MazdaRX-82011Overview/mazda/rx-8/2011/base/

2011 Mazda RX-8

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2011 RX-8.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S6)

As a passenger car paired with an Automatic (S6) transmission, the 2011 Mazda RX-8 returns an EPA-estimated 16/23/19 mpg while carrying a modest reliability footprint of 4 total owner complaints and 3 recalls. Those few complaints primarily target the gasoline fuel system, but the overall volume remains the lowest across the entire 2004-2011 generation. This represents a dramatic drop from the 514 complaints logged against the 2004 model year, meaning researchers will find the 2011 RX-8 to be the most stable and statistically sound entry in the model's reliability history.

Model year20112010200920082007200620052004

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

EPA fuel economy16/23/19 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24F · 585 CCA battery, OE oil filter N3R114302. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 24F · 585 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnFUSEOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filterN3R114302
Engine air filterN3H113Z40A9U
Fuel filterN3R113ZE0
Spark plugN3Y818110A9U alt N3Y918110A9U
BatteryJF0218520E
Front wiper bladesDC2067330 alt BE5J67330
Serpentine beltN3R118381 alt N3R115908A
ThermostatN3H115171
Cabin air filterLDY461J6X

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length174.4 in
Overall width69.7 in
Overall height52.8 in
Wheelbase106.3 in
Curb weight3109 lb
Track (front / rear)59.1 / 59.1 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)52/48

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined16 / 23 / 19 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume89 cu ft
Cargo volume8 cu ft
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the RX-8 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

5.9–6.7 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.90 sec — 2004 Coupe
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2009R3 Coupe 1.3L R26.30 sec14.90 sec232 hpRWD
2009R3 coupe 1.3L R26.60 sec15.00 sec232 hpRWD
2009R3 Coupe 1.3L R26.70 sec15.10 sec232 hpRWD
2007Grand Touring Coupe 1.3L R26.50 sec15.00 sec232 hpRWD
2004Coupe 1.3L R25.90 sec14.50 sec238 hpRWD
2004Coupe 1.3L R25.90 sec14.50 sec238 hpRWD
2004Coupe 1.3L R26.00 sec14.49 sec238 hpRWD
2004Coupe 1.3L R26.10 sec14.60 sec238 hpRWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential. Torque the oil drain plug to 22.0-30.0 ft-lbs.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity8.5
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3 Pints
Manual Transmission Fluid75W-90 · GL-4
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity4.1

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts14-18 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts31-44 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug22.0-30.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs7-10 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Rear Wheel Hub174-202 ft-lbs

Ignition

Curb Idle Speed (No Load)820 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Ignition TimingTrailing: 10, Leading: -5 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPMIdle rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity.95 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity2.03 oz
Standard BCI Group Number24F
Standard BCI Cranking Performance585 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief11-15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature176-183 °F
Injector Primary Resistance13.8 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression120
Engine Oil Pressure72.5 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM3000 rpm

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket16-23 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle36-50 ft-lbs
Brake ApplicationWITH FN3 (16 inch) CALIPER PR NOS. 1LH/1ZG
Torque Caliper to Bracket16-23 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle58-75 ft-lbs
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0006 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Minimum Machining0.66 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

Prep Models w/out variable valve timing:

144-80 inch lbs., Step 2: 10-13 ft. lbs.; Models equipped w/variable valve timing:; Center and Rear Cap Bolts: Step 1: 44-80 inch lbs., Step 2: 10-13 ft. lbs.; Front Cap Bolts: 71-102 inch lbs.44–80 in

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 37,500 mi; coolant at 120,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 120,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miBody Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miBrake System (inspect)
Every 25,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Body Fasteners (torque) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Steering System (inspect)
Every 37,500 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace)
Every 45,000 miExhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 60,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 120,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 150,000 miDrive Belt (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2011 Mazda RX-8 sits at the tail end of a clear downward trend in complaints, recalls, and investigations across the generation. Complaints dropped from 514 in 2004 to just 4 in 2011, recalls fell from 10 to 3, and investigations decreased from 4 to 1, making 2011 the lowest in all three categories. The top complaint areas for 2011 are scattered—fuel system, fuel/propulsion, visibility/wiper, and suspension—each with only a single report, and the data does not specify root causes for these or the two fire complaints. While the 2011 model still carries 187 technical service bulletins, reflecting ongoing service needs typical of the rotary engine, the federal record shows it as the most refined year of the generation. For a used RX-8 buyer, the 2011 model is the best choice within the lineup, offering the fewest reported issues and recalls.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
187
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
4
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 2 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 4 complaints on record, top 4 components.

Fuel System, Gasoline1
Fuel/Propulsion System1
Unknown Or Other,Visibility/Wiper1
Suspension1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18V402000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 15/06/2018

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… Remedy: 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…

19V488000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 24/06/2019

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… Remedy: 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 187 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SA-041-262026-06-18Electrical SystemThis SA supersedes the previously issued SA(s) listed below. The changes are noted in…
SA-029-262026-04-21Power TrainThis Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA listed below: The changes are…
SA-061-252025-12-17Electrical SystemIf you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start…
SA-039/252025-08-21StructureSome vehicles may experience exterior trim heat damage such (melted, separating, etc.)…
SA-036-252025-08-14Unknown Or OtherWhen replacing the SiriusXM satellite radio unit, a call must be made to inform SiriusXM…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific RX-8. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2011 RX-8 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the RX-8 get?

EPA figures are 16 city / 23 highway / 19 combined mpg.