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Well I guess the only thing that makes me feel better is knowing others are having the same issue. Obviously this many Mazda RX8 owners having the same problem could not be negligent in its care.Ours is a 2005 with 33,000mi. The car has been kept in showroom condition and driven only 6,000mi from last service. And yes it's at the dealer now with the strong possibility of needing a new engine. This is PATHETIC! Anyone with new info regarding how their situation with Mazda Corp. was handled please let me know as I don't plan on any out of pocket expense. With this issue being so wide spread, Mazda should have handled it much better.  

I bought a used "04 GT last Summer and have had nothing but problems ever since. Everything described, especially the stalling in hot weather, and 2 engine floods now, plus the engine threw so much gunk when I first got it I had to have it flushed twice. Worked great for about 1 week after that and then went back to the same problems. Now barely running, with severe knocking and pinging, obviously going to flood again soon with the hard starts. So, will have it in for the 4th time for the same thing tomorrow, since it is a used car I probably can't file under the Federal Lemon Law, but will check anyway. Would get rid of it in a heartbeat if I could, basically a really cool looking, cool driving (when it runs) POS that I wouldn't recommend to my worst enemy. My only option at this point is to have a new engine in at my own expense, or turn it back in to Mazda (yea, like they will give me anything for it.) I have had Mazdas for years but will probably never get another one because of this. And I would love to join any class action suits going on.  

I live in puerto Rico and I drive rotary engines for years.I saw some problems but when Mazda change to the electronic sistem that deliver the oil to the motor, it recive too low oil and to much gasoline that consume the oil rings inside fast.The older motor you could change the small rod that is atach to the trothle whith a cable to left open the mixer and the rotor receive more oil and live.Thats we do to make the motor live better and cheking the oil cosume this could be the real problem.Sorry for my english.  

Ok, I have a question.

I just bought a used 2004 RX8.  It had a small vibration that I noticed after hitting cruising speed, between 4th and 5th gear.  When I took it back to the dealer to have additional key synched, I asked them to check it out.  I was told today that I needed to replace the motor mounts and the drive train.  Ive had this car 35 days!!!  It has 54,000 miles on it!! The cost is $2400.  Apparently, this is not part of the "engine warranty", although I was told anything related to the engine was good for 100000 miles.  Mind you I bought this car from a dealership (mazda), I asked for a extended warranty, and was told that the car was certified, that there were no problems, and that the only thing I had to worry about was the engine, which was covered with a 100,000 mile warranty.  Does the extended 5 year, 60,000 mile warranty for the drive train cover this???  Or am I just left holding the bag??  Please comment or give any suggestions!!!  

Another question....Is there a web site that I can go acess to find out what problems or repairs my RX 8 has had in the past?  Like engine replacements, factory recalls, etc...?????  How do I find the mechanical history of my car??  I really LOVE  my car, but I can't afford a lemon!!!  Do I have any recourse????  Lost in Las Vegas....and if you happen to be the previous owner of my cute little 04 silver RX8, let me know of any problems you have had with it!!!!  

I bought my RX-8 second hand about 2 years ago at 17,000 mls. The year of the car is 2004 and it has now done 55,000mls. It has been properly cared for with constant oil checks/top-ups, regular oil changes and includes 3 services by Mazda and all others by normal non-Mazda garages.

I have had a real love hate relationship with the car. It's been great to drive and is still one of the best looking cars on the road...but keeping it there has cost a fortune, and now the engine has failed and my local Mazda dealer can't (or won't) do anything about it.

I have turned to the net to see if the same has happened to others, and after reading a number of the replies to this thread, I have experienced most if not all of the problems highlighted from engine flooding (numerous times), cat overheating (glowed red-hot at one point), plugs failing, starter failed, battery upgraded. And now, engine failure.

I have also had other problems along the way, including;
1. There is a strange hot plasticy smell when I get out of the car, normally after a long run.
2. When in the car, sometimes I can smell exhaust through the A/C vents?!?
3. The clutch bite point fades to a fraction off the floor after after a slow in traffic jams.
4. Rust spots on the boot around the boot light.

In a nutshell, this is a fantastic car to drive and looks great...BUT, it has to be the worst car ever with regards to cost and reliability.

I really believe that Mazda have a case to answer here in producing this car. It should not be possible to produce goods that fall well short of meeting certain standards and expectations in respect of longevity, operational cost, and reliability.

Is anyone aware of cases being brought against Mazda in this respect?  

I am amazed at all of the bad experience out there. This is the first time looking around for engine issues and am shocked at what I see out here.
I just lost my 8 to the Mazda dealer for a new engine. Havent seen my car in 2 weeks. First dealer in clearwater Florida folded and my car had to be flatbedded 25 miles away. And there it still sits for two weeks waiting for an engine. Demand is sooo high that few if any engines are available.

