Mazda Mazda rotary (Wankel) engines: years, specs & known problems

By CarWhere Research · Updated

Mazda's rotary engines are two-rotor Wankel designs. US buyers got them in the RX-7, from the 101 hp 12A first generation through the 255 hp sequential twin-turbo 13B-REW sold here for 1993–1995, and in the 2004–2011 RX-8, whose 1.3-liter RENESIS made 238 hp at launch. Mazda extended RX-8 rotor-housing coverage to 8 years/100,000 miles.

Mazda licensed rotary technology from NSU and Wankel in 1961 and began selling the Cosmo Sport, the first production twin-rotor rotary car, in May 1967. Exports of rotary cars to the US started in 1970. A Mazda 787B with a four-rotor engine won the 1991 24 Hours of Le Mans, and Mazda's cumulative rotary production passed two million vehicles in 2023.

The RX-7 went on sale in 1978. Mazda USA describes the first-generation car with a carbureted 101 hp 12A and a fuel-injected 1985 GSL-SE with a 135 hp 1.3-liter rotary. The second generation offered a turbo rated 182 hp, and the third-generation FD used the twin-rotor 13B-REW with two sequential turbochargers for 255 hp. That car was sold in the US only from 1993 to 1995.

The RX-8 brought back the rotary for 2004 with RENESIS, a naturally aspirated 1.3-liter 13B. Mazda rated it at 238 hp with the six-speed manual and 197 hp with the four-speed automatic at launch, with a 9,000 rpm redline on the manual; from 2008 releases list 232 hp manual and 212 hp with a six-speed automatic. In 2008 Mazda extended warranty coverage on the rotary engine core of all 2004–2008 RX-8s to 8 years or 100,000 miles. In 2021 Mazda said a rotary range-extender MX-30 would follow. The MX-30 R-EV debuted in Europe in 2023; Mazda's US MX-30 was the battery-electric version, sold in California.

Mazda rotary (Wankel) engines at a glance

Mazda two-rotor Wankel rotary engines in US models: RX-7 12A and 13B (1979–1995) and RX-8 RENESIS 13B (2004–2011): model years, fuel and peak Mazda-published output by version
EngineModel yearsFuelPeak hpPeak torque (lb-ft)Documented problemsRecalls
RX-7 rotary engines: 12A and 13B (US 1979–1995)1978–1995 (US)Gasoline255—00
RX-8 RENESIS 13B (2004–2011)2004–2011Gasoline23816410

CarWhere lists 1 documented problem and 0 NHTSA recalls for the Mazda rotary (Wankel) engines, each with a source.

RX-7 rotary engines: 12A and 13B (US 1979–1995)

Three generations of RX-7, all with twin-rotor engines in a front-midship layout: the 12A in the first generation, a 13B (turbo optional) in the second, and the sequential twin-turbo 13B-REW in the 1993–1995 third generation.

RX-7 rotary engines: 12A and 13B (US 1979–1995) specifications

RX-7 rotary engines: 12A and 13B (US 1979–1995): design facts (1978–1995 (US))
SpecificationValue
LayoutTwin-rotor engine mounted behind the front axle (front-midship), rear-wheel drive[1]
First-generation engine1,146 cc 12A twin-rotor, carbureted; fuel injection arrived on the GSL-SE[1]
1985 RX-7 GSL-SEFuel-injected 1.3-liter rotary[2]
Mazda's first rotary carCosmo Sport 110S, on sale in Japan May 30, 1967[3]
Third-generation engine13B-REW twin-rotor with two sequential turbochargers[1]
RX-7 launchJapan, March 1978[4]
Third generation in the USSold 1993–1995 only[2]
Third generation launchJapan, December 1991; 13B two-rotor with sequential twin turbochargers[5]
EPA listing, 1985 RX-71.1 L and 1.3 L rotary, 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic[6]
EPA listing, 1991 RX-71.3 L rotary, naturally aspirated or turbo[7]
EPA listing, 1992 RX-71.3 L rotary, naturally aspirated only[8]
EPA listing, 1993 RX-71.3 L turbo rotary only, 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic[9]
RX-7 salesMore than 800,000 sold worldwide across three generations[1]

RX-7 rotary engines: 12A and 13B (US 1979–1995) horsepower and torque by year

RX-7 rotary engines: 12A and 13B (US 1979–1995): Mazda-published horsepower (hp) and torque (lb-ft) by model year and application
Model yearsApplicationHorsepower (hp)Torque (lb-ft)Source
1978–1985RX-7 GSL (12A)Mazda USA's figure for the carbureted 12A101—[1]
1985RX-7 GSL-SE (1.3L, fuel-injected)135—[2]
1986–1991RX-7 Turbo (second generation)Mazda USA's figure for the turbo option; the release doesn't tie it to specific years182—[2]
1993–1995RX-7 (13B-REW twin-turbo)255—[2]

"—" means we could not confirm the figure from a primary source.

