There are 20 owner-reported fuel system complaints for the 2004 Mazda RX-8in NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
The contact owns a 2004 Mazda RX-8. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, he noticed a strong gasoline odor originating from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump was fractured and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V354000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the recall repair failed to fix the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they would follow up with him. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.
RECENTLY PURCHASED THE CAR FROM SOMEONE ELSE AND NOTICED THAT THE CABIN SMELLS LIKE FUEL. I THOUGHT MAYBE HE SPILLED SOME INSIDE IT BUT IT'S BEEN A WEEK AND THE SMELL IS STILL THERE. I DON'T KNOW WHY AND I'M WORRIED ABOUT THE CAR CATCHING FIRE OR ME GETTING CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING.
Fuel fumes are leaking into passenger compartment and leaking from tank. Previous recall failed to fix
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA RX-8. THE CONTACT NOTICED A STRONG FUEL ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE PERFORMED NORMALLY PRIOR TO BEING REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V354000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). BROEN AND WOOD BUICK GMC MAZDA (329 GREENVILLE BLVD SW, GREENVILLE, NC) DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW FUEL TANK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 71,000. *BF UPDATED 8/2/18*JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA RX-8. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MAZDA OF GEORGETOWN TO BE REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V793000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE), THE CONTACT NOTICED A LACK OF ACCELERATION. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V354000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO O'REILLY AUTO PARTS WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE'S SECONDARY AIR INJECTION SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT KNOW WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,523. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA RX-8. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT'S NEIGHBOR NOTICED A STRONG FUEL ODOR EMITTING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LIBERTY MAZDA (91 W SERVICE RD, HARTFORD, CT 06120), BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE OF THE DIAGNOSTIC RESULTS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD REPAIR THE VEHICLE, BUT WOULD CHARGE FOR LABOR BECAUSE THE REAR CROSS MEMBER WOULD NEED TO BE REMOVED TO GAIN ACCESS TO THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD CALL BACK TO ASSIST IN SCHEDULING AN APPOINTMENT. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V793000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AND 17V354000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,800.
FUEL PUMP NOZZLE IS CRACKED ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK AND FUEL PRESSURE TO DROP CAUSE DRIVEABILITY PROBLEMS AND STALLING. MAZDA CLAIMS ITS THE RING AND GASKET ON THEIR RECALL BUT IT'S THE FUEL PUMP CRACKING. MY CAR STARTED BUCKING AND RUNNING ERRATICALLY. INSTALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR ROUGHLY ONE YEAR.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA RX-8. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V793000 (FUEL SYSTEM). THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE LOCAL DEALER (KOONS MAZDA OF SILVER SPRING, 3111 AUTOMOTIVE BLVD, SILVER SPRING, MD 20904) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
VEHICLE HAD STRONG SMELL OF RAW GASOLINE FUMES IN THE CABIN AND OUTSIDE THE CAR. UPON REMOVING THE REAR SEAT TO ACCESS THE FUEL PUMP FOR INSPECTION, A POOL OF GASOLINE WAS FOUND AROUND THE FUEL PUMP AND SURROUNDING AREA TO INCLUDE THE ELECTRICAL WIRING FOR THE PUMP. IT APPEARS THE LEAK OCCURS FROM A FAULTY PLASTIC NIPPLE ON THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY THAT CONNECTS THE PUMP TO THE MAIN FUEL LINE. A QUICK INTERNET SEARCH UNCOVERED THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT WITH THE MAZDA RX8. THE FIRE AND SAFETY HAZARD ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ISSUE IS IMMENSE. I WOULD RECOMMEND A FURTHER REVIEW BY THE NHTSA TO ASSESS THE SEVERITY AND SPECTRUM OF THE FUEL PUMP ISSUE IN THE MAZDA RX8. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA RX8. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH AND SMELLED GASOLINE FUEL COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE OIL PAN, THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY, FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY, CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND SPARK PLUGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 146,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
04 RX8 REPLACED MAF COIL PACKS PLUG WIRES 2 02 SENSORS SELINOID SHUTTER VALVE ACTUATER MAIN FUEL LINE FROM FRONT TO BACK OF TANK THE CAR WILL NOT STAY RUNNING AT FIRST EARLIER ON IT DIED ON MANY TIMES AN CONTINUED TO GET WORSE ITS BEEN TO SHOPS NO LUCK NO HELP IT NEVER SEEMED TO HAVE GAS NOW PRESENT PULLED UP BACK SEAT AN FOUND GAS LEAKING IS HIS A RECALL THE SHOE THAT DID RUN A TEST STATED HE DIDNT THINK IT WAS ENGINE OR TRANSMISSION PROBABLY MECHANICAL WHERES IS THE FUEL FILTERS COULD THAT BE AN ISSUE I TRY T O CRANK CAR IT SOUNDS BAD LIKE SOMETHING IS GONNA FALL OUT OR DOWN ALSO WAS TOLD IF YOU CLAMP ON SENDING UNIT THAT IT MAY NOT WORK PROPER????? *TT
THE FUEL LINE INPUT NIPPLE, ON THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY, CRACKS AND CAUSES A LEAK. THE FUEL PUMP LOCK RING IS NOT THE PROBLEM AND CAN BE REUSED. REPLACING THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY FIXES THE PROBLEM. IT IS VERY COMMON ON ALL 2004-2008 MODELS.
