FaultScore

Worst years for a Mazda MX-5

Owners have filed 202 complaints about the Mazda MX-5 with NHTSA across model years 2006 to 2026. More of them are about the transmission & drivetrain than anything else.

Avoid

2006 Mazda MX-5

36 complaints — the highest FaultScore of any year, mostly body & structure.

Cleanest on record

2008 Mazda MX-5

11 complaints — the lowest FaultScore of the graded years.

Every Mazda MX-5 year, graded

The grade compares each year against the rest of this model's own run — never against another car. Click any bar or row to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded
Year Grade Complaints Crashes Fires Median miles Most reported
2026 1 0 0 Transmission & Drivetrain
2025 3 0 0 Lights
2024 7 0 0 Transmission & Drivetrain
2023 8 1 0 Transmission & Drivetrain
2022 6 0 0 Transmission & Drivetrain
2021 1 0 0 Transmission & Drivetrain
2020 3 0 0 Airbags
2019 D 15 6 0 25,220 Electrical System
2018 5 0 0 Engine & Cooling
2017 D 13 2 0 8,000 Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
2016 D 42 3 0 21,829 Transmission & Drivetrain
2015 2 0 0 Brakes
2014 8 0 0 Brakes
2013 2 0 0 Airbags
2012 6 1 0 Engine & Cooling
2011 1 0 0 Lights
2010 5 0 0 3,000 Airbags
2009 4 2 0 Airbags
2008 B 11 1 0 40,000 Electrical System
2007 C 23 1 0 11,876 Airbags
2006 F 36 3 0 30,000 Body & Structure

What breaks on a Mazda MX-5

Across every model year on file. Follow a row for that part's complaints and the year it was worst.

Worst in 2016

Airbags 25 12.4%

Worst in 2006

Electrical System 20 9.9%

Worst in 2016

Body & Structure 20 9.9%

Worst in 2006

Other & Unspecified 17 8.4%

Worst in 2016

Steering 10 5.0%

Worst in 2006

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 10 5.0%

Worst in 2017

Brakes 9 4.5%

Worst in 2014

Seat Belts 8 4.0%

Worst in 2006

Acceleration & Cruise Control 7 3.5%

Worst in 2007

Suspension 6 3.0%

Worst in 2006

Lights 6 3.0%

Worst in 2016

Tires 6 3.0%

Worst in 2006

Engine & Cooling 5 2.5%

Worst in 2016

Complaints filed over time

Every complaint about every Mazda MX-5, by the month it reached NHTSA.

Dec 2005 peak 9 Jul 2026

Compare the Mazda MX-5

Side by side on complaint history. Remember that raw totals track how many were sold as much as how good they were.