2016-2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata Reliability Score: 9.0 out of 10

83 NHTSA Complaints

5 Recalls

0 Fire Reports

7 Crash Reports

Reliability Score

9.0 / 10

Reliability score

Very few owner complaints against similar sports cars

The class average is 7.0. Based on complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the engine, transmission or drivetrain.

Owners filed 30 powertrain complaints. A typical sports car fleet of this size and age would have drawn about 92.

Scores this high have held: three years on they had moved 0.1 points in the typical case.

Breakdown

Complaints overall30 complaints against about 92 for similar vehicles

9.0

Last three years13 complaints against about 48 for similar vehicles

9.1

Engine, transmission or drive unit failed or replaced9 complaints against about 21 for similar vehicles

8.7

Oil consumption, fuel in the oil or overheating

n/aNot enough data

Each line scores one view of the same complaints the same way, so the lines overlap. The mark on each bar is the class average. A line needs 20 expected complaints to show a number.

By model year

20168.8
20179.5
20189.1
20199.2
20209.2
20219.2
2022n/a
2023n/a
2024n/a
2025n/a

Similar vehicles are others in the same class, compared at the same age and in the same years. The score counts complaints owners filed with NHTSA, per vehicle built, which is different from the share of vehicles that fail. How the score is worked out

On the record

No serious powertrain recall covering 5% or more of this generation and no escalated investigation in NHTSA's files. Warranty extensions and settlements have not been researched.

Complaints by Engine Code

PE

2.0L 4-cyl

82 complaints 8.2 per year Gasoline

View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission

electrical

other

safety systems

steering

Same engine used in

MAZDA CX-3 (2016-2021)MAZDA MX-5 Miata (2006-2015)MAZDA Mazda3 (2019-2025)MAZDA CX-5 (2013-2016)MAZDA Mazda3 (2014-2018)

Show 1 additional engine variant with limited data

These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints. A low count can mean a clean record, and it can also be a VIN-decode anomaly in NHTSA's data.

Mazda MX-5 Miata Unidentified Engine

1 complaint 1.0 per year

View details

Complaint Breakdown

safety systems

Owner Complaints by System

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Mazda MX-5 Miata, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.

Transmission: 25 owner complaints

Electrical System: 13 owner complaints

Safety Systems: 11 owner complaints

What to check on a used 2016-2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata

On a used 2016-2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the transmission and drivetrain (25), the electrical system (13) and the airbags and driver-assist systems (11). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 25 owner complaints on the 2016-2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata about the transmission and drivetrain.
Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 13 owner complaints on the 2016-2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata about the electrical system.
Switch the ignition on and watch the airbag light. On the drive, check the backup camera and any collision or lane warning.Safety. NHTSA has 11 owner complaints on the 2016-2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata about the airbags and driver-assist systems.

Open the full inspection checklist for the 2016-2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata

Recalls (5)

25V336000May 22, 2025serious

Traction Control System

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 Vehicle Safety Standard number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."

24V695000Sep 18, 2024serious

Air Bags

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."

21V875000Nov 12, 2021serious

Fuel System

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.

19V496000Jun 27, 2019serious

Structure

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.

19V072000Feb 1, 2019serious

Powertrain

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.

All Generations

NB2000-2005 NC2006-2015 ND2016-2025

Alternatives in Sports Car

5 engines / 24 complaints

6 engines / 41 complaints

3 engines / 27 complaints

1 engine / 22 complaints

3 engines / 24 complaints

3 engines / 75 complaints

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2016-2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata complaints?

Owners have filed 83 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016-2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata. The systems they name most often are the transmission, the electrical system and the safety systems.

Is the 2016-2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata a good used car?

That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 83 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016-2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2016-2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata have?

NHTSA has 83 owner complaints on file for the 2016-2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

What recalls affect the 2016-2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata?

NHTSA lists 5 recalls covering some 2016-2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.

What should I check before buying a used Mazda MX-5 Miata?

Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the transmission, the electrical system and the safety systems, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.

Does the MX-5 Miata have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2016-2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 83 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: moderate. Last updated: 2026-10-12.