The 2004 Mazda RX-8 has 21 recalls, the most serious involving Takata airbag inflators on both the driver and passenger sides that can rupture and send metal fragments into the cabin, posing a risk of serious injury or death.
Several recalls cover fire risk from the fuel system. The main fuel pump pipe can crack from engine and exhaust heat, and the fuel pump sealing rings can also deteriorate from the same heat exposure; either failure can produce a fuel leak that may ignite. A related issue affects vehicles where the engine is run at high RPM while parked for extended periods, which can melt components near the exhaust and also result in a fuel leak and potential fire.
On the chassis side, the front lower control arm ball joint socket can crack, allowing the ball joint to separate from the arm while driving. If that happens, the driver loses steering control. This issue appears across multiple filings but describes the same underlying defect.
There is also a wiring concern: the front passenger airbag was improperly wired on certain vehicles, meaning it may not deploy correctly in a frontal crash.
On manual transmission models, a heat insulator on the transmission can crack and eventually fall off the vehicle, creating a hazard for traffic behind.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown caused by prolonged exposure to high humidity, heat, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator with a new one at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
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At a glance
What can fail
The passenger-front airbag propellant can degrade over time due to heat and humidity exposure. A degraded propellant may cause the airbag to deploy with excessive force, potentially rupturing the inflator and scattering fragments.
What the fix does
The dealer will replace the passenger-front airbag inflator or airbag module.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode during deployment due to propellant degradation from long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The propellant in the passenger front airbag can degrade over time due to high humidity, heat, and temperature cycling. This may cause the airbag to deploy with excessive force, potentially damaging the assembly and increasing injury risk in a collision.
What the fix does
The dealer will replace the passenger front airbag inflator.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Heat and humidity can degrade the propellant in the driver's front airbag over time, causing it to deploy with excessive force during a crash. This may scatter fragments toward occupants and damage the airbag assembly.
What the fix does
The dealer will replace the driver's front airbag inflator.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver's front air bag inflator may rupture due to moisture entering the unit and manufacturing inconsistencies that accumulate over time.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the driver's front air bag inflator with an alternate inflator at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The ball joint socket on the front suspension lower control arm may crack, causing the ball joint to separate from the socket.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front lower control arms at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fuel pump discharge pipe may crack, causing fuel to leak. A fuel leak near an ignition source could ignite, risking fire, injury, and property damage.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the fuel filter body with an improved part that prevents this cracking.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The ball joint socket on the front lower control arm can crack due to a manufacturing defect. Under heavy suspension load while driving, the ball joint may suddenly separate, causing loss of steering control.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the lower control arms with corrected parts.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Engine and exhaust heat can cause the main fuel pump pipe to crack.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the fuel pump filter kit at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fuel pump sealing rings can crack from heat exposure, potentially causing fuel to leak. A leak near an ignition source could cause a fire.
What the fix does
The dealer will replace the fuel pump rings and add insulation to the fuel tank to prevent heat damage.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fuel pump sealing rings may deteriorate from engine and exhaust heat exposure, potentially causing fuel leaks.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the fuel pump sealing rings and install a thermal insulation pad on the fuel tank at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
In certain vehicles, prolonged exposure to high heat and humidity can degrade the propellant in the passenger front airbag, causing it to deploy with excessive force in a crash. This may send fragments at occupants and damage the airbag assembly, reducing its ability to protect.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the airbag inflator to restore proper deployment force and function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver's airbag inflator, made by Takata, may fail to function properly on certain vehicles.
What the fix does
Mazda will replace the driver's airbag inflator with a properly functioning unit.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front lower control arms may have cracks in the ball joint socket due to improper forging. This can cause the ball stud to separate from the control arm, risking loss of steering control.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect both front lower control arms and replace them if cracks are found.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Running the engine at high RPM while parked can cause excessive heat that melts exhaust system parts, damaging the oxygen sensor, neutral switch, backup lights, parking brake, gas gauge, and potentially the fuel tank, which could leak fuel.
What the fix does
The dealer will reprogram the engine computer, install a heat shield on the fuel tank, and inspect components for heat damage.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The lower control arm was not forged properly, which can cause cracks to develop in the ball joint socket.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the control arms and replace them if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
When parked with the engine running at high RPMs for extended periods, exhaust system parts can overheat and melt, causing oxygen sensor, neutral switch, backup lights, parking brake, gas gauge, and fuel tank failures or leaks.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace affected parts around the exhaust system to prevent overheating damage.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The heat insulator on the manual transmission's dynamic damper can crack. If it cracks and breaks off while driving, it may fall onto the road and create a hazard for vehicles behind you.
What the fix does
Your dealer will install a modified damper to prevent the insulator from cracking.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger seat air bag has incorrect wiring that was discovered during safety testing.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a new wiring harness in the front passenger seat air bag system.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The heat insulator in the transmission area may crack, causing unusual noise during vehicle operation.
What the fix does
The dealer will replace the cracked heat insulator with a new one.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
