Research · Subcompact Cars

2008 Mazda RX-8Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 17 owner complaints for the 2008 Mazda RX-8. Most complaints involve air bags (8) and steering (4). The EPA rates it 18–19 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
18–19mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
5campaigns
Latest Jun 2018
Owner complaints
17
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$4,050est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

5 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: inflator module

Park It: do not driveFree remedy

Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 and 2004 MPV vehicles nationwide. Mazda is also recalling 2005-2006 MPV vehicles in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. On July 9, 2019 this recall was expanded to include certain 2004-2011 RX-8 vehicles that were previously recalled under 16V-354 but have not yet been repaired. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Jun 15, 2018NHTSA 18V402000

Air bags: inflator module

Park It: do not driveFree remedy

Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Mazda MPV vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. On July 9, 2019 this recall was expanded to include certain 2005-2009 RX-8 vehicles that were previously recalled under 17V-011 but have not yet been repaired. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Jun 15, 2018NHTSA 18V404000

Air bags: inflator module

Park It: do not driveFree remedy

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2004-2008 RX-8, and 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion and other factors, including manufacturing variability that, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

Air bagsReported Jul 26, 2017NHTSA 17V474000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

17 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2012 – Mar 2019
  1. Air bags8
  2. Steering4
  3. Engine2
  4. Fuel/propulsion system2
  5. Seats1
  6. Engine and engine cooling1
  7. Service brakes1
  8. Power train1
  9. Other / unknown3

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each RX-8 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2004515
2005168
200660
200738
200817
20098
20105
20114
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

8 reports
“I AM TRYING TO GET THE AIRBAGS REPLACED BUT I CANNOT FIND A PLACE WHO WILL SERVICE OUR CAR. WE ARE TRYING TO AVOID DRIVING IT UNTIL THE AIRBAG PROBLEM IS FIXED.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 20, 2018Air bagsODI 11080368

Steering

4 reports
“WHILE DRIVING TO WORK ON DAY DURING A TURN THE POWER STEERING PARTIALLY WENT OUT MAKING THE TURN VERY DIFFICULT TO HOLD AND TO STRAIGHTEN OUT AFTER. UPON LEAVING WORK THE STEERING WORKED FINE UNTIL THE NEXT DAY WHEN MAKING A TURN ON MY WAY HOME THE SAME THING HAPPENED WITH THE POWER STEERING BUT STILL NO LIGHT INDICATING A PROBLEM. I THEN DECIDED TO TAKE THE CAR IN BUT THE WHOLE DRIVE TO THE DEALERSHIP IT WOULD CREAK AND NOT ALWAYS WANT TO TURN COMPLETELY MAKING THE TRIP TAKE LONGER TRYING TO AVOID HIGHWAYS AND TO MANY SHARP TURNS IN FEAR OF IT LOCKING UP. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS ASPECIALY COMING OUT OF WINTER SEASON AND GOING INTO SPRING WITH ALL THE RAIN. THIS SHOULD BE A RECAL IN THE US SINCE IT IS A RECAL IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 29, 2019SteeringODI 11192461

Engine

2 reports
“I TOOK MY RX IN TO GET POWER STEERING ISSUES FIXED JUST TO FIND OUT THAT THE OIL COOLER LINES WERE RUSTING OUT WHICH IS ALSO A RECALL IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD BUT NOT THE US. IN THE UPPER STATES THIS CAN BE A MASSIVE PROBLEM IF OIL STARTS SPRAYING ALL OVER THE MOTOR AND THE GROUND IT COULD CAUSE ENVIRONMENTAL, AND SAFETY HAZARDS TO OTHER PEOPLE ON THE ROAD. IF GONE UNNOTICED IT COULD EASILY CAUSE ENGINE FAILURE AND POTENTIAL FIRES FROM THE MOTOR WHILE ON THE ROAD WHICH NO ONE WANTS, THERE'S NO REASON THIS RECALL SHOULD NOT APPLY TO THE US, ATLEAST THE NORTHERNMOST STATES.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 29, 2019Unknown or other, EngineODI 11192464
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Subcompact Cars
Engines
1.3L 2-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S6) · Manual 6-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
RX-8
Auto (S6), 2 cyl, 1.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162319$4,050468
RX-8
Man 6-spd, 2 cyl, 1.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162218$4,300494
  • RX-8
    Auto (S6), 2 cyl, 1.3 L
    16 city · 23 hwy · $4,050/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • RX-8
    Man 6-spd, 2 cyl, 1.3 L
    16 city · 22 hwy · $4,300/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2008 Mazda RX-8 as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026Vehicle 2451
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2008 RX-8 questions

How many recalls does the 2008 Mazda RX-8 have?

5 safety recalls as of Nov 11, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2008 Mazda RX-8 problems?

Owners filed 17 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (8), steering (4), engine (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2008 Mazda RX-8 get?

The EPA rates the 2008 Mazda RX-8 at 18–19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026