Electrical System Problems of Mazda RX8

Mazda RX8 owners have reported 20 problems related to electrical system (under the electrical system category). The most recently reported issues are listed below.

1 Electrical System problem of the 2004 Mazda RX8

Failure Date: 10/01/2018

Sporadic power steering loss, almost got into 2 accidents. While driving I would loss power steering.

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2 Electrical System problem of the 2004 Mazda RX8

Failure Date: 06/23/2018

I bought a car that had a recall of the air bag the passenger seat air bag had been deployed was told by dealer it was under recall. After checking with the dealer the side seat air bag was not part of the recall was not replaced or even looked at . So we took the seat out to see ant obvious issues and we found all the wires that plug into seat all way to under carpet against frame all the wires were melted. Witch is an obvious manafaturing problem. We have read mupltile forums where tons of people have had same problem but yet no recall we could find on this issue. My mother is on oxygen and if my car catches fire to do this and no one looking into this it can be far worse. Thier is another recall on front end suspsion that they are not willing to replace at this time. They tell me they are waiting to see if they come up with a better solution to fix it. Im going to Mazda dealer tomorrow morning to explain to them what I'm explain to you and since this is a major safety issue if they refuse to do anything I'm turning this over to lawyer. I feel when I mentioned it to them the first time and they did nothing to find out what the issue was they have no intention of figuring this out but I will try again. The air bag was deployed when I bought it and the person said they were driving down the road. Thats how I knew about air bag recall . When I took car to be fixed the tech told me it didn't cover my seat. And never bothered checking it.

3 Electrical System problem of the 2004 Mazda RX8

Failure Date: 03/02/2018

"takata recall"-car starts when cold,then it dies in the traffic,got engerys pushing car out of traffic,like car but it has lots of recalls and needs to be fixed right away. Won't drive madza 2004 after this happened.

4 Electrical System problem of the 2004 Mazda RX8

Failure Date: 08/14/2017

My power steering goes in and out as it pleases; only works when it wants to and cuts up when driving and had to turn off car to make it work to only make it repeat again. Does this only when driving. And not safe for anybody who is dealing with the no powersteering issues or have steering but with many faults that can lead to accidents/death Mazda fixed others by wire tapping all deleting the powersteering connections. But only having the issue later down the road they did this around February/March of last year and had in and out powersteering after 3 month of their repair.

5 Electrical System problem of the 2007 Mazda RX8

Failure Date: 02/21/2013

Converter fire voided warranty aftermarket parts installed cause or not the cause.

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6 Electrical System problem of the 2004 Mazda RX8

Failure Date: 02/06/2013

I purchased my 2004 automatic Rx8 in September of 2011. It began giving me trouble with the type of gas it took. I finally figured out that bp premium seemed to keep it from "coughing". I thought that I had fixed the issues and it drove fine for a good while. I changed the oil religiously at about 3000 miles or less. It would display the oil light after only about 1500-2000miles. I had a dealership look at it and they said the oil level was fine and they didnt understand why it had the light on. The oil light now comes on at just 300miles into the last oil change. In Feb of this year is when the car started deteriorating at a rapid pace, and I was completely dumbfounded till I began doing some research and saw that many others have had the exact same issues I have had. For one- the ac never works correctly. I have to play with the knob for a bit to make it cool, and still even then it does not work. I am not able to drive it to and from the store now because I am worried it will not start back up. I always make sure the engine is warmed up and sometimes just leave it running instead of taking the chance of turning it off. The engine light also comes on and random times, and I was told that it was because the gas cap was not on tight enough. That is a lie, I always make sure to tighten it, and why would the engine light come on after the oil light everytime if it was human error. The car whines when at a stoplight or sitting for a brief period of time. It sounds as if it is coming from the front left side of the engine if you are sitting in it. No one knows what that noise is either. This faulty car should come with a warning on the front windshield. I am scared to drive it, I am scared to put my family in it, and I am disgusted with the way Mazda decided to treat me when I called them to inquire about certain recalls.

7 Electrical System problem of the 2004 Mazda RX8

Failure Date: 12/22/2012

Powers steering failed.

8 Electrical System problem of the 2004 Mazda RX8

Failure Date: 11/01/2012

The contact owns a 2004 Mazda RX-8. The contact stated that the entire center console overheated to the point that it was unable to be touched. The contact mentioned that the passenger side air bag cover was bulging and could crack at any moment. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,010.

9 Electrical System problem of the 2004 Mazda RX8

Failure Date: 07/15/2012

I jumped into my 2004 Mazda RX-8 after work started it up and went to drive and noticed it was really hard to turn and I looked and noticed that a light that was a steering wheel with an exclamation mark next to it so I drove it home not even a mile away and read about it online and found out it happens a lot. Probably going to take it to the dealer very very soon.

10 Electrical System problem of the 2004 Mazda RX8

Failure Date: 06/29/2012

Part numbers fe03-51-21yd (rear) and fe03-51-22yc (front). I have complained to the dealer when the car was under warranty that the headlights were not illuminating correctly my driving area at night. I took the car in to the dealer today and I was told that these parts are not covered. There has been a technical service bulletin (TSB) on this car concerning this issue for a long time. There should be a recall on these sensors because this is a severe safety issue. They were faulty to begin with. In addition they have known about it for a long time.

