There are 7 owner-reported fuel system complaints for the 2005 Mazda RX-8in NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
Part associated with recall 1017E has failed due to improper installation.
FUEL LEAK AT GAS TANK AREA CAUSED MASSIVE FIRE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA RX-8. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A FUEL ODOR EMITTED THROUGH THE VENTS OF THE VEHICLE. THE FUEL ODOR WAS ALL AROUND THE VEHICLE WHILE PARKED AND FUEL LEAKED UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KUHN MAZDA (3934 W KENNEDY BLVD, TAMPA, FL 33609, PHONE: (877) 225-9956), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE TAKEN DOWN TO FIND WHERE THE FAILURE WAS COMING FROM AND THERE WOULD BE A FEE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE DIAGNOSTIC AND REPAIR FEES. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V793000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,466.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA RX-8. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V793000 (FUEL SYSTEM), THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE LOCAL DEALER (PARETTI MAZDA 4000 VETERANS MEMORIAL BLVD METAIRIE, LA 70002) WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE, BUT FAILED TO RETURN THE CONTACT'S PHONE CALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT BE REACHED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 43,269.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MAZDA RX-8. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V793000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); HOWEVER, 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 MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
THE FUEL PUMP OUTLET PIPE CONNECTOR WAS LEAKING FOR SOMETIME. IT EVENTUALLY CAUSED STARTUP PROBLEM IN VERY HOT WEATHER. THIS LEAKED VERY SLOWLY AND ALL RX-8 SHOULD BE RECALLED TO REPLACE THE 12" FLEXIBLE PIPE/TUBING WITH A RELIABLE CONNECTOR THAT DOES NOT LEAK. THIS CONNECTOR MUST HAVE BEEN A ISSUE, NOT A LOT OF CARS USED THIS SINCE MID 2000. VERY HARD TO FIND REPLACEMENT PARTS. AND COUPLED WITH OVERHEATED CAT EMISSIONS ITS A FIRE WAITING TO HAPPEN.
2005 MAZDA RX8 WITH FUEL LEAK AND GASOLINE FUMES. CONSUMER STATES THAT SHE WILL NOT PARK THE VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE BECAUSE OF FEAR THE HOUSE WILL CATCH FIRE. SHE STATES THE FUMES ARE HEAVY AFTER FILL UPS. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE GAS LEAKAGE HAPPENED AFTER EACH REPAIR ATTEMPT. *JB
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