Automotive Forums  Where Car Enthusiasts Go to Discuss Cars Online

Hello Mazda RX-8 fans.  I've had five tows to the dealership for the flooded motor.  Yep, I know all about the rev before shutting off and do it to my lil 8 every single time I shut her down.  I know the "de-flooding" process according to the manual which works about once out of every five attempts.  

I also know the full de-flood process which entails jacking it up, removing the plugs (either cleaning them or replacing them at about $65 a pop), defowling the "cylinder" though it not really a cylinder of course etc.

I'm also a previous owner of an RX-7 which had a cold restart issue but was less of a problem.

Here is my scenario......  I love my RX-8.  I'm very, very religious about her maintenance, starting procedures and other little things we must all take into account.  My problem is that this has happened to my RX-8 by simply not starting her over a week period or so.  Most instances have been where I have to leave her at the airport (yep I rev her high before shutting down), give her a nice run over (admiring her lovely curves) and say good-bye for now.  Upon my return from business travel typically over a weeks time or so......she's flooded.  I attempt the de-flood process right there in the parking lot to no avail and have my new RX-8 towed to our local Mazda dealer only to have her released within an hour.

Frustrating.  My local Mazda club has five other 8's out of twenty-two or so that have the same problem.  It has nothing to do with forgetting to rev her before shutting her down in most cases.  

I can't trust her.  I'm tired of the inconvenience, I'm tired of the cab ride home from the airport.  Which is why I bought another vehicle because of the reliability problem.

So if suing Mazda is for munches, then I'm a munch because I'm ready to go to the mattresses.  She can't be referred as a "lemon" under the current law and the warranty covers the "flooding" problems so they are somewhat covering their rears.  I'm an engineer, and I'm telling you, this is not a typical problem.  

So anyone starting the procedure for a class-action....I'll send you my paperwork to kickstart it.  Cheers.  

Third time being to Vegas being towed from Bullhead City. Always same problem.. turn over but doesn't start. This time they are saying that warrant does not cover.  Pissed off....need help!  More problems than listed..many more!!!!!!!!!!!  

Purchased 2004 Mazda RX-8 used in Nov 2006--got it home from the dealership, didn't have any problems for about 3 months ( because it never left my garage!! (not the car's fault--we have snow) at any rate things went down hill from there, it spent most of the summer in the shop, it would mysteriously lose power and stall for no reason-- and oddly enough-- the dealership had never heard of such a thing? ( There were always 3-5 RX-8s being worked on when I took mine in--) The dealership was always good about getting me a rental vehicle and service was great, but I was disappointed that I could not drive my car-- now, the power steering is acting up, just stops working for no reason-- so, as much as I love this car that I rarely get to drive, I think I will have to trade it-- for something reliable.  Hopefully, since the dealership insists there is nothing wrong with it, they will give me a good trade in price.      

what's up with that?  Today my 2004 RX8 (32,000 miles) stalled.  I did not wait the usual 5 mins to warm up - just wanted to move the car.  Now...nada....nothin'.  I read that there's a way to re-set it myself although I can't find the "how to" on that.  Do you know?  Would you share your starting problems with me, please?  

I am far from a fan of the Mazda RX-8. I know exactly what you are going through. I had the same problem with my RX-8.
I was unable to go to the mattresses over my problem because I was busy trying to get my husband back and forth to his Chemo treatment's.
The dealership knew what pain we were going through, and they had no compassion at all. They were rude and didn't care that my husband was so upset because my car was a Christmas present.
He knew that he may not live, and wanted me to be in a safe car. (Everyone deserves that when you purchase a car).
I lost my husband less than a year ago. I didn't think fighting with Mazda was important anymore. I traded mine for a Toyota and I love it.
I wish you luck, and I hope Mazda has to pay for all the people who have had to deal with this.    Best Regard's  

I purchased my 04 RX8 March of 2007 since then it has been in the shop at least 10 times for starting, shifting, check engine etc... all the same problems that have been discussed.  I reported the vehicle as a lemon on line with the BBB last Tuesday 02/26/08 after I had to bring it into the dealer again for shifting issues and dying issues.  I received a response from Mazda corp. the next day after filing a lemon report.  They said they were working on the case to see if it warrants replacement of the vehicle as this is what I requested.    On Friday the 29th guess what.. after getting it back from the dealer, the car died twice on the highway after the dealer said they fixed the shifting and dying issues.  I contacted corporate again to let them know about the recent issue that are not on the BBB report.  Corp has told me that in Texas I fell off the lemon law requirements for a replacement.  My 3 yr warranty expired in Nov. and I just hit the 30,000 mile mark when I brought it in on the 26th.  Mazda has agreed to replace the engine and has been in the shop ever since.  They have given me 400 in certs to use at the dealership and agreed to pay month of payment for the inconveniences I have gone through.  Along with giving me an employee discount for life on a purchase of a Mazda vehicle.  Overall I am not satisfied and I made it very clear that I will accept their gifts but this does not make up for the problems and my main concern is the vehicle working properly.  I am concerned after reading the previous posts that replacing the engine will not fix the problem.  I am very interested in learning about this class action suit.  My email is marcusmontoya36@yahoo.com.  From what I have seen so far looks like the 04's should be replacing with a newer model that doesn’t have these issues.  

