2004 Mazda RX-8 Complaint Log

CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET WELD BROKE OFF, WHEN DRIVING. UNABLE TO SHIFT IN OR OUT OF GEARS AND CAR NEEDS TO BE TOW. *TR

DURING NORMAL DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THE CLUTCH BRACKET OF MY MAZDA RX-8 SNAPPED DURING SHIFTING AND THE CLUTCH BECAME INOPERABLE. THIS MADE CHANGING GEARS IMPOSSIBLE AND CAUSED A SERIOUS HAZARD. APPARENTLY, THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WAS THE USAGE OF WEAK MATERIALS AND POOR QUALITY SPOT WELDS. UPON SOME INVESTIGATION, IT TURNS OUT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AS THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION THREAD SHOWS: HTTP://WWW.RX8CLUB.COM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=132912 TO FIX THE PROBLEM, THE CLUTCH BRACKET WAS REPLACED. IT IS APPARENTLY ALSO POSSIBLE TO WELD THE BROKEN PARTS OR TO INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT BRACKET TO PREVENT THE FAILURE. I DID NOT KEEP THE BROKEN (REPLACED) BRACKET, SO THE OLD PART IS NOT AVAILABLE. *TR

I'M VERY UPSET, I BOUGH MY CAR RX8 2004 ON JANUARY 2009 FROM A MAZDA DEALER AND MY CAR JUST DIED 3 MONTH AFTER BUYING THE CAR, THEY WON'T REPLACE MY ENGINE BECAUSE OF AND AFTERMARKET HEADERS. NOW I UNDERSTAND THAT AFTERMARKET PARTS WILL VOID THE WARRANTY OF THE CAR BUT THE FIRST MONTH I BOUGHT THE CAR WENT TO THE DEALER 5 TIMES AND I HAVE THE RECORD OF THAT, THE KNEW THE CAR WAS DAMAGE AND THEY NEVER REPLACE MY ENGINE NOW THAT I PUT MY HEADERS AND THEY SAW THEM THEY DON'T WANT TO REPLACE IT AND PRETTY MUCH I LOST 13K ON A CAR THAT LAST ME ONLY 3 MONTH AND I'M STILL PAYING THE CAR A MONTH I DON'T HAVE MONEY TO REPAIR THE CAR JUST BECAUSE THEY KNOWING THAT THIS CARS HAVE PROBLEMS AND STILL DON'T WANT TO HELP IF I DON'T HAVE CAR I PROBABLY CAN LOSE MY JOB AND TRUST ME I DON'T WANT THAT BUT I CAN EVEN BUY A NOTHER CAR BECAUSE I'M STILL PAYING THIS CAR I NEED MY CAR FIX AND I WANT SOMEONE TO TAKE ACTION ON THIS, I WILL REALLY WANT TO REPORTS THIS ISSUE TO THE LOCAL NEWS PAPERS AND LET EVERYONE KNOWS ABOUT THIS PLEASE HELP ME HERE I CAN AFFORD TO LOSE MY JOB MY WIFE DOESN'T WORK AND MY SON IS ONLY 2Y AND 5 MONTH PLEASE SOMEONE HELP ME...!!!! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA RX8. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TURN THE IGNITION THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A NO-START CONDITION. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED. THE REPAIR DID NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR IDENTICAL FAILURES, BUT THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN REMEDIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AS 59,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

CLUTCH BRACKET BREAKS OFF WHILE SWITCHING GEARS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY @ 60 MPH HAPPENS TO A LOT OF MAZDA RX8S 2004-2008. *TR

ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WITH NO NOTICEABLE PROBLEMS. CALLED DEALER WHO ADVISED BRINGING IT IN. ON WAY TO DEALERSHIP, APPROX. 4 MILES, CAR BEGAN TO MISFIRE, PRODUCING SMOKE FROM EXHAUST PIPES. BY THE TIME I PULLED INTO THE DEALERSHIP, SMOKE WAS COMING FROM EVERY AREA OF UNDERSIDE OF CAR, AS WELL AS INTERIOR. WIFE FOLLOWING SAID FLAMES WERE COMING FROM BOTH EXHAUST PIPES. CAR ONLY HAS 37,000 MILES, AND ALL DEALER SERVICING WERE DONE SINCE PURCHASE OF VEHICLE. AFTER 2 WEEKS OF CONTACT WITH HOME OFFICE, MAZDA HAS AGREED TO PAY FOR REPAIRS OF EXHAUST SYSTEM, BUT I AM LIABLE FOR PHYSICAL DAMAGE TO CAR WHICH INCLUDES MELTED CARPETING, SPARK PLUGS, ETC. WAS TOLD BOTH COILS WERE THE CAUSE OF PROBLEM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA RX-8. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 30-40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ALL THE GEARS LOST POWER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO REPAIR THE FLUID ISSUES AND HAVE THE SPARK PLUGS CHANGED, BUT THE FAILURES PERSIST. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 40,000.

