Research · Two Seaters
2010 Mazda MX-5/Recalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 4 owner complaints for the 2010 Mazda MX-5/. Most complaints involve seat belts (1) and suspension (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
4
Top: seat belts
Fuel cost / yr
$3,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2010 Mazda MX-5/ as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
4 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2010 – May 2016
- Seat belts1
- Suspension1
- Visibility1
- Air bags1
- Vehicle speed control1
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 year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 25 |
| 2007 | 17 |
| 2008 | 7 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 4 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 34 |
| 2017 | 11 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 11 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 7 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 1 |
- Crashes reported
- 0
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 0
- Deaths reported
- 0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Seat belts
1 report
“TL* THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING A 2010 MAZDA MIATA. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELTS WOULD NOT RETRACT AND SECURE BOTH PASSENGERS. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.”
Suspension
1 report
“WENT FOR OIL CHANGE AND THEY NOTICE REAR TIRES HAS EXCESSIVE WEAR ON REAR TIRES. REPLACED ALL 4 TIRES , ONLY 16,000 MILES. MECHANIC NOTICED REAR STRUTS ARE LEAKING AND FEELS THIS CAUSED EXCESSIVE WEAR ON TIRE. DEALER STATES OUT OF WARRANTY 36 MONTHS OR 36,000 MILES. ONLY 16,000 MILES AND THEY ARE LEAKING CAUSING EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR? SEE THIS LINK OF OTHER MAZDA CUSTOMERS - HTTPS://GRASSROOTSMOTORSPORTS.COM/FORUM/GRM/MAZDA-3-STRUT-3-YEAR-LIFE/26276/PAGE2/. *TR”
Visibility
1 report
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 MAZDA MX5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THAT THE SUN VISOR WOULD NOT COME COMPLETELY DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHO STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT AIR BAG CRASH CENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO MAKE ANY REPAIRS TO THE SUN VISOR SINCE THEY WERE UNABLE TO ALTER THE DESIGN. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,800......UPDATED 01/14/13 *BF UPDATED 01/16/2013 *JS”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
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 11, 2026EPA listing
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MX-5 Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 22 | 28 | 24 | $3,200 | 370 |
| MX-5 Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 21 | 28 | 24 | $3,200 | 370 |
| MX-5 Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 21 | 28 | 23 | $3,350 | 386 |
- 24mpg comb.
- 24mpg comb.
- 23mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
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 11, 2026
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat 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.
2010 MX-5/ questions
How many recalls does the 2010 Mazda MX-5/ have?
0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 11, 2026.
What are the most common 2010 Mazda MX-5/ problems?
Owners filed 4 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are seat belts (1), suspension (1), visibility (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2010 Mazda MX-5/ get?
The EPA rates the 2010 Mazda MX-5/ at 23–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026