YearToAvoid

2022 Mazda MX-5 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

60/100

#7 most-complained of 16 MX-5 years

The 2022 Mazda MX-5 has a Complaint Index of 60, ranking 7th worst out of 16 model years, with a Caution verdict. It has 5 complaints, 1 recall, and no crashes, fires, or injuries reported.

Complaints
5
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
0 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
29.5
26 city / 34.5 hwy

Top 2022 Mazda MX-5 problems

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

  1. Transmission & Powertrain3 (60%)
  2. Electrical System1 (20%)
  3. Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (20%)
  4. Structure & Body1 (20%)

What owners report

  • Owners report the rooftop failing to stay sealed, whether open or closed, which triggered the alarm system to disarm.
  • Some describe the vehicle refusing to move forward or backward while shifted into gear, with no warning light illuminated.
  • One owner reported the rearview camera or mirror behaving independently or erratically alongside the rooftop and shifting issue.
  • A driver reported the emergency braking system activating suddenly without warning on a clear, dry road while at speed, with no vehicles nearby.
  • One owner raised a concern that the LATCH child-seat anchor system described in the manual was not physically present in the vehicle.
2022 Mazda MX-5 complaints: complaints filed per month2Oct 2022Jun 2024Dec 2024Dec 2025
6 complaints filed with NHTSA from Oct 2022 to Dec 2025; peak Jun 2024 (2).

2022 Mazda MX-5 recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign 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.

2022 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.

2022 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
2020No verdict403129.5
2021No verdict131129.5
2022Caution605129.5
2023Avoid937129.5
2024Caution735129

All Mazda MX-5 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2022 Mazda MX-5 reliable?
NHTSA data gives the 2022 MX-5 a Complaint Index of 60 and a Caution verdict, ranking 7th worst among 16 model years of the MX-5. It has 5 complaints and 1 recall, with no crashes, fires, or injuries reported.
What is the top problem area for the 2022 Mazda MX-5?
Transmission & Powertrain is the top problem area, accounting for 3 of 5 complaints (60%), with a median mileage at failure of 14,000 miles.
Does the 2022 Mazda MX-5 have a recall?
Yes. Recall 24V695000 covers the airbags on certain 2016-2023 MX-5 Miata vehicles, where a software error in the air bag control module may cause front airbags to deploy with excessive force. It is not a do-not-drive recall.
How does the 2022 MX-5 compare to other bad MX-5 years?
The 2022 MX-5's Complaint Index of 60 is lower than the 2016 (100), 2019 (87), and 2023 (93) model years, all rated Avoid, making 2022 relatively less problematic but still flagged as Caution.
What is the fuel economy of the 2022 Mazda MX-5?
The EPA rates the 2022 MX-5 at 29.5 mpg combined (26 city / 34.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,700.

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.