NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
Fuel may leak from the fuel pump mounting rings in certain 2009-2011 RX-8 and 2006-2007 MazdaSpeed6 vehicles.
What the fix does
This page covers 5 recalls and EPA fuel economy for the 2010 Mazda RX-8.
18–19 mpg combined
12.4–13.1 L/100km
Subcompact Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 2 tested variants for this model year.
The 2010 Mazda RX-8 has 5 recalls, the most serious being a defective passenger frontal airbag inflator that can explode and send metal fragments into the cabin, posing a risk of serious injury or death to occupants.
The airbag inflator issue has been the subject of multiple repair attempts over the years, and prior repair efforts did not fully resolve the problem for all vehicles, which is why several filings exist for the same defect. If the airbag deploys in a crash, the inflator can rupture violently rather than inflate the bag cleanly, turning the module itself into a source of shrapnel directed at the driver and passengers. This is the most critical open issue on the car and should be treated as the priority concern.
The other recall covers the fuel pump mounting rings, which can allow fuel to leak near the engine. Because the rotary engine in the RX-8 runs hot and has several ignition sources nearby, a fuel leak in that environment raises a real risk of fire. The leak may not always be obvious to the driver, since it originates at the pump mounting rather than a fuel line the driver would typically see or smell at low levels.
At a glance
What can fail
Fuel may leak from the fuel pump mounting rings in certain 2009-2011 RX-8 and 2006-2007 MazdaSpeed6 vehicles.
What the fix does
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Dealers will install new fuel pump mounting rings and add a thermal insulation pad to the fuel tank on RX-8 models at no cost.
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 in a crash because the propellant degrades over time from heat and humidity exposure.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator with a different one at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
In certain vehicles, heat and humidity exposure over time can break down the airbag propellant, causing the passenger frontal airbag to deploy with excessive force in a crash, potentially sending fragments toward occupants and damaging the airbag assembly.
What the fix does
The dealer will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator.
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 passenger front air bag inflator may explode during a crash due to chemical breakdown of the propellant caused by prolonged exposure to humidity 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.
