NHTSA lists 34 complaints for the 2016 Mazda MX-5, 3 of them mention a crash and 0 mention a fire. 1 complaints mention an injury, with 2 injuries and 0 deaths reported.
Data build 2026-10-07.
NHTSA lists this vehicle as MAZDA MX-5.
Model-generated complaint tags
These labels are model-generated, not NHTSA data.
Failure modes| Label | Count | Share of tagged | Mean confidence |
|---|
| mechanical failure | 17 | 50.0% | 0.81 |
|---|
| electrical electronic | 6 | 17.6% | 0.98 |
|---|
| restraint or airbag | 5 | 14.7% | 0.93 |
|---|
| structural or corrosion | 3 | 8.8% | 0.57 |
|---|
| visibility or lighting | 2 | 5.9% | 0.77 |
|---|
| loss of control | 1 | 2.9% | 0.88 |
|---|
Severities| Label | Count | Share of tagged | Mean confidence |
|---|
| moderate | 20 | 58.8% | 0.77 |
|---|
| low | 10 | 29.4% | 0.67 |
|---|
| high | 3 | 8.8% | 0.95 |
|---|
| critical | 1 | 2.9% | 0.70 |
|---|
Model: typesafe/jev-1.13-20260917; schema version: tag-v1. 34 tagged complaints of 34 complaints (100.0%).
Confidence is the model's own probability for the label it chose (0 to 1), not accuracy.
Model-generated labels on tagged complaints only. Model years 2013 and newer are tagged in full; 2012 in part (see tagged_share); earlier model years have no tags. NHTSA's own flags remain separate in the complaints block.
Recalls
3 recalls.
Date: 2024-09-18. Systems: AIR BAGS.
Defect: 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.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2019-06-27. Systems: STRUCTURE.
Defect: 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.
Consequence: Parts that separate from the vehicle may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the skid plate, free of charge. The recall began August 2, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 3619F.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2019-02-01. Systems: POWER TRAIN.
Defect: 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.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Manufacturer communications
522 manufacturer communications.
Communications by system| System | Count |
|---|
| EQUIPMENT | 196 |
|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 154 |
|---|
| STRUCTURE | 53 |
|---|
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 42 |
|---|
| EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY | 37 |
|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 34 |
|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 31 |
|---|
| ENGINE | 25 |
|---|
11037899
Date: 2026-09-11. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
DESCRIPTION If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, DTC(s) stored...), interview the customer before proceeding with normal MGSS diagnosis by asking if any aftermarket devices have been installed. Aftermarket devices may be the cause of the electrical con
11034447
Date: 2026-06-19. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE.
This SA supersedes the previously issued SA(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red. SA-061/25 12/17/25 DESCRIPTION If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, DTC(s) stored...), interview the customer before proceeding with normal MGSS diagnosis by ask
11034437
Date: 2026-06-18. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: SEATS, STRUCTURE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
DESCRIPTION Some vehicles may exhibit scratches (1) on the rear of the seat back bar garnish (2) from contact with the convertible top (3). Due to assembly variations, the clearance between the seat back bar garnish and the convertible top is too small on some vehicles. REPAIR PROCEDURE 6. Install t
11032003
Date: 2026-05-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: POWER TRAIN.
This bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red. 01-008/23 06/05/23 Some vehicles may exhibit rattling noises from the engine compartment and oil leakage from the drive belt auto tensioner. This may be caused by insufficient sealing at the driv
11032104
Date: 2026-04-30. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
DESCRIPTION Some vehicles may require the replacement of a damaged VIN plate or vehicle certification label. To obtain a replacement VIN plate (bulkhead-mounted and visible through the lower-left area of the windshield), contact DAG (Dealer Assistance Group) using VIN Plate Request Form available on
11032103
Date: 2026-04-21. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE, POWER TRAIN, SERVICE BRAKES, UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA listed below: The changes are noted in Red. SA-011/24 02/12/24, 06/06/24, 07/29/24 DESCRIPTION Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the sch
11032101
Date: 2026-04-16. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE.
This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued M-Tip(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red text. MT-002/19 09/30/19 and 12/19/19 DESCRIPTION If an engine assembly is replaced after a catastrophic internal mechanical failure, clean the intake manifold internally before installing a repla
11028101
Date: 2026-01-31. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STRUCTURE.
Some vehicles may exhibit the power window(s) not working properly (window does not move or has fallen into the door) and/or making an abnormal noise while operating the power window switch. This may be caused by the cable of the power window motor being damaged from water entry through area (1) of
11028133
Date: 2026-01-26. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
There are currently 2 methods for cutting a new auxiliary key blank. A. Auxiliary Key Trace Cut Method a ? B. Auxiliary Key Code Cut Method 2019 and newer models require a 10-digit key code to accurately cut keys a ? 5-digit codes CANNOT be provided for 2019 and newer vehicles (the traditional 5-dig
11028099
Date: 2026-01-13. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, LANE DEPARTURE.
If the right-side Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) control module is replaced for any reason, it is also necessary to replace the left-side BSM control module in order to complete the radar aiming procedure. If the right-side BSM control module is replaced alone, "Automatic Configuration" and "BSM Radar