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NHTSA recalls & complaints · 2006–2026

Mazda MX-5 recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns and 155 owner complaints for the Mazda MX-5, covering model years 2006 to 2026. The 2016 model year drew the most complaints (34), and Power Train is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Mazda MX-5 VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 6 recall campaigns on file
  • 155 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 21 model years with data (2006–2026)
  • most complaints: 2016 (34 for that model year)
  • top component: Power Train (32 complaints)
  • latest recall 25V336000 (reported May 22, 2025)
  • 13 complaints reporting a crash (8.4%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a fire (0.0%)
  • 8 complaints reporting an injury (5.2%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

Mazda MX-5 complaints by model year

21 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2016 model year has the most complaints: 34 of 155, or 21.9%. Next come 2006 (25) and 2007 (17). The fewest are for 2026, with 1 complaint.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
Mazda MX-5 owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 2006–2026Column chart of 155 complaints across 21 model years. The highest is 2016 with 34. The full figures are in the table below the chart.2006: 25 complaints2520062007: 17 complaints1720072008: 7 complaints720082009: 3 complaints320092010: 4 complaints420102011: 1 complaint120112012: 5 complaints520122013: 2 complaints220132014: 6 complaints620142015: 1 complaint120152016: 34 complaints3420162017: 11 complaints1120172018: 3 complaints320182019: 11 complaints1120192020: 3 complaints320202021: 1 complaint120212022: 5 complaints520222023: 7 complaints720232024: 5 complaints520242025: 3 complaints320252026: 1 complaint12026
Show the figures for all 21 model years
Mazda MX-5 complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Mazda MX-5 complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
2006251010
2007171000
200871000
200932020
201040000
201110000
201251000
201320000
201460000
201510000
2016343010
2017111010
201830000
2019112020
202030000
202110000
202250000
202371010
202450000
202530000
202610000
All model years15513080

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Mazda MX-5 components

top 15 · NHTSA categories

Power Train is the component named most often, in 32 complaints (20.6% of all 155), followed by Air Bags (22) and Electrical System (20).

Components named most often in Mazda MX-5 complaints (top 15)
Components named most often in Mazda MX-5 complaints (top 15)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Power Train3220.6%
Air Bags2214.2%
Electrical System2012.9%
Structure2012.9%
Unknown or Other1711.0%
Steering106.5%
Seat Belts85.2%
Vehicle Speed Control74.5%
Exterior Lighting63.9%
Tires63.9%
Visibility/Wiper63.9%
Engine53.2%
Seats53.2%
Service Brakes53.2%
Suspension53.2%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Mazda MX-5 recalls

6 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name MX-5, newest first. The 6 campaigns cover model years 2006 to 2025. The 2016, 2018 and 2019 model years appear in the most campaigns (3 each).

  • 6 recall campaigns
Mazda MX-5 recall campaigns covering each model year
DecadeYears ending in 0Years ending in 1Years ending in 2Years ending in 3Years ending in 4Years ending in 5Years ending in 6Years ending in 7Years ending in 8Years ending in 9
2006: 1 campaign2007: no campaigns2008: no campaigns2009: no campaigns
2010: no campaigns2011: no campaigns2012: no campaigns2013: no campaigns2014: no campaigns2015: no campaigns2016: 3 campaigns2017: 2 campaigns2018: 3 campaigns2019: 3 campaigns
2020: 1 campaign2021: 1 campaign2022: 1 campaign2023: 1 campaign2024: 1 campaign2025: 1 campaign
Highlighted: the model years with the most campaigns.

  1. NHTSA campaign 25V336000

    Reported

    Electronic Stability Control (ESC) › Control Module; Traction Control System

    Model years 2024–2025

    Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Mazda MX-5 vehicles. The Traction Control System (TCS) and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) indicator light may fail to illuminate as intended due to a software error. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."

    Consequence:
    An indicator light that does not illuminate may fail to warn the driver of a TCS or DSC system issue, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the DSC unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 18, 2025. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 6. Mazda's number for this recall is 7425E.

    Filed by Mazda Motor Corp.

  2. NHTSA campaign 24V695000

    Reported

    Air Bags › Air Bag/Restraint Control Module › Software

    Model years 2016–2023

    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."

    Consequence:
    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.

    Filed by Mazda Motor Corp.

  3. NHTSA campaign 21V875000

    Reported

    Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump

    Model years 2018–2019

    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.

    Consequence:
    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.

    Filed by Mazda Motor Corp.

  4. NHTSA campaign 19V496000

    Reported

    Structure › Frame and Members › Underbody Shields

    Model year 2016

    Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2016 Miata MX-5 vehicles. The skid plate and metal bracket may detach from underneath the vehicle.

    Consequence:
    Parts that separate from the vehicle may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    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.

    Filed by Mazda Motor Corp.

  5. NHTSA campaign 19V072000

    Reported

    Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Control Module (TCM/PCM/TECM)

    Model years 2016–2019

    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.

    Consequence:
    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.

    Filed by Mazda Motor Corp.

  6. NHTSA campaign 06V103000

    Reported

    Air Bags › Frontal

    Model year 2006

    On certain passenger vehicles, the bolt attaching the horn assembly to the steering wheel hub may fail during a driver side front air bag deployment in extremely low ambient temperature.

    Consequence:
    Should this occur, the horn assembly may separate and could injure the driver.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the driver-side frontal air bag module free of charge. The recall began on April 28, 2006. Owners may contact Mazda at 800-222-5500.

    Filed by Mazda Motor Corp.

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it; older campaigns, which NHTSA stores in capital letters, are shown in sentence case. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Mazda MX-5 questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Mazda MX-5 have?

NHTSA lists 6 vehicle recall campaigns for the Mazda MX-5, covering model years 2006 to 2026. The most recent, 25V336000, was reported on May 22, 2025 and is filed under “Electronic stability control (esc)”. The 2016, 2018 and 2019 model years are covered by the most campaigns (3 each).

Which Mazda MX-5 model year has the most complaints?

The 2016 model year, with 34 of the 155 complaints in NHTSA’s file (21.9%). The next are 2006 (25) and 2007 (17). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Mazda MX-5 complaint?

Power Train is the component named most often: 32 complaints, or 20.6% of all 155. Air Bags (22) and Electrical System (20) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Mazda MX-5?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Mazda dealer.

How many Mazda MX-5 complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 155 complaints, 13 report a crash, 0 a fire, 8 at least one injury and 0 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other Mazda models

8 models · most complaints first

The Mazda models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Mazda VIN decoder with every Mazda model page, WMI code and VIN note.

  • Mazda 3 2004–2026 · 29 recalls · 2,983 complaints
  • Mazda 626 1995–2003 · 7 recalls · 2,458 complaints
  • Mazda CX-5 2012–2026 · 8 recalls · 2,443 complaints
  • Mazda 6 2002–2021 · 28 recalls · 2,234 complaints
  • Mazda Tribute 2000–2011 · 20 recalls · 2,102 complaints
  • Mazda CX-9 2007–2023 · 13 recalls · 1,487 complaints
  • Mazda CX-7 2007–2013 · 6 recalls · 1,131 complaints
  • Mazda Protege 1995–2003 · 6 recalls · 805 complaints

All Mazda models and WMI codesLook up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.