Skip to content
EnginePart report

2016 Mazda MX-5 Engine Problems

Complaints
2about this part
Share
6%of 34 total for the year
Median mileage
13,025miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the engine of the 2016 Mazda MX-5, 6% of the 34 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 13,025 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
201919%
201626%
2012120%

Other parts of the 2016 Mazda MX-5

Transmission and drivetrain
11 complaints
Other or unknown
7 complaints
Air bags
5 complaints
Electrical system
4 complaints
Body and structure
4 complaints
Exterior lighting
2 complaints
Steering
2 complaints
Wheels
2 complaints
Suspension
1 complaints
Vehicle speed control
1 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2016 Mazda MX-5

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.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology