Mazda Mx-5 problems

General information about Mazda Mx-5
Mazda Mx-5 years list
Overview of popular issues
Analysis of common problems
Сomplaints list
Recalls list

The Mazda MX-5 is a lightweight two-person sports car manufactured and marketed by Mazda with a front mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout. The convertible is marketed as the Mazda Roadster (マツダ・ロードスター, Matsuda Rōdosutā) or Eunos Roadster (ユーノス・ロードスター, Yūnosu Rōdosutā) in Japan, and as the Mazda Miata (/miˈɑːtə/) in the United States, and formerly in Canada, where it is now marketed as the MX-5 but is still commonly referred to as Miata.

Manufactured at Mazda's Hiroshima plant, the MX-5 debuted in 1989 at the Chicago Auto Show and was conceived and executed under a tightly focused design credo, Jinba ittai (人馬一体), meaning "oneness of horse and rider". Widely noted for its small, light, technologically modern, dynamically balanced and minimally complex design, the MX-5 has frequently been called a spiritual successor to 1950s and '60s Italian and British roadster sports cars. The Lotus Elan was used as a design benchmark.

Generations were internally designated with a two-letter code, beginning with the first generation, the NA. The second generation (NB) launched in 1998 for MY 1999; followed by the third generation (NC) in 2005 for MY 2006, and the fourth generation (ND) in 2015 for MY 2016.

As the best-selling two-seat convertible sports car in history, the MX-5 has been marketed globally, with production exceeding one million, as of early 2016. The name miata derives from Old High German for "reward".

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Common Mazda Mx-5 problems

The Mazda MX-5, also known as the Miata, is a popular two-seat sports car known for its fun driving experience. However, despite Mazda's reputation for building reliable cars, there are a few issues that real owners have reported. Here are some of the common problems with the Mazda MX-5 cars based on complaints from owners:

Roof Leaks: The MX-5 is known for its leak-free roof, but some owners have reported leaks in the roof-folding mechanism, especially in the Coupe Cabriolet. These leaks can cause damp patches and watermarks on seats and carpets. It is essential to check the roof-folding mechanism for any signs of leaks, tears, or damage.
Buzzing Noise: Some owners have reported a strange buzzing noise from near the gearlever when the car is accelerating. Mazda says it's nothing to worry about, but it can be annoying.
Wheel Alignment: The wheels can be incorrectly aligned, causing uneven tyre wear. It is essential to check for any signs of uneven tyre wear and have the wheels aligned if necessary.
Rear Differential Noise: The Mazda MX-5 NC has a common problem in that the rear differential emits a loud whining noise. This issue can be a cause for concern, and it is essential to have it checked by a mechanic.
Squealing Noise: Some owners have reported a squealing noise when moving away from rest quickly. This issue is a source of concern and can be caused by a different part of the drivetrain.
Fuelling System: The fuelling system can cause an annoying stutter when the car is slowing down, which can be more than a bit annoying.
Brake Caliper Seizing: If the car is used rarely, the brake calipers can seize up. This issue can cause the car to pull to one side when braking and can be solved by jacking up the car, setting it on axle stands, removing the wheels, then stripping down and cleaning up the brakes.
Rust: Rust is a significant issue with old MX-5s, and it can affect many different areas of the bodywork, especially around the wheel arches. It is essential to check carefully for any signs of rust.
Fuel Fill Pipe: The fuel system can suddenly become extremely slow to fill, with the pump clicking off frequently and the tank stopping any more fuel being added despite it being a long way from full. The solution is to replace the fuel tank, the fuel filler pipe and the breather pipe.
Shock Absorbers: The shock absorbers can lose their oil, which can compromise the car's handling. Replacement is the key to solving this issue.

In conclusion, while the Mazda MX-5 is a fun and exciting car, it is not immune to problems. Real owners have reported several issues that can affect the car's performance and overall health. By taking the appropriate steps to address these issues, Mazda MX-5 owners can continue to enjoy their cars and have a great driving experience.

Do Mazda MX-5 have problems?

In our 2023 used car reliability survey, the Mazda MX-5 was 10th out of 15 cars in the most reliable used sports car class. It scored 89.7%, a little down on its performance the year before. Mazda performed well in our manufacturer table, too.

Is the Mazda MX-5 a reliable car?

The 2023 Mazda Miata has a predicted reliability score of 79 out of 100. A J.D. Power predicted reliability score of 91-100 is considered the Best, 81-90 is Great, 70-80 is Average and 0-69 is Fair and considered below average.

What to look out for when buying MX-5?

