Research · Two Seaters

2009 Mazda MX-5/Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 3 owner complaints for the 2009 Mazda MX-5/. Most complaints involve air bags (2) and electrical system (1). The EPA rates it 23–24 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
23–24mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
3
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$3,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2009 Mazda MX-5/ as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

3 complaints filed with NHTSA · Aug 2014 – May 2020
  1. Air bags2
  2. Electrical system1
  3. Latches/locks/linkages1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each MX-5/ model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
200625
200717
20087
20093
20104
20111
20125
20132
20146
20151
201634
201711
20183
201911
20203
20211
20225
20237
20245
20253
20261
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
4
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

2 reports2 crashes
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 MAZDA MX-5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 80 MPH A DEER HIT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. DURING THE CRASH THE VEHICLE WENT AIRBORNE BEFORE CRASHING TO THE GROUND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED DURING THE INCIDENT AND THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BELTS WERE ENGAGED. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED SORENESS AND SCRATCHES HOWEVER NO MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 29, 2020Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11326516

Electrical system

1 report
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 MAZDA MX-5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE DOORS LOCKED AND UNLOCKED INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 4, 2014Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkagesODI 10618800

Latches/locks/linkages

1 report
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Two Seaters
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Manual 6-spd · Automatic (S6)
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
MX-5
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
222824$3,200370
MX-5
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
212824$3,200370
MX-5
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
212823$3,350386
  • MX-5
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    22 city · 28 hwy · $3,200/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • MX-5
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    21 city · 28 hwy · $3,200/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • MX-5
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    21 city · 28 hwy · $3,350/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA’s safety-ratings service didn’t respond on our last sync, so this section is missing for now. We retry within the hour.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2009 MX-5/ questions

How many recalls does the 2009 Mazda MX-5/ have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 10, 2026.

What are the most common 2009 Mazda MX-5/ problems?

Owners filed 3 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (2), electrical system (1), latches/locks/linkages (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2009 Mazda MX-5/ get?

The EPA rates the 2009 Mazda MX-5/ at 23–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026