Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 168 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Mazda RX-8, and it carries 6 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 44 | 26% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 20 | 12% |
| Air bags | 17 | 10% |
| Steering | 12 | 7% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 6 | 4% |
| Engine | 6 | 4% |
| Vehicle speed control | 6 | 4% |
| Air bags | 4 | 2% |
| Unknown or other | 4 | 2% |
| Seat belts | 3 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
Part associated with recall 1017E has failed due to improper installation.
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
My cars steering will loosen up and stiffen up randomly also the traction control will randomly engage and the tire pressure lights and another light
NHTSA complaint: Steering
The steering wheel sometimes its hard to control sometimes its normal and when going fast the steering is so loose like there's a gaps that you need your two hands on the steering all time and the weels Weigel at high sp
NHTSA complaint: Steering
THE CLUTCH PEDAL ASSEMBLY BRACKET BREAKS AT THE SPOTWELDS WHICH ALSO BREAKS THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER AND LUKILY THIS BROKE WHILE STARTING THE CAR
NHTSA complaint: Power train
OIL COOLER HOSES RUST OUT AT FITTINGS AND LEAK OIL UNCONTROLLABLY. ONE SEARCH OF ANY RX8 FORUM AND YOU WILL FIND ALL YEARS ARE EFFECTED.
NHTSA complaint: Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 MAZDA RX-8. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE JU
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
MY STEERING WHEEL TURNS ON ITS OWN WHILE IN MOTION ON THE BELTWAY AND SOMETIMES IT DIFFICULT TO STEER AT ALL WHILE IN MOTION IN TRAFFIC. I PURCHASED NEW TIRES THINKING THAT WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM BUT IT DIDN'T.
NHTSA complaint: Steering
TAKATA RECALL MAKING A COMPLAINT ABOUT NOT DOING RECALL IN A TIMELY MANOR
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2005 Mazda RX-8. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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, Ind
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
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 Dakot
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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 J
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 manufa
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
Fix: 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
Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RX-8 vehicles. Heat from the engine and the exhaust may cause the main fuel pump pipe to crack.
Risk: If the fuel pump pipe cracks, fuel may leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump filter kit, free of charge. The recall began on July 31, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's n
| Reliability raw | 66 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 74 | good |
| Maintenance | 87 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 62 | average |
| Performance | 43 | below average |
| Efficiency | 32 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 168 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 44 of them (26%). There are 6 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 66/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 74/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2005 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 66/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.