Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Steering (16.4% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.
Steering complaints here are 2.6× the median for that category across the 1656 model-years tracked on this site.
5 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 1 rests on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 80 · 16.4% | No official action | — |
| Power Train:manual Transmission | 75 · 15.3% | Recalled | Recall 04V075000 |
| Air Bags | 49 · 10% | Recalled | Recall 19V781000 · Recall 18V402000 · Recall 17V474000 · Recall 04V074000 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 46 · 9.4% | Recalled | Recall 05V317000 |
| Power Train | 38 · 7.8% | Recalled | Recall 04V075000 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:engine | 37 · 7.6% | Recalled | Recall 05V317000 |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 489 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 19V781000 · 2019 · reported 10/31/2019
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
Park it · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 18V402000 · 2018 · reported 06/15/2018
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
Park it · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 17V474000 · 2017 · reported 07/26/2017
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 death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
Park it · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 17V354000 · 2017 · reported 06/01/2017
If the fuel pump pipe cracks, fuel may leak, increasing the risk of a fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 17V355000 · 2017 · reported 06/01/2017
If the ball joint separates, steering control may be lost, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 16V793000 · 2016 · reported 10/31/2016
The deteriorated seals may leak fuel, which, in the presence of an ignition source, can increase the risk of a fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 05V325000 · 2005 · reported 07/20/2005
IN SEVERE DRIVING CONDITIONS, THE BALL MAY SEPARATE FROM THE BALL JOINT SOCKET AND A LOSS OF STEERING MAY OCCUR, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 05V317000 · 2005 · reported 07/07/2005
FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 04V075000 · 2004 · reported 02/17/2004
CONTINUED OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE CAN CAUSE THE INSULATOR TO COME OFF AND COULD POSE A HAZARD TO FOLLOWING VEHICLES. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 04V074000 · 2004 · reported 02/17/2004
THE AIR BAG WILL NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION WHEN THE VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
“I BOUGHT MY 2004 MAZDA RX8 FROM AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP IN DORAL, FL WITH 53M MILES ON IT, STILL UNDER POWERTRAIN WARRANTY & I PURCHASED…”NHTSA complaint 10258192 — filed 02/10/2009 · STEERING
“PURCHASED USED VEHICLE IN APRIL 2007, FIRST INCIDENT 8/14/2007 ENGINE STALLED (ENGINE INTERNAL FAILURE) AT 45,107 MILES ENGINE REPLACED BY MAZDA DEALERSHIP. SECOND INCIDENT SEPTEMBER…”NHTSA complaint 10206845 — filed 10/25/2007 · STEERING
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Steering issues are the most-reported category, cited in 80 of 489 NHTSA complaints (16.4%), followed by power train:manual transmission (75), air bags (49), engine and engine cooling (46). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
489 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 17 involved a crash, 10 involved a fire, and 15 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Yes — 10 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 19V781000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
5 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
