Five problems related to starter have been reported for the 2004 Mazda RX8. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
I have owned a 2004 Mazda rx7 since oct 07 since then the engine has been replaced at 26,000 miles 2 set of coils spark plugs and wires, sensors, transmission, radiator reservoir just for starters. Now the car is stalling at low rpm's or when it gets hot leaving me stranded in intersections and on busy freeways. Mazda has a bulletin out on this car but because they do not consider it a safety issue they will not recall the car. I beg to differ!! being stranded in an intersection or on a busy highway increases my odds greatly that I am going to be hit by another car and possibly killed. There has got to be some type of government body out there that can enforce these many claims of engine failure against Mazda and there rotary engine because the latest diagnosis is that I need to replace the engine again!! please help!.
Problems with rotary engine starting. Usually happens at a temperature below 25 degrees fahrenheit. Poor ignition system for colder weather. I have had issues with it each winter I have owned the car(2004 to present day). A trip to the dealer has been necessary each time and while the warranty is still valid, this is an inconvenience but it's after the expiration is when I worry. A recall was noted and repairs were completed the fall of 2006 but the same thing happened yesterday. This recall included spark plug replacement, battery replacement, starter motor replacement, and reprogramming the onboard computer chip for ignition changes. The new starter motor made significant changes to starting time but didn't change it's condition in colder weather. The Mazda dealer has been little help in resolving the situation. Their remedy has been just treating the symptoms and not figuring on a solution to the ignition problem. They have told me repeatedly that "these cars do not like cold weather" and "these cars do not like short trips". I would figure that if a combustion motor cannot start in temperatures below 25 degrees f, then they should offer a better car/motor replacement.
Engine failure, after driving short distances engine does not always want to restart; during times of sitting in traffic, car will idle roughly and sputter, sometimes die and won't immediately restart; car has died while attempting to start out into traffic; transmission doesn't change gears properly. . . I have had my car since Feb. 04 and it has been serviced over a dozen times for engine failure and transmission issues alone. It has had a new transmission, linkage, gear box, starter, battery, and they are currently putting in the 2nd replacement engine. No one seems to know why these cars have so much trouble, but I wouldn't have another one if it was given to me.
3 months after purchase of 2004 RX-8 battery and spark plugs needed to be replaced. One several occasions the vehicle would not start. The vehicle's battery was replaced twice and had to be charged three times. The spark plugs were replaced three times. The computer was reprogrammed. The engine was replaced to alleviate stalling. The catalytic converter, 02 sensor, amplifier and starter were also replaced.
The contact owns a 2004 Mazda RX-8. While attempting to start the vehicle during cold weather, the motor flooded which caused the starter to fail. The failure recurred multiple times intermittently. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The starter was replaced, but the failure recurred. The VIN was unavailable. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 10,000.