YearToAvoid

2023 Mazda MX-5 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

84/100

#4 most-complained of 20 MX-5 years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2023 Mazda MX-5 has 7 owner complaints and 1 safety recall on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 84 out of 100 — #4 highest of 20 MX-5 model years (verdict: Avoid). The most reported problem area is transmission & powertrain (4 complaints, 57% of the total). Complaints report 1 crash and 1 injury.

Complaints
7
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
1 / 0
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
29.5
26 city / 34.5 hwy

Top 2023 Mazda MX-5 problems

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

  1. Transmission & Powertrain4 (57%)
  2. Airbags1 (14%)
  3. Other1 (14%)
  4. Seat Belts1 (14%)
  5. Steering1 (14%)
2023 Mazda MX-5 complaints: complaints filed per month2Jul 2024Sep 2024Oct 2024Jan 2025Jun 2025Sep 2025Apr 2026
8 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jul 2024 to Apr 2026; peak Oct 2024 (2).

2023 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.

2023 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.

2023 compared with other MX-5 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2021No verdict161129.5
2022Caution535129.5
2023Avoid847129.5
2024Caution635129
2025No verdict583129

All Mazda MX-5 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2023 Mazda MX-5 a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2023 Mazda MX-5 ranks #4 of 20 among MX-5 model years (Complaint Index 84/100, verdict: Avoid). It has 7 complaints and 1 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2023 Mazda MX-5?
The most reported problem areas are transmission & powertrain (4 complaints), airbags (1 complaints), and seat belts (1 complaints).
Does the 2023 Mazda MX-5 have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2023 Mazda MX-5, most recently reported 2024, covering airbags.
What is the fuel economy of the 2023 Mazda MX-5?
EPA rates the 2023 Mazda MX-5 at 29.5 MPG combined (26 city / 34.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,700. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.

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.