2009 Mazda RX-8 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2009 Mazda RX-8 has a complaint index of 50, ranking 4th worst of 7 model years, with 8 NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls, 3 of them do-not-drive airbag or fuel system campaigns. Its verdict is Caution, better than the 2005-2007 years but worse than 2008, 2010, and 2011.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 50/100
- #4 of 7 RX-8 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 8
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- 3 Do Not Drive
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 18.5
- 16 city / 22.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2009 Mazda RX-8 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine3 (38%)
- Transmission & Powertrain3 (38%)
- Fuel System2 (25%)
- Structure & Body1 (13%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report the clutch pedal became unstable and popped after a metal clutch bracket broke.
- Some drivers say the engine unexpectedly revved up on its own while cruise control was engaged, requiring them to shift to neutral or shut off the ignition to stop acceleration.
- Others describe the cruise control suddenly disengaging and the car slowing abruptly, with the cruise control then failing to re-engage.
- Several owners report fuel leaking or pooling near the engine, sometimes accompanied by a fuel smell inside the cabin.
- One owner describes the passenger-side dashboard developing cracks that grew larger over time.
2009 Mazda RX-8 recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 21V744000Sep 24, 2021Fuel System13,891 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
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 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.
- NHTSA 18V403000Jun 15, 2018Airbags237 vehiclesDo Not Drive
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
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 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.
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 service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 2618F. Note: This recall supersedes recall 18V017.
- 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.
2009 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.
2009 compared with other RX-8 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2009 Mazda RX-8 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2009 RX-8 has a complaint index of 50 and ranks 4th worst among the 7 model years with data, earning a Caution verdict.
- What problems does the 2009 Mazda RX-8 have?
- NHTSA complaints point to engine and transmission issues as the top problem areas, each accounting for 38% of complaints, followed by fuel system issues at 25%.
- Does the 2009 Mazda RX-8 have a recall?
- Yes. NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2009 RX-8, including 3 do-not-drive campaigns covering airbag inflators and fuel pump mounting rings that can leak fuel.
- What year Mazda RX-8 should I avoid?
- Among RX-8 years with data, 2005 and 2006 carry Avoid verdicts with complaint indexes of 100 and 83. The 2009 model is rated Caution, a step above those years.
- At what mileage do 2009 RX-8 problems usually appear?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 39,600 miles for the 2009 RX-8 overall, with engine and transmission complaints centered around 21,900 miles.