Sports car
2018 Mazda MX-5: problems, recalls and fuel economy
Not rated yet
Owners have filed 5 complaints about the 2018 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.
Owner complaints
5
filed with NHTSA
Recalls
3
on record
Fuel economy
29 mpg
best version, EPA combined
Fuel, 5 years
$7,034
12,000 mi a year, $3.40/gal
What owners complain about most
Engines and fuel economy
| Version | Drive | Combined |
|---|---|---|
| Manual 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L | Rear-Wheel Drive | 29 mpg |
| Automatic (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L | Rear-Wheel Drive | 29 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."
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel PumpNov 12, 2021 · campaign 21V875000
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.
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
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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 2018 Mazda MX-5 have?
Owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA: body, glass & interior (1), electrical system (1), engine & cooling (1). We don't rate it yet, so this count isn't a reliability score: popular cars get more complaints.
How many recalls does the 2018 Mazda MX-5 have?
3 recalls on record with NHTSA.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Mazda MX-5 get?
Up to 29 mpg combined (EPA), depending on the engine.