BMW M3 vs Mazda RX-8
Owner complaints, worst years and recall history side by side, from official NHTSA data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
BMW M3
- Total complaints
- 302
- Avg per model year
- 21
- Recall campaigns (all years)
- 20
- Most complained year
- 2008 (82)
Top problems: Power Train, Air Bags, Engine
Mazda RX-8
- Total complaints
- 749
- Avg per model year
- 98
- Recall campaigns (all years)
- 14
- Most complained year
- 2004 (489)
Top problems: Power Train, Engine and Engine Cooling, Steering
Complaints by model year
| Year | BMW M3 | Mazda RX-8 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 31 | 4 | ||
| 2010 | 15 | 5 | ||
| 2009 | 45 | 8 | ||
| 2008 | 82 | 17 | ||
| 2006 | 14 | 60 | ||
| 2005 | 12 | 162 | ||
| 2004 | 31 | 489 |
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports per model year. A model that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — compare the shape across years, not just the raw totals, and read the year pages for what actually fails.