I will say that Mazda did step up and i am driving a mazda 6 so there's no real compliant on that.  Plus, I havent heard much of it in the postings but Mazda did extend the engine warranty to 100k miles, so they'll replace engine again if before 100k

While the manufacturer is standing behind their product even though they cant find engine stock in Miss or Calif. I will say that these Japanese folks unleashed a lemon in this country - a true rarity from that part of the world.

My 8 had only 46k miles but had seen the dealer for all sorts of electrical and emission control problems in the 2.5 years ive had it.  Hard to believe engine failed at 46k...In my younger days I've had pintos with more than 100k on the oil burning 4cyl and to this day still have a 68 vw convertible with 221k running quite well.....Unlike many others who used 5-20, I did utilize `10-30 wt oil in the summmers because I can not believe that anything with the consistency of kool-aid could do any good in the hotter climates. I also threw a few ounces of tcwiii oil in periodically because someone with a 3rd generation rx7 swore by it in all of the repair work and competition driving. His engines easily went 100k before requiring any work.  i changed oil and filters religiously every 3k miles.  I did notice that my car really didnt consume much oil, contrary to what many others say.
My 8 idled roughly for a short period of time and then while accelerating hard out of a long traffic light ripped out of 2nd or 3rd gear and shut down.  Only words i heard from mazda was low compression, need to replace motor...we cant find motor for your 6 spd. As soon as we find one your 8 will be back with you in 24 hrs....

If Madza did not offer repair at no cost or did not provide alternative transport I would be fuming mad. Right now I can't be fuming mad, just very dissappointed.  My family and friends are having a good laugh because they thought I was nuts purchasing a rotary engine auto for a daily driver.  Right now I cant say I blame them.  My bumper to bumper warranty runs out tomorrow and the Mazda dealer blew me away with extended warranty costs today...forget that stuff...$3k for a warranty.....I wont do it....but my friends are laughing at me again because the next round of repairs for this thing will run a bundle....Did Mazda hire any of those old Simca and Sunbeam engineers??? Seems there is a little VEGA in the 8.....

I will never use 20wt oil again....I will see what kind of class action work might come out of this. I'd be on board with it if I was financially hurt.....I suppose if I try to unload this thing I will be financially hurt at trade in time . they are being called "slick and quick lemons" by the local dealer crews.  The 8 is a truly beautiful car but british electrics and italian,french powerplants are the order of the day  

i was actually just about to buy an rx8.
does it look like this problem will be fixed anytime soon?

and what happens if you just use the 5-30 instead of the 5-20.
i mean apparently if you do use it the engine is going to last longer so why not?  

I can't exactly join in the fight concidering my 05' rx8 has a branded title. However, a few months ago I read this forum and it has been on my mind ever since.
 My rx8 got the infamous "pop-corn sound of death" so I had the engine cleaned (the carbon buildup) and I figured that I had nothing to loose so I put a little over a half quart of Lucas oil treatment in the engine and aprox. 6 oz. of marvels fuel treatment and filled up with low octain fuel. Now it may just be a fluke but for the past 3 days it has been in the mid 80's and my engine has'nt stalled, popped, or anything, and it idles 150-200 rpm's faster. it was idling at 600-700 rpm's and now about 800 rpm's or so. It would stall 2-4 times driving home aprox. 15 miles every day and for now 0 times. I will post an update if something changes.  

I want in on a mass lawsuit!! Having to replace a 2007 (bought new)RX8 engine as we speak! 48,000 miles always received all maintenance needed. Not being covered under the $2300.00 extended warranty purchased when the car was bought. This is an extreme problem that needs to be taken care of. I'm sure if we all come together we can find something that will take them down. Or atleast get us recognized. There are so many out there.. I'm surprised. If anyone still gets on this site let's please try...  

Amen to that!  My son has a 2005 Mazda RX-8 he purchased when he got out of college.  He spent about $30,000 for it brand new.  After only 35,000 miles, he has had loss of compression and won't start when it is warmed up.  Took it to the dealership and after giving him the run around, they had to call Mazda HQ to find out what the problem was.  They told him they may need to replace the engine.  Don't worry, it's under warranty.  Well, a few days later they called him and told him to come pick it up that they "fixed" it.  Charged $590 for an assortment of tests, and then proceeded to tell him that he will probably have the same problem again within 6 mos. and may need the engine replaced.  He was stewing!  He contacted Mazda HQ and they pretty much told him "you have a 100,000 mile extended warranty."  So?  What the hell?  Then what?  He told them he expected them to replace the engine with one that is not defective not one defective one with another.  He told them they should be recalled.  THEY told him to contact NHTSA.  Big freaking deal!  What a lemon is right!  Any other car company would be drummed out of business with such defects!  

