Sports car

2016 Mazda MX-5: problems, recalls and fuel economy

Not rated yet

Owners have filed 42 complaints about the 2016 Mazda MX-5 with NHTSA, and it has 3 recalls. We don't rate it yet: a rating needs sales figures to turn complaints into rates.

Compare it with another car Find one for sale

Owner complaints

filed with NHTSA

Recalls

on record

Fuel economy

30 mpg

best version, EPA combined

Fuel, 5 years

$6,800

12,000 mi a year, $3.40/gal

What owners complain about most

Transmission & drivetrain11

Body, glass & interior7

Airbags & seat belts5

Electrical system4

Engines and fuel economy

Version	Drive	Combined
Manual 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L	Rear-Wheel Drive	30 mpg
Automatic (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L	Rear-Wheel Drive	30 mpg

Recalls

Air Bags › Air Bag/Restraint Control Module › SoftwareSep 18, 2024 · campaign 24V695000
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."
Structure › Frame And Members › Underbody ShieldsJun 27, 2019 · campaign 19V496000
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.
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)Feb 1, 2019 · campaign 19V072000
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.

Check whether a specific car still has open recalls with its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Before you buy

Get a vehicle history report →Check for accidents, title problems and odometer rollbacks before you buy.Compare insurance quotes →Insurance is a big part of the cost to own, and it varies a lot by car.Check used-car loan rates →Get pre-approved before visiting a dealer so you can compare their offer.

These links go to independent sites. We don't earn anything from them.

Other years of the Mazda MX-5

Year	Reliability
2026	Not rated yet
2025	Not rated yet
2024	Not rated yet
2023	Not rated yet
2022	Not rated yet
2021	Not rated yet
2020	Not rated yet
2019	Not rated yet
2018	Not rated yet
2017	Not rated yet
2016	Not rated yet
2015	Not rated yet

Questions people ask

What problems does the 2016 Mazda MX-5 have?

Owners have filed 42 complaints with NHTSA: transmission & drivetrain (11), body, glass & interior (7), airbags & seat belts (5). We don't rate it yet, so this count isn't a reliability score: popular cars get more complaints.

How many recalls does the 2016 Mazda MX-5 have?

3 recalls on record with NHTSA.

What gas mileage does the 2016 Mazda MX-5 get?

Up to 30 mpg combined (EPA), depending on the engine.