Reliability & cost of ownership
Mazda MX-5 Reliability & Common Problems
How reliable is the Mazda MX-5? Compare every model year side by side — NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, and crash-test stars where on file — then open the year you're shopping for its AI reliability outlook where NHTSA has enough data.
Mazda MX-5 problems by model year
18 recall entries across 20 model years and 177 owner complaints across 30 model years on file, sourced from the federal NHTSA database. We couldn't confirm the NHTSA recall list for the remaining 10 model years — check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Most-complained-about components
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA against the Mazda MX-5, grouped by the component each complaint names — the fastest read on where this model gives trouble.
- power train35 complaints
- air bags29 complaints
- structure23 complaints
- electrical system21 complaints
- unknown or other17 complaints
- steering10 complaints
- tires8 complaints
- seat belts8 complaints