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON AFTER A FUEL FILLUP GO OFF AFTER DRIVEN PROBLEM STARTED LATE 2005 EARLY 2006 IN AND OUT OF SHOP CLEARED CODES REPLACED FUEL CAP, UPPER INTAKE, VACUUM PUMP, LATE 2007 THEY CLEARED CODES CLAIMED TO HAVE TIGHTENED A LOOSE CAP, AND STATED IF IT CAME BACK ON WILL NEED FUURTHER DIAGNOSES AT ADDITIONAL COST. I HAVE 8 INVOICES RANGING FROM PROGRAMMING PCM CLEARING CODES ONE FROM 2006 PRINTED ON THE INVOICE, CUSTOMER STATES CAME BACK ON SAME NIGHT SEEMS TO COME ON AFTER FILLUP. THAT WAS WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN 40,000 MILES. NOW THE FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON CONTINUOUSLY, AND IT WONT PASS STATE INSPECTION. NOW ITS BEEN DIAGNOSED AS A FUEL SENDING UNIT COSTING OVER $600.00 THE PART IS ORDERED AND I INFORMED THEM THAT I WANTED ALL OLD REPLACED PARTS. *TR
I WANT TO GO ON FILE THAT I HAVE A CONCERN WITH THE SOLUTION TO A PROBLEM WITH OUR 2004 MAZDA RX 8. WE PURCHASED IT USED FROM A REPUTABLE FORD DEALER SEVERAL MONTHS BACK AND HAD AN ISSUE WITH STARTING THE CAR. AFTER SOME ONLINE RESEARCH WE FOUND OUT THE CAR IS PRONE TO GAS FLOODING WHEN NOT ALLOW TO RUN UNTIL THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE IS HALFWAY. IF SHUT OFF BEFORE THE ENGINE FLOODS WITH GAS. I TOOK IT TO CORY FAIRBANKS MAZDA WHERE THE VIN WAS CHECKED AND THAT THE CAR DID HAVE THE RECALL 4206F ALREADY DONE AND THE ONLY SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM IS TO LET THE CAR WARM UP. MY CONCERN IS THE CONSTANT EXCESSIVE FLOW OF GAS DURING START UP, RAW GAS CONSTANTLY FLOWING THROUGH THE CATALYTIC AND THE EXCESSIVE HEAT CREATED BY THESE ENGINES COULD CAUSE A FIRE AND INJURE ALL THOSE IN AND AROUND THE VEHICLE. I HAVE EMAILED MAZDA ALSO ABOUT MY CONCERNS AND FEEL THE SOLUTION IS A DISASTER WAITING TO HAPPEN. THANK YOU. *TR
PURCHASED MAZDA RX 8, FEB 28,2009, GULF VIEW AUTO, PORT RICHEY, FL, IMMEDIATELY MOVED TO UPSTATE NY 2 DAYS LATER. GAS GAUGE, INOPERATIVE. FEDERAL RECALL, MAZDA REFUSES TO FIX AFTER RECALL ISSUED DUE TO FIRES.SECTION 30120(1), FAILING TO REPAIR DEFECT, CAN BE PUNISHABLE BY CIVIL FINES. *TR
MY MAZDA RX-8 HAS STALLED MANY TIMES WHILE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND WHILE GOING ON TRIPS ON THE INTERSTATE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WOULD LOSE POWER AND STALLS AND I WOULD HAVE TO PULL OVER AND START IT AGAIN WHICH IT WOULD TAKE A FEW MINUTES BEFORE IT WOULD START. I HAVE HAD MY MAZDA TOWED FROM MY HOUSE TO THE DEALER BEC IT WOULD NOT START AND I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS FLOODED. NOW IT WON'T START AGAIN AND IT IS REALLY FRUSTRATING AND STARTING TO WORRY ME HOW DANGEROUS IT IS DRIVING MY MAZDA. I HAVE HAD MY MAZDA FOR A YEAR NOW AND THE ONLY TIME I DRIVE IT IS WHEN I GO ON A LONG TRIP OR TO GO SHOPPING AND MOSTLY ON WEEKENDS OR AFTER I GET OFF FROM WORK. