Mazda RX8 Common Problems (Expert Insights & Fixes)
Mazda RX8 is a classic sports car that was produced by Mazda from 2002 to 2012. This car boasts a sleek performance and a unique driving experience thanks to its distinctive rotary engine plus a sporty design. However, this car has its share of problems as evident from the complaints from its owners.
Mazda RX8 common problems include:
- Ignition system issues
- Starting problems
- Catalytic converter failure
- Power steering issues
- Gear knob light failure
- Check engine light on
- Engine flooding problem
- Apex seals failure
Whether you own a Mazda RX8 or planning to own a used one, this guide will take you through common RX8 problems you should be aware of. This will help you know how to address them when they arise. Plus, we’ll discuss RX-8 model years to avoid.
Mazda RX8 common problems
Here are full details about all the common problems in Mazda RX8 we’ve just listed above:
Ignition system issues
Mazda RX8 vehicles are reported to experience ignition system issues. These include underpowered starter motors, coil packs failing often, and wires and plugs requiring regular replacement.
Worn-out ignition coil packs tend to leave unburnt oil and fuel. These will in turn clog your catalytic converter.
As we’ll see later in this post, a malfunctioning cat converter is one of the known faults of RX8s and leads to reduced engine performance, bad emissions, and even causes the check engine light to come on.
If you ignore a catalytic converter clogging issue, it will eventually trap exhaust gasses and heat in the engine and may even end up wearing the apex seals of the rotary engine.
Good news, however, is that Mazda redesigned their 2008 RX8 model tear’s catalytic converter to enable it to better resist clogging.
However, they left out the coil pack and other components of the ignition system, which continued to be an issue for the vehicles.
According to most owners of RX8, you should consider upgrading your vehicle with an aftermarket ignition system to minimize the possibility of ignition system issues.
Starting problems
Many owners of the Mazda RX-8 have also complained about starting problems. The vehicle had issues starting in cold weather according to most of the owners’ reports.
During the cold weather, the vehicle’s ignition system is not at its best and requires the starter, which is also not in good condition, to help spin the car engine for an extended period of time.
In other words, the manufacturer used a subpar start motor for the car’s engine.
Though these motors were modified following an initial recall in 2006, the older vehicles still experience this problem (but less frequently compared to the 2004-2006 models).
When your vehicle starts experiencing starting issues, especially during cold weather, you may want to have the starter motor checked by a professional mechanic. If it’s faulty, then you’ll need to replace it with a new motor to fix the problem.
Catalytic converter failure
As you may already know, the catalytic converter is a crucial part of every vehicle’s exhaust system.
It helps get rid of those harmful pollutants and emissions before they get released into the atmosphere.
Unfortunately, the cat converter in RX8 is prone to breaking down prematurely as reported by many owners.
These vehicles have unique challenges where their rotary engines increase the potential for unburned fuel entering the exhaust system. This can easily accelerate the breakdown of the cat converter.
Moreover, the RX-8s’ high-revving engines tend to generate plenty of heat which can easily put additional stress on the cat converter.
Most owners whose vehicles encounter this issue tend to complain about key symptoms like:
- Jumpy or jerky acceleration
- Significant power loss
- Engine stalling and failing to rev past a specific point
- Check engine light and limp mode on.
Regular maintenance such as addressing any engine misfires and ensuring proper engine tuning can help prolong your cat converter lifespan.
If you plan to buy a used RX8 or own one already, we advise you to have its cat converter and exhaust system inspected by a professional.
This will help detect whether there are any issues so they can be addressed as soon as possible.
Power steering problems
Many Mazda RX8 owners have also reported problems with the power steering.
Common issues reported include leaks in the power steering system, which may result in power assistance loss and steering difficulties.
Moreover, some owners have complained about the power steering pump malfunctioning. This results in reduced steering performance and noise during operation.
Regular inspections and maintenance of your vehicle’s power steering system can help detect problems early on and fix them before they develop into significant issues.
If you own an RX8 or are planning to get one, then we advise you to first have the power steering inspected by a professional regularly. This will ensure it’s operating smoothly and safely at all times.
Gear knob light failure
Gear knob light malfunctioning is also a common problem experienced by many RX8 owners.
The root cause of this issue is the gear knob wiring breaking or becoming loose. This is the wire connecting the gear knob illumination or the shifting indicator lights.
With continued use, the wiring harness may undergo tear and wear and cause electrical issues.
