33 of the 1,004 complaints filed about the Mazda RX-8 are about the glass, mirrors and wipers — 3% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2004.
33
Complaints
3%
Share of all complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
VISIBILITY/WIPER
THE RING/ASSEMBLY HOLDING THE DRIVER SIDE VISOR CRACKED WITH NORMAL USE (PUTTING THE VISOR DOWN (NO EXCESS FORCE WAS USED) AND THE VISOR FELL INTO THE DRIVER'S LINE OF VISION, OBSCURING VISION. IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO PUT THE VISOR BACK UP AGAIN. THE RING FELL OUT OF THE CAR INTERIOR.
NHTSA complaint #11114136 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY
SUN VISORS REPEATEDLY BREAK AND CAUSE THE VISOR TO DROP DOWN AND IMPAIR VISION MOMENTARILY, THEN THEY WONT STAY IN THE UP POSITION. THESE COST ABOUT $200 EACH TIME TO REPLACE AND THEN THEY BREAK AFTER ABOUT 10 TIMES OF USE. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #10633831 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY/WIPER
I BOUGHT MY 2007 MAZDA RX FROM THE DEALERSHIP IN 2007. I HAVE CALLED AND COMPLAINED TO MAZDA USA ABOUT THE FRONT RIGHT PASSENGERS DASH CRACKING INTO THE SHAPE OF THE AIR BAG. ALSO, BOTH VISORS HAVE MELTED OFF THE CABLES. AGAIN, I HAVE CALLED BUT THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT IT IS MY PROBLEM TO FIX. AFTER READING SEVERAL COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM, I REALLY DON'T BELIEVE IT'S SOMETHING THAT I'VE DONE WRONG.
NHTSA complaint #10616013 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY
THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SUN VISORS HAVE SPLIT OPEN AND FLIPPED DOWN SPONTANEOUSLY BLOCKING MY VISION WHILE DRIVING. I'VE HAD MULTIPLE INSTANCES OF THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SUN VISORS SPLITTING ALONG THE SEAMS, CAUSING THEM TO DISRUPT MY VISIBILITY OF THE ROAD. I HAD MY MAZDA DEALER REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE VISORS WHILE UNDER WARRANTY ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, BUT THE DEFECT CONTINUES TO OCCUR. EVERY SINGLE TIME I WAS INFORMED THAT SPLITTING SUN VISORS WAS A COMMON OCCURRENCE ON ALL MAZDA RX-8S. THE LUBRICANT INSIDE THE HINGE OF THE VISORS WOULD SOLIDIFY DURING HOT WEATHER AND CAUSE THE SPRING TO EXPAND, THUS SPLITTING THE PLASTIC SUN VISOR ALONG THE SEAMS. SINCE THE VISORS HANG IN THE DOWNWARD POSITION ONCE THE PLASTIC HAS SPLIT, THE ONLY WAY TO NOT OBSTRUCT MY VISION WHILE DRIVING IS TO COMPLETELY REMOVE THEM FROM THEIR MOUNTS. THIS, HOWEVER, CAUSES THE ADDED PROBLEM OF NOT HAVING ANY WAY TO BLOCK DIRECT SUNLIGHT THAT CAN SHINE ON YOUR FACE IN THE EARLY MORNING OR EVENING. THE ONLY RECOURSE GIVEN TO ME IS TO CONTINUALLY REPLACE THE SUN VISORS AT $75 EACH EVERY FEW MONTHS. I FIND THAT THIS IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. ANY INSIGHT WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.
