Mazda MX-5
Registered from 1996 to 2027.
About this model
The Mazda MX-5 is a lightweight two-seat sports car manufactured and marketed by Mazda. In Japan, it is marketed as the Mazda Roadster or, previously, as the Eunos Roadster. In the United States it is sold as the Mazda MX-5 Miata. The name miata derives from Old High German for "reward".
From the Wikipedia article Mazda MX-5, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it stands out against its peers
- Power train: more complaints than 91% of 2016 cars — 32% of its 34 complaints, where an ordinary 2016 car has 15%.
Same model year only, at least 30 peer cars, zeros included. Every car has a worst part; this shows which, and how far from ordinary it is. A high share means more to check, not a verdict.
Crash test
| Stability control | Standard |
| Forward collision warning | Standard |
| Lane departure warning | Standard |
Crash-tested by NHTSA, the American road safety agency.
Specification
| Year | Measured |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 1118 kg · 2310 mm wheelbase · 8.1 L/100km (EPA) · 9.0 L/100km city · 6.9 motorway · Coupe, 2-door |
| 2025 | 181 hp · 1118 kg · 2310 mm wheelbase · 8.1 L/100km (EPA) · 9.0 L/100km city · 6.9 motorway · Coupe, 2-door |
| 2024 | 181 hp · 1118 kg · 2310 mm wheelbase · 8.1 L/100km (EPA) · 9.0 L/100km city · 6.9 motorway · Coupe, 2-door |
| 2023 | 181 hp · 1118 kg · 2310 mm wheelbase · 8.1 L/100km (EPA) · 9.0 L/100km city · 6.9 motorway · Coupe, 2-door |
| 2022 | 181 hp · 1118 kg · 2310 mm wheelbase · 8.1 L/100km (EPA) · 9.0 L/100km city · 6.9 motorway · Coupe, 2-door |
| 2021 | 181 hp · 1118 kg · 2310 mm wheelbase · 8.1 L/100km (EPA) · 9.0 L/100km city · 6.9 motorway · Coupe, 2-door |
| 2020 | 181 hp · 1118 kg · 2310 mm wheelbase · 8.1 L/100km (EPA) · 9.0 L/100km city · 6.9 motorway · Coupe, 2-door |
| 2019 | 181 hp · 1118 kg · 2310 mm wheelbase · 8.1 L/100km (EPA) · 9.0 L/100km city · 6.9 motorway · Coupe, 2-door |
| 2018 | 155 hp · 1058 kg · 2310 mm wheelbase · 8.1 L/100km (EPA) · 9.0 L/100km city · 7.1 motorway · Coupe, 2-door |
| 2017 | 155 hp · 1058 kg · 2310 mm wheelbase · 8.1 L/100km (EPA) · 9.0 L/100km city · 7.1 motorway · Coupe, 2-door |
| 2016 | 155 hp · 1058 kg · 2310 mm wheelbase · 7.8 L/100km (EPA) · 9.0 L/100km city · 6.9 motorway · Convertible, 2-door |
| 2015 | 158 hp · 1194 kg · 2330 mm wheelbase · 9.8 L/100km (EPA) · 11.2 L/100km city · 8.7 motorway · Convertible, 2-door |
Recalls
Filed by the manufacturer with a regulator. A recall is repaired free of charge, whoever owns the car now.
77% of 2022 cars have more recall campaigns than this one, and an ordinary one has 3. More of them means more to check the service record for, not a worse car.
19V072000
If the vehicle abruptly downshifts, the driver may lose control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
19V496000
Parts that separate from the vehicle may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the skid plate, free of charge. The recall began August 2, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 3619F.
21V875000
Fuel pump failure may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
24V695000
An air bag that deploys with excessive force can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
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.
What the maker told its dealers
Service bulletins are the manufacturer's own repair guidance to dealers, filed with NHTSA. A bulletin is not a defect finding; the count rises with how many things a maker writes down, not only with how many go wrong.
Mazda filed 42 bulletins about the 2026 MX-5.
- Electrical system: 22
- Power train: 3
- Structure: 3
- Service brakes: 2
- Wheels: 2
- Engine: 1
- Seats: 1
- Other: 8
- DESCRIPTION Some customers may complain about any of the following: 1. Infotainment Center Display does not provide the Authorization Code (OTP) during the MyMazda App Connected Vehicle enrollment.… · July 2026
- This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SAs listed below. The changes are noted in Red text. SA-017/25 12/16/25, 09/08/25, 07/14/25, 05/15/25 and 03/21/25 DESCRIPTION Mazda Connect… · July 2026
- This SA supersedes the previously issued SA(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red. SA-061/25 12/17/25 DESCRIPTION If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no… · July 2026
- This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red. SA-009/25 08/22/25 and 02/18/25 DESCRIPTION Some customers may experience a Connected Vehicle… · July 2026
- This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA listed below. The changes are noted in Red text. SA-012/25 10/06/25, 08/21/25, 05/15/25 and 02/27/25 DESCRIPTION Customers having MAZDA CONNECT… · July 2026
- This SA supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. The changes are noted below in Red. SA-027/26 04/16/26 DESCRIPTION The Mazda DCA-8000 is required for all warranty battery testing.… · July 2026
- DESCRIPTION Some vehicles may exhibit scratches (1) on the rear of the seat back bar garnish (2) from contact with the convertible top (3). Due to assembly variations, the clearance between the seat… · July 2026
- COMPLIANCE WITH NEW YORK STATE GENERAL BUSINESS LAW §399‑CCCCC (CONNECTED VEHICLE SERVICE; DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS) DESCRIPTION This Service Information is issued in accordance with New York State… · July 2026
34 more.
Grouped by NHTSA's top-level system; a bulletin filed under a sub-heading counts toward its system.