MY 2004 MAZDA RX-8 CATALYTIC CONVERTER WENT OUT TWICE IN LESS THAN 1 YEAR. MY PERSONAL MECHANICS SAID TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THAT BLOGS ON LINE SAID THE ENGINE WOULD LOOSE COMPRESSION AND THE ENGINE WOULD GO OUT COMPLETELY. I READ SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THAT VERY SAME THING. THE DEALER SAID THEY WOULD REPLACE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AGAIN. I SAID WHAT ABOUT THE LOW COMPRESSION AND ENGINE FAILURE DOWN THE ROAD. AND THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THAT WHAT THE 100K WARRANTY IS FOR. I DON'T THINK THAT'S RIGHT THEY SHOULD BUY THE CAR BACK FROM ME. IT IS NOT DEPENDABLE. IT IS AT MAZDA CITY OF ORANGE PARK, FL. PHONE # 904-7790600. *TR

I'M HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY 2004 MAZDA RX8 I HAD A REPLACE ENGINE ON MY CAR AND THE CAR HAD A ENGINE FLOODED BEFORE AND NOW LAST NIGHT DOESN'T WANT 2 START AND THERE'S ARE A FEW RECALLS FOR THIS CAR AND I WANT 2 TAKE ACTIONS WITH MAZDA. *TR

ONE NIGHT WHEN I WAS LEAVING WORK I TRIED TO REVERSE OUT OF MY PARKING SPACE AND MY CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE. AFTER TRYING OVER AND OVER THE CLUTCH FINALLY ENGAGED AND I WAS ABLE TO BACK OUT. A FEW BLOCKS LATER I WAS AT A STOPLIGHT TRYING TO GET THE CAR INTO FIRST GEAR AND SAME THING HAPPENED. I FINALLY GOT HOME AND TOOK A LOOK UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER SIDE DASH AND LOOKED UP TO SEE ONE OF THE WELDS ON THE CLUTCH PLATE HOLDING THE CLUTCH PEDAL IN PLACE HAD BROKEN. I AM WAITING TO SEE IF A FRIEND WHO IS A PROFESSIONAL WELDER CAN RE-WELD IT BECAUSE THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP WHERE I LIVE DOES NOT WELD ANYTHING AND WILL ONLY REPLACE THE WHOLE UNIT, WHICH I CANNOT AFFORD. *TR

I HAVE BEEN READING ARTICLES ON THE RX8CLUB WEBSITE REGARDING CLUTCH PEDAL BREAKING. I TOOK MY CAR IN TO GET CLUTCH REPLACED AND ON THE WAY INTO REPAIR SHOP, CLUTCH PEDAL BROKE. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP, TO HAVE CLUTCH AND CLUTCH PEDAL REPAIRED. *TR

I WAS LUCKILY PULLING UP TO A STOP SIGN AND PRESSED THE CLUTCH AND HEARD A LOUD SNAP. I THEN PUT IT IN FIRST GEAR, WENT TO SHIFT TO SECOND AND THE CLUTCH PEDAL WAS GONE. I PULLED OVER AND GOT OUT AND FOUND THE CLUTCH PEDAL STUCK BEHIND THE BRAKE PEDAL. I WAS EXTREMELY ANGRY AFTERWARDS REALIZING HOW DANGEROUS THIS COULD HAVE BEEN. WHAT IF I WAS MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN AND COULD NOT FIND THE CLUTCH?? I AM ALSO UPSET THAT MAZDA TOLD ME THAT I YES ME! HAD TO PAY $470 TO GET THIS PROBLEM THAT SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN FIXED. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS EVER, NO MATTER HOW OLD A CAR IS THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN!!! I CANNOT AFFORD $470 TO FIX THINGS LIKE THIS THAT SHOULD NEVER BREAK. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER AS I HAVE FOUND ON RX8CLUB.COM THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS CAR!! UNACCEPTABLE!~ *TR

MAZDA HAS REPLACED THE ENGINE IN MY 2004 RX8 3 TIMES IN THE LAST 700 MILES. THEY KEEP SAYING BAD ROTARY ENGINE BUT THIS IS TERRIBLE. HOW MANY MORE ENGINES WILL IT TAKE??? *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA RX8. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE A CREAKING NOISE WHENEVER THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS A TEAR LINE CRACK IN THE LOWER CONTROL ARM IN THE SUSPENSION. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN 2005 FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V325000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT) AND THE MANUFACTURER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE FOR FREE. THE FAILURE HAS RECURRED, BUT THE MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE ACCORDING TO THE RECALL. HE BELIEVES THAT THE COMPONENT THAT WAS USED TO PREVIOUSLY REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS FAULTY; THEREFORE, THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR WOULD RANDOMLY ILLUMINATE WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. A LOCAL MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A RUPTURED OIL COOLING LINE. DURING THE REPAIR, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE OIL PAN WAS PERFORATED AND LEAKING OIL. THE OIL PAN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE OIL COOLING LINE WAS REPLACED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THIS WAS ALL CAUSED BY RUST. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO FIND A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE, BUT BELIEVED IT SHOULD HAVE ALSO BEEN RECALLED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,000.