NHTSA complaint #10585766 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA RX8. THE CONTACT STATED THE CLIMATE CONTROL KNOB FAILED AND WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ENGAGED, THE HEAT WOULD ACTIVATE INSTEAD AND VICE VERSA. THE CONTACTS WAS ADVISED BY HIS PERSONAL MECHANIC THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE WITHIN THE CLIMATE CONTROL UNIT AND IT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 24,000. UPDATED 07/08/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED IT TOOK FOUR VISITS TO THE DEALER FOR THEM TO FIX THE DEFETIVE HEATER/ AC CONTROLS. UPDATED 10/26/11
NHTSA complaint #10399265 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY
MY VISOR LITERALLY FELL OFF THE CAR WHICH SHUT DOWN THE RADIO. AND NOW THE CAR IS STARTING FUNNY. I NEED HELP SOON.
NHTSA complaint #10395547 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY
2004 MAZDA RX-8 PASSENGER SIDE SUN VISOR SLIPPED AT THE SEAMS AND DROPPED AND WOULD NOT STAY BACK UP. THIS IMPAIRED MY VISION WHILE DRIVING MAKING SEEING OUT THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR THROUGH THE FRONT MINIMAL. I HAD TO HOLD IT UP WHILE MAKING TURNS OR CROSSING ROADS WITH TRAFFIC ARRIVING FROM THE RIGHT. I COULD NOT REPAIR THE VISOR AND HAD TO REMOVE IT IN ORDER TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE SAFELY.
NHTSA complaint #10334468 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA RX8. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE CLUTCH PEDAL BROKE AND THE CONTACT COULD NOT SHIFT; HE HAD TO BE ASSISTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET WAS REPLACED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE SUN VISOR ALSO BROKE TWICE; THE FIRST TIME, IT WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE SUN VISOR FAILURE AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,728. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 38,400.
NHTSA complaint #10327906 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY
DRIVER & PASSENGER SUN VISOR SPLITTING APART AND DANGLING IN THE WAY OF THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER VIEW. THE VISOR IN THAT CONDITION WON'T STAY UP YOU HAVE TO REMOVE IT UNTIL YOU CAN ORDER A NEW ONE THEN TAKE IT IN FOR REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #10326664 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY
I WENT TO MOVE MY DRIVERS SIDE SUN-VISOR TO BLOCK THE SUN AND IT SPLIT AND PARTIALLY CAME APART HITTING MY HEAD AND CUTTING MY SKIN. MORE URGENTLY, IT BLOCKED MY VIEW OF THE ROAD AND I HAD TROUBLE MOVING IT OUT OF THE WAY. FOR SEVERAL LONG SECONDS, I WAS TRAVELING 65 MILES PER HOUR, FIGHTING WITH THE VISOR, UNABLE TO ROTATE IT OUT OF THE WAY BECAUSE IT WAS BROKEN, WITH NO FORWARD VIEW OF THE ROADWAY. I WAS EVENTUALLY ABLE TO MOVE IT TO THE SIDE AND HOLD IT THERE WITH MY LEFT HAND WHILE I TRAVELED TO MY DESTINATION. ONCE I ARRIVED I REMOVED IT WITH A SCREW DRIVER. UPON INSPECTION OF THE PASSENGER SIDE VISOR, IT IS STARTING TO SPLIT ALSO.
NHTSA complaint #10326520 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA RX-8. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, HE ENGAGED THE CLUTCH AND THE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR. HE STATED THAT THE ENGINE STALLED AND HE HAD TO PUSH THE VEHICLE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CLUTCH PEDAL ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 37,800. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 37,600. UPDATED 06/08/10. *LJ THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR BROKE AND OBSTRUCTED HIS VISION. UPDATED 08/11/10
NHTSA complaint #10323335 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
THE MAZDA RX-8 IS HAVING AN ISSUE THAT IS COMING UP MORE FREQUENTLY NOW FROM A FAULTY A/C SWITCH OR HEATING SYSTEM FAILURE. THE HEAT DOES NOT COME INTO THE VEHICLE WHEN THE HEAT IS TURNED ON AND ONLY COLD AIR COMES INTO VEHICLE. THE FAILURE HAPPENS IN THE BEGINNING ONLY RANDOMLY UNTIL THE UNIT COMPLETELY FAILS. THE A/C MODULAR IS A ELECTRONIC SWITCH THAT CHANGES VENTS AND A/C OR HEAT. THE VENT MECHANISM STILL FUNCTIONS BUT THE HEAT IS NEVER TRANSFERRED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CONSEQUENCES FROM THIS ITEM FAILING, ESPECIALLY IN THE WINTER TIME, THE WINDSHIELD CANNOT BE DEFROSTED AND DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WAY HUMAN EXHAUSTION WILL CAUSE THE WINDOW FOG UP IMPAIRING DRIVER'S VISION. AS WELL AS COLD TEMPERATURES WITHIN THE VEHICLE THAT DO NOT SUFFICE WHILE DRIVING IN COLD WEATHER.
