Problems · NHTSA complaints
2019 Mazda MX-5 problems
Owners filed 11 complaints about the 2019 Mazda MX-5 with NHTSA between May 2019 and Dec 2023. The most-cited component is electrical system (3).
Complaints
11
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Electrical system3
- Steering2
- Service brakes2
- Fuel system, gasoline2
- Structure2
- Power train2
- Vehicle speed control1
- Seat belts1
- Wheels1
- Air bags1
- Engine1
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
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
1
3
1
4
2
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 2 |
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.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Electrical system
3 reports1 crash
“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.”
Steering
2 reports
“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.”
Service brakes
2 reports1 crash
“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…”
Fuel system, gasoline
2 reports1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2019 Mazda MX-5. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V875000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”
Structure
2 reports1 crash
“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.”
Power train
2 reports1 crash
“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…”
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.