2018 Mazda MX-5 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
No verdict The 2018 Mazda MX-5 has a complaint index of 21, ranking 16th of 20 model years, which is relatively low. It has 3 owner complaints and 3 recalls covering airbags, fuel pump, and transmission control module software.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 21/100
- #16 of 20 MX-5 years
- Verdict
- No verdict
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 3
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 29
- 26 city / 34 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2018 Mazda MX-5 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System1 (33%)
- Engine1 (33%)
- Structure & Body1 (33%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (33%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners describe creaking and ticking noises from the body/structure that appear as the car accelerates or decelerates, first noticed around 9,700 miles.
- A manual-transmission owner reported the gearbox whirring and whining starting in 6th gear and progressing through the lower gears, with 1st and 2nd unaffected.
- One driver said the whining forced use of hazard flashers and driving well below the speed limit until reaching local roads.
2018 Mazda MX-5 recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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.
- NHTSA 21V875000Nov 12, 2021Fuel System121,038 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018 Mazda3, Mazda6, 2019 CX-3, 2018-2019 MX-5, CX-5, CX-9, and 2019-2020 Mazda2 vehicles. The impeller inside the low-pressure fuel pump may crack and deform, potentially causing the fuel pump to fail.
Risk: Fuel pump failure may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pumps, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 18, 2022. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 5321K.
- 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.
2018 Mazda MX-5 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 26 MPG
- Highway
- 34 MPG
- Combined
- 29 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,750
- 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.
2018 compared with other MX-5 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2018 Mazda MX-5 reliable?
- NHTSA lists only 3 owner complaints for the 2018 MX-5, giving it a complaint index of 21, which ranks 16th out of 20 model years covered — a relatively low complaint volume compared to years like 2016 (complaint index 100).
- What recalls affect the 2018 Mazda MX-5?
- The 2018 MX-5 has 3 recalls: an airbag control module software error that can cause excessive deployment force, a low-pressure fuel pump impeller that can crack, and a transmission control module programming issue on automatic-transmission cars.
- What is the top complaint area for the 2018 MX-5?
- Electrical System is listed as the top problem area, though it, Engine, Structure & Body, and Transmission & Powertrain each account for 1 complaint (33% share) in the data.
- Should I avoid the 2018 Mazda MX-5?
- The 2018 model year does not carry an Avoid or Caution verdict in this dataset; its complaint index of 21 is lower than years such as 2016, 2019, and 2023, which are rated Avoid.
- How does the 2018 MX-5 compare to the 2016 model?
- The 2016 MX-5 has a complaint index of 100 and 34 complaints with 3 recalls, rated Avoid, versus the 2018's complaint index of 21 with 3 complaints and 3 recalls.