NHTSA complaint #10299859 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY
DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR GOT CRACKED AT THE TOP OF THE SEAM AND NOW ALWAYS HANGS DOWN IN DRIVERS LINE OF SIGHT.
NHTSA complaint #10292016 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY
2004 MAZDA RX-8: WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SWING DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR DOWN FOR USE, THE SUN VISOR SEPARATED AT THE TOP MOLDED PLASTIC SEAM EDGE AND NO LONGER STAYS IN UPRIGHT POSITION, BLOCKING DRIVER'S VISION. VISOR HAD TO BE FORCIBLE REMOVED FROM ROOF ATTACHMENT STEM SINCE IT HUNG IN COMPLETE DOWN POSITION, CREATING A DRIVING HAZARD IF IT WOULD BE ALLOWED TO REMAIN. IT COULD NOT BE SWUNG TO SIDE AS THIS BLOCKED THE SIDE VISION. VISOR WAS RARELY USED, SO FAILURE WAS NOT DUE TO WEAR OR NEGLECT. THIS IS SECOND OCCURRENCE FOR EXACT SAME PROBLEM. LAST OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY 2.5 YEARS AGO, AND WAS REPLACED BY MAZDA UNDER THE ORIGINAL CAR WARRANTY AT NO COST. THE VEHICLE IS NOW BEYOND THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY PERIOD AND BEYOND THE 12 MONTH PART REPLACEMENT WARRANTY. WHEN REQUESTING THIS REPAIR RECENTLY THROUGH THE AT LOCAL MAZDA DEALER TO BE COVERED AS A LATENT DEFECT AT NO COST, EXPLAINING THIS WAS SECOND OCCURRENCE, THE SERVICE WRITER TOOK INFORMATION AND STATED HE WOULD TRY TO HAVE MAZDA COVER REPAIR AGAIN. CONTACTED SERVICE WRITER ON 11-4-09, HE STATED MAZDA DENIED MY REQUEST TO HAVE THE REPAIR COVERED AT NO COST. I HAVE A CURRENT REQUEST INTO MAZDA USA AT 800-222-5500 AGAIN REQUESTING RELIEF FOR THE REPAIR. THIS FORMAL COMPLAINT IS BEING FILED SINCE THIS IS THE SECOND OCCURRENCE FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10290956 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY
PASSENGER SUN VISOR SPLIT ACROSS THE TOP. FELL OFF THE HOOK AND HUNG BY THE WIRES.
NHTSA complaint #10290364 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY
I HAVE AN RX-8 AND THE DRIVERS SIDE SUN VISOR JUST FELL OFF. AND I RARELY USE. IT APPEARS TO HAVE SEPARATED AROUND THE EDGES OR CAME UNGLUED. THE MAZDA DEALER WILL NOT REPLACE BECAUSE MY IS AN 04' WITH 32,000 MILES IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY, EVEN THOUGH IT ON THE TSB.