Look at the condition of the belts and ask the owner when they were last changed – if it was more than five years ago budget for a cambelt service in your negotiations. MX5 engines and transmissions are generally tough but do the usual checks for obvious oil leaks in the engine bay and underneath.

How many miles can a Mazda MX5 last?

between 200,000 and 250,000 miles

A Mazda vehicle can last a long time. Mazda vehicles are known for lasting over a decade and between 200,000 and 250,000 miles, with some going even longer than that. The key to a long-lasting Mazda vehicle is to keep it running with proper maintenance and regular service.

Percentage distribution of complaints by Mazda Mx-5 years

We have researched Mazda problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Mazda Mx-5 cars and compiled the top 5 most problematic Mazda Mx-5 model years:

Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Mazda Mx-5 model years.

Distribution of the number of complaints by Mazda Mx-5 years

We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:

Mazda Mx-5 car problems categorized by type of issue

After analysing all complaints related to Mazda Mx-5 , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:

Power train problems
Unknown or other problems
Structure problems
Service brakes problems
Electrical system problems

The graph below shows statistics for all Mazda Mx-5 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

Distribution of the number of complaints where the accident occurred by Mx-5 model years

A total of 3 complaints were registered in which the accident occurred. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.

Distribution of the number of complaints with injuries by Mx-5 model years

There were a total of 2 complaints that resulted in a injuries. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.

The NHTSA has received 59 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Mazda Mx-5 . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Mazda Mx-5 vehicles.

Latest 25 complaints

Mazda Mx-5 2016

Date Of Incident: 2024-09-24
Date Complaint: 2024-09-24
VIN: JM1NDAC73G0
Components: AIR BAGS
Summary: The contact owns a 2016 Mazda MX-5. The contact received notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

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Mazda Mx-5 2018

Date Of Incident: 2024-04-28
Date Complaint: 2024-06-19
VIN: JM1NDAC75J0
Components: POWER TRAIN
Summary: 2018 Mazda Miata MX-5 Club Sport, manual transmission Heading home from a friends house that evening, transmission started whirring/whining in 6th gear, then 5th, and so on through 2nd - 1st gear seems to be unaffected. I was forced to apply hazard flashers and travel well below the speed limit in the right lane of the PA turnpike until I made my way to local roads. As I got closer to home, there was also a slight crunch between gears. All of the symptoms above got worse until arriving home, where the vehicle was parked to await diagnosis/repair. 2016+ Mazda Miata MX-5 manual transmissions are infamous for being fragile, but I never expected my transmission to fail before I reached 20,000 miles on the odometer. Mazda also refused to refund it due to my car being just months out of warranty. I am now out $2000+ from sourcing a new transmission and having it installed on a relatively new car, which is unheard of.

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Mazda Mx-5 2016

Date Of Incident: 2024-03-15
Date Complaint: 2024-06-19
VIN: JM1NDAC73G0
Components: POWER TRAIN
Summary: 6 speed manual transmission failure at 59,000 miles Started not shifting into 3rd, then shortly after, the transmission locked up in a intersection. Which stalled the vehicle out. Was able to move the vehicle by hand, out of heavy traffic. Since this effects all ND1, ND2 and ND3 manual transmissions. I dropped and changed it for a used one. While I rebuild the original. As I am also outside of warranty.

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Mazda Mx-5 2022

Date Of Incident: 2024-04-01
Date Complaint: 2024-06-18
VIN: JM1NDAD7XN0
Components: POWER TRAIN
Summary: Transmission failure due to bad synchros

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Mazda Mx-5 2022

Date Of Incident: 2024-05-30
Date Complaint: 2024-06-18
VIN: JM1NDAD70N0
Components: POWER TRAIN
Summary: Manual transmission synchronizers fail, causing erratic gear shift operation and the inability to change gears, which could result in an accident. The ND Mazda Miata Owners Group on Facebook has polled its owners and found a 10% failure rate of manual transmissions among owners in the group who required replacement of the transmission. On [XXX], at approximately 20,000 miles on the odometer, my 2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata experienced a grind from the transmission while downshifting to third gear at city speeds. I alerted Mazda North American Operations on May 30, 2024. On [XXX], the gearbox began grinding during downshifts into second gear. My car entered service at Mazda of Knoxville around June 3, 2024. Mazda of Knoxville confirmed that the vehicle required transmission replacement. Parts were not immediately available, and due to a work assignment in Des Moines, I had to drive the vehicle to Iowa. On [XXX], I noticed fourth gear began grinding during upshifts. On June 10, 2024, the vehicle entered Ramsey Mazda of Des Moines for service. Mazda North American Operations did not immediately approve repair, stating that their engineering department requested information from Mazda of Knoxville and is reviewing the claim. I am still awaiting an update. The vehicle is available for NHTSA inspection at Ramsey Mazda in Des Moines. Manual transmission failures are a serial problem for the ND-chassis Mazda MX-5 Miata since the 2016 model year, with significant failure rates reported among owners for 2016, 2017, 2022 and 2023 model years. Symptoms begin with difficulty upshifting to third gear that feels like a blocked shift gate. Grinding in the transmission soon leads to complete failure, which causes loss of throttle control and could result in an accident. My inability to select the correct gear impeded my ability to maintain safe speeds. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

