2016 Mazda MX-5: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 34 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (37% of complaints); the 2017 and 2018 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Sep 2024
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 34 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“2016 Mazda MX5 club: In warmer weather(70 degree F or higher) and after driving for 5+ miles, the steering becomes less sensitive and gets "stuck/sticky" and requires more force to turn. When applied more force the car over corrects and you swerve cause the amount of force you needed to apply. Seems like something in the steering rack expands with heat which then creates friction which you have to overcome to continue driving. Seems like it's becoming more of a issues the more people drive”Owner report · Steering · Apr 2025
“Contacted Rohrich Mazda 2690 W Liberty Ave, Pittsburgh Pa 412.344.3600 regarding the airbag recall today. They have no knowledge of this recall and therefore I am unable to have it corrected. Is my car safe to drive? When will I be able to get it fixed? Thanks, Bill”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2024
“The contact owns a 2016 Mazda MX-5. The contact received notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2024
Show 7 more owner reports
“6 speed manual transmission failure at 59,000 miles Started not shifting into 3rd, then shortly after, the transmission locked up in a intersection. Which stalled the vehicle out. Was able to move the vehicle by hand, out of heavy traffic. Since this effects all ND1, ND2 and ND3 manual transmissions. I dropped and changed it for a used one. While I rebuild the original. As I am also outside of warranty.”Owner report · Power Train · Mar 2024
“Steering: At 55+ MPH I feel a slight bind when I make a steering change. It then releases only after I've put in too much steering correction. This occurs when in a steady direction, or whether I'm in a steady, high speed turn. It feels like a snapping rubber band. You can read about other Miata drivers who have the same issue at: miata.net in the forum. The link: https://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=714849&highlight=steering+stick”Owner report · Steering · Apr 2023
“The top windshield trim piece popped off while on the highway. The windshield has never been replaced and this trim piece has never been removed. All but one of the clips failed.”Owner report · Structure · Aug 2022
“I was in an accident on May 1st 2022. I was traveling south when another car hit me. The airbags didn't deploy at all none of them did you can see from the pics and video I have attached and hear the audio from my dash cam saying the airbag deployment was detected but no airbags came out. (Dash cam video won't upload but I can email or text it if needed) the car is currently at the Ken garff Honda body shop in Riverdale Utah.”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2022
“I was driving on the freeway and I heard a loud cracking noise. I stopped at a gas station to check and saw that the upper molding part of the car had broken off.”Owner report · Structure · Apr 2021
“Air conditioner stopped working. Ac compressor hose cracked. Shop said this is happening so much, to this year/ model, that they keep the part in stock.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Sep 2020
“These tires are the original tires that came on my car which was purchased in september of 2016. When I was rotating these tires for the second time in 6138 miles I noticed that these tires were splitting open in the grooves that run around the circumference of the tire. I am afraid to drive this car for fear of a blowout in one or more tires. These brigestone potenza s001 tires should be watched closely if they are splitting open with only 6138 miles and 3 1/2 years of use. I feel that these are very unsafe tires.”Owner report · Wheels · Feb 2020
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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."
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2016 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact MX-5 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2016 Mazda MX-5 reliable?
NHTSA has 34 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2016 Mazda MX-5. The most complained-about area is power train (37% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2016 Mazda MX-5 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 24,925 miles or less.
Does the 2016 Mazda MX-5 have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags: air bag/restraint control module:software. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.