2004 Mazda RX-8 Transmission & Power Train Problems
NHTSA component category: POWER TRAIN · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How power train ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 489 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2004 Mazda RX-8 overview page.
What owners report
“ONE NIGHT WHEN I WAS LEAVING WORK I TRIED TO REVERSE OUT OF MY PARKING SPACE AND MY CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE. AFTER…”NHTSA complaint 10249042 — filed 11/17/2008
“MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE DEALERSHIP FOR RECALLS ECT. LAST NIGHT I STARTED MY VEHICLE AND STARTED TO LEAVE, BACKING OUT…”NHTSA complaint 10244461 — filed 10/06/2008
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power Train complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2004 Mazda RX-8 have transmission & power train problems?
Power Train is the #5 most-reported problem area on the 2004 Mazda RX-8: 38 of 489 complaints on file (7.8%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 2004 Mazda RX-8 have in total?
489 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 17 involved a crash, 10 involved a fire, 15 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's power train category include?
NHTSA groups complaints about the transmission (automatic or manual), driveline, axles, transfer case and related parts under a single component category called POWER TRAIN. This page reports that category as NHTSA defines it.