When your RX8’s gear knob breaks or becomes loose, it may cause a variety of symptoms including the gear indicator light failing to function correctly or the gear knob light fading and failing eventually.
This can be quite inconvenient, as the driver won’t be able to tell which gear position the car is in, especially in low light conditions.
If you experience gear knob light failure, we advise you to have the wiring and connectors inspected thoroughly. In case of any damaged or loose connections, have them fixed as necessary.
Check engine light on
Many Mazda RX8 owners have also filed multiple complaints about the check engine light coming on. While this warning light helps alert you in case of engine issues, it is not designed to keep flashing all the time.
Some owners agree that the engine light issue was caused by some sensors not working properly in their vehicles.
In some cases, however, the issue may be caused by some aftermarket part that the owners discovered after diagnosing their vehicles.
When the check engine light comes on, it would be difficult to figure out what triggered it without having your car checked by a qualified technician.
Having an OBD-II scanning tool can also help you retrieve stored trouble codes in your car computer. These will give you clues on what components of your car are showing erratic behavior.
Engine flooding problem
The RX8s are also known to experience engine flooding problems. This is another issue associated with the distinctive rotary engine.
What happens here is engine flooding if you don’t properly shut off the engine. This is especially likely to happen if you turn off the engine during a cold start before it hits normal operating temperatures.
Engine flooding involves excess fuel accumulating in the combustion chambers. This is too much for the spark plugs to ignite and make the engine start.
Some of the key symptoms of engine flooding in your RX-8 include:
- Engine won’t start
- Strong fuel odors when you try to start your engine
- You hear engine startup noise but there’s no ignition
- Dark smoke may come from your exhaust
- Your engine may start spinning at abnormally high speeds
When this issue catches up with your Mazda, you’ll need to clear the flooded engine. This involves holding the gas pedal to the floor as you crank the engine. The idea is to let more air into the engine and thus help clear out excess fuel.
We also advise you against attempting to start your car with a flooded engine repeatedly. This can lead to further flooding and even cause engine damage.
Because this issue is caused by turning off your engine too quickly after cold starting it, we advise you against turning off the engine until it warms up.
This only takes a few minutes and will save you time and frustration.
Apex seals failure
Yes, Mazda RX-8 vehicles are also known for being vulnerable to apex seal failure. This is a common issue when it comes to rotary engines, so it should not come to you as a surprise.
The apex seal is a crucial component in the design of rotary engines. Therefore, if it fails, it can lead to several problems as outlined below:
- Loss of compression in one or more engine chambers. These Mazda rx-8 compression problems may then lead to reduced engine power/power loss, poor performance, and even Mazda rx-8 problems with starting.
- Engine misfires may also occur due to loss of compression, leading to decreased fuel economy and rough idling.
- Failure to fix apex seal failure on time can also lead to further engine damage. And you may be left with costly repairs or a complete engine rebuild.
When faced with apex seals failure, you’ll need to consider a significant engine overhaul which can be quite expensive and time-consuming.
Regular maintenance and adhering to manufacturer-recommended engine maintenance guidelines can help minimize the risk of apex seals breaking down in your RX8.
Mazda RX8 years to avoid
The worst Mazda RX8 model years to avoid include the 2007 and the 2004 to 2005 model years. These are essentially the first-generation RX8 vehicles.
This should not come as a surprise given that all models have their first model years performing poorly.
The 2004 RX8 received multiple complaints about the rotary engine and was rated the worst in terms of reliability. The 2005 model was not any better.
The Carcomplaints rates the 2007 Mazda RX-8 as the worst model year and the 2004 model has received the highest number of complaints.
Carproblemzoo ranks the 2004 model as having received the highest number of complaints followed by the 2005 and 2006 model years.
Generally, if you’re looking for a used Mazda RX8 vehicle, we advise you to steer clear of any pre-2006 model unless it has undergone engine replacement.
If you’re interested in learning more about common problems in Mazda vehicles, you might also find our articles on Mazda Protege common problems and Mazda CX-9 common problems helpful. These resources provide insights into the issues faced by Mazda vehicle owners.Conclusion
The Mazda RX8 may boast a sporty design and unique rotary engine but it’s not 100% flawless. The car has a unique set of challenges faced by owners such as ignition system problems, power steering issues, catalytic converter failure, gear knob light failure, apex seals, failure, and engine flooding.
These Mazda rx8 common problems can be quite daunting to vehicle owners. Regular maintenance of your vehicle can help prevent most of these issues from occurring. Additionally, taking quick action when each of these problems arises in your car can help mitigate their impact.