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2019 Mazda MX-5

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 4 of 8 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports0 fire reports2 injury reports

What owners actually said

8 reports
Mileage unknown · Dec 28, 2023
Electrical SystemService BrakesSteering

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 back on a day later and they took another look from head to toe and they couldn't find a reason why the ABS and…

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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 back on a day later and they took another look from head to toe and they couldn't find a reason why the ABS and Brake Lights were staying on and now its only intermit after four weeks, it cost me about $644.00 dollars for the SAS plus $130.00 for diagnostic plus renter car and the lights still come on (Meineke Auto Shop.) On the screen of the car it states something wrong with the Electrical Vacuum Pump but they checked and the scanner is not pulling nothing up and the shop end up stating, it was probably an "electrical issue." I believe with the miles the car has, it shouldnt had needed any new sensor and there is a possible electrical defect or bad wiring. Car has no accidents and drives fine and straight but the lights come on a few times a week but never when Im driving only when its first turned on.

NHTSA ODI #11562316

Mileage unknown · Aug 21, 2023
Electrical SystemSteering

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 working. Later on that day ,I checked it again then it worked.

NHTSA ODI #11539731

Mileage unknown · Aug 26, 2022
Vehicle Speed Control

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 moment I slipped it out of gear, the engine began to howl, revving to between 5,500 and 6,000 r.p.m.s…

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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 moment I slipped it out of gear, the engine began to howl, revving to between 5,500 and 6,000 r.p.m.s. Turned it off. Turned it back on after 15 seconds. Immediately went to 6,000 r.p.m.s. Turned it off. Started it again after 30 seconds. Was okay and is now in my garage.

NHTSA ODI #11481421

Mileage unknown · Apr 11, 2022
Seat Belts

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 I got caught in the loop almost falling onto pavement when I was exiting the vehicle. My dogs have on occasion …

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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 I got caught in the loop almost falling onto pavement when I was exiting the vehicle. My dogs have on occasion gotten snarled in the belt while entering or exiting the car. A dealership confirmed the belts were failing to retract, but blamed it on repairs done by a non dealership garage. No warning lamps etc etc

NHTSA ODI #11460418

15,832 miles · May 6, 2021
Wheels

IN OCT. OF 2018, I PURCHASED A MAZDA WITH YOKOHAMA ADVAN SPORT V105, 195/50R16, 84V TIRES. THESE WERE THE STANDARD TIRES THAT CAME ON THE CAR. NOW SOME 15,832 MILES LATER AND LESS THAN 3 YRS., I AM TOLD THAT THEY HAVE "MICRO CRACKS" AND SHOULD BE REPLACED. CLOSER RESEARCH REVEALED THAT THESE ARE "SUMMER TIRES" THAT "FLEXING O…

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IN OCT. OF 2018, I PURCHASED A MAZDA WITH YOKOHAMA ADVAN SPORT V105, 195/50R16, 84V TIRES. THESE WERE THE STANDARD TIRES THAT CAME ON THE CAR. NOW SOME 15,832 MILES LATER AND LESS THAN 3 YRS., I AM TOLD THAT THEY HAVE "MICRO CRACKS" AND SHOULD BE REPLACED. CLOSER RESEARCH REVEALED THAT THESE ARE "SUMMER TIRES" THAT "FLEXING OF THE SPECIALIZED RUBBER COMPOUNDS USED IN MAX PERFORMANCE SUMMER TIRES DURING COLD-WEATHER USE CAN RESULT IN IRREVERSIBLE COMPOUND CRACKING. COMPOUND CRACKING IS NOT A WARRANTABLE CONDITION BECAUSE IT OCCURS AS THE RESULT OF IMPROPER USE OR STORAGE, TIRES EXHIBITING COMPOUND CRACKING MUST BE REPLACED." AT NO TIME WAS I WARNED THAT DRIVING WITH THESE TIRES IN THE WINTER COULD CAUSE THIS DAMAGE. MORE IMPORTANT IS THE FACT THAT THEY GET DANGEROUSLY LITTLE TRACTION UNDER THESE COLD CONDITIONS-ESPECIALLY WITH EVEN A MINIMAL AMOUNT OF SNOW. A CONSUMER SHOULD BE WARNED ABOUT THIS FORESEEABLE DANGEROUS CONDITION-ESPECIALLY WHEN THIS CAR IS SOLD IN A STATE WITH SEVERE WINTERS.

NHTSA ODI #11415450

252,200 miles · Dec 7, 2020
Air BagsEnginePower TrainCrashInjury

AS I WAS EXITING A BP GAS STATION (62 GRIFFIN CORPORATION DR, CHELSEA, AL 35043) AND MAKING A RIGHT ONTO COUNTY ROAD 11, THE REAR TIRES OF THE CAR STARTED TO SPIN (1/4 THROTTLE). I NOTICED THAT ABS OR THE STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM DID NOT ACTIVATE. THE CAR WAS NOT IN "SPORT" MODE. IT WAS IN THE "D" DRIVING MODE. THE REAR TIRES…

