2022 Mazda MX-5 reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2022 Mazda MX-5 has 5 complaints with NHTSA after 5 years, or 1 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 1 recall on file, including Air bag control module, software.

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 (3 of 5), then Electrical system (1) and Forward collision avoidance (1).

Next to 2021 and 2023

The 2021 MX-5 has 1 complaint, 0 per year, and the 2023 has 7 complaints, 2 per year. The 2022 has more complaints per year than the 2021. The 2022 has fewer complaints per year than the 2023.

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 2022 Mazda MX-5. How we count. Data as of 2026-10-16.

Recalls (1)

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.

Complaints by component (5 total)

Powertrain

Electrical system

Forward collision avoidance

Seats

Crash-flagged

Fire-flagged

Injury reports

Death reports

Complaints filed per year

Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings

"On two occasions the vehicle (which is silver--more about that below) has suddenly and without warning activated its emergency braking. The most recent occasion was summer of 2023. On a clear, dry afternoon the system…"
Forward collision avoidance · filed 2025-12-10
"The contact owns a 2022 Mazda MX-5. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in operation, the rooftop failed to remain sealed opened or closed as intended, causing the alarm system to be disarmed. The contact…"
Powertrain, Electrical system · filed 2024-12-06
"Manual transmission synchronizers fail, causing erratic gear shift operation and the inability to change gears, which could result in an accident. The ND Mazda Miata Owners Group on Facebook has polled its owners and…"
Powertrain · filed 2024-06-18
"Transmission failure due to bad synchros"
Powertrain · filed 2024-06-18
"Hi Team, I bought a Mazda Miata MX5 RF 2022 and its user manual states the vehicle is to come with LATCH system to attach the child car system. However the LATCH hooks are not present in that car seat. 1) My…"
Seats · filed 2022-10-16

NHTSA crash ratings

Version	Overall	Front	Side	Rollover
2022 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

Next year 2023 Mazda MX-5 See every Mazda MX-5 model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2022 Mazda MX-5 reliable?

What are common problems with a 2022 Mazda MX-5?

The complaints owners file most often name Powertrain (3 of 5), then Electrical system (1) and Forward collision avoidance (1).

Is the 2022 Mazda MX-5 more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2021 MX-5 has 1 complaint, 0 per year, and the 2023 has 7 complaints, 2 per year. The 2022 has more complaints per year than the 2021. The 2022 has fewer complaints per year than the 2023.

Has the 2022 Mazda MX-5 been recalled?

The 2022 Mazda MX-5 has 1 recall on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2022 Mazda MX-5?

Owners have filed 5 complaints about the 2022 Mazda MX-5 with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2022 Mazda MX-5 get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2022 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.