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2005 Mazda RX-8 airbags problems
severe
Owners of the 2005 Mazda RX-8 have filed 22 NHTSA complaints about the airbags, typically surfacing around 75,000 miles at roughly $1,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.See airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Q1 54kmed 75kQ3 105kn=8
Complaints
22
Recalls
3
Avg fix
$1,100
airbags complaints on the Mazda RX-8, by model year
Of the 22 airbags complaints filed for the 2005 Mazda RX-8,
here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
0 (0%)
25-50k
0 (0%)
50-75k
2 (50%)
75-100k
1 (25%)
100-125k
1 (25%)
125-150k
0 (0%)
150k+
0 (0%)
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted.
Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits
and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 4 model years of Mazda RX-8 we track for airbags problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 22.
All 3 active airbags recalls on this vehicle are classified critical — based on documented crash, fire, or fatality outcomes in NHTSA's record.
Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 and 2004 MPV vehicles nationwide
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began July 6, 2018. Mailing to the affected RX-8 owners began July 6, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 2618F. Note: With the addition of the RX-8 vehicles, this recall fully supersedes recall 16V354.
Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Mazda MPV vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming
An inflator explosion may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began July 6, 2018 for MPV vehicles. The recall began July 9, 2019 for RX-8 vehicles. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 2618F. Note: With the addition of the RX-8 vehicles, this recall fully supersedes recall 17V-011.
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2004-2008 RX-8, and 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 vehicles
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began on September 12, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1417G. Note: This recall supersedes recall 15V-382.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags on this vehicle — documented
repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall
(it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Service BulletinSSPB3May 2021
Subject: ** UPDATE** - Takata Inflator Special Service Program (Extended Warranty) Special Service Program SSPB3: In December 2017 Special Service Program SSPB3 - Takata Inflator Extended Warranty was announced. The extended warranty was a result of the Takata airbag inflator class action settlement. Mazda will provide supplemental warranty coverage for all repairs and replacements (including parts and labor) to correct any defects in the materials or workmanship of Takata airbag inflators and the replacement inflators installed pursuant to the Takata airbag recalls. The program covers defects in the Inflator only and does not cover other items in the airbag system. Additionally, the program
The Workshop Manual has two-different airbag procedures, one for Standard Deployment and one for Two-Step Deployment. Standard Deployment is for Mexico spec vehicles and Two-Step Deployment is for US and Canadian spec vehicles.
STOPPER PLATES FOR AIR BAG MODULE CONNECTORS HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED AS NEW SERVICE PARTS. When removing the connector (1) to the air bag module (2), make sure to first lift the stopper plate (3) carefully using a flathead screwdriver (but do not remove it), and then pull out the connector.
Mazda Motor Corporation is going to evaluate the following inflators to ensure the safety of the inflator with a desiccant. In order to do this, MNAO is collecting inflators for evaluation in certain zones. For 2003-2008 Mazda6 (including Mazdaspeed6) and 2004-2011 RX-8: Collect 30 Driver-side and 30 Pas-senger-side inflators (60 total) from vehicles that have completed Recall 8215F for Driver-side and Recall 9416E for Passenger-side airbags in the following zones. For 2010-2013 Mazda3: Collect 200 Passenger-side inflators from vehicles in the following zones.
TAKATA RECALLS GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSE: THIS PAGE WAS CREATED TO ASSIST WITH HANDLING TAKATA AIR BAG RECALLS. PROCESSES: PLEASE USE THESE PROCESS FLOWCHARTS TO PROPERLY HANDLE VEHICLES SUBJECT TO THE TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL. RECALL 8215F & 9416E PRELIMINARY PARTS PROCESS RECALL 9516E & 9616E PRELIMINARY PARTS PROCESS GENERAL INFORMATION: THE LINKS BELOW CONTAIN THE LATEST TAKATA RECALLS INFORMATION. THE DOCUMENTS WILL BE UPDATED AS RECALL CONDITIONS CHANGE.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2005 RX-8 airbag complaints break into two categories: recall logistics and actual failures.
On the recall side, owners were issued notifications for multiple Takata campaigns (15V345000, 15V382000, 16V354000, 17V-011) but could not get the replacement parts. Dealers told owners parts would arrive in Q4 2017 or gave no timeline at all. Several owners called dealers repeatedly over months with no resolution. Manufacturers acknowledged the delays but could not commit to repair dates. One owner outside the U.S. was denied mail-in parts and told only authorized dealers could help—the recall remains incomplete for that vehicle.
On the failure side, four owners experienced airbag non-deployment during collisions ranging from 35 to 60 mph impacts, resulting in injuries (head trauma, whiplash, pelvic and rib injuries). No warning indicators preceded these failures. Additionally, passenger-side airbag door panels (part FEY157K5X) crack and become brittle, especially in cold weather, creating a projectile hazard if deployment occurs. One owner observed this defect across multiple RX-8s. A dealer's improper installation during recall work 16V-354 cracked the dashboard and compromised the replacement airbag safety. One owner reported airbag sensors failing every 30,000 miles.
