Problems · NHTSA complaints

2016 Mazda MX-5 problems

Owners filed 34 complaints about the 2016 Mazda MX-5 with NHTSA between Jul 2016 and Apr 2026. The most-cited component is power train (11).

Complaints
34
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
3
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Power train11
  2. Air bags5
  3. Structure4
  4. Electrical system4
  5. Steering2
  6. Exterior lighting2
  7. Wheels2
  8. Engine2
  9. Suspension1
  10. Visibility/wiper1
  11. Vehicle speed control1
  12. Other / unknown7

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

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20165
20174
20182
20195
20205
20213
20222
20232
20244
20251
20261

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Power train

11 reports1 crash1 related recall
“6 speed manual transmission failure at 59,000 miles Started not shifting into 3rd, then shortly after, the transmission locked up in a intersection. Which stalled the vehicle out. Was able to move the vehicle by hand, out of heavy traffic. Since this effects all ND1, ND2 and ND3 manual transmissions. I dropped and changed it for a used one. While I rebuild the original. As I am also outside of warranty.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 19, 2024Power trainODI 11595214

Air bags

5 reports2 crashes1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2016 Mazda MX-5. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V695000 (AIR BAGS); however, the parts to do the recall repair were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that while driving at 5 MPH, the bumper of a parked 2001 Lexus LS400 was crashed into and the vehicle came to a stop. There was damage to the contact's license plate holder and the other vehicle bumper. There were no warning lights illuminated. The driver’s and passenger’s side air bags deployed in the minor collision. No police report was filed. The contact did not sustain any injuries. No one else was injured. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer did not want to repair the recall per the contact. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000. Parts distribution disconnect.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 9, 2025Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11653763

Structure

4 reports1 related recall
“The top windshield trim piece popped off while on the highway. The windshield has never been replaced and this trim piece has never been removed. All but one of the clips failed.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 11, 2022StructureODI 11478826

Electrical system

4 reports
“Since 2019 there have been several instances with my vehicle where someone has been able to knock the power offline thereby disabling it. It happened in five locations - a storage location in Olive BranchN MS, a former address in Memphis, TN (4330 Angarath Dr), a restaurant (Sonic) in Greenville, MS and twice in Greenville, MS both at a local park (Hardee Park). I never received any recall notices during this time regarding my vehicle ref a problem with the internal lighting for the odometer / gas meter, for the alarm system, for the battery, chasis - the frame shakes - I even reported feeling something when I first bought it back in Nov of 2015, and the door locks on the driver side stated losing the notification of being locked so I have to walk back to check and have found out that some additional delay is happening causing it not to lock properly so I open and close it to get it to lock. I have received any notifications for issues with locks, power, or the suspension (chasis). My car has been stole from the dealership in Memphis near the Germantown TN area, from storage and then from the parking lot of my current address in Greenville MS. I reported all of…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 9, 2021Suspension, Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 11443205

Steering

2 reports
“2016 Mazda MX5 club: In warmer weather(70 degree F or higher) and after driving for 5+ miles, the steering becomes less sensitive and gets “stuck/sticky” and requires more force to turn. When applied more force the car over corrects and you swerve cause the amount of force you needed to apply. Seems like something in the steering rack expands with heat which then creates friction which you have to overcome to continue driving. Seems like it’s becoming more of a issues the more people drive”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 30, 2026SteeringODI 11734925

Exterior lighting

2 reports
“HEADLIGHTS SHAKE. MIRROR COVERS ON VISORS BROKE, NEVER EVEN USED MIRRORS. BURNS OIL.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 24, 2018Exterior lighting, Unknown or other, EngineODI 11163300
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026

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