OWNER OF AN 2004 RX-8. THE VEHICLE HAD 8,000 MILES AT TIME OF PURCHASE. WITHIN 2,000 MILES OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE, WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN. MAZDA REPLACED THE SENSOR SYSTEM. THEY STATED THAT THE KEY BECAME UNPROGRAMMED WHILE DRIVING? THE CAR WAS WORKED ON AT PREBEL MAZDA IN GEORGIA. MY CAR NOW HAS 26,000 MILES. I TAKE VERY PARTICULAR CAR WITH THE MAINTENANCE OF THE CAR. LAST FRIDAY NIGHT, I SHUT MY CAR OFF AND IT WOULDN'T RESTART. AFTER SOME RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND THAT MOST ALL RX-8 MAZDA'S HAVE THIS SIMILAR ISSUE. I AM CURRENTLY PAYING OUT OF POCKET, TO HAVE TEST RUN TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. THERE IS A BIG CHANCE THAT THE VEHICLE WILL NEED IT'S ENGINE REPLACED. DUE TO A RECALL "COMPRESSION" ISSUE BY MAZDA. I AM VERY UPSET THAT I HAVE A VEHICLE WITH MAJOR MANUFACTURER DEFAULTS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA RX-8. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE ENGINE, THE MOTOR WOULD KICK, BUT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT STOP. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS FAULTY AND MADE THE REPLACEMENT. THE REPAIR ONLY LASTED ONE WEEK. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MAZDA DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS A FLOODING ISSUE. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE FOR FREE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED A MONTH LATER. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE OUTER GRIP ON THE FLY WHEEL WAS LOOSE. THE MECHANIC REPAIRED THE VEHICLE, BUT THE ENGINE STILL WOULD NOT START. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,000.

MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE DEALERSHIP FOR RECALLS ECT. LAST NIGHT I STARTED MY VEHICLE AND STARTED TO LEAVE, BACKING OUT OF PARKING LOT AND THE THROTTLE STARTED TO SURGE. I STOP TURNED IT OFF AND IT STOPPED. I PULLED OUT ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND WHEN SHIFTED INTO 2ND GEAR THE THROTTLE STUCK AND WAS RACING BETWEEN 3500 AND 4000 RPMS. I PUT THE CLUTCH IN AND IT PEGGED OUT ON THE RPM GAUGE, I MANAGED TO NOT HIT ANYONE OR ANYTHING AND PULLED OFF HIGHWAY CALLED MAZDA FOR ASSISTANCE, I SHUT VEHICLE OFF AND STARTED IT BACK UP AFTER A FEW MIN TO SEE IF IT RESET ITSELF, STARTED IT BACK UP AND IT JUST SURGED AND STUCK BETWEEN 3000 AND 4000 RPMS. I'VE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE BUT NOTHING LIKE THIS AND FRANKLY I WAS VERY LUCKY. I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE ANY INPUT OR INQUIRY ON THIS MATTER, NEEDLESS TO SAY I DON'T TRUST MY CAR ANYMORE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA RX8. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CLUTCH PEDAL BEGAN SQUEAKING. THE CLUTCH PEDAL BRACE FAILED AND WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR AT ALL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CLUTCH PEDAL WAS BENT, NOT BROKEN AND THEY COULD REPLACE OR WELD THE PART. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 37,700.

TAKING OFF (SMOOTHLY) FROM A TRAFFIC LIGHT, I ACCELERATE THE CAR TO 15 MPH AND BEING TO SHIFT IN 2ND GEAR. AS I DEPRESS THE CLUTCH PEDAL I HEARD A LOUD THUD AND REALIZED THAT MY CLUTCH PEDAL HAD COMPLETELY SNAPPED OFF AT THE FRAME OF THE CAR. I WAS IN CITY TRAFFIC WITH NO WAY TO SHIFT THE CAR BACK INTO GEAR (I HAD ALREADY PULLED THE GEAR SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR). I MANAGED TO COAST THE CAR TO A PARKING LOT BUT BECAUSE OF THIS FAILURE OF EQUIPMENT - TRAFFIC WAS BACKED UP FOR AT LEAST A 1/2 MILE. 1. EVENT THAT LEAD TO FAILURE: NORMAL OPERATION 2: THE FAILURE: CLUTCH PEDAL 3: THE REPAIR: NEW CLUTCH PEDAL ASSEMBLY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA RX8. THE CONTACT STATED WHENEVER IT WOULD RAIN, WATER WOULD LEAK INTO THE PASSENGERS SIDE TAIL LIGHT. THE DEALER ADVISED THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE AND REPAIRS WOULD BE AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD BECOME EXTREMELY RESISTANT TO APPLIED PRESSURE OR WOULD SPORADICALLY LUNGE FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AND COULD NOT OFFER A REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,500 THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, DUE TO IT NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY IN 1ST AND GEAR. UPDATED 07/06/10.*JB UPDATED 07/08/10 *BF UPDATED 07/09/10.*JB

DRIVING HOME WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN THE VEHICLE STOPPED DEAD IN THE ONCOMING LANE. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 3 TIMES BEFORE WITH NO INDICATION FROM THE DEALER AS TO THE CAUSE OR SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM. ACCORDING TO REPORTS ON THE INTERNET MANY COMPLAINTS HAVE INDICATED THAT AROUND 28,000 MILES THE ENGINE WAS REPLACE DUE TO LACK OF COMPRESSION. *TR

