There are 1 owner-reported powertrain & transmission complaints for the 2008 Mazda RX-8in NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND AS I WAS SHIFTING GEARS I FELT THE CAR DID NOT HAVE ANY ACCELERATION. THE TOP SPEED I GOT TO WAS 55MPH. WHEN I WAS ABOUT TO GET OFF THE CAR, I SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND FROM INSIDE WHERE THE SHIFT KNOW IS LOCATED. I CHECKED UNDER THE CAR FOR A POSSIBLY FIRE, AND THERE IT WAS. APPARENTLY THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAD CLOGGED UP AND THAT'S WHAT STARTED THE FIRE. ITS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AROUND WITH A CAR THAT BARELY HAS 55,000 AND ALREADY HAS PROBLEMS LIKE A FIRE. WHAT IF I THE CAR CAUGHT IN FIRE WITH MY FAMILY INSIDE. CANT IMAGINE. I CALLED AN AGENCY THAT TOLD ME THE CAR HAD A SAFETY RECALL, AND HAD ASKED ME IF THE DEALER HAD PROVIDED WITH AN INSPECTION STICKER WHICH WAS NOT IN THE WINDSHIELD. I WISH I COULD HAVE MY DOWN PAYMENT I GAVE BACK BECAUSE I WOULD NOT FEEL SECURE AND SAFE DRIVING A CAR (WITH MY CHILD AND WIFE) WITH A CAR THAT TURNED ON FIRE. *TR
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 26, 2026