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Mazda Mx-5 2016

Date Of Incident: 2023-12-07
Date Complaint: 2024-01-05
VIN: JM1NDAD70G0
Components: POWER TRAIN
Summary: On December 7, 2023 at approximately 10:30pm, I was traveling west bound on [XXX] . Suddenly, there was a loud thumping noise from under the passenger seat. After about 10 seconds, it escalated to an extremely loud banging and the smell of oil. Not a single warning light appeared on my dashboard. I immediately attempted to pull off the road. This area is in the middle of a mesa with no streetlights and a speed of a 65mph road. I immediately put on my hazard lights and was stranded. The dangerousness of this situation was insurmountable. I was in a 2 seated convertible, partially on the road with no streetlights as cars and trucks flew by me at speeds above 65mph. Had I been hit from behind; I would have been killed instantaneously. I contacted AAA for emergency towing. The tow truck was deployed. In the meantime, I sat there helplessly. A passerby stopped to try to help but was unable to get the car to roll to a safe area off the road. Time passed. About an hour later, I called AAA again stating the dire need for assistance and the call was elevated to emergency. At this time a police officer drove by. I explained the situation and he parked behind me with lights on, potentially stopping a fatal situation. The tow truck finally arrived, and my car was towed to the address on my warranty above. I contacted Southern Automotive in Rio Rancho and was placed on a wait list for the car to be seen. I contacted CareGuard and they stated I could take the car to any automotive place for repair that was qualified to work on a Mazda. I confirmed this with Southern Automotive. They are AAA qualified, and service qualified for Mazda. They were not able to get the car in until 12/18/23. The car sat in my garage. On 12/18/23, Southern Automotive sent a tow truck to pick up the car. On Tuesday, 12/19/23, I received a call from Cody at Southern Automotive. The car had had a “catastrophic event in the rear differential” INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

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Mazda Mx-5 2016

Date Of Incident: 2017-07-01
Date Complaint: 2023-07-18
VIN: JM1NDAD72G0
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Summary: I recently bought a used 2016 Mazda Miata convertible, and when the convertible top is up, the inner liner droops down and obscures about 1/4 to 1/3 of the rear window. I looked online for this problem and found that there are lots of 2016 Mazda Convertible Owners with the same problem. There are some fixes posted online about the problem, but many of the folks doing the fixes report that the problem reoccurs after the fix. Is there a NTSB bulleting about this problem? The rear window in a 2016 Mazda convertible is small enough to start with, let alone having a goodly portion of it obscured by the drooping headliner.

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Mazda Mx-5 2016

Date Of Incident: 2023-04-10
Date Complaint: 2023-04-10
VIN: JM1NDAC79G0
Components: STEERING
Summary: Steering: At 55+ MPH I feel a slight bind when I make a steering change. It then releases only after I've put in too much steering correction. This occurs when in a steady direction, or whether I'm in a steady, high speed turn. It feels like a snapping rubber band. You can read about other Miata drivers who have the same issue at: miata.net in the forum. The link: https://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=714849&highlight=steering+stick

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Mazda Mx-5 2014

Date Of Incident: 2023-03-17
Date Complaint: 2023-04-02
VIN: JM1NC2PFXE0
Components: SUSPENSION
Summary: All four sway bar links went bad at once.

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Mazda Mx-5 2015

Date Of Incident: 2022-12-04
Date Complaint: 2022-12-14
VIN: JM1NC2MF7F0
Components: SERVICE BRAKES,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Summary: There were two separate incidents on the same day, Sunday, December 4, 2022. I rounded a corner on a city street (Goodfish Farm Road), which is parallel to the Wal-Mart shopping center in Albeny, Oregon. USA. When I applied the brake the car “floored it.” I pushed the brake pedal hard with my right foot and car rushed a little but came back under control, It scared me and I did a mental note to check the floor pads. I pulled on into the larking lot without incident and went on with my shopping. About an hour later I got back into the car drive about 11 miles hone in it without incident until I drive down my driveway, applied the brake to stop at my house, and the car repeated it’s performance. This time it was in gravel, so it dug through about 8 inches of top gravel and dug out 10” inch bedrock from the driveway.

