2011 Mazda RX-8 recalls and problems

The 2011 Mazda RX-8 has 3 safety recalls and 4 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Mazda dealer.

Urgent: recall 19V-488, recall 18V-402 carry a "do not drive" warning. Contact a dealer before driving.
Recalls
3
Complaints
4
Crashes / fires
1 / 2
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2011 Mazda RX-8 vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2011 Mazda RX-8 recalls

Recall 21V-744: Fuel System, Gasoline

Reported Sep 24, 2021 · 13,891 vehicles affected · Mazda North American Operations

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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 letters were mailed November 17, 2021. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 5121I.

Recall 19V-488: Air Bags

Do not driveReported Jun 24, 2019 · 211 vehicles affected · Mazda North American Operations

Problem: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2010-2011 Mazda RX-8 vehicles that were previously recalled under recall 18V-716 but have not yet been repaired. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Risk: 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 repair has been performed. 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 service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 2618F.

Recall 18V-402: Air Bags

Do not driveReported Jun 15, 2018 · 308,591 vehicles affected · Mazda North American Operations

Problem: Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 and 2004 MPV vehicles nationwide. Mazda is also recalling 2005-2006 MPV vehicles in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. On July 9, 2019 this recall was expanded to include certain 2004-2011 RX-8 vehicles that were previously recalled under 16V-354 but have not yet been repaired. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Risk: 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.

2011 Mazda RX-8 problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Suspension1
Visibility/Wiper1
Unknown or Other1
Fuel System, Gasoline1
Fuel/Propulsion System1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 48,500 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2011 Mazda RX-8 complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Fuel System, Gasoline · at 55,000 miles · reported Jul 11, 2023
The contact owns a 2011 Mazda Rx 8. The contact stated after performing NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V744000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) while driving at 35 MPH, the contact smelled the odor of smoke in the vehicle, but no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. While the vehicle was being diagnosed, the vehicle caught on fire and burned. The contact did not have any details of the fire. The vehicle was diagnosed and stated that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 55,000.
Visibility/Wiper · at 48,500 miles · reported Jul 27, 2018
The ring/assembly holding the driver side visor cracked with normal use (Putting the visor down (No excess force was used) and the visor fell into the driver's line of vision, obscuring vision. It was not possible to put the visor back up again. The ring fell out of the car interior.
Suspension · at 17,000 miles · reported Jun 4, 2013
On may 7, 2013, I brought the vehicle to paretti mazda of metairie because a fluid was leaking from somewhere near the driver's side rear tire. The service tech told me they would take care of it and directed me to enterprise rental for a rental car. About an hour after I obtained the rental car, the service tech called me and told me that the driver's side rear shock had completely failed and was leaking fluid from the upper seal and that the passenger side rear shock had also failed, but was not leaking that much fluid. He told me the car was driveable and asked that I return the rental car…

Other Mazda RX-8 years

Compare all Mazda RX-8 years · All Mazda models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2011 Mazda RX-8 have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2011 Mazda RX-8: 21V-744 (fuel system, gasoline), 19V-488 (air bags), 18V-402 (air bags). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2011 Mazda RX-8?

Owners report suspension problems most often (1 reports), followed by visibility/wiper (1). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 48,500 miles.

Are Mazda recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Mazda dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.