DRIVERS SIDE OIL COOLER LINES HAVE METAL SECTION AND CONNECTOR AS THEY PASS FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT TO WHEEL WELL. THIS METAL SECTION HAS CORRODED THROUGH AND PRODUCED A HOLE IN THE METAL OIL LINE ALLOWING ENGINE OIL TO BE SPRAYED ONTO BRAKE SYSTEM, FRONT TIRE AND RIM, AND CONSEQUENTLY UNDER REAR TIRE TRACK. THIS RESULTED IN HARD PULLING TO RIGHT (PASSENGER SIDE) UNDER STIFF BRAKING, SKIPPING AND LOSS OF TRACTION OF FRONT LEFT (DRIVERS) TIRE DUE TO OIL SOAKED CONDITION AND LOSS OF TRACTION OF LEFT REAR TIRE FROM TRACKING IN OIL PATTERN. MAZDA CANADA HAS ISSUED SPECIAL SERVICE PROGRAM (SSP 76) FOR THIS ISSUE. MAZDA EUROPE HAS INITIATED A SIMILAR PROGRAM, THERE IS NO US RECALL OR SSP AS OF THIS DATE. SSP REPLACES EFFECTED PARTS AND PROVIDES FOR REDESIGNED WHEEL WELL LINER TO PROTECT OIL FITTINGS FROM CORROSIVE ROAD SALTS AND WATER. *TR

I HAVE A 2004 MAZDA RX8 WITH ONLY 51,000 MILES ON THE CAR. I RECENTLY, WITHIN THE LAST MONTH OR TWO, NOTICED A SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE PEDAL AREA. I THOUGHT I JUST NEED SOME LUBE OR WD40 DOWN THERE TO STOP THE NOISE. THIS WAS NOT THE CASE! YESTERDAY, WHILE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, I GO TO ENGAGE THE CLUTCH TO PUT INTO FIRST GEAR AND TAKE OFF, AND I HEAR A POP. I COULDN'T GO ANYWHERE, I COULDN'T GET THE CAR IN GEAR OR MOVE AT ALL. SOMETHING HAD HAPPENED AND I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT. WHILE IN THE MIDDLE OF A HUGE INTERSECTION I AM IN A STATIONARY POSITION WHILE CARS ARE PASSING ME. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE SOMEONE STOP AND HELP ME PUSH THE CAR DOWN THE STREET, WHERE A LOCAL MAZDA DEALERSHIP WAS. MAZDA TECH'S TAKE A LOOK AT IT AND TELL ME MY CLUTCH BRACKET IS BROKE! I THEN PROCEEDED TO ASK THEM TO SEE IT FOR MYSELF BECAUSE I COULDN'T BELIEVE A CAR WITH SO LITTLE MILES ON IT COULD HAVE THIS HAPPEN. IT WAS TRUE, I SAW FOR MYSELF THAT IT HAS SNAPPED OFF AND WAS NOT STABLE. NOW I HAVE TO PAY NEARLY 700 DOLLARS TO REPLACE THIS FAULTY PART! THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY MATTER FOR THE MAZDA RX8 AND THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY MAZDA AND FIXED IMMEDIATELY! I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE AT A STAND STILL WHILE IN THE CAR AND TO FIND SOMEONE TO HELP ME OFF THE ROAD. THIS MAY NOT BE THE CASE FOR OTHERS IF MAZDA DOES NOT FIX THIS FAULTY PART. I WILL BE CONTACTING MAZDA CORP AS WELL, BUT COULD PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS SITUATION AND TRY TO HAVE MAZDA ADDRESS THIS ASAP. THANK YOU! *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA RX8. THE CONTACT NOTICED A FAILURE WITH THE ENGINE ON FOUR DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PROPERLY. SHE ALSO NOTICED A BURNT, RUBBERY SMELL COMING FROM THE PASSENGER CONSOLE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES AND THEY STATED THAT SHE NEEDED A NEW MOTOR. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FIRST MOTOR IN JULY OF 2008 DURING HER THIRD VISIT. THE CONTACT NOTED THAT THE DEALER WOULD ATTEMPT TO REPAIR THE ISSUE, BUT SHE WAS NEVER ABLE TO DRIVE HOME SUCCESSFULLY WITHOUT A FAILURE OCCURRING. SHE WAS RECENTLY INFORMED THAT A SECOND NEW MOTOR WOULD BE NEEDED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 59,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000.

I BOUGHT MY 2004 MAZDA RX8 FROM AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP IN DORAL, FL WITH 53M MILES ON IT, STILL UNDER POWERTRAIN WARRANTY & I PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR 2 YEARS.THE CAR HAS BEEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP 8 TIMES (THAT IS AVERAGING ONCE A MONTH) SINCE PURCHASE, BACK FOR VARIOUS REASONS INCLUDING: ENGINE LIGHT ON, COOLANT LIGHT ON, AND THE MOST IMPORTANT AND DANGEROUS-LOCKED POWER STEERING! OF THE 8 TIMES, 4 OF THOSE ARE FOR THE POWER STEERING LOCKING ON ME, EITHER WHEN I START THE CAR, OR WHILE DRIVING, IT'S RANDOM THAT IT HAPPENS, WHEN IT 'FEELS LIKE IT'. I CAN'T TRUST THIS CAR, AND THOUGH THE SERVICE DEPT AT THE DEALERSHIP HAS ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR IT NUMEROUS TIMES, THE PROBLEM HAS NOT SUBSIDED. THE TIMES THAT I START THE CAR AND THE POWER STEERING IS NOT LOCKED, WHILE DRIVING THE WHEEL BECOMES VERY LOOSE, THEN THE CAR SHAKES, THEN THE STEERING LOCKS. I HAVE BEEN LUCKY AND HAVE GOTTEN SAFELY OUT OF TRAFFIC, BUT THE WHEEL IS VERY HARD TO TURN, ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS. I'M OFFICIALLY FILING A COMPLAINT B/C IT SEEMS TO BE A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM, AND I WANT THIS ISSUE RESOLVED. I WOULD PREFER TO HAVE MAZDA BUY BACK THE CAR FROM ME, SINCE, AT THIS POINT, I DON'T FEEL SAFE IN MY CAR, ESPECIALLY TO DRIVE LONG DISTANCES. BUT IF MAZDA CAN REPAIR THE PROBLEM FOR GOOD, I'LL BE SATISFIED. THANK YOU. *TR

