2016 Mazda MX-5 problems and recalls

Owners have filed 34 complaints on the 2016 Mazda MX-5, and NHTSA has issued 3 recalls. The most cited component is the Power Train (11 complaints).

34
Complaints
3
Recalls
3
Crash reports
0
Fire reports
2
Injuries
66.4
Severity index

Severity index 66.4 Medium. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 66.4p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Components cited in complaints

Power TrainPower Train: 11 complaints (32.4%)11 32%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 7 complaints (20.6%)7 21%Air BagsAir Bags: 5 complaints (14.7%)5 15%StructureStructure: 4 complaints (11.8%)4 12%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 4 complaints (11.8%)4 12%SteeringSteering: 2 complaints (5.9%)2 6%Exterior LightingExterior Lighting: 2 complaints (5.9%)2 6%WheelsWheels: 2 complaints (5.9%)2 6%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
POWER TRAIN1132.4%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER720.6%
AIR BAGS514.7%
STRUCTURE411.8%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM411.8%
STEERING25.9%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING25.9%
WHEELS25.9%

Complaints filed per year

0252016: 52017: 42018: 22019: 52020: 52021: 32022: 22023: 22024: 42025: 12026: 1 (partial year)16517181920212223242526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20165
20174
20182
20195
20205
20213
20222
20232
20244
20251
2026 (year to date)1
Filings in 2023 to 2025 were close to 2020 to 2022 (7 against 10).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
19V07200001/02/2019POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)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 decel
19V49600027/06/2019STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDSMazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2016 Miata MX-5 vehicles. The skid plate and metal bracket may detach from underneath the vehicle.
24V69500018/09/2024AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWAREMazda 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
Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-07-25. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.