2010 Mazda RX-8 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2010 Mazda RX-8 has a Complaint Index of 17, the second-lowest among the 7 model years with data, but its verdict is capped at Caution because it carries three Do Not Drive airbag recalls. NHTSA lists 5 complaints, 4 recalls, and no crashes or fires for this year.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 17/100
- #6 of 7 RX-8 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 5
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- 3 Do Not Drive
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 18.5
- 16 city / 22.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2010 Mazda RX-8 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags1 (20%)
- Other1 (20%)
- Seat Belts1 (20%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (20%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (20%)
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 front passenger airbags pushing out of the dashboard after a prior replacement, even though the dealer said the car was not covered by a recall.
- A parent reported difficulty releasing a rear child seat because the front seatbelt was mistakenly used and would not unlatch.
- One owner described the clutch pedal mounting bracket snapping at the bolt, causing loss of clutch engagement at highway speed and requiring a tow.
- Another owner heard a dull popping sound when turning and suspected worn lower control arms, similar to a prior suspension recall on earlier RX-8 models.
2010 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 19V488000Jun 24, 2019Airbags211 vehiclesDo Not Drive
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
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.
Remedy: 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.
- 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.
2010 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.
2010 compared with other RX-8 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2010 Mazda RX-8 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA data, the 2010 RX-8 has a Complaint Index of 17, one of the lowest among the 7 model years tracked. However, it still carries a Caution verdict because of three Do Not Drive airbag recalls.
- Does the 2010 Mazda RX-8 have an airbag recall?
- Yes. NHTSA lists two Do Not Drive airbag recalls (18V403000 and 19V488000) for the 2010 RX-8, plus a related fuel system recall (21V744000).
- What is the top problem area for the 2010 Mazda RX-8?
- Airbags are the top problem area, accounting for 20% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 40,000 miles.
- How does the 2010 RX-8 compare to other RX-8 years?
- The 2010 model ranks 6th worst out of 7 years by complaint index (17), well below the 2005 model's index of 100, but its verdict is capped at Caution due to recall severity rather than complaint volume.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2010 Mazda RX-8?
- EPA rates the 2010 RX-8 at 18.5 mpg combined (16 city / 22.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,325.