Recall 16V793 affects 69,447 2004-2008 Mazda RX-8 vehicles for deteriorating fuel pump seals. Repair will be free at any franchised Mazda dealer once available.
Mazda is recalling 69,447 2004-2008 RX-8 vehicles because fuel pump sealing rings can deteriorate from engine or exhaust heat. Deteriorated seals can leak fuel, and fuel near an ignition source increases the risk of a fire; the Mazda dealer repair will be free once Mazda makes the remedy available.
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What's wrong?
The fuel pump sealing ring on the 2004-2008 Mazda RX-8 sits at the fuel pump opening on top of the fuel tank. Its job is to seal that opening so fuel and fuel vapors stay inside the tank while the pump sends gasoline forward to the engine.
On affected RX-8 vehicles, the area above the fuel tank did not have enough heat protection from the engine and exhaust pipe. That heat breaks down the plastic sealing ring. With heat and stress, the ring can slowly deform and crack, which means the seal around the fuel pump no longer holds as designed.
There is no warning sign before failure. Mazda did not list a driver-noticeable symptom for this defect, so an owner should not wait for a smell, light, or drivability change before treating an included VIN as affected.
Who's affected?
Spans one RX-8 model line across five model years, with the same fuel system component named for each year.
| 2005 Mazda RX-8 | fuel system |
|---|---|
| 2004 Mazda RX-8 | fuel system |
| 2006 Mazda RX-8 | fuel system |
| 2007 Mazda RX-8 | fuel system |
| 2008 Mazda RX-8 | fuel system |
| Units affected | 69,447 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 5 field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific coupe is included.
What's the safety risk?
Deteriorated fuel pump seals can leak fuel. Fuel near an ignition source increases the risk of a fire. If you notice fuel odor or visible fuel, stop using the vehicle and call a Mazda dealer for guidance. Repair will be free at any franchised Mazda dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2004-2008 Mazda RX-8 is included in this recall.
- Wait for Mazda's repair notice if your VIN shows the remedy is not open, then contact a franchised Mazda dealer about the free repair.
- Ask the dealer for the fuel-pump sealing-ring replacement and thermal insulation pad that address fuel leaks from heat-damaged seals.
- Bring the recall notice if Mazda mailed one. If not, reference recall number 16V793 and Mazda recall 0516J when you call.
- Keep the vehicle away from ignition sources if you smell fuel, and ask the dealer what to do before driving it in.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, once the remedy opens, a Mazda technician will replace the fuel pump sealing ring set and add a thermal insulation pad to the fuel tank. The final dealer repair will be free once available. That work addresses heat exposure around the fuel tank area that can deteriorate the sealing rings. Until Mazda opens the final repair path for your VIN, ask the dealer what interim handling applies and whether the vehicle should be brought in or held for later service.
Timeline
| October 31, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| July 31, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V793?
Recall 16V793 covers 69,447 2004-2008 Mazda RX-8 vehicles with fuel pump sealing rings that deteriorate from engine or exhaust heat. Damaged seals can leak fuel, increasing fire risk if an ignition source is present. Mazda's repair replaces the sealing ring set and adds a thermal insulation pad for free.
What should I do if my 2004-2008 Mazda RX-8 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific RX-8 is included in recall 16V793. If it is, contact a franchised Mazda dealer and ask for the fuel pump sealing ring set replacement and thermal insulation pad installation. Reference Mazda recall 0516J when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires Mazda to repair the defect at no cost. A franchised Mazda dealer will replace the fuel pump sealing ring set and add a thermal insulation pad to the fuel tank free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is a fuel leak near an ignition source. The fuel pump sealing rings deteriorate after heat exposure from the engine or exhaust pipe. If fuel leaks and reaches an ignition source, the risk of fire increases.
What if I bought my Mazda RX-8 used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific RX-8 is included, then contact a franchised Mazda dealer with recall 16V793 or Mazda recall 0516J.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V793000 |
|---|---|
| Mazda customer service | 1-800-222-5500 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V793 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V793000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →