AI Damage2022 Mazda MX-5: common problems
Owners of the 2022 Mazda MX-5 filed 5 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and electrical system. The maker issued 167 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 5
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 167
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 60% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 20% of all complaints
- 3 Seats 20% of all complaints
- 4 Forward collision avoidance 20% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 3 complaints (60% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 12.
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (20% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 56.
- Seats: 1 complaints (20% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 10.
- Forward collision avoidance: 1 complaints (20% 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-speednamed in 1 complaints
Drive: RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 5 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 | 3 | 0 | 12 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 56 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 10 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 29 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 19 |
| Wheels | 0 | 0 | 13 |
| Engine | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| Service brakes | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Suspension | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Visibility | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Tires | 0 | 0 | 4 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
On two occasions the vehicle (which is silver--more about that below) has suddenly and without warning activated its emergency braking. The most recent occasion was summer of 2023. On a clear, dry afternoon the system activated while I was at speed on the Suncoast parkway approaching an automatic toll arch.
There was no warning light illuminated. In addition, the rearview would independently turn on and off. The contact stated that unless the mirror was turned off, the steering wheel would become loosened or become difficult to steer. The contact stated that the odometer was inoperable.
On [XXX], at approximately 20,000 miles on the odometer, my 2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata experienced a grind from the transmission while downshifting to third gear at city speeds. I alerted Mazda North American Operations on May 30, 2024. On [XXX], the gearbox began grinding during downshifts into second gear.
Hi Team, I bought a Mazda Miata MX5 RF 2022 and its user manual states the vehicle is to come with LATCH system to attach the child car system. However the LATCH hooks are not present in that car seat. 1) My understanding is that is a legal requirement to provide the LATCH system.
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 1,688 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 20% least complained about).
On average one model year of the MX-5 has 8 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 5, below average.
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.
- Seats. Occupant sensor, power adjustment, seat mounts.
- Forward collision avoidance. Radar and camera: calibration after bumper or windshield replacement.
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 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…
- 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…
- There are wrinkles on the leather seat cushion and/or seat back surface at PDI, when new vehicle is…
There are wrinkles on the leather seat cushion and/or seat back surface at PDI, when new vehicle is delivered, or when new upholstery is installed under Warranty repair. NOTE: This repair is not a permanent fix, it is…
NHTSA lists 167 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 2022 Mazda MX-5?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, electrical system, seats. Total complaints: 5. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: transmission slipping (40%), knocking, grinding or other noise (20%), warning lights, check engine (20%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2022 Mazda MX-5?
NHTSA lists 167 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 2022 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 2022 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.