Same Mazda RX-8 airbags reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007
Failure modes owners describe
Takata Airbag Inflator - Delayed/Unavailable Recall Parts
Multiple owners received recall notifications (campaigns 14V773000, 15V345000, 15V382000, 16V354000, 17V-011) for Takata inflator defects but dealers could not obtain replacement parts for extended periods. Manufacturers exceeded reasonable timeframes for repair and could not provide specific delivery dates.
When: 2016-2017 recall period; parts unavailable across multiple campaigns
Symptoms owners cite: Recall notification received but parts not available; Manufacturer unable to provide estimated repair date; Airbag warning light illuminated (one case)
Repairs/costs cited: Parts distribution disconnect confirmed by VIN tool; no repairs completed during recall window; owners faced indefinite wait periods
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Takata recall campaigns 14V773000, 15V345000, 15V382000, 16V354000, 17V-011; parts unavailable and delayed beyond reasonable timeframe
Airbag Non-Deployment in Collision
Four owners experienced frontal and side-impact collisions where airbags failed to deploy despite impact severity warranting deployment. No warning indicators preceded failure in some cases.
When: At time of collision; mileage 150,000 reported in one case
Symptoms owners cite: Airbags did not deploy during front-end collision at 55 mph; Side curtain airbags failed to deploy during T-bone impact; Airbags failed to deploy after tree impact at 35 mph; Airbags failed to deploy during front and side impact at 40-60 mph; No warning indicators illuminated prior to failure (one case)
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicles totaled or destroyed; no diagnosis performed; injuries sustained (head, pelvic, rib injuries in one case; head injury and whiplash in another; driver and passenger injuries in another case)
Airbag Door Panel Cracking/Brittleness
Passenger airbag door panels (part FEY157K5X) became brittle and cracked, particularly in cold weather. Cracks worsened over time and posed projectile hazard if airbag deployed. Owner reported seeing problem across multiple RX-8s.
When: Cold weather exacerbates cracking; no specific mileage noted
Symptoms owners cite: Cracks appear in dash panel over passenger airbag; Cracks lengthen daily or new cracks form; Dash panel becomes brittle; Passenger airbag door cracked where airbag deploys
Repairs/costs cited: Part number FEY157K5X brittle vinyl door; plastic pieces become projectiles upon deployment
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Mazda stated no bulletin or recall for this issue
Improper Airbag Replacement Installation
Dealer performing recall repair (campaign 16V-354) improperly installed replacement airbags, causing dash cracking and jeopardizing safety of newly installed units.
When: During recall repair campaign 16V-354
Symptoms owners cite: Dash cracked after replacement airbag installation; New airbag safety compromised by improper installation
Codes mentioned:16V-354
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer Anderson of Crystal Lake (60039) failed to properly install replacement airbag during recall work
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall campaign 16V-354 initiated but dealer installation was defective
Airbag Sensor Failure
One owner reported airbag sensor failing repeatedly at approximately 30,000-mile intervals, requiring multiple replacements.
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple sensor replacements required; no specific costs cited
Synthesized from 22 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer
allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting
5 most recent
airbags · 54,000 mi
· filed 12/31/2016
Airbag is causing cracks in my passenger side dashboard
airbags
· filed 12/30/2016
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Mazda rx-8. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 16v793000 (fuel system, propulsion), 15v382000 (air bags), and 16v354000 (air bags). The parts to do the repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had…
airbags · 90,000 mi
· filed 11/30/2017
Hello. How are you? I hope everything is going well for you. I am an owner of 2005 Mazda rx8. I was a faculty of one university at texas by 2016. However, I left usa last fall and currently settled down in korea. I also took my car (2005 Mazda rx8) from usa to korea. In terms of safety recall notices, I asked Mazda usa to solve two safety recall issues (Mazda recall #: 1017e—fuel tank…
airbags · 105,450 mi
· filed 11/29/2016
The passenger side air bag door, part number fey157k5x, has become brittle and is cracked where the airbag deploys. This creates a hazard as the brittle pieces of vinyl will become projectiles in the event of airbag deployment. This is clearly the fault of the manufacturer and should be remedied. *tr
airbags · 74,000 mi
· filed 11/26/2010
Driver was backing out of a parking space when an extremely loud pop sounded resembling a backfire or the explosion of an aerosol can. After pulling back into the space, a further inspection of the noise revealed a malfunction with the rear passenger seat airbag. The door panel has been knocked askew resulting in a back door that will not open. The front seat passenger seat belt was jerked tight…
Had airbags trouble with your 2005 Mazda RX-8?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2005 Mazda RX-8?
It's a meaningful issue. 22 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 54,000 and 105,450 miles, with the median around 75,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 54,000; a quarter make it past 105,450. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
Yes — 3 active recall(s) cover airbags issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2005/Mazda/RX-8.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.