AI Damage2019 Mazda MX-5: common problems
Owners of the 2019 Mazda MX-5 filed 11 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and structure. The maker issued 206 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 11
- involving a crash
- 2
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 206
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 27% of all complaints
- 2 Structure 18% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 18% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 18% of all complaints
- 5 Steering 18% of all complaints
- 6 Fuel system 18% of all complaints
- 7 Engine 9% of all complaints
- 8 Wheels 9% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 3 complaints (27% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 68.
- Structure: 2 complaints (18% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 19.
- Powertrain: 2 complaints (18% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 16.
- Service brakes: 2 complaints (18% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 9.
- Steering: 2 complaints (18% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 7.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- automatic, 6-speed
- manual, 6-speed
Drive: RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 11 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 3 | 1 | 68 |
| Structure | 2 | 1 | 19 |
| Powertrain | 2 | 1 | 16 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 1 | 9 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 7 |
| Fuel system | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Engine | 1 | 1 | 11 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 10 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Air bags | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 76 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 21 |
| Visibility | 0 | 0 | 8 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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…
On the Dash the amber ABS light came on as well as the red Brake light and they stayed on for a couples and I took it to the shop and they said it was the "Steering Angle Sensor" and they changed it and the lights came back on a day later and they took another look from head to toe and they couldn't find a reason why…
While driving 65 mph,I lost power steering control then the electronics system shut down momentarily then it restarted itself and made to destination.Next morning, I tried to drive the car but the steering wasn't working. Later on that day ,I checked it again then it worked.
I've had the car about 4,500 miles. No problems. Current mileage is 8899. Drove about 30 miles. 88 degrees. Humid. Dry. Slowed and turned right into my driveway. Stopped to run and open the garage. Standard tranny.
The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V875000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.
Seat belts fail to retract or tighten properly. I have to hand feed the belt slowly back into the housing when I put the seat belt on to get it to properly tighten. It also fails to retract when I remove the belt, once I got caught in the loop almost falling onto pavement when I was exiting the vehicle.
The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle began to lose power with the check engine and traction control warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact was able to drive the vehicle home and called the manufacturer to schedule an appointment to have the recall serviced.
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.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 1,457 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 31% least complained about).
On average one model year of the MX-5 has 8 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 11, above average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, DTC(s) stored...),…
If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, DTC(s) stored...), interview the customer before proceeding with normal MGSS diagnosis by asking if any aftermarket devices have been…
- Some vehicles may exhibit scratches (1) on the rear of the seat back bar garnish (2) from contact with the…
Some vehicles may exhibit scratches (1) on the rear of the seat back bar garnish (2) from contact with the convertible top (3). Due to assembly variations, the clearance between the seat back bar garnish and the…
- Some vehicles may require the replacement of a damaged VIN plate or vehicle certification label
To obtain a replacement VIN plate (bulkhead-mounted and visible through the lower-left area of the windshield), contact DAG (Dealer Assistance Group) using VIN Plate Request Form available on One Mazda. To obtain a…
- Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems
Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as cited in the vehicle-specific workshop manual or owner's manual. Services performed outside of Mazda's factory scheduled maintenance are not…
- If an engine assembly is replaced after a catastrophic internal mechanical failure, clean the intake…
If an engine assembly is replaced after a catastrophic internal mechanical failure, clean the intake manifold internally before installing a replacement engine assembly. If the intake manifold is not cleaned properly…
- Some customers may complain that the front passenger seat belt warning light flashes and the seat belt…
Some customers may complain that the front passenger seat belt warning light flashes and the seat belt warning beep is activated, even though there is no occupant in the front passenger seat. When a passenger seat…
- Some vehicles may exhibit rattling noises from the engine compartment and oil leakage from the drive belt…
Some vehicles may exhibit rattling noises from the engine compartment and oil leakage from the drive belt auto tensioner. This may be caused by insufficient sealing at the drive belt auto tensioner damper when the auto…
- There is a concern that some water pumps are being replaced that are not faulty, due to signs of a very…
There is a concern that some water pumps are being replaced that are not faulty, due to signs of a very small coolant leak from the bleed hole. This Service Alert is to inform you about the water pump sealing mechanism…
- There are currently 2 methods for cutting a new auxiliary key blank
A. Auxiliary Key Trace Cut Method • B. Auxiliary Key Code Cut Method 2019 and newer models require a 10-digit key code to accurately cut keys • 5-digit codes CANNOT be provided for 2019 and newer vehicles (the…
- Some customers may report an odor or water in the HVAC system and upon inspection, the cabin air filter…
Some customers may report an odor or water in the HVAC system and upon inspection, the cabin air filter may be found to be wet.
- Some vehicles may exhibit the power window(s) not working properly (window does not move or has fallen…
Some vehicles may exhibit the power window(s) not working properly (window does not move or has fallen into the door) and/or making an abnormal noise while operating the power window switch. This may be caused by the…
- If the right-side Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) control module is replaced for any reason, it is also…
If the right-side Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) control module is replaced for any reason, it is also necessary to replace the left-side BSM control module in order to complete the radar aiming procedure. If the…
NHTSA lists 206 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2019 Mazda MX-5?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, structure, powertrain. Total complaints: 11. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (18%), windows, sunroof (18%), loss of power / limp mode (9%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2019 Mazda MX-5?
NHTSA lists 206 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2019 Mazda MX-5 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2019 models
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.