Mazda MX-5 Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 133 consumer complaints across the 11 model years of the Mazda MX-5 (2006–2024) that have at least 5 complaints. 2016 has the most, with 34. Across all years, the part named most often is transmission and drivetrain (29 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All MX-5 model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 5 | 14,408 | 1 | 134 | — | Too new |
| 2023 | 7 | — | 1 | 118 | — | Too new |
| 2022 | 5 | 14,000 | 1 | 167 | — | Not enough data |
| 2019 | 11 | 24,110 | 3 | 301 | — | Not enough data |
| 2017 | 11 | 8,150 | 2 | 415 | — | Not enough data |
| 2016 | 34 | 21,829 | 3 | 522 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Falling |
| 2014 | 6 | 800 | 0 | 184 | — | Not enough data |
| 2012 | 5 | 450 | 0 | 207 | — | Not enough data |
| 2008 | 7 | 40,000 | 0 | 201 | — | Not enough data |
| 2007 | 17 | 11,876 | 0 | 200 | — | Stable |
| 2006 | 25 | 20,000 | 1 | 170 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Transmission and drivetrain29 23%
- Body and structure19 15%
- Electrical system18 14%
- Other or unknown17 14%
- Air bags16 13%
- Steering10 8.0%
- Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)9 7.2%
- Brakes7 5.6%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2017: “When using android auto while the vehicle is in motion the touchscreen is disabled which means I need my eyes on the screen to watch the selection move by turning the selection wheel rather than just touching the screen. I think this is much more of a distraction. Other car models allow touchscreen use.”
NHTSA complaint #11155804, filed 2018-12, 8,000 miles2019: “In oct. Of 2018, I purchased a Mazda with yokohama advan sport v105, 195/50r16, 84v tires. These were the standard tires that came on the car. Now some 15,832 miles later and less than 3 yrs., I am told that they have micro cracks and should be replaced. Closer research revealed that these are summer tires that flexing of the specialized rubber compounds used in max performance summer tires during cold-weather use can result in irreversible compound cracking. …”
NHTSA complaint #11415450, filed 2021-05, 15,832 miles2006: “Same problem as many of the other people on this website. The drainage system for the canvas convertible is problematic. Having water in your vehicle as well as in the trunk. Could this cause electrical problem? Not sure. It can certainly cause black mold , and I have respiratory difficulties as it is! In my case, the inside of car was musty for many months (6+). …”
NHTSA complaint #10659886, filed 2014-11, 100,200 milesOther Mazda models
3,125 complaintsMazda MAZDA3
2,991 complaintsMazda CX-5
2,469 complaintsMazda MAZDA6
2,232 complaintsMazda Tribute
2,098 complaintsMazda CX-9
1,493 complaintsMazda CX-7
1,133 complaintsMazda Protege
1,074 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology