YearToAvoid

2018 Mazda MX-5 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

No verdict

Complaint Index

27/100

#12 most-complained of 16 MX-5 years

The 2018 Mazda MX-5 has a complaint index of 27, ranking 12th out of 16 model years, making it one of the better years. It carries 3 recalls (airbags, fuel pump, transmission control module) but only 3 owner complaints on record.

Complaints
3
Recalls
3
Crashes / fires
0 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
29
26 city / 34 hwy

Top 2018 Mazda MX-5 problems

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

  1. Electrical System1 (33%)
  2. Engine1 (33%)
  3. Structure & Body1 (33%)
  4. Transmission & Powertrain1 (33%)

What owners report

  • Owners report creaking and ticking noises from the body structure that start as the car accelerates or decelerates, first noticed around 9,700 miles.
  • One owner reported the manual transmission developing a whirring or whining noise that progressed from 6th gear down through 2nd gear, forcing the driver to slow down and use hazard flashers on the highway.
  • Reported issues span electrical, engine, structure, and transmission systems, with one complaint in each area.
2018 Mazda MX-5 complaints: complaints filed per month2Nov 2019Dec 2020Jun 2024
4 complaints filed with NHTSA from Nov 2019 to Jun 2024; peak Dec 2020 (2).

2018 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 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.

  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.

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

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
2016Avoid10034330
2017Avoid8011229
2018No verdict273329
2019Avoid8711329.5
2020No verdict403129.5

All Mazda MX-5 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2018 Mazda MX-5 reliable?
NHTSA data shows the 2018 MX-5 has a complaint index of 27, ranking 12th out of 16 model years for the MX-5, indicating fewer reported problems than most other years.
Does the 2018 Mazda MX-5 have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2018 MX-5: an airbag software issue, a fuel pump impeller defect, and a transmission control module programming error. None are do-not-drive recalls.
What is the top problem area for the 2018 Mazda MX-5?
The top problem area listed is the Electrical System, though it accounts for only 1 of the 3 complaints on record, tied with Engine, Structure & Body, and Transmission & Powertrain at 33% share each.
How does the 2018 MX-5 compare to the 2016 or 2017 MX-5?
The 2018 MX-5's complaint index of 27 is much lower than the 2016 MX-5's index of 100 and the 2017 MX-5's index of 80, both of which carry an Avoid verdict.
What is the fuel economy of the 2018 Mazda MX-5?
EPA rates the 2018 MX-5 at 29 mpg combined (26 city/34 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,750.

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.