2019 Mazda MX-5 reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2019 Mazda MX-5 has 11 complaints with NHTSA after 8 years, or 2 per year. That is more complaints per year than most MX-5 years here — over the median of the other years, which is 1. NHTSA has 2 recalls on file, including Air bag control module, software and Fuel pump.

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 Electrical system (3 of 11), then Fuel system, gasoline (2) and Powertrain (2). Those filings include 2 that report a crash and 2 that report an injury.

Next to 2018 and 2020

The 2018 MX-5 has 3 complaints, 1 per year, and the 2020 has 3 complaints, 0 per year. The 2019 has more complaints per year than the 2018. The 2019 has more complaints per year than the 2020.

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 2019 Mazda MX-5. How we count. Data as of 2026-10-16.

Recalls (2)

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 Fuel pump 2021-11-12 · NHTSA campaign 21V875000

Summary 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.

Remedy Dealers will replace the fuel pumps, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 18, 2022. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 5321K.

Complaints by component (11 total)

Electrical system

Fuel system, gasoline

Powertrain

Service brakes

Steering

Structure

Air bags

Engine

Seat belts

Speed control

Wheels

Show 3 more Show less

Crash-flagged

Fire-flagged

Injury reports

Death reports

Complaints filed per year

Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings

"On the Dash the amber ABS light came on as well as the red Brake light and they stayed on for a couples and I took it to the shop and they said it was the "Steering Angle Sensor" and they changed it and the lights came…"
Steering, Electrical system, Service brakes · filed 2023-12-28
"While driving 65 mph,I lost power steering control then the electronics system shut down momentarily then it restarted itself and made to destination.Next morning, I tried to drive the car but the steering wasn't…"
Steering, Electrical system · filed 2023-08-21
"I've had the car about 4,500 miles. No problems. Current mileage is 8899. Drove about 30 miles. 88 degrees. Humid. Dry. Slowed and turned right into my driveway. Stopped to run and open the garage. Standard tranny. The…"
Speed control · filed 2022-08-26
"The contact owns a 2019 Mazda MX-5. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V875000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was…"
Fuel system, gasoline · filed 2022-06-22
"Seat belts fail to retract or tighten properly. I have to hand feed the belt slowly back into the housing when I put the seat belt on to get it to properly tighten. It also fails to retract when I remove the belt, once…"
Seat belts · filed 2022-04-11

NHTSA crash ratings

Version	Overall	Front	Side	Rollover
2019 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	35	30 MPG	$2650
MX-5	2L, 4-cyl	Manual 6-speed	Rear-wheel drive	26	34	29 MPG	$2750

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

Previous year 2018 Mazda MX-5 See every Mazda MX-5 model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2019 Mazda MX-5 reliable?

What are common problems with a 2019 Mazda MX-5?

The complaints owners file most often name Electrical system (3 of 11), then Fuel system, gasoline (2) and Powertrain (2). Those filings include 2 that report a crash and 2 that report an injury.

Is the 2019 Mazda MX-5 more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2018 MX-5 has 3 complaints, 1 per year, and the 2020 has 3 complaints, 0 per year. The 2019 has more complaints per year than the 2018. The 2019 has more complaints per year than the 2020.

Has the 2019 Mazda MX-5 been recalled?

The 2019 Mazda MX-5 has 2 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 2019 Mazda MX-5?

Owners have filed 11 complaints about the 2019 Mazda MX-5 with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2019 Mazda MX-5 get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2019 Mazda MX-5 is 29.5 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.