Mazda MX-5 Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Mazda MX-5 model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2011 drew the fewest (1) and the 2016 the most (34).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 Among the fewest complaints |
1 | 0 | Exterior lighting | — | 23–24 |
| 2015 Among the fewest complaints |
1 | 0 | Fuel/propulsion system | — | 23–24 |
| 2021 Among the fewest complaints |
1 | 1 | Power train | — | 29–30 |
| 2026 Still collecting reports |
1 | 0 | Power train | — | 29 |
| 2013 | 2 | 0 | Air bags | — | 23–24 |
| 2009 | 3 | 0 | Air bags | — | 23–24 |
| 2018 | 3 | 3 | Electrical system | — | 29 |
| 2020 | 3 | 1 | Air bags | — | 29–30 |
| 2025 Still collecting reports |
3 | 1 | Exterior lighting | — | 29 |
| 2010 | 4 | 0 | Air bags | — | 23–24 |
| 2012 | 5 | 0 | Air bags | — | 23–24 |
| 2022 | 5 | 1 | Power train | — | 29–30 |
| 2024 Still collecting reports |
5 | 1 | Electrical system | — | 29 |
| 2014 | 6 | 0 | Service brakes | — | 23–24 |
| 2008 | 7 | 0 | Electrical system | — | 23–24 |
| 2023 | 7 | 1 | Power train | — | 29–30 |
| 2017 | 11 | 2 | Visibility/wiper | — | 29 |
| 2019 Among the most complaints |
11 | 3 | Electrical system | — | 29–30 |
| 2007 Among the most complaints |
17 | 0 | Air bags | — | 23–24 |
| 2016 Among the most complaints |
34 | 3 | Power train | — | 30 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Mazda MX-5 years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2016 Mazda MX-5: 34 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 11 (32%); Air bags 5 (15%); Electrical system 4 (12%).
Reports mention 3 crashes, 2 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 24,000 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.
2007 Mazda MX-5: 17 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 5 (29%); Electrical system 3 (18%); Seats 3 (18%).
Reports mention 1 crash. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 12,000 miles. 0 recall campaigns listed.
2019 Mazda MX-5: 11 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 3 (27%); Fuel system 2 (18%); Power train 2 (18%).
Reports mention 2 crashes, 2 injuries. 3 recall campaigns listed.
The Mazda MX-5 years with the fewest complaints
2015 Mazda MX-5: 1 complaints
Most-reported: Fuel/propulsion system 1 (100%); Service brakes 1 (100%).
0 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Mazda MX-5 owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2024 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2023 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2022 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2021 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2020 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2019 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2018 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2017 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2016 | 34 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 24,000 |
| 2015 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2014 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2013 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2012 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2011 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2010 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2009 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | — |
| 2008 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2007 | 17 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12,000 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Mazda MX-5 recalls
- Fuel Pump May Fail (2018–2019 model years; 121,038 vehicles across all models; filed Nov 2021; 21V875000)
- Air Bags May Deploy with Excessive Force/FMVSS 208 (2016–2023 model years; 77,670 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 2024; 24V695000)
- Transmission Software May Cause Abrupt Downshift (2016–2019 model years; 14,370 vehicles across all models; filed Feb 2019; 19V072000)
- Traction Control Indicator Light May Not Illuminate/FMVSS 126 (2024–2025 model years; 12,244 vehicles across all models; filed May 2025; 25V336000)
- DRIVER-SIDE FRONT AIR BAG MODULE (2006 model year; 2,600 vehicles across all models; filed Apr 2006; 06V103000)
All 6 Mazda MX-5 recall campaigns · Mazda MX-5 problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Mazda MX-5 years FAQ
Which Mazda MX-5 year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2011 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (1). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Mazda MX-5 years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2016, 2007 and 2019 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the power train. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Mazda MX-5 problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the power train (29 of 130 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Mazda MX-5 have?
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns covering the Mazda MX-5. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Mazda MX-5 recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
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.