Mercedes Benz E Class by year

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks

Suspension 57 13.8%
Brakes 34 8.3%
Transmission & Drivetrain 20 4.9%
Body & Structure 18 4.4%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 17 4.1%

Mazda RX-8 by year

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks