Mazda MX-5 Best and Worst Years (2010–2025)
Mazda MX-5 years to avoid are 2016, 2017, 2019, and 2023, based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls. 2016 leads with 34 complaints and a complaint index of 100, driven mostly by transmission and airbag issues. No year in this dataset earns a top 'Best' verdict; 2012, 2022, and 2024 fall into 'Caution'.
- Model years
- 16
- 2010–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 102
- Recall campaigns
- 5
- Crashes reported
- 8
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | No verdict | 33 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Airbags | 24 | — |
| 2011 | No verdict | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Electrical System | 24 | — |
| 2012 | Caution | 53 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Brakes | 24 | — |
| 2013 | No verdict | 20 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Airbags | 24 | — |
| 2014 | Good | 47 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Brakes | 24 | — |
| 2015 | No verdict | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Brakes | 24 | — |
| 2016 | Avoid | 100 | 34 | 3 | 0 | 3 | Transmission & Powertrain | 30 | — |
| 2017 | Avoid | 80 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 2 | Visibility & Wipers | 29 | — |
| 2018 | No verdict | 27 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | Electrical System | 29 | — |
| 2019 | Avoid | 87 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 3 | Electrical System | 29.5 | — |
| 2020 | No verdict | 40 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Airbags | 29.5 | — |
| 2021 | No verdict | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Transmission & Powertrain | 29.5 | — |
| 2022 | Caution | 60 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Transmission & Powertrain | 29.5 | — |
| 2023 | Avoid | 93 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | Transmission & Powertrain | 29.5 | — |
| 2024 | Caution | 73 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Electrical System | 29 | — |
| 2025 | No verdict | 67 | 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
2016 has the most complaints of any MX-5 year, 34, and the highest complaint index, 100. Transmission & Powertrain problems make up 32% of its complaints, with a median failure mileage of 31,500. Owners also reported airbag issues (15%, median 30,950 miles) and electrical faults (15%, median 17,425 miles). NHTSA lists three recalls for this year covering airbag control module software, a detaching skid plate, and incorrect transmission control module programming. Some owners reported gear damage during acceleration and airbags that failed to deploy in a crash.
2023 Mazda MX-5 Index 93 · 7 complaints · 1 recalls
2023 has a complaint index of 93 from 7 complaints, with Transmission & Powertrain problems making up 57% of them. Owners described manual transmission failures at low mileage, including synchronizer failure requiring transmission replacement, and difficulty completing gear changes without warning. One airbag-related crash complaint was also filed. NHTSA lists one recall for this year, covering the airbag control module software error shared with 2016-2023 models.
2019 Mazda MX-5 Index 87 · 11 complaints · 3 recalls
2019 shows a complaint index of 87 across 11 complaints. Electrical System problems lead at 27% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 24,110. Owners also reported brake, engine, and fuel system concerns. NHTSA lists three recalls: the airbag control module software fix, a low-pressure fuel pump impeller recall, and the transmission control module reprogramming recall shared with 2016-2019 models. Some owners reported stability control not engaging during rear-tire spin and paint chipping on the hood.
2017 Mazda MX-5 Index 80 · 11 complaints · 2 recalls
2017 carries a complaint index of 80 with 11 complaints. Visibility & Wipers issues account for 36% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 8,150. Owners described convertible top headliners coming unfastened and blocking rear visibility, plus brake and steering warning lights appearing together, including power steering malfunction alerts. NHTSA lists two recalls for this year: the airbag control module software update and the transmission control module reprogramming fix.
Most common Mazda MX-5 problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Transmission & Powertrain26 (25%)
- Electrical System16 (16%)
- Airbags13 (13%)
- Other11 (11%)
- Structure & Body11 (11%)
- Engine10 (10%)
- Brakes9 (9%)
- Visibility & Wipers8 (8%)
- Steering7 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires7 (7%)
Frequently asked questions
- What year Mazda MX-5 should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, 2016, 2017, 2019, and 2023 are the MX-5 years to avoid relative to other years. 2016 has the highest complaint index at 100 with 34 complaints, the most of any year covered.
- Is the 2016 Mazda MX-5 reliable?
- The 2016 MX-5 has the highest complaint index (100) and complaint count (34) of any year in the dataset, with transmission and powertrain issues making up 32% of those complaints. It also carries three recalls, including one for transmission control module programming.
- Does the Mazda MX-5 have a transmission recall?
- Yes. NHTSA campaign 19V072000 covers 2016-2019 MX-5 automatic transmission vehicles due to incorrect Transmission Control Module programming. Transmission & Powertrain is also the top complaint area overall, accounting for 25% of all 102 complaints across model years.
- What is the best year for the Mazda MX-5?
- No year in this dataset carries a 'Best' verdict. 2012, 2022, and 2024 are marked 'Caution', while 2014 has a 'Good' verdict with a complaint index of 47 and 6 complaints.
- Does the Mazda MX-5 have an airbag recall?
- Yes. NHTSA campaign 24V695000 covers 2016-2023 MX-5 Miata vehicles for a software error that may cause front airbags to deploy with excessive force. Airbags account for 13% of all complaints across the model, 13 total.