3.1

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
44,291 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

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problem #17

Mar 232017

RX-8

  • miles
Airbag recall

- Keller, TX, USA

problem #16

Jul 012016

RX-8

  • 65,000 miles
Passenger airbag cover is cracked all over, was told it was from the airbag. Doing the recall for the passenger airbag and waiting on the fuel tank recall.

- St. Martinville, LA, USA

problem #15

Sep 122016

RX-8

  • 80,000 miles
The passenger airbag cover is cracked really bad. I've got a notice saying there was a recall for airbags. Took it to the dealer and they replaced the inflators only leaving the old airbag in there.

- Addison, TX, USA

problem #14

Apr 072016

RX-8

  • 63,545 miles
I purchased/financed my vehicle on October 9, 2015 at hilltop Nissan (258 route 10, East hanover, NJ 07936) at 59,201 miles. On April 7, 2016, I went to start the vehicle and the vehicle would not start. I had it towed to Mazda of lodi, so the service department can take a look at the vehicle. The service department contacted me and said it was the engine and the vehicle needs a new engine. The vehicle has only 63,545 miles on it, and since then, I drove only 4,344 miles in the six months. I asked the dealer, finance department for a warranty/extended warranty and the finance manager said, there are no warranties. I did not receive a white (square) piece of paper or booklet for warranty information or "as is" information. Now, I am paying $8500 for a new engine. Then, I searched online for any safety issues or recalls on vinrcl.safecar.gov. I found out that this vehicle has a devastating safety recall involving the airbags. (there was also a recall many years ago involving the engine, and that Mazda Rx-8 owners can return the vehicle, by choice, for a full refund??) the dealer, hilltop Nissan, did not notify me about this recall. They sold me a used car with a serious safety airbag recall. (also: Recalls on a engine) issue: I have a serious defect involving airbags that dispense shrapnel. I wonder what other serious safety issues involving the engine/vehicle that were not disclosed? thank you

- Clifton, NJ, USA

problem #13

Jun 162015

RX-8

  • miles
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2006 Mazda Rx-8. the contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V382000 (air bags). However, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Grandy, NC, USA

problem #12

Jul 312015

RX-8

  • 63,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Mazda Rx-8. the contact stated that the dash board on the passenger side of the vehicle was cracked. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V382000 (air bag). The contact was concerned for their safety due to the air bag being exposed and the air bag may deploy due to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 63,000.

- Nicholasville, KY, USA

problem #11

Jun 192014

RX-8 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2006 Mazda Rx-8. the contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V382000 (air bags). The part for the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. Updated 03/10/16 updated 03/16/16

- Grawn, MI, USA

problem #10

Jun 212015

RX-8

  • miles
Takata recall: TL* the contact owns a 2006 Mazda Rx-8. the contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 15V345000, and 15V382000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

- Petaluma, CA, USA

problem #9

Aug 292015

RX-8

  • 75,400 miles
Cracked air bag cover. It happens after sitting in the sun.

- Livingston, AL, USA

problem #8

Feb 102015

RX-8 4-cyl

  • miles
The contact owns a 2006 Mazda Rx-8. the contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 15V382000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of this issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Updated 09/03/15 updated 09/10/15

- Linwood, NJ, USA

problem #7

Feb 022015

RX-8

  • miles
The contact owns a 2006 Mazda Rx-8. the contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V344000 (air bags); however, the part needed to do the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact had not experienced a failure.

- Hotsprings, AR, USA

problem #6

Feb 142015

RX-8

  • 110,000 miles
After receiving a letter and verifying with the mazdausa website it was determined that my Rx-8 had a safety recall associated with the airbag. I contacted two separate Mazda dealers about this issue. Their response was less than undesirable. They first informed me that there were no parts available to affect repairs. After I requested a safe loaner vehicle until repairs could be made, my request was denied. So, Mazda has no parts to make repairs and they are unwilling to supply the vehicle owners with safe alternatives. I am writing to inform you that Mazda is not executing your mandated recall properly and is placing lives of numerous drivers at risk. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Springfield, VA, USA

problem #5

Oct 042013

RX-8

  • miles
Dash has several cracks over airbag. Cracking started soon after warranty was null. Airbag has recall, but Mazda expects owners to pay $500 for this defective part. Will replace airbag and re-install same cracked dash. Very dangerous in crash situation as small fragments may enter passengers face and upper body. Seems to be a problem with RX8's according to Mazda mechanic.

- Middleburg, FL, USA

problem #4

Nov 112014

RX-8

  • 130,000 miles
Crack appeared in the dash where the passenger air bag is contained. The crack started several months ago and the car is not garaged and is in the sun all day so I thought it might be caused by the sun. I live in Georgia and this car originally came from the port authority in Florida where it is also very hot. My VIN number is included in the range of "potentially affected vehicles" in the 14V-344 letter dated June 20, 2014, written to [xxx] of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and was signed by [xxx], group manager, of environmental, safety & powertrain engineering, Mazda North american operations. I printed a copy of that letter and will also contact Mazda to see when they plan to initiate an action. I am asking [xxx] the same question here. Is my family and the people with the cracks in their dashes in danger? information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Blairsville, GA, USA

problem #3

Oct 012013

RX-8

  • 50,000 miles
TL-the contact owns a 2006 Mazda RX8. The contact stated that the passenger's side dashboard had a crack in it where the air bag was located and the air bag warning light would intermittently illuminate. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.

- Humble , TX, USA

problem #2

May 012013

RX-8

  • 30,000 miles
For almost a year, cracks have started to appear over the passenger side airbag cover. It started off as a 1 cm crack in a single location, but now has progressed to multiple cracks that are up to 8 cm in length. These cracks follow the portions of the passenger airbag cover that would split open during deployment. I have spoken with mechanics and they have advised me that replacement of the passenger side airbag cover requires replacement of the entire passenger airbag system. The dashboard cover and the airbag are constructed as a single unit. I'm concerned that these cracks are destabilizing the safety of the passenger airbag. I would appreciate any insight into the matter.

- Lake Worth, FL, USA

problem #1

Feb 052014

RX-8

  • 86,000 miles
The dash cover over the passenger side air bag is cracking a lot in all different locations. I talked to the dealer about this and they told me it is a common issue in the Rx-8's and that the factory won't cover fixing it. This seems like a serious safety issue with the dash cracking apart right above the air bag. I'm not talking about some minor cracks either. I first noticed the cracks in the dash about a year and a half ago and now they grown and expanded substantially since then. It just really looks like a dangerous situation with it occurring right above the passenger air bag. I would really appreciate it if someone from NHTSA would look into this issue further. Thank you

- Tampa, FL, USA