YearToAvoid

2009 Mazda MX-5 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

No verdict

Complaint Index

95/100

#2 most-complained of 20 MX-5 years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2009 Mazda MX-5 has 3 owner complaints and 0 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 95 out of 100 — #2 highest of 20 MX-5 model years. The most reported problem area is airbags (2 complaints, 67% of the total). Complaints report 2 crashes and 4 injuries.

Complaints
3
Recalls
0
Crashes / fires
2 / 0
Injuries / deaths
4 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
24
21 city / 28 hwy

Top 2009 Mazda MX-5 problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Airbags2 (67%)
  2. Electrical System1 (33%)
  3. Structure & Body1 (33%)
2009 Mazda MX-5 complaints: complaints filed per month2Aug 2014May 2020
4 complaints filed with NHTSA from Aug 2014 to May 2020; peak Aug 2014 (2).

2009 Mazda MX-5 recalls

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

2009 Mazda MX-5 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
21 MPG
Highway
28 MPG
Combined
24 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,300
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2009 compared with other MX-5 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2007Caution6817024
2008Good477024
2009No verdict953024
2010No verdict264024
2011No verdict51024

All Mazda MX-5 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2009 Mazda MX-5 a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2009 Mazda MX-5 ranks #2 of 20 among MX-5 model years (Complaint Index 95/100). It has 3 complaints and 0 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Mazda MX-5?
The most reported problem areas are airbags (2 complaints), electrical system (1 complaints), and structure & body (1 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 90,000 miles.
Does the 2009 Mazda MX-5 have any recalls?
No safety recall campaigns list the 2009 Mazda MX-5 in NHTSA’s recall database at the time of the last data update.
What is the fuel economy of the 2009 Mazda MX-5?
EPA rates the 2009 Mazda MX-5 at 24 MPG combined (21 city / 28 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,300. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.