Which vehicles have the RX-7 rotary engines: 12A and 13B (US 1979–1995)?

Models and model years offered with the RX-7 rotary engines: 12A and 13B (US 1979–1995)
ModelModel yearsNotes
RX-7 (first generation)1978–1985On sale from 1978; 12A, plus a fuel-injected 1.3-liter in the 1985 GSL-SE
RX-7 (second generation)1986–19921.3-liter 13B; turbo listed by EPA through 1991
RX-7 (third generation)1993–199513B-REW sequential twin-turbo

RX-8 RENESIS 13B (2004–2011)

The naturally aspirated 1.3-liter RENESIS twin-rotor in the four-door RX-8: 238 hp with the six-speed manual at launch, later 232 hp manual and 212 hp with the six-speed automatic. Mazda extended rotary engine core coverage for 2004–2008 cars.

RX-8 RENESIS 13B (2004–2011) specifications

RX-8 RENESIS 13B (2004–2011): design facts (2004–2011)
SpecificationValue
TypeRENESIS 13B twin-rotor, 1.3 L[10]
Redline, 20049,000 rpm (6MT), 7,500 rpm (4AT)[10]
Ignition, 2011Electronic four-coil with iridium-tipped multi-electrode plugs[12]
RENESIS production startJanuary 2003; the RX-8 went on sale in Japan in April 2003[13]
Rotary productionCumulative rotary-engine vehicle production passed two million in 2023[14]
MX-30 R-EVRotary used as a generator; revealed in Europe January 2023, production from June 2023[14]
MX-30 rotary plan (2021)Mazda said the rotary generator would recharge the battery rather than drive the wheels[15]
US MX-30Battery-electric MX-30 EV with a 35.5 kWh battery, sold through California dealerships[16]
Vision X-Coupe concept (2025)Plug-in hybrid with a two-rotor rotary turbo engine[17]
AwardsInternational Engine of the Year 2003 and its 2.5–3.0-liter category in 2004[13]
Warranty extensionRotary engine core (rotor housing, internal parts, seals and gaskets) extended to 8 years/100,000 miles on 2004–2008 RX-8[18]

RX-8 RENESIS 13B (2004–2011) horsepower and torque by year

RX-8 RENESIS 13B (2004–2011): Mazda-published horsepower (hp) and torque (lb-ft) by model year and application
Model yearsApplicationHorsepower (hp)Torque (lb-ft)Source
2004RX-8 six-speed manual238 hp at 8,500 rpm; 159 lb-ft at 5,500 rpm (SAE net)238159[10]
2004RX-8 four-speed automatic197 hp at 7,200 rpm; 164 lb-ft at 5,000 rpm197164[10]
2008RX-8 six-speed manual232—[11]
2008RX-8 six-speed automatic212—[11]
2011RX-8 manual232 hp at 8,500 rpm; 159 lb-ft at 5,500 rpm232159[12]
2011RX-8 automatic212 hp at 7,500 rpm212—[12]

"—" means we could not confirm the figure from a primary source.

Which vehicles have the RX-8 RENESIS 13B (2004–2011)?

Models and model years offered with the RX-8 RENESIS 13B (2004–2011)
ModelModel yearsNotes
RX-82004–2011Six-speed manual; four-speed automatic at launch, later six-speed automatic

RX-8 RENESIS 13B (2004–2011) problems and what to check

RX-8 rotary engine core warranty extension (SSP 77) (2004–2008)

Major repair

In May 2008 Mazda extended warranty coverage on the rotary engine core of every 2004–2008 RX-8 to 8 years (96 months) or 100,000 miles from the original warranty start. Covered parts are the rotor housing and internal parts plus internal seals and gaskets. Owners who had paid for a covered repair could apply for reimbursement.[18]

Check before buying

  • Ask for records of any engine replacement or rebuild and whether it was done under SSP 77
  • Ask for the maintenance records Mazda required owners to keep under the extended warranty

Program: Special Service Program SSP 77: rotary engine core warranty extended to 8 years/100,000 miles (2004–2008 RX-8). Every 2004–2008 RX-8 is now past the 8-year limit.

