Makes›Mazda›RX-8›2009

2009 Mazda RX-8

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2009 models.

Class
Subcompact Cars
Body styles
2dr Coupe RWD Gs/R3/GT
Engines
1.3L 2-cyl
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
MPG (best)
19 combined · 16 city / 23 hwy
Length
174.4 in
Curb weight
3,051 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
4 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Few owner complaints3 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 64 for similar models.

Watch out for

  • Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 19 MPG combined, 12% below the 2009 subcompact car average of 21.6 MPG.
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
  • "Do not drive" recallCheck that the recall repair was done before buying or driving.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 20 similar 2009 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2009 Mazda RX-8 is a subcompact car offered with a 1.3L 2-cyl engine and rear-wheel drive.

It measures about 174 inches long and 70 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,051 lb.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 19 MPG combined (16 city / 23 highway), 12% worse than the 2009 subcompact car average of 21.6 MPG, for an estimated $4,350 a year in fuel.

It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the power train.

What changed for 2009

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2008 RX-8 — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2008; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2008 RX-8 →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
2dr Coupe RWD Gs/R3/GT174.4 in69.7 in52.8 in106.3 in59.1 / 59.1 in3,051 lb52/48

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
RX-81.3L 2-cylAutomatic (S6)Rear-Wheel Drive16 / 23 / 19-12%$4,350468
RX-81.3L 2-cylManual 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive16 / 22 / 18-17%$4,550494
Spend $9,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
21.6 MPG2009 Subcompact Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2009 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2009 Mazda RX-8 under the current (2011+) test program.

Similar 2009 subcompact cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2009 Mazda RX-8 (this car)19 MPGNot rated4
2009 Toyota Corolla30 MPGNot rated12
2009 Honda Civic42 MPGNot rated7
2009 Toyota Prius46 MPGNot rated5
2009 Hyundai Elantra28 MPGNot rated4
2009 Ford Focus28 MPGNot rated0
2009 Mitsubishi Lancer25 MPGNot rated7

Recalls (4)

Safety advisory: 3 recalls for this model year carry a "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" warning. Check your VIN now.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump · Sep 24, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V744000 · 13,891 vehicles

Problem
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2009-2011 RX-8 and 2006-2007 MazdaSpeed6 vehicles. Fuel may leak from the fuel pump mounting rings.
Risk
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Fix
Dealers will install new fuel pump mounting rings. Dealers will also add a thermal insulation pad to the fuel tank on RX-8 vehicles. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 17, 2021. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 5121I.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Jun 15, 2018 Do not drive

NHTSA campaign 18V402000 · 308,591 vehicles

Problem
Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 and 2004 MPV vehicles nationwide. Mazda is also recalling 2005-2006 MPV vehicles in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. On July 9, 2019 this recall was expanded to include certain 2004-2011 RX-8 vehicles that were previously recalled under 16V-354 but have not yet been repaired. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began July 6, 2018. Mailing to the affected RX-8 owners began July 6, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 2618F. Note: With the addition of the RX-8 vehicles, this recall fully supersedes recall 16V354.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Jun 15, 2018 Do not drive

NHTSA campaign 18V404000 · 4,184 vehicles

Problem
Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Mazda MPV vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. On July 9, 2019 this recall was expanded to include certain 2005-2009 RX-8 vehicles that were previously recalled under 17V-011 but have not yet been repaired. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began July 6, 2018 for MPV vehicles. The recall began July 9, 2019 for RX-8 vehicles. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 2618F. Note: With the addition of the RX-8 vehicles, this recall fully supersedes recall 17V-011.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Jun 15, 2018 Do not drive

NHTSA campaign 18V403000 · 237 vehicles

Problem
Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2009-2010 Mazda RX-8 vehicles that were previously recalled under recall 18V-017 but have not yet been repaired. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. The recall began July 9, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 2618F. Note: This recall supersedes recall 18V017.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2009 Mazda RX-8 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

3Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
0Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
0Injuries reported
41,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Power Train1
Structure › Body1
Fuel/Propulsion System1
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
17/07: 119/04: 120/01: 117/0719/0420/01max 1

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2009 Mazda RX-8 buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Safety-critical recall. At least one recall carries a "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" warning. Do not buy until the VIN shows it was repaired.
  3. Power Train — 1 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
  4. Structure › Body — 1 owner reports. Open and close every door, the hood and tailgate; look for rust or misaligned panels.
  5. Fuel/Propulsion System — 1 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
  6. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 41,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  7. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2009 Mazda RX-8. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other RX-8 years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2011 RX-819174.4 inNot rated33
2010 RX-819174.4 inNot rated44
2008 RX-819174.4 inNot rated514
2007 RX-819174.4 inNot rated520
2006 RX-819174.4 inNot rated534
2005 RX-818174.4 inNot rated546

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Mazda. How we calculate this →