Mazda RX-8: Years to Avoid and Best Years to Buy
Mazda RX-8: 1 model years scored from 4 NHTSA owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns. Worst year 2011, best year 2011.
Year-by-year data table
| Year | Score | Verdict | Running cost / yr | NHTSA complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 84 | BUY | $6,594 | 4 | 3 |
Running cost is fuel or energy plus the maintenance band midpoint for that car at its age today, re-priced to your country. Purchase price, insurance and depreciation are not included.
Photographs and every generation of the RX-8, through the years →
What goes wrong on the Mazda RX-8
Across every RX-8 model year in our index, owners report these component groups most often. The cost beside each one is the representative repair for that group at a US independent shop, re-priced to your country.
- Visibility/Wiper1 complaints across all RX-8 years · typical job: Wiper motor, linkage or windscreen replacement$490–$1,200
- Unknown Or Other1 complaints across all RX-8 years · typical job: Diagnosis and mixed repair$360–$940
- Suspension1 complaints across all RX-8 years · typical job: Struts, springs and control-arm bushings, one axle$780–$1,580
- Gasoline1 complaints across all RX-8 years · typical job: Fuel delivery and emissions repair$580–$1,360
- Fuel/Propulsion System1 complaints across all RX-8 years · typical job: Fuel pump or injector replacement$680–$1,620
- Fuel System1 complaints across all RX-8 years · typical job: Fuel pump or injector replacement$680–$1,620
Flat-rate labour hours x local shop rate plus a parts band. An estimate of what this class of failure costs, not a quote. Formula.
FAQ
What is the most common Mazda RX-8 problem?
1 of the complaints filed against the RX-8 across all its model years sit in the Visibility/Wiper group — more than any other component.
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Sources: NHTSA, EPA · Methodology · Updated 2026-10-04