2007 Mazda RX-8 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2007 Mazda RX-8 has a complaint index of 67, ranking 3rd worst of 7 model years, with a Caution verdict. It has 38 complaints, 5 recalls (3 do-not-drive), and airbags are the top problem area at 42% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 67/100
- #3 of 7 RX-8 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 38
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- 3 Do Not Drive
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 18.5
- 16 city / 22.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2007 Mazda RX-8 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags16 (42%)
- Transmission & Powertrain9 (24%)
- Structure & Body7 (18%)
- Fuel System5 (13%)
- Steering4 (11%)
- Electrical System3 (8%)
- Other3 (8%)
- Engine2 (5%)
- Visibility & Wipers2 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags failed to deploy during side-impact crashes, then deployed later on their own while the car was being driven at the body shop.
- Clutch pedals reportedly weld-cracked or broke off mid-drive, sometimes while shifting gears, leaving the car unable to engage forward or reverse.
- Power steering assist reduced and stiffened just off-center, then regained power when turned further, described as intermittent and worsening.
- Dashboard visors cracked at the seams and fell down repeatedly, even after dealer replacement with new units.
- Headlights turned extremely cloudy, drastically limiting illumination at night.
- A coolant warning light stayed on continuously despite normal coolant and oil levels.
2007 Mazda RX-8 recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 18V402000Jun 15, 2018Airbags308,591 vehiclesDo Not Drive
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
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.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 18V404000Jun 15, 2018Airbags4,184 vehiclesDo Not Drive
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
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. On July 9, 2019 this recall was expanded to include certain 2005-2009 RX-8 vehicles that were previously recalled under 17V-011 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 metal fragments striking the vehicle 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 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.
- NHTSA 17V474000Jul 26, 2017Airbags308,992 vehiclesDo Not Drive
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2004-2008 RX-8, and 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion and other factors, including manufacturing variability that, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk: 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.
Remedy: 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.
2007 Mazda RX-8 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16 MPG
- Highway
- 22.5 MPG
- Combined
- 18.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,325
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2007 compared with other RX-8 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2007 Mazda RX-8 reliable?
- It carries a Caution verdict based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, with a complaint index of 67 that ranks 3rd worst among the 7 RX-8 model years with data.
- What are the most common problems with the 2007 Mazda RX-8?
- NHTSA complaint data shows airbags account for 42% of complaints, followed by transmission and powertrain issues at 24% and structure/body issues at 18%, many involving clutch pedal failures.
- Does the 2007 Mazda RX-8 have an airbag recall?
- Yes, NHTSA lists an airbag recall (campaign 17V474000) covering 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2004-2008 RX-8, and 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 vehicles, marked do-not-drive until repaired.
- Is the 2007 RX-8 better or worse than other years?
- It ranks 3rd worst of 7 years by complaint index, better than 2005 (index 100, Avoid) and 2006 (index 83, Avoid) but worse than 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011.
- How much does the 2007 Mazda RX-8 cost to fuel?
- EPA rates it at 18.5 mpg combined, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,325.