YearToAvoid

2016 Mazda MX-5 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

100/100

#1 most-complained of 16 MX-5 years

The 2016 Mazda MX-5 ranks worst (1 of 16 model years) with a Complaint Index of 100, 34 complaints, and 3 recalls covering airbags, transmission, and a skid plate. Transmission & Powertrain issues lead at 32% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 21,829 miles.

Complaints
34
Recalls
3
Crashes / fires
3 / 0
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
30
26.5 city / 35 hwy

Top 2016 Mazda MX-5 problems

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

  1. Transmission & Powertrain11 (32%)
  2. Other7 (21%)
  3. Airbags5 (15%)
  4. Electrical System5 (15%)
  5. Structure & Body4 (12%)
  6. Engine3 (9%)
  7. Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (9%)
  8. Steering2 (6%)
  9. Visibility & Wipers1 (3%)

What owners report

  • Transmission loses power or stops responding while accelerating from a stop or through an intersection.
  • Owners describe grinding, whining, or disintegrating gears in the transmission, sometimes recurring more than once.
  • Airbags fail to deploy during a crash despite the dash system indicating deployment was detected.
  • Owners waiting on the 24V695000 airbag recall report parts were not yet available for the repair.
  • Tire pressure monitoring system triggers false low-pressure warnings during normal driving.
  • Owners report paint chipping on the hood and mold buildup on foam filters beneath the plastic intake filters.
2016 Mazda MX-5 complaints: complaints filed per month5Jul 2016Mar 2017Dec 2018Apr 2020Dec 2021Jul 2023Nov 2024
41 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jul 2016 to Apr 2026; peak May 2019 (5).

2016 Mazda MX-5 recalls

3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 24V695000Sep 18, 2024Airbags77,670 vehicles

    Air bags: air bag/restraint control module:software

    Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2016-2023 MX-5 Miata vehicles. A software error in the air bag control module may cause the front air bags to deploy with excessive force during a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

    Risk: An air bag that deploys with excessive force can increase the risk of injury during a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will update the Sophisticated Air Bag Sensor (SAS) control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 7, 2024. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 6924I.

  2. NHTSA 19V496000Jun 27, 2019Structure & Body2,476 vehicles

    Structure:frame and members:underbody shields

    Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2016 Miata MX-5 vehicles. The skid plate and metal bracket may detach from underneath the vehicle.

    Risk: Parts that separate from the vehicle may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the skid plate, free of charge. The recall began August 2, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 3619F.

  3. NHTSA 19V072000Feb 1, 2019Transmission & Powertrain14,370 vehicles

    Power train:automatic transmission:control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)

    Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2016-2019 MX-5 (Miata) vehicles with automatic transmissions. Due to incorrect programming of the Transmission Control Module (TCM), certain conditions may cause the vehicle to unexpectedly downshift and abruptly decelerate.

    Risk: If the vehicle abruptly downshifts, the driver may lose control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the TCM with corrected software, free of charge. The recall began March 14, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 3019A.

2016 Mazda MX-5 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
26.5 MPG
Highway
35 MPG
Combined
30 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,650
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.

2016 compared with other MX-5 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2014Good476024
2015No verdict71024
2016Avoid10034330
2017Avoid8011229
2018No verdict273329

All Mazda MX-5 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Mazda MX-5 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2016 MX-5 ranks worst among the 16 model years tracked, with a Complaint Index of 100 and 34 complaints, so it carries an Avoid verdict relative to other MX-5 years.
What are the main problems with the 2016 Mazda MX-5?
Transmission & Powertrain issues make up 32% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 31,500 miles, followed by Airbags and Electrical System issues at 15% each.
Does the 2016 Mazda MX-5 have recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2016 MX-5: an airbag control module software error (24V695000), a transmission control module reprogramming (19V072000), and a skid plate that could detach (19V496000).
How does the 2016 MX-5 compare to other years?
The 2016 model has the highest Complaint Index (100) of any MX-5 year in the data, worse than 2017 (80) and 2019 (87), which are also flagged Avoid, while years like 2014 (Complaint Index 47) rank as Good.
What mileage do 2016 MX-5 transmission problems occur at?
NHTSA complaints show a median mileage of 31,500 miles for Transmission & Powertrain issues on the 2016 MX-5.

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.