2009 Mazda RX-8 recalls and problems

4 recalls and 8 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2009 Mazda RX-8.

4
recalls
8
owner complaints
0
complaints mentioning a crash
0
mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2009 Mazda RX-8 recalls

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery, fuel pump

NHTSA campaign 21V744000 · reported September 24, 2021 · Mazda North American Operations · 13,891 vehicles potentially affected

The 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.
The risk
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
The 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.

Air bags: frontal, passenger side, inflator module

NHTSA campaign 18V402000 · reported June 15, 2018 · Mazda North American Operations · 308,591 vehicles potentially affected

The 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.
The risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The 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.

Air bags: frontal, passenger side, inflator module

NHTSA campaign 18V403000 · reported June 15, 2018 · Mazda North American Operations · 237 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix
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.

Air bags: frontal, passenger side, inflator module

NHTSA campaign 18V404000 · reported June 15, 2018 · Mazda North American Operations · 4,184 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
An inflator explosion may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix
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.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Jan 7, 2020 · Fuel/propulsion system · 41,000 miles

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…

Apr 15, 2019 · Structure

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…

Jul 14, 2017 · Power train · 6,800 miles

CLUTCH WILL NOT WORK

Mar 5, 2014 · Fuel/propulsion system · 45,000 miles

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.

Aug 22, 2011 · Vehicle speed control · 21,900 miles

2009 RX 8 MAZDA VIN#[…] 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…

RX-8 model years compared

YearRecallsComplaintsCrashesFires
2006 56010
2007 53821
2008 51701
2009 4800
2010 4500
2011 3412

Across all years, the 2004 RX-8 has the most complaints (490). All Mazda RX-8 years →

Questions

Does the 2009 Mazda RX-8 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2009 Mazda RX-8, the most recent reported on September 24, 2021 (Fuel system, gasoline: delivery, fuel pump). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Mazda RX-8?
Owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is power train (3 complaints), followed by vehicle speed control (3).
How many 2009 Mazda RX-8 complaints mention a crash or fire?
0 of 8 complaints report a crash and 0 a fire; 0 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received January 7, 2020.