I BOUGHT A 2004 MAZDA RX8 BRAND NEW IN EARLY 2005 FROM THE DEALER. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED IN FOR REPAIR OVER 10 TIMES. THEY HAVE TRIED TO FIX IT EACH TIME. THEY EVEN HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE AFTER ONLY 23,000 MILES. NOW LOOKS LIKE I WILL NEED ANOTHER ENGINE. THEY HAVE HAD NUMEROUS RECALLS ON IT. IT HAS STALLED ON ME BEFORE BUT THE OTHER DAY IT ALMOST COST ME MY LIFE. IT STALLED DUE TO HOT WEATHER WITH ON COMING TRAFFIC. I NEARLY HAD A HEAD ON COLLISION. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I FIND THAT IT HAS YET MORE RECALLS ON IT FOR SAME PROBLEM OF STALLING. THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE CAR. I READ ON DIFFERENT FORUMS OF ALL THE HORROR STORIES OTHERS ARE HAVING WITH SAME PROBLEMS. THE DEALERSHIPS ARE TRYING TO SAY THERE IS NO PROBLEM OR THAT ITS SOMETHING WE DID AND TRY TO CHARGE US TO REPAIR THEIR DEFECTS. SOMETHING HAS GOT TO BE DONE BEFORE PEOPLE ARE KILLED. I NOW FIND OUT THAT NO ONE WANTS TO TAKE IT IN ON TRADE FOR FAIR VALUE. MAZDA SOLD THIS CAR BEFORE IT WAS READY FOR PRODUCTION AND THEY SHOULD BUY IT BACK AT FAIR VALUE. THEY NEED TO GET THEM OFF THE ROAD BEFORE ITS TO LATE. PLEASE HELP PUT PRESSURE ON THEM TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT. *TR

2004 MAZDA RX8 WITH WATER MIXING IN WITH THE OIL. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE MECHANIC STATED THAT WATER IN THE OIL WAS NORMAL AND HOW THE VEHICLE VENTED. THERE WAS RED ANTIFREEZE IN THE VEHICLE AND GREEN ANTIFREEZE SHOULD HAVE BEEN USED. *KB THE DIP STICK WAS COVERED IN A HARD, CRYSTALLIZED, ORANGE/WHITE SUBSTANCE. THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND STEAM EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE THERMOSTAT HAD MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT BECAUSE THE WRONG ANTI-FREEZE HAD BEEN USED, THERE MAY BE FUTURE COOLING ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA RX-8. WHILE DRIVING 40-60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAITED 30 MINUTES BEFORE THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE DEALER COULD NOT REMEDY THE ISSUE WITH THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE IT CAN SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,206 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 MAZDA RX8. THE VEHICLE HAS BRIDGESTONE ALL SEASON TIRES. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE AIR PRESSURE IN THE TIRES AND NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER. MAZDA SUGGESTED THAT HE TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES, BUT NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE DEALER ONLY PLACED AIR IN THE TIRES. ON ONE OCCASION, WHILE DRIVING ALMOST 60 MPH, THE CONTACT FELT A VERY ROUGH VIBRATION IN THE VEHICLE. HE ATTEMPTED TO MOVE THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD AND THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE EXPLODED. THE TIRE AND VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE BLOW OUT. THE DOT NUMBER AND TIRE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 23,000. THE TAIL LIGHTS WOULD FILL WITH WATER. THERE WAS A STRANGE CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE MAY HAVE A STRUT PROBLEM. UPDATED 07/30/09.*JB

THE 2004 RX8 HAS INTERNAL SEALS FAIL PREMATURELY. THIS CAUSES THE ENGINE TO "BLOW" BY A LOSS OF COMPRESSION IN ONE OF THE TWO ROTOR CHAMBERS. THE PROBLEM BEING THE CAR WITH STILL RUN WITH HALF POWER. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE TO FIND HELP OFF THE HIGHWAY. THE ROTOR THAT IS NOT WORKING IS DUMPING GAS INTO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. BY THE TIME I PARKED, I COULD SMELL BURNING FIBER AND PLASTIC AND THE EXHAUST SHOT OUT SEVERAL LARGE CHUNKS OF RED HOT CERAMIC MATERIAL. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS BRIGHT ORANGE AND THE ENTIRE UNDERSIDE OF MY CAR IS MELTED. LOOKING ON INTERNET UNDER "2004 RX 8 ENGINE FAILURE" I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL OTHER STORIES WITH SIMILAR RESULTS BUT WORSE. IS IT POSSIBLE THAT THE FUEL TANK COULD EXPLODE WITH SUCH HEAT SO NEAR IF YOU CONTINUED TO DRIVE. THIS HAPPENS ANYWHERE FROM 12,000 MILES TO 100,000 MILES AND BEYOND. MAZDA KNOWS OF THE ENGINE DEFECT AND HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THE MOTOR AS OF MAY 2008. MY CAR IS AT HANCOCK MAZDA IN DALLAS. THEY SAID DAMAGE AMOUNTED TO $9,500.00 FROM HEAT. *TR

