2017 Mazda MX-5: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 11 owner complaints on record; most reports concern visibility/wiper; the 2018 model year looks 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 11 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Happened at US 101 Southbound 0.1 MILES SOUTH of RENGSTORFF AVENUE. "Power Steering Malfunction" light came on, then suddenly after 1 second, the car's steering went stiff and suddenly braked while at freeway speed flow of traffic. Car then sharply veered left into center divider due to automatic sudden braking with no control of the steering wheel”Owner report · Electrical System · Feb 2026
“I have 205/45/R 17 on a car that I drive on short trips maybe once a week or two. Driving on the highway, the tpms light came on and the handling was instantly strange. I pulled over and checked the tire, the sidewall was blown out on the passenger rear. I had it replaced. Now about 2 months later, the right rear went flat after a trip. I took it to be repaired and was told that the sidewall was splitting and it could not be repaired. I am concerned that this may not be coincidence.”Owner report · Tires · Sep 2025
“Vehicles rear windshield spontaneously shattered. Vehicle was idle and upon starting the vehicle a cracking sound was heard in the cabin and the rear view mirror was unusable as the rear windshield was entirely shattered into <1 inch pieces. Small pieces of loose glass had fallen from both upper corners of the windshield. The windshield is still attached to the vehicle and rear visibility is severely limited. No third-party inspections have been executed. There was no previous damage to the windshield and the car was idling when the failure occurred. There were no indications of potential failure before the incident.”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · Jun 2025
Show 7 more owner reports
“Airbag recall mail received from Mazda, when trying to book online mazdausa.com service depart denies vehicle has a recall and refused to schedule appointment”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2024
“The windshield cracked while the vehicle was parked in a lot. The crack appears to have started on the passenger side edge of the windshield and rapidly propogated horizontally along the center of the windshield to roughly the center of the glass. The car had 12000 miles on it when the windshield cracked.”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · May 2019
“At 8300 miles this car has dozens of rock chips in the windshield, most of which were picked up from driving on relatively clean interstates and some of which have begun to spiderweb. I believe that the glass on this vehicle is abnormally susceptible to picking up chips from rocks which will in time create stress risers and cause the windshield to fail prematurely. I talked to a mazda rep and they said that there were no recalls on this vehicle nor was the windshield covered by the factory warranty. They directed me to take my complaint to my insurance company. More pictures are available upon request.”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · Mar 2019
“When using android auto while the vehicle is in motion the touchscreen is disabled which means I need my eyes on the screen to watch the selection move by turning the selection wheel rather than just touching the screen. I think this is much more of a distraction. Other car models allow touchscreen use.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Dec 2018
“Front brembo brakes locked after car is parked overnight. It unlocked after I force the car forward. It releases with a loud snap. This occurs 2 or 3 times a month. Car drives fine. Dealer has no solution. Dealer requests overnight assessment unfortunately this occurs without predictability.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Nov 2018
“While making a right turn, suddenly lost all steering with car going straight across lane. "power steering malfunction" warning light appeared, then steering returned. "dsc malfunction" warning light remained on and "tpms malfunction" warning light remained on. If there was a car in opposite lane, would have ran into. Once car was restarted, all warnings disappeared. Bringing into dealer 5/11.”Owner report · Steering · May 2017
“The headliner on my convertible top comes unfastened right above the rear window. It sags down blocking the veiw by an inch and a half. This has been fixed 3 times and continues to happen. This window is small to begin with. The car was stationary and the top was being taken down.”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · Nov 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 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 2016-2019 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 2017 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 2017 Mazda MX-5 reliable?
NHTSA has 11 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2017 Mazda MX-5. The most complained-about area is visibility/wiper.
Does the 2017 Mazda MX-5 have open recalls?
2 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.