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2006 Mazda RX-8 Sport 6AT

The 2006 Mazda RX-8 Sport 6AT is a 212-hp 1.3-liter rotary sports coupe with a 6-speed sport automatic and rear-wheel drive. It starts at $26,995 MSRP and is rated at 19 mpg combined.

It makes 212 horsepower at 7,500 rpm and 159 lb-ft of torque at 5500 rpm, spinning to a 7,500 rpm redline. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 18 mpg city and 25 mpg highway (19 mpg combined).

The RX-8 measures 174.3 inches long on a 106.4-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 3,075 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeCoupe
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$26,995 ($43,519 *)
Engine
Engine Type1.3L RENESIS 2-rotor rotary (0.654L x 2); 1,308 cc; front-midship layout; side intake/exhaust ports with 3-stage variable induction system (VIS)
Displacement1.3 L
Horsepower212 hp @ 7,500 rpm
Torque159 lb-ft @ 5500 rpm
Redline7,500 rpm
ValvetrainTwin-rotor rotary; side intake/exhaust ports; 3-stage variable induction system (VIS)
Bore and StrokeN/A (rotary engine); Eccentricity x Radius x Width: 105 x 15 x 80 mm
Compression Ratio10.0:1
Injection TypeMulti-port electronic fuel injection (MPFI)
Drivetrain
Drive TypeRWD
Transmission
Transmission6-speed sport automatic with steering-wheel mounted paddle shifters and Adaptive Shift Logic
1st Gear3.538 (38 mph **)
2nd Gear2.06 (65 mph **)
3rd Gear1.404 (95 mph **)
4th Gear1 (134 mph **)
5th Gear0.713 (187 mph **)
6th Gear0.582 (230 mph **)
Reverse3.168
Final Drive4.3
Fuel Economy
City18 MPG
Highway25 MPG
Combined19 MPG
Recommended FuelPremium unleaded (91+ octane required)
Tank Capacity15.9 gal
Suspension
Front SuspensionIndependent double wishbone (aluminum control arms); mono-tube gas-filled shock absorbers; strut tower brace
Rear SuspensionIndependent multi-link; mono-tube gas-filled shock absorbers
Front Stabilizer BarYes
Rear Stabilizer BarYes
Brakes
Front Brake CalipersSingle-piston caliper
Front Brake Disc11.9" vented disc (base)
Rear Brake Disc11.9" vented disc
Tires & Wheels
Wheels Front16 x 7.5-in. alloy
Wheels Rear16 x 7.5-in. alloy
Tires Front225/55R16
Tires Rear225/55R16
Dimensions & Weight
Length174.3 in
Width69.7 in
Height52.8 in
Wheelbase106.4 in
Front Track58.9 in
Rear Track59.3 in
Ground Clearance4.7 in
Cargo Volume7.6 ft³
Curb Weight3,075 lbs
Weight Distribution (F/R)50% / 50%
Interior
Headroom Front38.2 in
Headroom Rear36.8 in
Legroom Front42.7 in
Legroom Rear32.2 in
Shoulder Room Front54.8 in
Shoulder Room Rear54.9 in
Hip Room Front53.3 in
Hip Room Rear48.1 in
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars
** Theoretical max speed per gear at redline

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall Not rated
Frontal crash Not rated
Frontal – driver ★★★★★
Frontal – passenger ★★★★★
Side crash Not rated
Rollover Not rated
Tested variant: 2006 Mazda RX-8 4-DR. w/SAB

Recalls

5 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2006 Mazda RX-8. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Jun 15, 2018 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE Park it

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.

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

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 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.

NHTSA campaign 18V402000

Jun 15, 2018 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE Park it

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.

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign 18V404000

Jul 26, 2017 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE Park it

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2004-2008 RX-8, and 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion and other factors, including manufacturing variability that, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began on September 12, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1417G. Note: This recall supersedes recall 15V-382.

NHTSA campaign 17V474000

Jun 1, 2017 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RX-8 vehicles. Heat from the engine and the exhaust may cause the main fuel pump pipe to crack.

Consequence: If the fuel pump pipe cracks, fuel may leak, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump filter kit, free of charge. The recall began on July 31, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1017E.

NHTSA campaign 17V354000

Oct 31, 2016 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RX-8 vehicles manufactured April 10, 2003, to February 18, 2008. The affected vehicles have fuel pump sealing rings that may deteriorate due to exposure to heat from the engine or exhaust pipe.

Consequence: The deteriorated seals may leak fuel, which, in the presence of an ignition source, can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump sealing ring set and add a thermal insulation pad to the fuel tank, free of charge. The recall began July 31, 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 0516J.

NHTSA campaign 16V793000

60 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2006 Mazda RX-8

Owner Complaints

60 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2006 Mazda RX-8 (1 mention a crash). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Air Bags17
Power Train13
Visibility9
Engine6
Fuel/Propulsion System6
Steering6
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
May 23, 2023 · Engine
“The contact's grandson owns a 2006 Mazda RX-8. The contact stated that while her grandson was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was taken to an independent…”
Feb 21, 2020 · Steering
“THERE IS A WHITE BUSHING THAT BREAKS AND IS NOT REPLACEABLE. THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN HAS TO BE REPLACED. THE FACT THAT THIS CAR WAS MADE WITH THIS FLAW IS BEYOND MY COMPREHENSION. THE STEERING WHEEL…”
Apr 10, 2019 · Fuel/Propulsion System
“PERRY MAZDA OF SANTA BARBARA CA IS REFUSING TO REPAIR MY RECALL BECAUSE THE FUEL PUMP CURRENTLY INSTALLED IS AN AFTERMARKET PART. I'VE CONTACTED MAZDA, BUT THE REPRESENTATIVE I SPOKE WITH AGREED WITH…”
Feb 21, 2019 · Power Train, Unknown Or Other
“THE BRACKET FOR THE CLUTCH PEDAL HAS BROKEN 4 TIMES. THE MILAGE IS CURRENTLY 81,000. I'VE CONTACTED MAZDA CORP AND THE DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM NEW. THEY'RE SAYING UNLESS THERE'S A RECALL WE HAVE TO…”
Jan 18, 2019 · Steering
“I'M WRITING TO STATE ON MY RX8 SHINKA 2006 MAZDA HAS A STEERING WHEEL PROBLEM MOST CONCERNING. I HAVE OWNED IT AND MAINTAINED IT. AS I WAS LEAVING MY BANK I NOTICED A WHITE GASKET OF KIND ON THE FLOOR…”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2006 MAZDA RX-8. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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