Same Happened to me.I live in Canada(Talking about cold weather) Only use premium gas and 5w20 oil. I'm driving the car only 6 month a year due to snow. This summer, at 28000miles i drove slowly on a rural road, decide to push it, put nothing happened. No power, no acceleration. This was my first ever problem. So I turn to go back home, put on the way, all the light came on and the engine fail. After Mazda dealership test, they told me the first rotor is dead, no more compresion. I had to change the engine. I have a 2005 6sp. No more warranty. that means 5000$ (Can) from my wallet(includind the job). And no warranty that it wont happen again. One dealer told me it was the poor(premium) gas. the other, a bad SSV valve. I'm a little piss, i've invested big money on my car put worth nothing cause in the six month i can drive it, 3 has been pass on the parking lot of a dealer waiting for the B.O. engine. (By the way, if you want to order an engine and it's B.O. and you have to wait 1 month to have an estimated delivery time, that means yours not alone with this problem!!!!!)For record, i've always take good care of my care, oil change, warmup time and cool down before stopping.
The biggest mistake that i've made was to put a turbo in it, not because it does'nt worth it, (This car is made for the turbo . But the turbo do void your warranty, so when your compression problem occur, you will loose your car and all your money in the same time!!!!!
I Still Love the RX8. Peace!  

Well i have a 2003 and many trips to the dealer for flood an battery and injector
and new engine now and still not good
can use ac motor looses much power and die.
runs like ***
to expensive for anything
have warranty extension for 8 years but i don't want warranty i want to drive without a problem without having to take a tow truck everywhere i go.  

well, where do I start?? I have a 2005 RX8 that I Purchased with 17,000 miles; at 22,000 Miles I had my first trip to the dealer because the engine was making noise and it was shaking pretty bad, also when idling... the dealer changed the engine mounts, the gas cap and some sensor that I dont remember right now... the car was a little better but it was still idling pretty bad.. well.. at 28K miles started to stall and died all th time, and when I turned it back up it will not accelerate.. I will have to get home at 15 -20 MPH... so i took it back to the dealer... first they told me that it needed a new engine... since it was covered I had no problem and they changed it.. 15 days later they told me that the second engine was also bad so they had to order anotther engine and finally gave me a retal.. well a month later they told me that the car was ready and to come pick it up... I thought that the problems were over but not... when I took the car home (1st day) the car died and will not accelerate again... I was super mad... i took it back to the dealer and they could not find a problem even wth mazda techs on the phone.. then they said that it was the air sensor so they replace it and send me home again but this time I broke down in front of the dealer.. I took it back and they finaly saw what the car was doing since they could never duplicate the problem... so they told me that it was the fuel pump that was failing every time the car got really hot... so they changed the pump and its been now 5 days with not problem.. Im still not sure that is completely fixed but lets pray that it is... still Idles a little rough even with the 3rd engine but is better than before.. Other issues that I had... replaced the dash for the passanger air bag (it cracked everywhere), tail lights full of water, center console gets hot, pasanger side visor wont stay up...  even with all that I still like the car but I dont know if I can take another trip to the dealer.. I almost traded the car last week and and giving this car one more chance.. thank god for warranty... good luck for all of you with the same problem... hope this helps  

well, where do I start?? I have a 2005 RX8 that I Purchased with 17,000 miles; at 22,000 Miles I had my first trip to the dealer because the engine was making noise and it was shaking pretty bad, also when idling... the dealer changed the engine mounts, the gas cap and some sensor that I dont remember right now... the car was a little better but it was still idling pretty bad.. well.. at 28K miles started to stall and died all th time, and when I turned it back up it will not accelerate.. I will have to get home at 15 -20 MPH... so i took it back to the dealer... first they told me that it needed a new engine... since it was covered I had no problem and they changed it.. 15 days later they told me that the second engine was also bad so they had to order anotther engine and finally gave me a retal.. well a month later they told me that the car was ready and to come pick it up... I thought that the problems were over but not... when I took the car home (1st day) the car died and will not accelerate again... I was super mad... i took it back to the dealer and they could not find a problem even wth mazda techs on the phone.. then they said that it was the air sensor so they replace it and send me home again but this time I broke down in front of the dealer.. I took it back and they finaly saw what the car was doing since they could never duplicate the problem... so they told me that it was the fuel pump that was failing every time the car got really hot... so they changed the pump and its been now 5 days with not problem.. Im still not sure that is completely fixed but lets pray that it is... still Idles a little rough even with the 3rd engine but is better than before.. Other issues that I had... replaced the dash for the passanger air bag (it cracked everywhere), tail lights full of water, center console gets hot, pasanger side visor wont stay up...  even with all that I still like the car but I dont know if I can take another trip to the dealer.. I almost traded the car last week and and giving this car one more chance.. thank god for warranty... good luck for all of you with the same problem... hope this helps