Makes›Mazda›RX-8›2011

2011 Mazda RX-8

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2011 models.

Class
Subcompact Cars
Body styles
2dr Coupe RWD 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
3,109 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
3 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Few owner complaints3 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 41 for similar models.

Watch out for

  • Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 19 MPG combined, 14% below the 2011 subcompact car average of 22.2 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 21 similar 2011 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2011 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 3,109 lb.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 19 MPG combined (16 city / 23 highway), 14% worse than the 2011 subcompact car average of 22.2 MPG, for an estimated $4,350 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the visibility/wiper.

What changed for 2011

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2010 RX-8 — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2010; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2010 RX-8 →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
2dr Coupe RWD R3/GT174.4 in69.7 in52.8 in106.3 in59.1 / 59.1 in3,109 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 / 19-14%$4,350468
RX-81.3L 2-cylManual 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive16 / 22 / 18-19%$4,550494
Spend $9,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
22.2 MPG2011 Subcompact Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2011 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2011 Mazda RX-8.

Similar 2011 subcompact cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2011 Mazda RX-8 (this car)19 MPGNot rated3
2011 Toyota Corolla30 MPGNot rated9
2011 Honda Civic41 MPGNot rated9
2011 Toyota Prius48 MPGNot rated6
2011 Hyundai Elantra32 MPGNot rated8
2011 Ford Focus29 MPGNot rated0
2011 Mitsubishi Lancer28 MPGNot rated4

Recalls (3)

Safety advisory: 2 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 24, 2019 Do not drive

NHTSA campaign 19V488000 · 211 vehicles

Problem
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2010-2011 Mazda RX-8 vehicles that were previously recalled under recall 18V-716 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
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. 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.
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.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2011 Mazda RX-8 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

3Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
0Involved a crash
2Involved a fire
0Injuries reported
55,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Visibility/Wiper1
Unknown Or Other1
Fuel System, Gasoline1
Fuel/Propulsion System1
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
18/07: 123/07: 218/0723/07max 2

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2011 Mazda RX-8 buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 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. Visibility/Wiper — 1 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
  4. Fuel System, Gasoline — 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.
  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 55,000 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 2011 Mazda RX-8. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other RX-8 years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2010 RX-819174.4 inNot rated44
2009 RX-819174.4 inNot rated43
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 →