CLUTCH PEDAL SUPPORT BRACKET FAILED. *TR

2004 MAZDA RX8 VEHICLE WOULD NOT START IN COLD WEATHER OR DAMP WEATHER. MANY TRIPS TO DEALER TO NO ONE COULD FIND WHAT WAS WRONG. PROBLEM PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE WOULD ONLY START WHEN IT WANTED TO, FINALLY GOT TO THE POINT THAT IT WOULD NOT START AT ALL. ONCE THIS HAPPENED, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT IT WAS THE IMMOBILIZER MODULE HOWEVER SERVICE TECH'S AT DEALER CAN NOT SAY FOR SURE THAT IT IS THE ONLY PROBLEM. HAVE READ COMPLAINTS FROM OTHERS THAT OWN THIS VEHICLE HAVE HAD SAME PROBLEM BELIEVE THAT IT IS A DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE. *TR

I HAVE A 2004 MAZDA RX 8. THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 11,000 MILES DUE TO LOW COMPRESSION AND OTHER ISSUES. 10,000 MILES LATER I AM GETTING THE SAME SYMPTOMS IN THE NEW ENGINE. MY DEALER IS GREAT, BUT THE CAR IS A LEMON. *TR

CLUTCH PEDAL BECAME SOMEWHAT LOOSE AND START MAKING LOUD SQUEAKING NOISES ON MY MAZDA 2004 RX-8 6SP MANUAL WITH APPROX ~37K MILES. CLUTCH BRACKET ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY IN MARCH 2007. NOW AT 50K MILES I HAVE SIMILAR SYMPTOMS AGAIN! *TR

CLUTCH PEDAL STARTED SQUEAKING, CLUTCH PEDAL BRACE BROKE AND CAR WON'T GO INTO GEAR AT ALL, ORDERING A NEW CLUTCH PEDAL. *TR

MY MAZDA RX-8 HAS STALLED MANY TIMES WHILE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND WHILE GOING ON TRIPS ON THE INTERSTATE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WOULD LOSE POWER AND STALLS AND I WOULD HAVE TO PULL OVER AND START IT AGAIN WHICH IT WOULD TAKE A FEW MINUTES BEFORE IT WOULD START. I HAVE HAD MY MAZDA TOWED FROM MY HOUSE TO THE DEALER BEC IT WOULD NOT START AND I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS FLOODED. NOW IT WON'T START AGAIN AND IT IS REALLY FRUSTRATING AND STARTING TO WORRY ME HOW DANGEROUS IT IS DRIVING MY MAZDA. I HAVE HAD MY MAZDA FOR A YEAR NOW AND THE ONLY TIME I DRIVE IT IS WHEN I GO ON A LONG TRIP OR TO GO SHOPPING AND MOSTLY ON WEEKENDS OR AFTER I GET OFF FROM WORK. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS RESOLVE SO THAT I WON'T GET HURT OR SOMEBODY ELSE WILL GET HURT BEC OF THIS. I UNDERSTAND THAT MAZDA RX-8 HAD A RECALL ON FUEL SYSTEM I JUST WONDER IF THIS WAS TAKEN CARE OF FOR THIS CAR. THE DEALER TOLD ME THE CAR IS FINE AND TO MAKE SURE TO WARM IT UP BEFORE YOU SHUT THE ENGINE DOWN ,I HAVE DONE THAT AND NOW MY MAZDA WILL NOT START AGAIN. *TR

DEFECTIVE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY;ALLOWS WATER/RAIN TO ENTER ASSEMBLY SECONDARY TO DEFECTIVE TAIL LIGHT GASKET WHICH DEGRADES WITH AGE. 2004 MAZDA RX-8. CONSUMER OBSERVED TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY RETAINING WATER AFTER A RAIN EVENT. CONSUMER RESEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND THAT MAZDA ISSUED A "SERVICE RECALL" TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE GASKET IN THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLIES. CONSUMER DID NOT RECEIVE RECALL NOTICE BECAUSE, ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, MY WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED AND THE RECALL WAS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. MY QUESTION TO YOU, NHTSA, IS WHY, WHEN A SERVICE RECALL INDICATES THAT WATER IN THE TAIL LIGHT COULD RESULT A SHORT, OR, THE TAIL LIGHTS NO LONGER WORKING, IS THIS A SERVICE RECALL AND NOT A "SAFETY RECALL?" IT SEEMS TO ME THAT IF I WERE ON A CROSS-COUNTRY TRIP AND AT 2AM, ENCOUNTERED A SEVRE WINTER THUNDER STORM - RAIN AND SLEET - AND MY TAIL LIGHTS ACCUMULATED WATER, AND SHORTED OUT, THAT THIS IS NOT, ACCORDING TO YOUR AGENCY, A SAFETY ISSUE, BUT A SERVICE RECALL, WHICH IS NOT VALID UNLESS THE VEHICLE IS UNDER WARRANTY. SINCE THE PROBLEM IS A DEFECTIVE GASKET - WHICH DEGRADES OVER-TIME, AND WHEN IT FAILS, RESULTS IN THE FAILURE OF THE TAIL LIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE, IS NOT CLASSIFIED AS SAFETY ISSUE BY YOUR DEPARTMENT; I RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT YOU PROVIDE ME WITH THE DOCUMENTATION (AUTHORITY) THAT PERMITS AN AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURER TO CLASSIFY THE POSSIBILE FAILURE OF THE VEHICLES TAIL LIGHTS AS A "SERVICE RECALL," AND NOT A SAFETY (ISSUE) RECALL. I WOULD APPRECIATE IF YOU WOULD FORWARD MY (THIS) INQUIRY TO MR. LAHOOD'S OFFICE BECAUSE HE RECENTLY IDICATED BEFOR A CONGRESSIONAL THAT HE TAKES, AND CONSIDERS EVERY INQUIRY TO HIS DEPARTMENT SERIOUSLY.