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS RESOLVE SO THAT I WON'T GET HURT OR SOMEBODY ELSE WILL GET HURT BEC OF THIS. I UNDERSTAND THAT MAZDA RX-8 HAD A RECALL ON FUEL SYSTEM I JUST WONDER IF THIS WAS TAKEN CARE OF FOR THIS CAR. THE DEALER TOLD ME THE CAR IS FINE AND TO MAKE SURE TO WARM IT UP BEFORE YOU SHUT THE ENGINE DOWN ,I HAVE DONE THAT AND NOW MY MAZDA WILL NOT START AGAIN. *TR
CONSUMER CONCERNS REGARDING THE APPOINTMENT GIVEN BY THE DEALERSHIP FOR VEHICLE INSPECTION REGARDING THE FUEL TANK AND FRONT LOWER ARM BALL JOINTS RECALLS.*MR THE CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 3305G ON THE FUEL TANK. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER BUT THEY WHERE NOT ABLE TO GIVE HER AN APPOINTMENT UNTIL TWO WEEKS LATER. THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT SINCE THE RECALLED COMPONENT COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE THAT THE DEALER SHOULD HAVE REPAIRED IT IMMEDIATELY. *NM
THE RX8 ENGINE HAS A TENDENCY TO FLOOD IF THE CAR IS MOVED OR DRIVEN A SHORT DISTANCE AND SHUT OFF COLD. IN MOST INCIDENCES THE CAR MUST THEN BE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. ALTHOUGH MAZDA ACKNOWLEDGES THE ISSUE, THE PROBLEM WAS NOT DISCLOSED PRIOR TO PURCHASE AND IS NOT ADDRESSED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. MOST RECENT INCIDENT IS RELATED TO GASOLINE IN THE OIL AFTER SEVERAL DIFFILCULT STARTS. THERE WERE 2 PREVIOUS FLOODING INCIDENTS.*AK
MAZDA RX-8 WITH LESS THAN 3000 MILES HAS TWICE SHUT OFF AND FAILED TO START. MAJOR PROBLEM WITH FUEL DELIVERY AND/OR SPARK IGNITION SYSTEM. *AK
RX8S MUST BE TOWED IF THE VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF OR STALLED WHEN THE CAR IS COLD. I WASHED MY CAR AND THEN PULLED THE CAR INTO THE GARAGE AND WAXED IT. THE NEXT DAY IT WOULD NOT START. NO WHERE IN THE MANUAL DOES IT SAY ANYTHING ABOUT THE FLOODING ISSUE, EXCEPT HOW TO "UNFLOOD" IT. PROCEDURE DOES NOT WORK. DEALERSHIP NEVER TOLD ME THIS BEFORE I BOUGHT THE CAR, EVEN THOUGH THEY FLOOD ALL THE TIME WHEN THEY ARE MOVED OFF OF THE TRAILER. VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I CANNOT WITH A GOOD CONSCIENCE SELL THIS CAR TO ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL. I COULD BE SUED, IF SOMETHING TERRIBLY BAD HAPPENED AND I KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP HAS "PROPOSED TO HELP" BY MAKING A PROFIT ON ME BUYING THE NEW CAR AND THEN BUYING IT BACK AT WHOSALE PRICE. THE CAR HAS 4000 MILES ON IT. A 2004 AUTOMOBILE SHOULD NEVER LEAVE ITS OWNER STRANDED, PERIOD. THE CAR ALSO CONSISTENTLY GETS ONLY 15 MPG ON THE HIGHWAY. THERE NEEDS TO BE ANOTHER ROUND OF BUYBACKS FROM MAZDA, BUT UNFORTUNATELY I BOUGHT THIS CAR AFTER THE FIRST ROUND WAS COMPLETE.
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 26, 2026