Chevrolet Cobalt vs Mazda RX-8
Owner complaints, worst years and recall history side by side, from official NHTSA data. Last verified Aug 8, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
Chevrolet Cobalt
- Total complaints
- 7,671
- Avg per model year
- 1,279
- Recall campaigns (all years)
- 10
- Most complained year
- 2006 (2,330)
Top problems: Steering, Electrical System, Fuel/propulsion System
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 | Chevrolet Cobalt | Mazda RX-8 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 573 | 5 | ||
| 2009 | 710 | 8 | ||
| 2008 | 845 | 17 | ||
| 2007 | 1,564 | 38 | ||
| 2006 | 2,330 | 60 | ||
| 2005 | 1,649 | 162 |
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.