2016 Mazda MX-5 reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2016 Mazda MX-5 has 34 complaints with NHTSA after 11 years, or 4 per year. That is the most complaints per year among the 13 MX-5 years on this site. NHTSA has 3 recalls on file, including Air bag control module, software, Underbody shields, and Transmission control module.

2012 Mazda MX-5 — Photo by Chris Woodrich, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0

Complaints

Per year

Recalls

Years on the road

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Powertrain (11 of 34), then Air bags (5) and Electrical system (4). Those filings include 3 that report a crash and 1 that reports an injury.

Next to 2015 and 2017

The 2015 MX-5 has 1 complaint, 0 per year, and the 2017 has 11 complaints, 2 per year. The 2016 has more complaints per year than the 2015. The 2016 has more complaints per year than the 2017.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2016 Mazda MX-5. How we count. Data as of 2026-10-16.

Recalls (3)

Recall air bags, air bag control module, software 2024-09-18 · NHTSA campaign 24V695000

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 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.

Recall structure, frame, underbody shields 2019-06-27 · NHTSA campaign 19V496000

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.

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.

Recall powertrain, automatic transmission, transmission control module 2019-02-01 · NHTSA campaign 19V072000

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.

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.

Complaints by component (34 total)

Powertrain

Air bags

Electrical system

Structure

Engine

Exterior lighting

Steering

Wheels

Speed control

Suspension

Visibility and wipers

Show 3 more Show less

Crash-flagged

Fire-flagged

Injury reports

Death reports

Complaints filed per year

Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings

"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…"
Steering · filed 2026-04-30
"The contact owns a 2016 Mazda MX-5. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V695000 (AIR BAGS); however, the parts to do the recall repair were not yet available. The contact stated that the…"
Air bags · filed 2025-04-09
"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?…"
Air bags · filed 2024-11-12
"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…"
Air bags · filed 2024-09-24
"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,…"
Powertrain · filed 2024-06-19

NHTSA crash ratings

Version	Overall	Front	Side	Rollover
2016 Mazda MX-5 C RWD	Not rated	Not rated	Not rated	Not rated

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City	Hwy	Combined	Annual fuel cost
MX-5	2L, 4-cyl	Automatic (6-speed)	Rear-wheel drive	26	36	30 MPG	$2650
MX-5	2L, 4-cyl	Manual 6-speed	Rear-wheel drive	27	34	30 MPG	$2650

Specs and fitment

4th generation (ND), 2016–2023

Body styles Roadster

Oil SAE 0W-20 (SKYACTIV-G 2.0L) , 4.5 qt capacity

Tire size 195/50R16, 205/45R17 (trim-dependent)

Known issues for this generation

NHTSA safety recall 24V695000 covers affected vehicles after the agency found that 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.". 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.

Compare

Next year 2017 Mazda MX-5 See every Mazda MX-5 model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Mazda MX-5 reliable?

What are common problems with a 2016 Mazda MX-5?

The complaints owners file most often name Powertrain (11 of 34), then Air bags (5) and Electrical system (4). Those filings include 3 that report a crash and 1 that reports an injury.

Is the 2016 Mazda MX-5 more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2015 MX-5 has 1 complaint, 0 per year, and the 2017 has 11 complaints, 2 per year. The 2016 has more complaints per year than the 2015. The 2016 has more complaints per year than the 2017.

Has the 2016 Mazda MX-5 been recalled?

The 2016 Mazda MX-5 has 3 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2016 Mazda MX-5?

Owners have filed 34 complaints about the 2016 Mazda MX-5 with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2016 Mazda MX-5 get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2016 Mazda MX-5 is 30 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What engine oil does a Mazda MX-5 Miata use?

NC (2012-2015): SAE 5W-30 for the 2.0L MZR. ND/NE (2016-on): SAE 0W-20 for SKYACTIV-G 2.0L.

What does NHTSA recall 24V695000 cover on ND MX-5?

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.

What tire size does the NC MX-5 use?

205/45R17 on the NC generation listed here.