2019 Mazda MX-5 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
87/100
#3 most-complained of 16 MX-5 years
The 2019 Mazda MX-5 has a complaint index of 87, the third-worst among 16 model years, with 11 complaints, 3 recalls, 2 crashes, and 2 injuries. NHTSA data marks it Avoid relative to other MX-5 years, with electrical issues the top problem area.
- Complaints
- 11
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 2 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 29.5
- 26 city / 34.5 hwy
Top 2019 Mazda MX-5 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System3 (27%)
- Brakes2 (18%)
- Engine2 (18%)
- Fuel System2 (18%)
- Steering2 (18%)
- Structure & Body2 (18%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2 (18%)
- Airbags1 (9%)
- Seat Belts1 (9%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (9%)
What owners report
- Rear tires spun and the stability control system failed to activate during acceleration out of a turn, leading to a fishtailing crash.
- The transmission control module recall repair reportedly did not fix the underlying shifting problem on some cars.
- Soul Red Crystal paint on the front and hood developed dozens of small chips at low mileage.
- Owners who received the fuel system recall notice reported the replacement pump was unavailable, and one vehicle lost power with the check engine and traction control lights on at 45 mph.
- Seat belts failed to retract or tighten properly, requiring owners to manually feed the belt back into the housing.
- Power steering cut out momentarily at highway speed along with a brief electronics shutdown, then the steering failed to work the next morning.
2019 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.
2019 Mazda MX-5 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 26 MPG
- Highway
- 34.5 MPG
- Combined
- 29.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,700
- 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.
2019 compared with other MX-5 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2019 Mazda MX-5 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2019 MX-5 has a complaint index of 87, ranking third-worst among the 16 model years with data. It carries a relative 'Avoid' verdict compared to other MX-5 years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2019 Mazda MX-5?
- The top problem area is the electrical system, with 3 complaints (27% share). Brakes, engine, fuel system, steering, structure and body, and transmission and powertrain each account for 2 complaints (18% share).
- Does the 2019 Mazda MX-5 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2019 MX-5: an airbag control module software issue, a low-pressure fuel pump impeller defect, and a transmission control module programming problem. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2019 MX-5 compare to other years?
- The 2019 model's complaint index of 87 is close to the worst year, 2016, at 100. Other years with an 'Avoid' verdict include 2016, 2017, and 2023, while 2014 is rated 'Good'.
- At what mileage do 2019 MX-5 problems typically show up?
- NHTSA data lists a median mileage at failure of 24,110 miles for the 2019 MX-5 overall, with the electrical system issues showing a median of 25,220 miles.