2019 Mazda MX-5 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2019 Mazda MX-5 has a complaint index of 89, ranking 3rd worst of 20 model years, and carries an Avoid verdict. NHTSA lists 11 complaints, 3 recalls, and 2 crashes, with electrical system issues the top problem area.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 89/100
- #3 of 20 MX-5 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 11
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 29.5
- 26 city / 34.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
Top 2019 Mazda MX-5 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Rear tires can spin and the car fishtails with stability control seemingly not activating during hard acceleration or braking.
- Owners with automatic transmissions report the TCM recall software update did not fix the underlying shifting problem.
- Soul Red Crystal paint on the front of the car and hood develops widespread chipping at low mileage.
- Yokohama Advan Sport tires develop micro-cracks and need replacement well before expected tire life.
- Vehicles awaiting the fuel pump recall repair lost power at highway speed with the check engine and traction control lights on.
- Seat belts fail to retract or tighten properly, occasionally trapping a limb or a pet during entry or exit.
- Power steering can shut down momentarily at highway speed before restarting on its own, sometimes leaving the car without steering 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 ranks 3rd worst out of 20 model years with a complaint index of 89, earning an Avoid verdict relative to other MX-5 years.
- What recalls affect the 2019 Mazda MX-5?
- NHTSA lists three recalls for the 2019 MX-5: an airbag control module software issue, a fuel pump impeller that can crack, and a transmission control module programming error affecting automatic-transmission cars.
- What is the top problem area for the 2019 MX-5?
- Electrical System complaints make up 27% of reported issues, followed by brakes, engine, fuel system, steering, structure and body, and transmission and powertrain, each at 18%.
- How many complaints and crashes does NHTSA have on file for the 2019 MX-5?
- NHTSA has 11 complaints for the 2019 MX-5, including 2 crashes and 2 injuries, with no fires or deaths reported.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2019 Mazda MX-5?
- The EPA rates the 2019 MX-5 at 29.5 mpg combined (26 city / 34.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,700.