Recall 17V355 affects 35,332 2004 Mazda RX-8 vehicles for a front lower control arm ball joint defect. Repair is free at franchised Mazda dealers.
Mazda is recalling 35,332 2004 RX-8 vehicles because the ball joint socket on the front suspension lower control arm can crack and let the ball joint separate. A separation can cause loss of steering control and increase crash risk, and Mazda dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The front lower control arm on the 2004 Mazda RX-8 is a suspension arm that helps hold the front wheel in its proper position. At the outer end, a ball joint connects that arm to the steering knuckle, the part that turns with the wheel. The ball joint lets the suspension move up and down while the wheel still steers.
On affected RX-8 vehicles, the ball joint socket on the lower control arm can crack. The socket is the cup that holds the ball joint in place. Once that cup cracks, the joint can separate from the socket, so the front wheel is no longer held by that suspension connection the way Mazda designed it.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner should not count on noise, vibration, or a steering change to appear before the ball joint separates.
Who's affected?
| 2004 Mazda RX-8 | lower control arm |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 35,332 |
Not every 2004 Mazda RX-8 is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific coupe is included.
What's the safety risk?
A separated front ball joint can take away steering control and increase crash risk under NHTSA campaign 17V355. No warning sign is listed, so symptoms are not a reliable way to decide whether the 2004 RX-8 is safe to keep using. Schedule the recall repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Mazda dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2004 Mazda RX-8 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Mazda dealer to schedule the free front lower control arm replacement that addresses the ball-joint socket cracking and separation risk.
- Bring the recall notice if Mazda mailed one, or reference recall number 17V355 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete and limit trips that are not necessary.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Mazda technician replaces the front lower control arms covered by recall 17V355. Those arms carry the front suspension ball joints, and the replacement addresses the cracked ball joint socket condition described in the recall. The recall repair is free, with parts and labor covered by Mazda. Ask the service desk to confirm the recall number and attach the completed repair to your RX-8 service history.
Timeline
| June 1, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| July 15, 2017 | Dealer notification began |
| July 15, 2017 | Dealer notification ended |
| July 30, 2017 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| July 31, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V355?
Recall 17V355 covers 35,332 2004 Mazda RX-8 vehicles with front suspension lower control arm ball joint sockets that can crack. If the ball joint separates from the socket, steering control can be lost. Mazda dealers will replace the front lower control arms for free.
What should I do if my 2004 Mazda RX-8 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific RX-8 is included in recall 17V355. If it is, contact a franchised Mazda dealer to schedule replacement of the front lower control arms. Reference recall number 17V355 and Mazda recall number 1117E when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the defect to be repaired at no cost, and Mazda's remedy says dealers will replace the front lower control arms free of charge. Parts and labor are covered at a franchised Mazda dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is loss of steering control. The front suspension lower control arm ball joint socket can crack, and the ball joint can separate from the socket. If that happens while driving, the crash risk increases. Have the recall repair completed before relying on the vehicle for regular driving.
What if I bought my Mazda RX-8 used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the original owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your RX-8 is included, then call a Mazda dealer and give them recall number 17V355 or Mazda recall number 1117E.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V355000 |
|---|---|
| Mazda customer service | 1-800-222-5500 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V355 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V355000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →