2009 Mazda Rx-8
The Verdict
The 2009 Mazda Rx-8 has 8 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are body (3 complaints) and transmission (3 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 98/100, it earns a "Smooth Ride" rating. If you're shopping for a Mazda Rx-8, consider the 2011 model year which has 50% fewer complaints.
Safe Bet
The 2011 has 50% fewer complaints
View the 2011 Mazda Rx-8 dashboard →
Klunk Score: Smooth Ride
This vehicle year has significantly fewer complaints than average. A reliable choice.
How is this calculated?
The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.
Recalls 2
Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.
Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2009-2010 Mazda RX-8 vehicles that were previously recalled under recall 18V-017 but have not yet been repaired. These vehicles are equ...
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. The recall began July 9, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer ser...
Reported Apr 10, 2026
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2009-2011 RX-8 and 2006-2007 MazdaSpeed6 vehicles. Fuel may leak from the fuel pump mounting rings.
Risk
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will install new fuel pump mounting rings. Dealers will also add a thermal insulation pad to the fuel tank on RX-8 vehicles. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification ...
Reported Apr 10, 2026
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Under the Hood
Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.
By Category
By Severity
Worst Problems
Complaints
MAZDA RECALLED ALL 2004-2008 RX8 MODELS FOR FUEL PUMP AND LOCKRING GASKET ASSEMBLY LEAKAGE. MY 2009 RX8 HAS THE SAME ISSUE AND STARTING LEAKING GAS ON 1-02-2020 WHILE PARKED IN A GARAGE. I CALLED MAZDA AND WAS TOLD THERE WERE NO RECALLS; HOWEVER MY CAR HAS THE SAME PROBLEM THE 2004-2008 MODELS HAD. NOW I HAVE TO PAY CLOSE TO $1,000.00 FOR REPAIR THAT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL.
I PURCHASED A MAZDA RX8 NEW IN 2009. I HAVE NOTICED THE PASSENGER DASH CRACKING. AT FIRST IT WAS SMALL LINES, AND I THOUGHT IT WAS THE NORMAL LOOK OF IT, BUT OVER TIME THE CRACKS GOT BIGGER. I WENT TO MY MAZDA DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT OTHER CUSTOMERS HAD SAME ISSUES AND THEY ARE STILL WAITING FOR A MAZDA RECALL. I HAVE EVEN SEEN OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ONLINE. THE CRACKS LOOK HORRIBLE.
CLUTCH WILL NOT WORK
WHILE DRIVING I NOTICED A FUEL SMELL COMING THROUGH MY VENTS. AFTER CHECKING AROUND THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT I SAW FUEL POOLING ON THE ENGINE PASSENGER SIDE. I'M UNAWARE AT THE MOMENT OF THE CAUSE ADD I AM TAKING IT TO BE CHECKED AT THE DEALER TOMORROW. *TR
2009 RX 8 MAZDA VIN#[XXX] I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AND ALL THE SUDDEN THE CRUISE CONTROL SHUT OFF CAUSING THE CAR TO IMMEDIATELY SLOW DOWN BY 10 MILES AN HOUR. THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT RE-ENGAGE. I AM NOW HAVING AN ISSUE WHERE IT FEELS MY ABS IS ENGAGING WHEN I FIRST START DRIVING IN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR. I HAVE TAKEN THIS CAR TO THE MAZDA DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT RECREATE THE PROBLEM. THEY SIMPLY STATED IT COULD JUST BE THE 100+ DEGREE TEXAS WEATHER. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MAZDA RX8. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNINTENDEDLY TO APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH. HE ENGAGED THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL AND THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV VERY HARD. THE CONTACT STATED HE TURNED THE IGNITION OFF TO PREVENT THE ENGINE FROM BLOWING UP. HE THEN PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND ENGAGED THE ACCELERATOR FOUR TIMES AND IT RELEASED ITSELF. HE CALLED THE DEALER AFTER THE FIRST FAILURE AND WAS ADVISED BY THEM THAT THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF THIS TYPE OF FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE HAD HAPPEN TWICE. THE CONTACT STATED HE CALLED THE DEALER AGAIN AND HAS AN APPOINTMENT FOR APRIL 22, 2011. HE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY WERE ATTEMPTING TO GET THE VEHICLE IN BEFORE THE 22ND. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,600 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 39,700. VWB
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HWY, THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON, I HAD BEEN USING IT FOR ABOUT 20 MILES, OCCASIONALLY BUMPING THE SPEED UP OR DOWN AS CONDITIONS PERMITTED. MY PRIMARY REASON FOR THAT IS ON LONG TRIPS I GET BETTER GAS MILEAGE THAT WAY. THE DIVIDED HIGHWAY CAME TO AN END AND THERE WAS A TRAFFIC LIGHT ABOUT A HALF MILE AHEAD, SO I BUMPED IT DOWN ABOUT 2 MPH, THEN BUMPED IT DOWN A FEW SECONDS LATER ANOTHER 2 OR 3 MPH. THE LIGHT TURNED RED THEN, SO I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES (DOING ABOUT 65 AT THIS POINT). THE ENGINE REVED UP, THE CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT DISENGAGE SO I STEPPED ON THE CLUTCH. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV UP SO I PRESSED THE CANCEL BUTTON ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV UP (ABOUT 6K NOW) SO I TOOK THE CAR OUT OF GEAR AND TURNED THE CRUISE CONTOL OFF. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV UP (ABOUT 7K NOW) AND I'M COMPLETELY STOPPED AT THE LIGHT. NO THROTTLE CONTROL AT ALL. I SHUT THE CAR OFF AT THAT POINT. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN THE CAR STARTED FINE AND RAN NORMALLY.
NORMAL DRIVING AND THE CLUTCH PEDAL POPPED AND BECAME UNSTABLE. SHIFTING THE CARD BECAME DIFFICULT. AFTER FURTHER INSPECTION DISCOVERED THE METAL BRACKET FOR THE CLUTCH BROKE. *TR