MY CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET BROKE AT THE WELDS WITH 60K MILES ON MY CAR. MY CAR IS BONE STOCK. *TR

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2004 RX8. MY ENGINE FLOODS REGULARLY, I AM AFRAID TO VALET MY CAR DUE TO THIS CONSTANT PROBLEM. MY DRIVER'S SIDE VISOR FAILED, I HAD TO REPLACE OUT OF POCKET, NOW THE DEALER IS SAYING MY CAR HAS LOW COMPRESSION AND SUGGEST I TRADE IT IN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THEY DO NOT WANT TO REPLACE MY ENGINE AS I AM OVER THE WARRANTY PERIOD. THIS IS MY FIRST AND LAST MAZDA. *TR

DRIVING ON HIWAY AT 65MPH I WAS PUSHING IN CLUTCH PETAL TO CHANGE GEARS AND HEARD LOUD POP COME FROM CLUTCH PETAL. I WAS STILL ABLE TO CHANGE GEARS BUT AFTER INSPECTING THE PETAL THE MOUNTING BRACKET ON THE LEFT SIDE HAD BROKE OFF AND THE PETAL BENDS TO THE RIGHT SIDE. *CN

I HAVE A 2004 MAZDA RX-8. THREE TIMES WITHIN THE LAST SIX MONTHS (SINCE DECEMBER 2007) I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER BECAUSE ALTHOUGH THE CAR WOULD START, IT WOULD NOT "CATCH" AND FIRE UP. THE DEALER SAYS THAT IT IS A PROBLEM PARTICULAR TO THE 2004 RX-8 (NO OTHER YEAR OF THIS MODEL HAS THIS PROBLEM). THEY SAID THE ENGINE GETS FLOODED IF THE CAR ISN'T RUN "HOT" FOR AT LEAST 1/2 HOUR (LIKE IT CAN HAPPEN IF I JUST RUN TO THE GROCERY STORE AND BACK). THEY SAID THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE 2004 RX-8. IF THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM, WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A RECALL TO REPAIR IT? IT COSTS ME OVER $150 EACH TIME IT HAS TO GO IN, NOT TO MENTION LOST HOURS AT WORK BECAUSE MY CAR WON'T START. *TR

VEHICLE'S CLUTCH BRACKET ASSEMBLY BROKE AT TWO SEPARATE WELD POINTS MAKING THE VEHICLE INOPERABLE. PRIOR TO CHRISTMAS, 07, I BEGAN NOTICING A VERY LOUD SQUEAK UPON DEPRESSING THE CLUTCH PEDAL. IN RESEARCHING THIS, IT APPEARS THAT THIS WAS SYMPTOMATIC OF THE FIRST WELD SPOT FAILING. I BEGAN NOTICING AN INABILITY TO PULL THE CAR OUT OF GEAR. THE SHIFTER WOULD NOT BUDGE, EVEN WITH THE CLUTCH PEDAL FULLY DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR BOARD. THIS PROBLEM WAS MOST SEVERE AT VEHICLE START UP. UPON STARTING THE CAR, IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO PUT THE CAR INTO ANY GEAR. TO MAKE THE CAR DRIVABLE, THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE STARTED WITH THE CLUTCH PEDAL DEPRESSED, AND THE CAR ALREADY IN 1ST GEAR (WITH THE VEHICLE OFF, IT WAS VERY SIMPLE TO GET THE CAR INTO ANY GEAR). I TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO MY LOCAL MAZDA DEALER TWO DAYS AFTER THE PROBLEM BEGAN. THEY ADVISED ME THAT MY PROBLEM SOUNDED AS IF IT WAS DUE TO FAILURE IN THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM. I HAD ADVISED THEM THAT I HAD READ ABOUT PROBLEMS WITH THE CLUTCH BRACKET, AND THE CLUTCH PEDAL ALIGNMENT. I QUESTIONED WHETHER I HAD TOO MUCH FREE PLAY, AND NOT ENOUGH CLUTCH STROKE. THEY HAD THE VEHICLE FOR THE DAY AND ADVISED ME BY PHONE THAT THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM WAS FULLY FUNCTIONAL. MY CLUTCH PEDAL ALIGNMENT WAS OFF AND THEY MADE ADJUSTMENTS. WITH REGARDS TO THE NOISE I WAS HEARING UPON DEPRESSING THE PEDAL, THEY SAID IT WAS NORMAL. UPON RECEIVING MY CAR, ALL THE PROBLEMS APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN RESOLVED. THE NOISE WAS GONE, THE CAR WAS SHIFTING LIKE IT HAS SINCE OWNING THE CAR. A NIGHT LATER, LESS THAN 20 MILES LATER, UPON MAKING A SHIFT FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR, I HEARD A VERY LOUD SNAP AND THE CLUTCH PEDAL DISAPPEARED FROM BENEATH MY FOOT. THE CLUTCH BRACKET HAD SNAPPED (A BREAKAGE AT A SECOND WELD SPOT) AND NOW WAS NO LONGER ATTACHED TO THE CAR. THE CAR RETURNED TO HAVING THE SAME DIFFICULTIES WITH REGARDS TO SHIFTING. MAZDA WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIR AS A SAFETY DEFECT, INSISTING THAT IT WAS DRIVING ABUSE AND NOT A DESIGN FLAW. *TR

