2004 Mazda RX-8 Engine and Engine Cooling Problems
Owners have filed 106 complaints with NHTSA about engine and engine cooling problems on the 2004 Mazda RX-8, 22% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 45,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “spark plugs” (10% of reports).
- 106engine and engine cooling complaints
- 45,000median miles at failure
- 1mention a crash
- 2mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- $1,300typical repair cost reported by owners
- 42%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Spark plugs: mentioned in 11 of 106 complaints (10%)
- Rotary engine: mentioned in 9 of 106 complaints (8%)
- Oil cooler: mentioned in 9 of 106 complaints (8%)
- Catalytic converter: mentioned in 9 of 106 complaints (8%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical engine and engine cooling repair on the 2004 Mazda RX-8 at $1,300, and half of them between $520 and $2,350.
Based on 9 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2006–2011), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do engine and engine cooling problems happen?
Based on 83 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 106 complaints, 1 mention a crash, 7 a fire, 2 an injury.
Mazda RX-8 engine and engine cooling complaints by model year
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Engine and engine cooling
Problem: If certain passenger vehicles are parked and the engine is operated at high rpm's for an excessive length of time, some of the parts around the exhaust system can melt and produce a variety of malfunctions. Problems caused by the excessive heat build-up can range from inoperative oxygen sensor, neutral switch and back up lights, problems with the parking brakes, malfunctions of the gas gauge and/or possible fuel leaks resulting from heat damage to the fuel tank.
Risk: Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace parts. The recall began on august 30, 2005. Owners may contact mazda at 1-800-222-5500.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Rusted oil cooler lines and fittings on my rx8 driven in ohio where road salting is prevalent in snow months. Filing this complaint since there is a recall issued for my same model year in canada (special program 76) for this exact issue due to snow and salt. Modified lines are available to address…
2004 mazda rx8. Consumer writes in regards to several defects in the vehicle. *smd the consumer stated about a year after having the vehicle, the rear tail lights started filling up with water. Also, the vehicle stopped running with no warning. The consumer was informed the vehicle needed a…
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 mazda rx-8. The contact was driving 5-10 mph when the engine stalled with the illumination of the engine coolant warning light. The vehicle was later restarted and taken to the dealer and a private mechanic. The diagnosis from both was that the engine was flooded and…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2004 Mazda RX-8s have engine and engine cooling problems?
No. NHTSA has 106 owner complaints about engine and engine cooling for the 2004 Mazda RX-8 (22% of the 489 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2004 Mazda RX-8 engine and engine cooling?
Yes: 1 safety recall list engine and engine cooling. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do engine and engine cooling problems start?
The median reported mileage is 45,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
How much does it cost to fix engine and engine cooling problems on the 2004 Mazda RX-8?
Owners report a typical cost of $1,300 (half paid between $520 and $2,350), from 9 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about engine and engine cooling problems on the 2004 Mazda RX-8?
The most frequent phrase is “spark plugs”, in 11 of 106 complaints, followed by “rotary engine” (9).
Other 2004 Mazda RX-8 problems
- Power Train problems (154)
- Steering problems (80)
- Air Bags problems (50)
See all 2004 Mazda RX-8 problems or engine and engine cooling problems across all RX-8 years.