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Mazda Mx-5 2022

Date Of Incident: 2022-08-21
Date Complaint: 2022-10-16
VIN: JM1NDAM78N0
Components: SEATS
Summary: Hi Team, I bought a Mazda Miata MX5 RF 2022 and its user manual states the vehicle is to come with LATCH system to attach the child car system. However the LATCH hooks are not present in that car seat. 1) My understanding is that is a legal requirement to provide the LATCH system. Could you please clarify if that is the case? 2) If there is a discrepancy between what is specified in the user manual and what is actually in the car (for the Child Seat LATCH), will the manufacturer be required to install it for me? 3) It will be helpful if you can share the options I have to get the Child Car Restraint installed? Best [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

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Mazda Mx-5 2021

Date Of Incident: 2022-08-18
Date Complaint: 2022-08-18
VIN: JM1NDAC77M0
Components: POWER TRAIN
Summary: The contact owns a 2021 Mazda MX-5. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and a burning odor was detected. The failure nearly caused a collision. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the clutch had melted and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 1,000.

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Mazda Mx-5 2016

Date Of Incident: 2022-08-07
Date Complaint: 2022-08-11
VIN: Jm1ndac77g0
Components: STRUCTURE
Summary: The top windshield trim piece popped off while on the highway. The windshield has never been replaced and this trim piece has never been removed. All but one of the clips failed.

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Mazda Mx-5 2019

Date Of Incident: 2022-01-01
Date Complaint: 2022-06-22
VIN: JM1NDAM74K0
Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Summary: The contact owns a 2019 Mazda MX-5. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V875000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

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Mazda Mx-5 2016

Date Of Incident: 2022-05-01
Date Complaint: 2022-05-16
Crash: 1
VIN: JM1NDAC74G0
Components: AIR BAGS
Summary: I was in an accident on May 1st 2022. I was traveling south when another car hit me. The airbags didn't deploy at all none of them did you can see from the pics and video I have attached and hear the audio from my dash cam saying the airbag deployment was detected but no airbags came out. (Dash cam video won't upload but I can email or text it if needed) the car is currently at the Ken garff Honda body shop in Riverdale Utah.

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Latest 5 recalls Mazda Mx-5

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 14 recalls for different components of the Mazda Mx-5.You can explore the year of the Volkswagen Jetta you are interested in by selecting it from the list.

Model: Mazda Mx-5 2022
Report Received Date: 2024-09-18
Manufacturer: Mazda North American Operations
Components: AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE
Summary: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2016-2023 MX-5 Miata vehicles. A software error in the air bag control module may cause the front air bags to deploy with excessive force during a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Consequence: An air bag that deploys with excessive force can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the Sophisticated Air Bag Sensor (SAS) control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 17, 2024. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 6924I.

Model: Mazda Mx-5 2019
Report Received Date: 2024-09-18
Manufacturer: Mazda North American Operations
Components: AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE
Summary: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2016-2023 MX-5 Miata vehicles. A software error in the air bag control module may cause the front air bags to deploy with excessive force during a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Consequence: An air bag that deploys with excessive force can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the Sophisticated Air Bag Sensor (SAS) control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 17, 2024. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 6924I.

Model: Mazda Mx-5 2018
Report Received Date: 2024-09-18
Manufacturer: Mazda North American Operations
Components: AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE
Summary: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2016-2023 MX-5 Miata vehicles. A software error in the air bag control module may cause the front air bags to deploy with excessive force during a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Consequence: An air bag that deploys with excessive force can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the Sophisticated Air Bag Sensor (SAS) control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 17, 2024. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 6924I.

Model: Mazda Mx-5 2017
Report Received Date: 2024-09-18
Manufacturer: Mazda North American Operations
Components: AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE
Summary: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2016-2023 MX-5 Miata vehicles. A software error in the air bag control module may cause the front air bags to deploy with excessive force during a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Consequence: An air bag that deploys with excessive force can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the Sophisticated Air Bag Sensor (SAS) control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 17, 2024. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 6924I.

Model: Mazda Mx-5 2016
Report Received Date: 2024-09-18
Manufacturer: Mazda North American Operations
Components: AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE
Summary: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2016-2023 MX-5 Miata vehicles. A software error in the air bag control module may cause the front air bags to deploy with excessive force during a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Consequence: An air bag that deploys with excessive force can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the Sophisticated Air Bag Sensor (SAS) control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 17, 2024. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 6924I.