Well they changed our engine in August of last year and although I am really afraid to say it the car has had no other issues and has been running fine.

For those of you that are having trouble with a dealer try another one thats what we did until we found the right one that helped us.  At all costs they will try to get out of helping you if they can.. good luck  

Just to add another story. I've had my 2004 RX8 for 1 year and have had it towed 5 times for the same flooding/dieing issues. at $180 for the tow and "service" to deflood the engine. The dealership told me its my fault (despite the fact they did not even tell me about the rules to prevent flooding until the 3rd time it happened)and the last two times I absolutly followed the rules of warming up and revving the engine before killing it. On top of that they told me they've only have heard of this happening to young females (like myself)... Funny, any other car I've driven over the past 10 years hasn't ever given me a problem.. yet somehow i'm the problem. >:O  

Hi marc7,

I am having flooding issues with my 2004 RX8 AT, and supposedly the warranty was extended but will not cover flooding.  I will pursue action privately or class action.  Can you give me some insight on how to seek justice?????

"duped" in GA

Joe  

You stated the warranty covers flooding?? Thats not what I am getting could you tell me where to retrieve this info?

EP  

I understand the frustration by so many. However I can tell you I have owned 4 rx-7's and only 1 of which was bad. The 82 model was a perfect car, it never had not 1 problem ever. Next I owned 1 86' model and 2 87's models. One of the 87's was a lemon because I bought it from a friend who did not take care of it (which I found out too late)... They were great cars and now i have this 2005 rx-8. So far it's been in the shop getting maintenance and updates to the pcm and such..very frustrating. I do not feel it's as reliable..but in mazda's defense, they have this new engineer who redesigned it,,which I think was the wrong thing to do. It was great the first time and very reliable. They cost more to work on because mazda is the only one to make this engine,,and if other auto makers made it..of course the price would drop much more. I am nervous and sometimes scared about the problems too..is why you should never buy a first year/edition car!  

i've had my 8 for 3 years and it seems the less i drive it the more it floods, the biggest problem now is the man. warranty expired and the extended doesn't cover flooding even though the mazda service recognizes the problem is being caused by the battery(which they've replaced twice)scumbags. anyway how did they end up replacing your engine  

I HAVE A RX8 2004 BUY NEW FIRT WEEK OF USE GO OUT TO EAT ,CAR NOT WANT TO START CALL DEALER PICK UP ,KEEP CAR FOR COUPLE OFDAY THEY SAID THAT THE PROBLEM WAS FIX 2 DAY LATER HAVE SAIND PROBLEM, DEALER PICK UP CAR AGAING KEEP FOR ONE WEEK CHANGE SOME PARTS BUT CAR KEEP GIVING ME PROBLEMS TO THE DEALER SAID NEET TO CHANGE ENGINE I GIVE UP TURN CAR IN I WAS MAKING PAYMENT IN A CAR THAT DO NOT TRUST ANY MORE NOW FORD CREDIT COMP. WANTS ME TO PAY THEM FOR THE CAR.  

Wow, so many other people are having the same darn problems!!!  Well, at least I have a little assurance I'm not the only one.  I just had my 2004 Rx8 towed again.  When I tried to start it after letting it sit for a couple of weeks (dumb on my part), it hesitated then stalled.  Then wouldn't start again.  I tried looking for a quick, do-it-yourself fix and I found all of you with THE SAME PROBLEMS.  Has anyone made progress on a class action law suit?  Also, who do I contact to complain about this?  

The car was actually purchased in Las Vegas and it had starting problems MANY TIMES.  It couldn't sit for more than a week without doing this to me.  I thought it was my own darn fault for not starting it regularly.

Most recently, the dealer replaced the plugs, etc.  And they told me to do the whole revving thing before I turn it off -- especially after driving short distances, and make sure I warm it up before driving.

In any case, I'm really worried that may warranty is about to expire (or is already expired, i'll find out soon).  After reading all these posts, I haven't read anything about an actual suit, and if there is/was one, whether it was successful or not.  Anyone out there who might know?  Since I just had towed and its nighttime right now, I'm not sure what will end up happening.  

If you want to get together and sue them or if you have any ideas, please post soon or email me at fericramos@yahoo.com.  Thanks.  

I fell in love with my 2004 RX8 and bought it right away but now after only having it 6 monthes and it not starting and being in the dealership over 6 times im starting to HATE IT! Im now starting to do my research which i should have done along time ago... looking into the lawsuit or trade in... not sure...