NHTSA complaint #10281461 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY
THE PART NUMBER OF THE ITEM IS MAZDA PART #FE03-51-21YD AND #FE03-51-22YC. THIS PART IS INSTALLED IN THE MAZDA'S VEHICLE THE RX8. THE PART STARTED TO FAIL AT AROUND 57,000 MILES WITHIN JUST LESS THAN TWO MONTHS AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED AND 7,000 MILES AFTER THE VEHICLE'S MANUFACTURER WARRANTY EXPIRED. THIS PART SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A SAFETY COMPONENT BECAUSE IT PRESENTS A DANGEROUS THREAT TO BOTH DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS OCCUPYING THE VEHICLE DURING FAILURE AND MAZDA IS CLAIMING THAT IT IS NOT. THE REASON WHY IS THAT WHEN THIS PARTS FAILS TO FUNCTION PROPERLY THE HEADLIGHT BEAMS CANNOT BE REGULATED PROPERLY IN ORDER TO SEE SAFELY. INSTEAD WHAT WILL HAPPEN IS THAT THE LIGHTS WILL NOT ADJUST TO THE CORRECT HEIGHT AND WILL NOT ILLUMINATE THE ROAD SO THAT THE DRIVER CANNOT SEE AHEAD OF THE VEHICLE. ON MY VEHICLE SPECIFICALLY WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED AND RE-OCCURRED I COULD NOT SEE NO FURTHER THEN A RANGE OF TEN TO FIFTEEN FEET FROM MY VEHICLE. IN THE RESEARCH I'VE DONE I'VE READ IN THE FORUMS THAT THIS IS EXTREMELY COMMON IN ALL THE MODELS BUILT WITHIN THE TIME PERIOD OF 2004-2007 BUILT BEFORE THE DATE OF NOVEMBER 15, 2006 (BEFORE THEY REDESIGNED THE PART).
NHTSA complaint #10279506 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MAZDA RX-8. IN SEPTEMBER OF 2008, BOTH THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER SIDE VISORS CRACKED AT THE SEAMS AND FELL DOWN. THE DEALER REPLACED THE VISORS WITH NEW ONES THAT WERE MANUFACTURED IN THE SAME MANNER. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE DEALER EXPECTED HER TO PAY FOR NEW, POORLY MADE VISORS. ON JULY 6, 2008, WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE DRIVER'S SIDE VISOR FELL DOWN IN HER FACE AND NEARLY CAUSED HER TO STRIKE A CURB. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE IF THE VISOR IMPAIRS THE DRIVER'S VISION. SHE STATED THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED INSTEAD OF A TSB. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, SHE DISCOVERED NUMEROUS CONSUMERS WHO WERE EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH THEIR VISORS FALLING DOWN WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT MAZDA SIMPLY REMEDIES THE FAILURE WITH THE SAME POORLY MADE VISORS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 37,368.
NHTSA complaint #10276797 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
THE HEATER CONTROL UNITS ARE FAILING ON MAZDA RX8. WHEN DRIVING THE AIR GOES HOT TO COLD BACK AND FORTH. IF YOU MOVE THE KNOB BACK AND FORTH YOU CAN GET YOUR HEAT BACK. I HAVE HAD WINDOWS FOG UP BECAUSE THE HEAT HAS GONE OUT. I HAVE CONTACTED MAZDA AND THEY WILL NOT ADDRESS IT. I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON THIS AFFECTS. IF YOU DO A SEARCH ON RX8CLUB.COM YOU WILL SEE ALL THE FAILURES.
NHTSA complaint #10216229 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT
THE HEATER CONTROL UNITS ARE FAILING ON MAZDA RX8. WHEN DRIVING THE AIR GOES HOT TO COLD BACK AND FORTH. IF YOU MOVE THE KNOB BACK AND FORTH YOU CAN GET YOUR HEAT BACK. I HAVE HAD WINDOWS FOG UP BECAUSE THE HEAT HAS GONE OUT. I HAVE CONTACTED MAZDA AND THEY WILL NOT ADDRESS IT. I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON THIS AFFECTS. IF YOU DO A SEARCH ON RX8CLUB.COM YOU WILL SEE ALL THE FAILURES.
NHTSA complaint #10216229 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.