US vehicle recalls and complaint patterns, explained
Mazda MX-5 recall history
18 recall campaigns and 189 complaints in official NHTSA data
for the Mazda MX-5 (2006–2025).
The most commonly reported problem areas are Power train, Air bags, Structure.
Stats focus on model years from 1960 onwards.
Earlier years appear in the detailed table below where data exists.
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Get plain-language explanations of recalls and complaints for the
Mazda MX-5. Powered by AI, backed by NHTSA data.
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Important: This assistant provides context from aggregated NHTSA data.
Always check your specific VIN on
NHTSA.gov
for vehicle-specific recall information.
Key Takeaways
A quick scan of where recalls and complaints concentrate for the Mazda MX-5,
based on aggregated NHTSA counts and campaign metadata.
Coverage spans model years 2006–2025 with 18 recall campaigns and 189 complaints in NHTSA data.
Years with the most recall activity: 2018 (3), 2016 (3), and 2019 (2).
Years with the most complaint volume: 2016 (41), 2006 (36), and 2007 (23).
Top recall themes: Airbags, Fuel and emissions, and Other.
Most reported complaint areas (across all years): Power train, Air bags, Structure.
Complaints are not proof of a defect, but repeated themes can be useful signals when researching a used vehicle.
Always check your specific VIN for open recalls (open recalls are VIN-specific and can change over time).
Recall Themes
Instead of listing long campaign narratives, this groups recall campaigns into a few recurring areas.
Each theme links back to official notices as evidence.
Airbags
2 campaigns · Years: 2006, 2016–2023
These campaigns relate to airbag system components and deployment/airbag readiness issues.
Each row shows how often this model appears in NHTSA recalls and consumer
complaints for a given model year. These are counts of campaigns and
complaints, not risk predictions.
Model Year
Recalls
Complaints
Details
2025
1
1
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Seat belts.
2024
1
2
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Vehicle speed control.
2023
1
7
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Power train, Air bags, Seat belts.
2022
1
5
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Power train, Seats, Electrical system.
2021
1
1
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Power train.
2020
1
1
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Fuel/propulsion system.
2019
1
3
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Fuel system, gasoline, Power train.
2019
2
15
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Fuel system, gasoline, Power train.
2018
3
5
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Structure, Electrical system, Engine.
2017
2
10
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Visibility/wiper, Electronic stability control (esc), Steering.
2016
3
41
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Power train, Air bags, Structure.
2015
0
2
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Fuel/propulsion system, Service brakes.
2014
0
8
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Structure, Service brakes, hydraulic, Service brakes.
2013
0
2
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Air bags, Vehicle speed control.
2012
0
6
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Service brakes, hydraulic, Visibility, Air bags.
2011
0
1
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Exterior lighting.
2010
0
5
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Vehicle speed control, Air bags, Visibility.
2009
0
4
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Air bags, Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages.
2008
0
11
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Tires, Equipment.
2007
0
23
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Air bags, Electrical system, Seats.
2006
1
36
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Structure, Air bags, Seat belts.
What to Do Next
Check open recalls by VIN on the official NHTSA site (open recalls are VIN-specific).
If buying used, ask for proof of recall remedy completion (dealer paperwork helps).
If symptoms match common complaint themes, consider a mechanic inspection before purchase or long trips.
A compact evidence view of recall campaigns that include this model.
The default text is an original summary line, with official notice text available on demand.
Most common areas involved:
Air bags
, Power train
and Electronic stability control (esc)
Show recall evidence by year
2025
Electronic stability control (esc): Control module:
Safety recall involving the electronic stability control (esc) area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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 Ve
2024
Electronic stability control (esc): Control module:
Safety recall involving the electronic stability control (esc) area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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 Ve
2023
Air bags: Software:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
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 Vehi
2022
Air bags: Software:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
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 Vehi
2021
Air bags: Software:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
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 Vehi
2020
Air bags: Software:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
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 Vehi
2019
Power train: Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm):
Safety recall involving the power train area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
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.
Fuel system, gasoline: Fuel pump:
Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
Air bags: Software:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
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 Vehi
2018
Power train: Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm):
Safety recall involving the power train area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
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.
Fuel system, gasoline: Fuel pump:
Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
Air bags: Software:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
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 Vehi
2017
Power train: Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm):
Safety recall involving the power train area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
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.
Air bags: Software:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
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 Vehi
2016
Power train: Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm):
Safety recall involving the power train area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
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.
Structure: Underbody shields:
Safety recall involving the structure area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
Air bags: Software:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
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 Vehi
2006
Air bags: Frontal:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: 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.
Other Mazda Models
Explore recall and complaint data for other Mazda models.
Recall Explained provides independent analysis of official NHTSA data.
This site does not replace the official NHTSA VIN lookup and should not be
treated as legal or safety advice for your specific vehicle.
For any safety concerns: Always check your VIN on the official
NHTSA site and contact an authorized dealer.
