AI DamageMazda MX-5: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Mazda MX-5 across 11 model years: 83 owner complaints and 499 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 30% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 14% of all complaints
- 3 Air bags 12% of all complaints
- 4 Structure 8% of all complaints
- 5 Steering 8% of all complaints
- 6 Visibility 7% of all complaints
- 7 Engine 5% of all complaints
- 8 Exterior lighting 5% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 25 complaints (30% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 141.
- Electrical system: 12 complaints (14% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 701.
- Air bags: 10 complaints (12% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 9.
- Structure: 7 complaints (8% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 202.
- Steering: 7 complaints (8% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 67.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.6 L · petrol · 4 cyl 1990–1993
- 1.8 L · petrol · 4 cyl 1994–2005
- 1.8 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl 2004–2005
- 2 L · petrol · 4 cyl 2006–2026named in 1 complaints
- automatic, 4-speed 1990–2005
- automatic, 6-speed 2006–2026
- manual, 5-speed 1990–2015named in 12 complaints
- manual, 6-speed 1999–2026named in 12 complaints
Drive: RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 83 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 25 | 2 | 141 |
| Electrical system | 12 | 2 | 701 |
| Air bags | 10 | 4 | 9 |
| Structure | 7 | 1 | 202 |
| Steering | 7 | 1 | 67 |
| Visibility | 6 | 0 | 73 |
| Engine | 4 | 1 | 128 |
| Exterior lighting | 4 | 0 | 49 |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 0 | 6 |
| Wheels | 3 | 0 | 108 |
| Service brakes | 3 | 1 | 95 |
| Seat belts | 3 | 0 | 28 |
| Fuel system | 2 | 0 | 6 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 73 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
“Power Steering Malfunction” light came on, then suddenly after 1 second, the car’s steering went stiff and suddenly braked while at freeway speed flow of traffic. Car then sharply veered left into center divider due to automatic sudden braking with no control of the steering wheel
The vehicle hit a telephone pole that was rotted from termite infestation which shattered into three pieces (one piece landing on the cars windshield frame and driver roll bar hoop) . He impacted the airbags and had an unstable anterior fracture of the c5 vertebrae and a stable posterior fracture of the C5 vertebrae.
There were no warning lights illuminated. The driver’s and passenger’s side air bags deployed in the minor collision. No police report was filed. The contact did not sustain any injuries. No one else was injured. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired.
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.
My arm is slightly bruised from it being swung to the right and hitting the passenger window. The airbags were not deployed at all. However, the damage done to the car is, left lower control arm scratched/scuffed/damaged, the passenger side mirror broken off, the passenger door dented inwards, the side skirt (the part…
After driving on slight up or down hill with headlights on, I'm getting Headlight malfunction warning on my almost brand new (700 miles) Miata.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Index General Questions MAZDA CONNECT Indication Setup and Getting…
- If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, DTC(s) stored...),…
- Some customers may complain about any of the following
- Customers having MAZDA CONNECT concerns should have their vehicle repaired using the following repair…
- Some customers may complain about any of the following
- Some customers may complain about the infotainment system and/or the MyMazda App showing incorrect clock…
- Some vehicles may continue to display the recall notification "IMPORTANT NOTICE
- Some customers may complain that the Adaptive LED Headlights (ALH) aim upward for several seconds just…
- Some customers may complain about any of the following
- Mazda Connect Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Index General Questions MAZDA CONNECT Indication Setup and…
- If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, DTC(s) stored...),…
- Some customers may experience a Connected Vehicle failure
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.