NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 3 owner complaints for the 2018 Mazda MX-5. Most complaints involve power train (1) and electrical system (1). The EPA rates it 29 mpg combined.
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."
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.
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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each MX-5 model year we’ve synced.
| 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 |
“2018 Mazda Miata MX-5 Club Sport, manual transmission Heading home from a friends house that evening, transmission started whirring/whining in 6th gear, then 5th, and so on through 2nd - 1st gear seems to be unaffected. I was forced to apply hazard flashers and travel well below the speed limit in the right lane of the PA turnpike until I made my way to local roads. As I got closer to home, there was also a slight crunch between gears. All of the symptoms above got worse until arriving home, where the vehicle was parked to await diagnosis/repair. 2016+ Mazda Miata MX-5 manual transmissions are infamous for being fragile, but I never expected my transmission to fail before I reached 20,000 miles on the odometer. Mazda also refused to refund it due to my car being just months out of warranty. I am now out $2000+ from sourcing a new transmission and having it installed on a relatively new car, which is unheard of.”
“I'VE OWNED MY 2018 MAZDA MX-5 FOR ABOUT TWO YEARS. THE PROBLEMS SLOW STARTED ARISING. AT FIRST I HADN'T NOTICED, BUT WHEN GOING IN AND OUT OF 'DRIVE' THE VEHICLE FELT LIKE IT WAS EITHER GOING TO STALL OR ACCELERATE. I HAD INITIALLY THOUGHT WAS BECAUSE IT'S A 'SPORTS CAR.' IN AUGUST OF 2020 THE WINDOW REGULATOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAD MALFUNCTIONED. FAST FORWARD TO DECEMBER 2020, THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR HAS MALFUNCTION AS WELL. I'VE BEEN DOING RESEARCH AS TO WHY THIS WOULD HAPPEN TO A VEHICLE THAT'S ABOUT 2 YEARS OLD. I'VE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE OCTOBER OF 2018. INTERNET FORUMS SUGGESTED FAULTS WITH THE ELECTRICAL WIRING. I'VE INFORMED THE MAZDA OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF THESE ISSUES AND INFORMED THEM OF THE INCONVENIENCE. MAKE NOTE I HAVE ONLY MADE A COMPLAINT TO THE WINDOW REGULATORS FAILING. I'VE PROVIDED THEM WITH MY VIN AND YET TO HEAR FROM THEM SINCE. IT DIDN'T OCCUR TO ME TO DO RESEARCH ON MY VIN, SO I DID AND MUCH TO MY CHAGRIN AFTER APOLOGIZING FOR POSSIBLY BEING RUDE, I FIND THAT MY VEHICLE HAS HAD A SERIOUS RECALL SINCE FEBRUARY 01ST OF 2019. A YEAR AND 10 MONTHS AND NO RECALL NOTICE WHAT SO EVER! SHOULDN'T THE DEALERSHIP KNOW OF THE PROBLEMS!…”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MX-5 Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 26 | 35 | 29 | $2,650 | 303 |
| MX-5 Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 26 | 33 | 29 | $2,650 | 305 |
| 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 |
3 safety recalls as of Nov 11, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 3 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (1), electrical system (1), vehicle speed control (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2018 Mazda MX-5 at 29 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).