AI Damage2020 Mazda MX-5: common problems
Owners of the 2020 Mazda MX-5 filed 3 complaints with NHTSA, most often about air bags and fuel/propulsion system. The maker issued 241 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 3
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 241
What fails most often
- 1 Air bags 67% of all complaints
- 2 Fuel/propulsion system 33% of all complaints
- Air bags: 2 complaints (67% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 1 complaints (33% of all).
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 3 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 84 |
| Electrical system | 0 | 0 | 81 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 26 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 21 |
| Powertrain | 0 | 0 | 16 |
| Service brakes | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| Wheels | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| Seats | 0 | 0 | 11 |
| Engine | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| Visibility | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| Suspension | 0 | 0 | 6 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Recall has been open for two years and Mazda still hasn't provided the tools to dealerships to fix it. Mazda keeps emailing to go to a dealership but they they have to turn you away as they are unable to repair the vehicle.
Mazda and NHTSA have sent out multiple notices calling owner to go to dealers to have the recall remediated. If one schedules to go to a dealership they are informed that Mazda does not yet have a tool available to remedy the issue. I've been on a waiting list for over 4 months and no tool is available yet.
Since car was inoperable it was towed to nearby reputable mechanic and per the mechanic fuel pump has failed. Same fuel pump has been recalled by other manufacturers and hundreds of thousands of 2018-2019 mx5's have been recalled due to a similar defective fuel pump.
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 1,806 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 14% least complained about).
On average one model year of the MX-5 has 8 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 3, below average.
What to check before buying
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- 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.
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…
- The Mazda DCA-8000 is required for all warranty battery testing
If the Mazda DCA-8000 is not used, incorrect battery testing may result in unnecessary battery replacement. Use the following test procedures in this Service Bulletin to test Mazda vehicle batteries and to generate a…
- 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 customers may experience all of following symptoms
The door lock/unlock operation will not work using the remote transmitter button. 1. The door lock/unlock operation will not work using the door lock/release touch sensor. 2. The engine will not start using 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 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…
NHTSA lists 241 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 2020 Mazda MX-5?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: air bags, fuel/propulsion system. Total complaints: 3. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: fuel system, fuel smell (33%), loss of power / limp mode (33%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2020 Mazda MX-5?
NHTSA lists 241 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 2020 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 2020 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.