Mazda expects to recall RX-8s
Automaker: Engines failing vacuum test must be replaced


MONTEREY, Calif. -- After suffering a black eye from disclosing that it won't count RX-8 owners' opinions in its internal customer-satisfaction scores, Mazda says it may have to replace the engines in many of its flagship sports cars.

The voluntary recall of all 2004 and 2005 vehicles, and some 2006s, is expected to be announced this week or next. It involves damage to the catalyst resulting from oil leaks in the RX-8's rotary engine.

Any engine that does not pass a vacuum test must be replaced, said Robert Davis, head of product development and quality at Mazda North American Operations.

Engines prone to failing the test are mostly in hot climates and use synthetic oils.

Mazda also will check each RX-8's battery and starter, which tend to fail in cold climates.

"We're going to give these cars the white-glove treatment," Davis said. "We would rather replace the engine than have the dealer crack them open."

Davis would not disclose the projected failure rate of the engines or the cost to replace them.

Mazda has a remanufacturing center in North Carolina that will rebuild faulty engines and return them to service.

The recall comes after a video Webcast by two dealers who attended the July 11-13 National Dealer Advisory Council meetings in Newport Beach, Calif., was leaked on the Internet.

In the video, dealers said problems with the RX-8 were unfairly lowering Mazda customer-satisfaction scores.

Mazda informed the dealers that RX-8 owners would continue to be surveyed, but that the responses would not factor into dealer customer-satisfaction scores.

Mazda has issued service bulletins on such trouble spots as squeaky brakes and engine flooding.

 

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...9&page=1&pp=40

 

funny your first post had to be about some recall thread, that they already have like 2 going so far. any how very funny OP

 

Mods - Please close 2 of these 3 threads so we don't need to keep checking all of them for updates

 

Well, I didn't do a thorough check to see anyone else posted about this. Apologize for the double post.

I had to make a new account since I forgot my login and PW.... I've been a member of this forum since Sept-03, I bought my RX-8 around the same time. It's not like I'm here to troll. Oh well. Sorry for the duplicate post.

I've driven my RX-8 very little, but when I do, I usually try to use higher rpm to 'blow' any carbon that might be building up. I have 12,400 miles on my car right now, and I have had zero problem with my car.

Many of the problem can be attributed to noob owners, in part, that's Mazda's problem for not educating their customers on how to handle their unique cars.

I hope I don't have to replace my motor.... if they do, that's just the push I needed to get me an Corvette....

 

I wonder if you can choose to just get your money back. I'm sure as heck not putting a new motor in my 3 month old 8 with less than 5000 miles on it. It's already been to the dealer 3 times for various interior parts breaking. I'd rather just get into another 05/06 S2000 at this point like I originally planned

 

I have mixed emotions for this. I wouldn't mind getting a new motor (40k miles on mine now), but I will probably jump on the BMW bandwagon when the new 3 series comes out, so it probably wont matter much.

 

No Mazda will not be buying any cars back, because of this. You will not get a choice either, if the car needs an engine they are going to replace it. If you want one or not.
also Im not 100% sure that 2006 will even be affected by the recall at all. I/We will know more next week.

 

That's fine if they want to give me a new engine then the chassis will have 4500 miles and the engine will have 200 when I sell it. Has anyone received an official recall letter in the mail yet?

 

No. the recall letters will not be mailed to customers until Aug 28th

 

closed- and no the letters havent gone out and wont for another week