Issue ID | 680720 |
Internal NHTSA # | 10232284 |
Manufacurer | MAZDA MOTOR CORP |
Brand | MAZDA |
Model | RX-8 |
Model Year | 2004 |
File date | 30/05/08 |
Component | FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE |
Product type code | VEHICLE |
Description of the problem | The 2004 rx8 has internal seals fail prematurely. This causes the engine to "blow" by a loss of compression in one of the two rotor chambers. The problem being the car with still run with half power. I continued to drive to find help off the highway. The rotor that is not working is dumping gas into the catalytic converter. By the time i parked, i could smell burning fiber and plastic and the exhaust shot out several large chunks of red hot ceramic material. The catalytic converter was bright orange and the entire underside of my car is melted. Looking on internet under "2004 rx 8 engine failure" i have seen several other stories with similar results but worse. Is it possible that the fuel tank could explode with such heat so near if you continued to drive. This happens anywhere from 12,000 miles to 100,000 miles and beyond. Mazda knows of the engine defect and has extended the warranty on the motor as of may 2008. My car is at hancock mazda in dallas. They said damage amounted to $9,500. 00 from heat. |
Vehicle Mileage at Failure | 105000 |
Number of Occurences | 1 |
Source of the issue | NHTSA WEB SITE |
City and State | MABANK, TX |
VIN pattern | JM1FE17N140XXXXXX |
Was vehicle invloved in a crash? | N |
Was vehicle involved in a fire? | Y |
Was incedent reported to police? | N |
Was medical attention required? | |
Was part original equipment? | |
No. of injured persons | 0 |
No. of fatalities | 0 |
Date of purchase | 14/12/24 |
Was original owner? | N |
Anti-lock brakes | N |
Cruise control | N |
Number of cylinders | |
Drive train type | |
Transmission type | |
Vehicle speed | 70 |
DoT tire identifier | |
Tire size | |
Location of tire code | |
Type of tire failure code | |
Was defective tire repaired? | |
Date of manufacture | |
Type of child seat code | |
Type of restraint | |
Dealer's name | |
Dealer's telephone number | |
Dealer's city | |
Dealer's state code | |
Dealer's ZIP code |