1) CAR OFTEN STALLS/WON'T START 2) ENGINE CRANKS AND WON'T START/ HAD TO TAKE IT TO A SHOP MANY TIMES 3) DEALER SAYS "ENGINE FLOODED" AND REPAIRED. *TR

TL*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 *BF THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARING WAS WORN. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FRONT AND REAR COILS WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 02/03/09. *JB

2004. *TR

I BOUGHT MY 2004 RX-8 USED WITH 48,000 MILES ON IT. ONE MONTH AFTER PURCHASING THE ENGINE STARTED TO RUN ROUGH, ESPECIALLY NOTICEABLE WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT OR SITTING AT AN IDLE. WAS TOLD I HAD A COMPRESSION VARIANCE IN THE ENGINE AND THAT IT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. UNDISCLOSED TO ME AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE WAS THE FACT THAT THIS CAR HAD ALREADY HAD THE ENGINE REPLACE PREVIOUSLY. I NOW HAVE A CAR THAT IS ON ITS 3RD ENGINE IN 52,000 MILES. *TR

CLUTCH BRACKET FAILURE; (1) OF THE 3 WELDING POINTS FAILED, CAUSING THE BRACKET TO SEPARATE AT THE WELD, BENDING, AND SEPARATING THE PLATE INTO 2 PIECES, MAKING SHIFTING IN AND OUT OF GEARS DIFFICULT DURING OPERATION. THE SERVICE REP. AT GAINESVILLE MAZDA LAUGHED AT ME WHEN I ASKED IF THEY WOULD GIVE ME A DISCOUNT ON A NEW BRACKET. GAINESVILLE MAZDA IS AT 2600 N MAIN STREET GAINESVILLE, FL 32609 (352) 505-9459. *TR

I OWN A 2004 MAZDA RX8 WITH 67,900 MILES. THE ENTIRE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF AN INTERNAL FAULT FAILURE. I AM BEING CHARGED 8,500 TO HAVE THE ENGINE REPLACED. I AM VERY FRUSTRATED WITH A 3 YEAR OLD CAR WITH MID MILEAGE NEEDING AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT. I AM A TEACHER AND DON'T HAVE THE SALARY TO REPLACE A CAR EVERY 3 YEARS OR AT 67,900 MILES. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER THERE IS POTENTIAL FOR FIRE. *JB

CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET BROKEN TWICE! THE CLUTCH PEDAL BROKE ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO, SO I TOOK IT TO MAZDA AND THEY FIXED IT. ABOUT A MONTH LATER, IT BROKE AGAIN. I HEARD THE TELL SIGNS BECAUSE IT STARTED SQUEAKING AGAIN AS IT DID THE FIRST TIME AND NOW ITS SQUEAKING AGAIN! *TR

I HAVE A 2004 MAZDA RX8 WHICH I PURCHASED NEW ON OCTOBER 13, 2005. THE CAR HAS 21,420 MILES ON IT ... ALL 'BABIED' AS I'M 52 YEARS OLD ... AND ALL SERVICE HAS BEEN DONE BY THE DEALER. THE CAR IS STILL UNDER THE FACTORY WARRANTY PLUS I HAVE A HIGH-PRICED EXTENDED WARRANTY ON TOP OF IT! TWO DAYS AGO I NOTICED THE CLUTCH WAS SLIPPING SO I CALLED MY DEALER. THEY WANTED ME TO WAIT A WEEK TO BRING IT IN; I DECIDED IT WOULDN'T BE MOVING ON IT'S OWN IN A WEEK AND DROPPED BY THE DEALER THE SAME DAY. TODAY THEY PHONED ME TO SAY THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY NEEDED REPLACING. FURTHER, THIS WOULDN'T BE COVERED UNDER EITHER THE FACTORY WARRANTY OR THE EXTENDED WARRANTY; INSTEAD, I WOULD BE LIABLE FOR THE $1480.00 REPLACEMENT COST! A CAR WITH ONLY 21K MILES ON IT THAT HAS BABIED SINCE DAY ONE SHOULD NOT BE HAVING CLUTCH PROBLEMS (I'VE DRIVEN MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS FOR ALMOST 40 YEARS) NOT SHOULD I BE LIABLE FOR THIS EXORBITANT COST! UPON SOME RESEARCH, I FOUND THE PARTS I NEED ARE ONLY AVAILABLE FROM THE DEALER; THEREFORE, I DON'T EVEN HAVE THE OPTION OF HAVING SOMEONE ELSE DOING THE REPAIRS WITHOUT PAYING AN ASTRONOMICAL FEE FOR A THROW-OUT BEARING AND PLATE ($497.00)! *TR