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AS I WAS EXITING A BP GAS STATION (62 GRIFFIN CORPORATION DR, CHELSEA, AL 35043) AND MAKING A RIGHT ONTO COUNTY ROAD 11, THE REAR TIRES OF THE CAR STARTED TO SPIN (1/4 THROTTLE). I NOTICED THAT ABS OR THE STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM DID NOT ACTIVATE. THE CAR WAS NOT IN "SPORT" MODE. IT WAS IN THE "D" DRIVING MODE. THE REAR TIRES CONTINUED SPINNING AND I FELT THE CAR'S BACK END FISHTAILING. AT THIS POINT, I STARTED TO GET ON THE BRAKES HARD AND TRY TO DO MINOR CORRECTIONS, WHEN I FELT THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS NOT PULSATING, AND THE CAR WAS NOT SLOWING DOWN AT ALL. AT THIS POINT, I WAS FACING ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND THE RAILROAD TRACKS THAT WERE ABOUT >500 FT IN FRONT OF ME. I LOOK TO MY RIGHT AND NOTICE THAT I AM ABOUT TO SLIDE INTO THE RAILROAD CROSSING SIGN. THE IMPACT WAS HARD ENOUGH TO WHERE MY RIGHT BUTTOCK ENDED UP NEXT TO THE HANDBRAKE OF THE CAR. MY ARM IS SLIGHTLY BRUISED FROM IT BEING SWUNG TO THE RIGHT AND HITTING THE PASSENGER WINDOW. THE AIRBAGS WERE NOT DEPLOYED AT ALL. HOWEVER, THE DAMAGE DONE TO THE CAR IS, LEFT LOWER CONTROL ARM SCRATCHED/SCUFFED/DAMAGED, THE PASSENGER SIDE MIRROR BROKEN OFF, THE PASSENGER DOOR DENTED INWARDS, THE SIDE SKIRT (THE PART THAT RUNS ACROSS THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR) RIPPED OFF ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND BENT UPWARDS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, AND FINALLY, THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR SILL DENTED/BENT INWARDS. THE PICTURES ATTACHED ARE THE PHOTOS OF MY BRUISE AND THE INCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI #11378247

25,220 miles · Dec 7, 2020
Electrical SystemService BrakesStructureCrashInjury

AS I WAS EXITING A BP GAS STATION (62 GRIFFIN CORPORATION DR, CHELSEA, AL 35043) AND MAKING A RIGHT ONTO COUNTY ROAD 11, THE REAR TIRES OF THE CAR STARTED TO SPIN (1/4 THROTTLE). I NOTICED THAT ABS OR THE STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM DID NOT ACTIVATE. THE REAR TIRES CONTINUED SPINNING AND I FELT THE CAR'S BACK END FISHTAILING. AT …

Read full complaint

AS I WAS EXITING A BP GAS STATION (62 GRIFFIN CORPORATION DR, CHELSEA, AL 35043) AND MAKING A RIGHT ONTO COUNTY ROAD 11, THE REAR TIRES OF THE CAR STARTED TO SPIN (1/4 THROTTLE). I NOTICED THAT ABS OR THE STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM DID NOT ACTIVATE. THE REAR TIRES CONTINUED SPINNING AND I FELT THE CAR'S BACK END FISHTAILING. AT THIS POINT, I STARTED TO GET ON THE BRAKES HARD AND TRY TO DO MINOR CORRECTIONS, WHEN I FELT THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS NOT PULSATING, AND THE CAR WAS NOT SLOWING DOWN AT ALL. AT THIS POINT, I WAS FACING ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND THE RAILROAD TRACKS THAT WERE ABOUT >500 FT IN FRONT OF ME. I LOOK TO MY RIGHT AND NOTICE THAT I AM ABOUT TO SLIDE INTO THE RAILROAD CROSSING SIGN. THE IMPACT WAS HARD ENOUGH TO WHERE MY RIGHT BUTTOCK ENDED UP NEXT TO THE HANDBRAKE OF THE CAR. MY ARM IS SLIGHTLY BRUISED FROM IT BEING SWUNG TO THE RIGHT AND HITTING THE PASSENGER WINDOW. THE AIRBAGS WERE NOT DEPLOYED AT ALL. HOWEVER, THE DAMAGE DONE TO THE CAR IS, LEFT LOWER CONTROL ARM SCRATCHED/SCUFFED/DAMAGED, THE PASSENGER SIDE MIRROR BROKEN OFF, THE PASSENGER DOOR DENTED INWARDS, THE SIDE SKIRT (THE PART THAT RUNS ACROSS THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR) RIPPED OFF ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND BENT UPWARDS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, AND FINALLY, THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR SILL DENTED/BENT INWARDS. THE PICTURES ATTACHED ARE THE PHOTOS OF MY BRUISE AND AND THE INCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI #11378241

23,000 miles · Jul 20, 2020
Structure

SOUL RED CRYSTAL PAINT EXCESSIVE PAINT CHIPPING. FRONT OF CAR AND HOOD HAS MORE THAT 50 WHITE SPOTS FROM CHIPPING PAINT. 23,000 MILES AND THE CAR LOOKS TERRIBLE FROM THE FRONT.

NHTSA ODI #11340423

Official recalls

2

24V695000 · Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module:software

Sep 18, 2024

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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

21V875000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Nov 12, 2021

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Fuel pump failure may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.