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Mazda MX-5Model year report

2016 Mazda MX-5 Problems

Complaints
34filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
21,829miles, 22 complaints with mileage
Recalls
3campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
30 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl RWD · 27 city / 34 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2016 Mazda MX-5 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 34 consumer complaints for the 2016 Mazda MX-5. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 11 complaints (32% of the total), followed by other or unknown (7) and air bags (5). 22 of the complaints include a mileage, and 77% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 21,829 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 522 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) and 34 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Other or unknown complaints overlap with 44 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Vehicle speed control (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).

Example complaints

Transmission and drivetrain: “Transmission is made of weak grade materials and running at high temps causing the transmission to fail randomly while driving. I am on my second transmission and Mazda fails to help or address the concern. The problem has been proven by many shops at this point and most importantly by a Mazda engineer on a youtube video. This Mazda engineer specifically states that weak tolerances are causing manual transmissions to shear teeth under load. Both times my transmissions parts exploded I was at speed. …”

NHTSA complaint #11208153, filed 2019-05, 80,000 miles

Other or unknown: “Car was in motion, while driving the car the red key light on the engine start button started flashing. When we got home the car would not turn off. Also couldn't shift the car. Finally got the car to turn off and when we started the car again the check engine light came on. Car dealership found several codes stored, but could not find the problem. Believe this is a serious safety issue with red warning lights start flashing when driving, car would not turn off and we could not shift the car.”

NHTSA complaint #11099285, filed 2018-06, 25,850 miles

Air bags: “I had a car accident on 13 nov 2016 whereby the vehicle rolled several times down a steep incline. None of the airbags were deployed. My spinal cord was fractured and my skull cracked.”

NHTSA complaint #10927258, filed 2016-11, 1,900 miles

Electrical system: “Spider cracking on center display Mazda service bulletin r018/18. Since vehicle is out of warranty will not repair even though it was a noted mfg defect. Should be a safety issue as screen will become on readable and safety is a 5 yr warranty adv no. Mazda should of notified owners of this issue did not.”

NHTSA complaint #11386764, filed 2021-01, 9,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

77% of the 22 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 5,200 and 49,000 miles.

41%0–1014%10–2523%25–5014%50–759%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (22 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 21,829 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

201652018520205202220242026
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2016 Mazda MX-5 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
MX-5 RWD2.0L 4-cyl6-speed manual273430$2,750
MX-5 RWD2.0L 4-cyl6-speed automatic263630$2,750

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2016 Mazda MX-5 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 522 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 522 bulletins →

Other model years of the Mazda MX-5

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2024514,4081—29—Too new
20237—1—30—Too new
2022514,0001—30—Not enough data
20191124,1103—30—Not enough data
2017118,1502—29—Not enough data
20163421,8293—30Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Falling
201468000—24—Not enough data
201254500—24—Not enough data
2008740,0000—24—Not enough data
20071711,8760—24—Stable
20062520,0001—24Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Mazda MX-5 model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2016 Mazda MX-5 have?

NHTSA recorded 34 consumer complaints for the 2016 Mazda MX-5 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2016 Mazda MX-5 is reported most often?

Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 11 complaints (32% of the total), followed by other or unknown with 7.

Has the 2016 Mazda MX-5 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2016 Mazda MX-5 get?

The EPA rates the 2016 Mazda MX-5 (MX-5, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 30 mpg combined, 27 city and 34 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,750 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2016 Mazda MX-5 reported?

Among the 22 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 21,829 miles and the middle half falls between 5,200 and 49,000 miles; 77% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.