2016 Mazda MX-5 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 32%of 34 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 31,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2016 Mazda MX-5, 32% of the 34 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 31,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
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.
“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“The car was stationary, in neutral with the parking brake in place when I heard a loud bang and then the next day, the transmission was making an unusual whining noise in third gear while driving on the city and in the highway (during traffic) at around 30-35 MPH. This LED me to suspect that the transmission is having issues and brought it to the dealer a few days later. Even though the loud bang couldn't be replicated, the whining noise was still there and surely enough the transmission was acting funny. …”
NHTSA complaint #10937172, filed 2016-12, 2,360 miles“While driving on a public 2-lane road and upshifting into 3rd gear at about 6,500 RPM my transmission failed. I immediately slowed from about 65 MPH and coasted to a stop. I was lucky that there was a just adequate shoulder, and I was able to avoid being rear-ended by faster traffic. I pulled as far to the right as I could, still withing 4 feet of the pavement. I determined that I could still drive in 1st gear and, driving only on the shoulder, drove the car to a wider, safer spot. A friend came by later with his truck and trailer to take my car to my home. …”
NHTSA complaint #11287640, filed 2019-12, 19,658 miles“While accelerating my transmission gears have disintegrated twice leaving car with no way to use power. Once was a side street, other time I was making a left turn in an intersection.”
NHTSA complaint #10884455, filed 2016-07, 10,000 miles“6 speed manual transmission, vehicle stationary and doesn't want to go into 1st gear and you sometimes must shove it in, intermittent issue. Also a ton of gear whine under moderate throttle in 3rd and 4th gear. Failure mileage is 41,118 miles. Failure of the transmission in gear at speed could result in a catastrophic accident due to loss of forward propulsion. Mazda has released a TSB on this ref is r083/16b and 05-007/16 yet are basically telling me it's up to the NHTSA to recall it or there's nothing they will do until it completely grenades and potentially causes an accident. …”
NHTSA complaint #11321333, filed 2020-04, 40,000 milesRelated recalls
- 19V072000Feb 1, 2019Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2016-2019 MX-5 (Miata) vehicles with automatic transmissions. Due to incorrect programming of the…Covers: Mazda MX-5 2016–2019
Related service bulletins
- 11032003May 1, 2026This bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red. 01-008/23 06/05/23 Some vehicles may exhibit rattling noises from the…
- 11032103Apr 21, 2026This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA listed below: The changes are noted in Red. SA-011/24 02/12/24, 06/06/24, 07/29/24 DESCRIPTION Mazda has developed factory…
- 11026354Nov 27, 2025When inspected, the differential or PTO oil is dark or black. This is considered normal and NO repair should be performed. During production, differential ring and pinion gears…
- 11026350Nov 8, 2025Noise, Vibration, and Harshness (NVH) Diagnostic Guidelines Diagnostic Guidelines When diagnosing NVH concerns, it is essential to first classify the issue into one of three…
- 11026351Nov 6, 2025Some customer's might state that they notice fluid or oil leaking/dripping on the ground when the vehicle is parked. For this concern, inspect the vehicle for any trace of a…
- 11007010Aug 7, 2024Some customer's might state that they notice fluid or oil leaking/dripping on the ground when the vehicle is parked. For this concern, inspect the vehicle for any trace of a…
- 10252507Mar 6, 2024Due to limitations, certain vehicles from 2016 to current models might display an inaccurate transmission part number in the Global Electronic Parts Catalog (GEPC). To provide…
- 10226919Nov 2, 2022Some customers may experience a buzzing or rattle noise when decelerating in 2nd or 3rd gear 2500-3500 RPM. This is caused when the vehicle decelerates, its weight, together with…
- 10215238Jun 7, 2022Service part Automatic Transaxles (ATX) manufactured on or after July, 2018 are shipped with a blank TCM that requires configuration.
- 10209752Mar 9, 2022There have been warranty claims submitted for growling or bearing whine noise in differentials, transfer units and transmissions where the source of the noise was a wheel…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 | 40% |
| 2023 | 4 | 57% |
| 2022 | 3 | 60% |
| 2019 | 2 | 18% |
| 2017 | 1 | 9% |
| 2016 | 11 | 32% |
| 2014 | 1 | 17% |
| 2008 | 1 | 14% |
| 2007 | 1 | 6% |
| 2006 | 3 | 12% |
Other parts of the 2016 Mazda MX-5
7 complaintsAir bags
5 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsEngine
2 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsWheels
2 complaintsSuspension
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaintsVisibility (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 28, 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