Mazda rotary (Wankel) engines issues by model

The same engine shows up on these known-issues pages, with model-specific details.

Related Mazda research

Confirm a car really has the Mazda rotary (Wankel) engines.

The engine a Mazda left the factory with is part of its build record. The CarWhere Mazda build sheet reconstructs factory colors, options and packages from licensed VIN-level build data — availability is checked free, and it is $9.99 only when detailed build data is found for that VIN.

Mazda build sheet by VIN

Frequently asked questions

Which Mazdas have a rotary engine?

In the US, the RX-7 (on sale from 1978, sold here through 1995) and the 2004–2011 RX-8. Mazda also sold earlier rotary models after US exports began in 1970. The rotary-generator MX-30 R-EV debuted in Europe; Mazda's US MX-30 was battery-electric.

How much horsepower does the RX-8 have?

Mazda rated the 2004 RX-8 at 238 hp and 159 lb-ft with the six-speed manual and 197 hp with the four-speed automatic. 2008–2011 releases list 232 hp manual and 212 hp with the six-speed automatic.

Did Mazda extend the RX-8 engine warranty?

Yes. Under Special Service Program SSP 77 (May 2008), Mazda extended rotary engine core coverage on all 2004–2008 RX-8s to 8 years or 100,000 miles, covering the rotor housing, internal parts, seals and gaskets. Every eligible car has now passed that time limit.

What engine is in the FD RX-7?

The third-generation FD RX-7 used the 13B-REW twin-rotor rotary with two sequential turbochargers. Mazda USA cites 255 hp. It was sold in the US for 1993–1995 and continued in Japan until 2002.

What is RENESIS?

RENESIS ("rotary engine genesis") is the naturally aspirated 1.3-liter 13B twin-rotor that powered the RX-8. Mazda began producing it in January 2003, and it won the International Engine of the Year award in 2003.

Is Mazda bringing back the rotary?

Mazda says production of rotary-engine vehicles passed two million in 2023, the year the MX-30 R-EV with a rotary generator went into production. At the 2025 Japan Mobility Show it showed the Vision X-Coupe concept, a plug-in hybrid with a two-rotor rotary turbo engine. Mazda has not announced a US rotary model.

Sources

Ratings are Mazda-published figures as cited; descriptions are CarWhere’s own summaries of the sources below. Repair costs appear only where a source states them and vary by shop and region.

  1. Mazda RX-7 Heaven: Legendary Rotary Sports Car — Mazda USA (mazdausa.com)
  2. Mazda Highlights Engineering Innovations at 2017 Japanese Classic Car Show — Mazda North American Operations
  3. Mazda Celebrates 50 Years of Challenging Convention (May 30, 2017) — Mazda North American Operations
  4. History (1920–1979) — Mazda Motor Corporation (mazda.com)
  5. History (1990–1999) — Mazda Motor Corporation (mazda.com)
  6. Fuel economy listing: 1985 Mazda RX-7 — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
  7. Fuel economy listing: 1991 Mazda RX-7 — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
  8. Fuel economy listing: 1992 Mazda RX-7 — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
  9. Fuel economy listing: 1993 Mazda RX-7 — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
  10. 2004 Mazda RX-8 Technical Specifications (PDF) — Mazda North American Operations
  11. 2008 Mazda RX-8: Celebrating 40 Years of Rotary (press release, PDF) — Mazda North American Operations
  12. 2011 RX-8 Features and Specifications (PDF) — Mazda North American Operations
  13. History (2000–2004) — Mazda Motor Corporation (mazda.com)
  14. History (2020–2024) — Mazda Motor Corporation (mazda.com)
  15. All-New Electrified MX-30 Features Mazda's Great Driving Dynamics (Apr. 14, 2021) — Mazda North American Operations
  16. 2023 Mazda MX-30 EV: Pricing and Packaging (Jan. 10, 2023) — Mazda North American Operations
  17. Mazda Presents World Premiere of Two Vision Models at Japan Mobility Show 2025 (Oct. 28, 2025) — Mazda North American Operations
  18. 2004–2008 RX-8 Rotary Engine Core Limited Warranty Extension Program SSP 77 (owner letter, May 2008) — Mazda North American Operations

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Independent reference compiled by CarWhere — not affiliated with or endorsed by Mazda North American Operations or Mazda Motor Corporation. Mazda and the model names are trademarks of their owners.