Mazda RX-8 problems
60 owner complaints with NHTSA, no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 8.0/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Top trouble spots 5 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
I was going to pull out of the parking lot when the clutch pedal bent over to the side (brake side). Because of the bent, I can not put my car into gear or turn it on. *tr
The vehicle is leaking gas from the fuel pump. It smells really bad scared to drive because the gas smell stay in the cabin. People when I park next to them say you have a bad gas leak . But it's just dripping from the fuel pump to where the fuel line connects and I just need…
Clutch pedal snap off issue with rx-8 owners continues to be a serious safety concern, as the welds holding the pedal together can and will snap, leaving the driver unable to change gears or use their vehicle, even if in operation and at highway speeds. This issue has occurred…
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…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Under investigation 2 open at NHTSA
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. EA21002 on NHTSA →
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. EA15001 on NHTSA →
How NHTSA investigations work, and what's open now →
Common questions
Is the 2006 Mazda RX-8 reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.0 out of 10 based on 60 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2006 Mazda RX-8 is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2006 Mazda RX-8?
On the NHTSA data, the 2006 Mazda RX-8 does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.0/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2006 Mazda RX-8?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 17 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 75,295 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 75,295 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Mazda RX-8 has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2006 Mazda RX-8?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 60 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.