Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

2017 Mazda MX-5: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2017 Mazda MX-5, most recently filed September 2024. Owners have filed 11 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the visibility/wiper.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Caution Fewer than 50 complaints filed. With this few reports, patterns may not be meaningful.
Compare

Recalls (2)

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2017 Mazda MX-5. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2017 Mazda MX-5. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 24V695000 Filed Sep 18, 2024

Air Bags May Deploy with Excessive Force/FMVSS 208

Air bags · air bag/restraint control module · software
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
66.7% repairedof 77,670 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 24V695000
Listed for 2017 Mazda MX-5. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 19V072000 Filed Feb 1, 2019

Transmission Software May Cause Abrupt Downshift

Power train · automatic transmission · control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
90.1% repairedof 14,370 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 19V072000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (11)

11 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The visibility/wiper is mentioned most often.

1involved a crash
0involved a fire
1injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2017 Mazda MX-5, by component (top 9). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 11.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2017 compares with other MX-5 years

Best and worst MX-5 years →
2 6 1 34 11 3 11 3 1 5
2013201420152016201720182019202020212022
This year (2017)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 29 mpg combined

29
mpg combined
26
city
33
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$2,850
CO₂ tailpipe
305 g/mi
EPA class
Two Seaters

What it costs you to run

$2,252per year
$188per month
517gallons a year

Miles ÷ 29 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2017 Mazda MX-5 configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
2 L 4-cyl · 6-speed manualRear-Wheel Drive26 / 33 / 29$2,850305
2 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive26 / 35 / 29$2,850301

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2017 MX-5 for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All MX-5 years

Where to next

2017 Mazda MX-5 FAQ

How many recalls does the 2017 Mazda MX-5 have?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns: 24V695000 (air bag), 19V072000 (power train). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2017 Mazda MX-5 problems?

Owners filed 11 complaints with NHTSA. Visibility/wiper (4), Steering (2), Air bags (1) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2017 Mazda MX-5 get?

EPA rates the 2 L 4-cyl · 6-speed manual version at 26 city, 33 highway and 29 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 2017 MX-5 compare with other years?

Among the 2013–2021 Mazda MX-5 model years at least five years old, the 2015 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 2016 the most (34). The 2017 drew 11. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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