Mazda MX-5 Best and Worst Years (2006–2025)
Across 2006-2025, the Mazda MX-5 has no Best years; 2008, 2012, and 2014 rate Good with the lowest complaint indexes. 2006, 2016, 2019, and 2023 are the years to avoid, driven by structural, transmission, and airbag issues plus recall activity.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
- Model years
- 20
- 2006–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 154
- Recall campaigns
- 6
- Crashes reported
- 13
- Fires reported
- 0
- Top problem area
- Transmission & Powertrain
MX-5 Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Mazda MX-5 problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Avoid | 79 | 25 | 1 | 0 | 1 | Structure & Body | 24 | — |
| 2007 | Caution | 68 | 17 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Structure & Body | 24 | — |
| 2008 | Good | 47 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Electrical System | 24 | — |
| 2009 | No verdict | 95 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Airbags | 24 | — |
| 2010 | No verdict | 26 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Airbags | 24 | — |
| 2011 | No verdict | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Electrical System | 24 | — |
| 2012 | Good | 42 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Brakes | 24 | — |
| 2013 | No verdict | 11 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Airbags | 24 | — |
| 2014 | Good | 37 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Brakes | 24 | — |
| 2015 | No verdict | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Brakes | 24 | — |
| 2016 | Avoid | 100 | 34 | 3 | 0 | 3 | Transmission & Powertrain | 30 | — |
| 2017 | Caution | 74 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 2 | Visibility & Wipers | 29 | — |
| 2018 | No verdict | 21 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | Electrical System | 29 | — |
| 2019 | Avoid | 89 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 3 | Electrical System | 29.5 | — |
| 2020 | No verdict | 32 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Airbags | 29.5 | — |
| 2021 | No verdict | 16 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Transmission & Powertrain | 29.5 | — |
| 2022 | Caution | 53 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Transmission & Powertrain | 29.5 | — |
| 2023 | Avoid | 84 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | Transmission & Powertrain | 29.5 | — |
| 2024 | Caution | 63 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Electrical System | 29 | — |
| 2025 | No verdict | 58 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Electrical System | 29 | — |
MX-5 years to avoid: what went wrong
2016 Mazda MX-5 Index 100 · 34 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2016 MX-5 has the highest complaint index of any year at 100, with 34 complaints and three recall campaigns. Transmission & Powertrain problems dominate at 32% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 31,500 miles, including reports of gears disintegrating during acceleration. Airbags account for 15% of complaints, including cases where bags failed to deploy in a crash despite dash warnings. Recalls cover a TCM programming defect, a detaching skid plate, and an airbag control module software error. Three crashes and two injuries were reported.
2019 Mazda MX-5 Index 89 · 11 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2019 MX-5 posts a complaint index of 89 with 11 complaints and three recall campaigns. Electrical System issues top the list at 27% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 25,220 miles, alongside brake, engine, and fuel system complaints. Owners described stability control failing to engage during rear-tire spin events and paint chipping issues at low mileage. Three recalls address a TCM software defect, a cracking low-pressure fuel pump impeller, and airbag deployment force. Two crashes and two injuries were reported for the year.
2023 Mazda MX-5 Index 84 · 7 complaints · 1 recalls
The 2023 MX-5 carries a complaint index of 84 from 7 complaints, with Transmission & Powertrain issues making up 57% of the total. Owners reported manual transmission failures at low mileage, including repeated failed synchronizers and unusable 3rd and 4th gears without warning. One recall covers an airbag control module software error that could cause excessive deployment force. One crash and one injury were reported for this year.
2006 Mazda MX-5 Index 79 · 25 complaints · 1 recalls
The 2006 MX-5 carries a complaint index of 79 with 25 total complaints. Structure & Body issues lead at 28% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 31,000 miles; seat belt complaints follow at 16% around 30,000 miles. Owners also reported steering wander requiring constant correction and power windows freezing shut in cold weather. One recall covers a driver-side airbag horn bolt that could fail during deployment. One reported crash and one injury are on record for this year.
Most common Mazda MX-5 problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Transmission & Powertrain31 (20%)
- Structure & Body26 (17%)
- Electrical System25 (16%)
- Airbags22 (14%)
- Other19 (12%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires14 (9%)
- Brakes11 (7%)
- Engine11 (7%)
- Steering10 (6%)
- Visibility & Wipers10 (6%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What years of the Mazda MX-5 should I avoid?
- NHTSA data flags 2006, 2016, 2019, and 2023 as years to avoid, based on higher complaint indexes, structural and transmission problems, and recall campaigns compared to other MX-5 years.
- Which Mazda MX-5 year is best?
- No MX-5 year earns a Best verdict. The lowest-risk years are 2008, 2012, and 2014, which rate Good with complaint indexes of 47, 42, and 37 respectively.
- Is the 2016 Mazda MX-5 reliable?
- The 2016 MX-5 has the highest complaint index of the model at 100, with 34 complaints, three recall campaigns, and transmission problems making up 32% of reported issues.
- Does the Mazda MX-5 have transmission problems?
- Transmission & Powertrain is the top problem area across all MX-5 years, accounting for 31 of 154 total complaints (20%), with 2016 and 2023 showing the heaviest concentration.
- How many recalls does the Mazda MX-5 have?
- NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns across all MX-5 model years covered, including issues with airbags, transmission control modules, fuel pumps, and a detaching skid plate.