If you own a Mazda RX-8, first of all, good for you, because it’s one heck of a cool car, and one we hope Mazda will revive soon. But you should know that your car may be subject to a recall.
The recall affects 69,447 units from the 2004-08 model years manufactured between April 10, 2003, and February 18, 2008.
That number constitutes the vast majority of the estimated 73,377 RX-8s that Mazda sold in the US over the course of its lifetime. It was introduced as a 2004 model and discontinued in 2011 as sales dwindled, with only a few thousand sold from its facelift in 2009 until its demise.
In those affected examples of the unconventional rotary sports coupe, the sealing rings on the fuel pump may deteriorate and leak. And as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration points out, that could cause a fire.
Rectifying the issue will involve replacing that set of rings, and adding extra insulation to the fuel tank. The necessary components aren’t available yet, though, so Mazda will send out another notice once they are.