11 Electrical System problem of the 2005 Mazda RX8

Failure Date: 01/17/2012

Failure of clutch pedal assembly. A plastic plate cracked and caused an irritating plastic binding noise, ever time I released the clutch pedal. This apparently happens a lot, sometimes it is fixable but in my case I had to replace my entire assembly, as I was told if it completely cracked I would lose the function of my clutch pedal. Failure of the passenger side power lock actuator. I have read many accounts of this part failing. Usually blamed on hot or cold claimant, however mine just failed earlier this week, with weather in the mid 40's. Just from the amount of postings I found when this happened to me it needs to be reported.

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12 Electrical System problem of the 2004 Mazda RX8

Failure Date: 04/10/2011

My visor literally fell off the car which shut down the radio. And now the car is starting funny. I need help soon.

13 Electrical System problem of the 2004 Mazda RX8

Failure Date: 03/15/2011

The contact owns a 2004 Mazda RX-8. While driving 60 mph, the vehicle stalled when shifted into neutral and the instrument panel lights illuminated. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the air condition pump was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.

14 Electrical System problem of the 2004 Mazda RX8

Failure Date: 04/10/2010

2004 Mazda RX-8, under 45k miles. Driven on a 78 degree day for 2 hour trip. Stopped to refuel and 30 min shopping. Get into car onto highway where I need my engine's speed to accelerate onto highway. I feels like half the power is gone. It reminds me of vapor lock, it's gasping for fuel or spark. This has been experienced many times before and nearly dangerous when in busy traffic, as had to pull over to birm. I know dealer replaced coil packs once or twice so far. . . Along with plugs. This is the most dangerous car I ever owned. The most re-called car I've ever known of. Right now it's running fine, matter of fact has power to spare as compared to it's 'whimping out syndrome ". There must be a corporate solution from Mazda to me. I am ready for a lawyer.

15 Electrical System problem of the 2005 Mazda RX8

Failure Date: 10/28/2009

The Mazda RX-8 is having an issue that is coming up more frequently now from a faulty a/c switch or heating system failure. The heat does not come into the vehicle when the heat is turned on and only cold air comes into vehicle. The failure happens in the beginning only randomly until the unit completely fails. The a/c modular is a electronic switch that changes vents and a/c or heat. The vent mechanism still functions but the heat is never transferred into the vehicle. The consequences from this item failing, especially in the winter time, the windshield cannot be defrosted and driving down the road way human exhaustion will cause the window fog up impairing driver's vision. As well as cold temperatures within the vehicle that do not suffice while driving in cold weather.

16 Electrical System problem of the 2004 Mazda RX8

Failure Date: 11/14/2007

The contact owns a 2004 Mazda Rx8. While driving various speeds, the vehicle will stall without warning. He took the vehicle to a local repair shop and a mechanic stated that fuel flooded the engine and causes the vehicle to stall. The engine was completely replaced. In addition, it takes several attempts to start the vehicle in cold weather conditions. The dealer stated that condensation was present and a vacuum needed to be installed, which would prevent water interference. The rear driver's side exterior lighting needed to be replaced due to the water entry. Finally, the front passenger side wheel bearing failed, which almost caused the tire to separate from the vehicle. The failure mileage was 32,000 and current mileage was 43,000. Updated 020209 the right front wheel bearing was worn. The check engine light illuminated. The front and rear coils were replaced. Updated 02/03/09.

17 Electrical System problem of the 2006 Mazda RX8

Failure Date: 07/14/2006

: the contact stated that while going 70 mph in cruise control mode the vehicle back end swerved left and then right. The vehicle was able to be driven after the incident occurred. The vehicle was not taken to the service dealer, however the contact suspects that traccion control system failed.

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18 Electrical System problem of the 2004 Mazda RX8

Failure Date: 04/01/2006

I purchased my 2004 Mazda RX-8 in March 2005 and problems with the check engine light coming on did not start until April 2006. At that time the car had approximately 26,000 miles on it (I have a long commute 90% of which is freeway). The first several times back to the dealer minor things were adjusted or cleaned such as the spark plugs and a small valve a kit to a butterfly valve in a carburetor engine. Eventually the valve was replaced, but the light still came back on. In fact, on one occasion the car was pulled out of the shop doors pronounced fixed and upon my starting it again the light was back on. Eventually Mazda approved that the intake manifold be replaced, which it was. The check engine light has stayed off since that replacement (about 3-months) , but other problems have arisen. First, either the intake or exhaust heads were not sealed correctly since the engine sounds like it is coming through the dash. This has been pointed out but never properly repaired. Now, as of August 3, 2007 the car's electrical system completely shuts down. This has happened on 3 occasions where without any warning the car shuts down. The needles in the dials on the dash bounce wildly back and forth while a clicking sound is coming from the fuse box in the engine. Needless to say the car is back in for it's 10th visit to the Mazda dealership in cleveland. I have started the buy back procedure with Mazda.

19 Electrical System problem of the 2004 Mazda RX8

Failure Date: 10/05/2005

I purchased the car in March 2004. During the time span of July 2004-October 2005 the car has been in the service dept. For failure to start and engine failure during driving the car. October 5, 2005 the dealership told me to pick up the car that it was fixed. I went and picked up the car and started home in the car the car quit running on the interstate at 70 miles per hour and myself and two children were almost hit by two big trucks.

20 Electrical System problem of the 2004 Mazda RX8

Failure Date: 03/29/2004

Mazda 2004 RX-8 flooded and failed to start twice, each time it had been repaired with new plugs and update pcm.


Other Common Electrical System related problems of Mazda RX8


RX8 Service Bulletins
RX8 Safety Recalls
RX8 Defect Investigations