Owners have filed 11 complaints
about the 2008 Mazda MX-5 with NHTSA between 2009 and 2019.
The largest single group is the electrical system.
Across this model's run it ranks 6 of 6 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 24
Against the median year of the Mazda MX-5. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 47
9.1% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 21
13% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2008 Mazda MX-5
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Other & Unspecified
218.2%
Median failure at 85,500 miles
Equipment & Accessories
218.2%
Tires
218.2%
Median failure at 40,000 miles
Electrical System
218.2%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 20,650 mi
Body & Structure
19.1%
Median failure at 40,000 miles
Steering
19.1%
Median failure at 40,000 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
19.1%
Median failure at 91,000 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
112.5%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
562.5%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
112.5%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
112.5%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Apr 2009peak 3Oct 2019
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 1,300 milesAmbler, PACrash
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA MIATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE ACCIDENTALLY PLACED THE GEAR INTO REVERSE AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS AND CRASHED INTO A TRAFFIC SIGN. SINCE THE VEHICLE HAS A KEYLESS REMOTE ENTRY, SHE WAS NOT WARNED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN ITS PROPER PARKED POSITION PRIOR TO EXITING. SHE CALLED THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER, BUT WAS NOT PROVIDED WITH ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 1,300.
NHTSA complaint #10264796 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 40,000 milesRoyse City, TX
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WHEN IT RAINS WATER WILL POOL IN PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR BOARD. MAZDA DEALS SUGGESTS ADDING DRAINS AND FILTERS THAT ARE NOT PART OF ORIGINAL VEHICLE DESIGN. (THIS ISSUE IS DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW AND NO OTHER REASON), THIS HAPPENS REGARDLESS IF CAR IS MOVING OR STATIONARY. THIS HAS BEEN AN ON-GOING ISSUE SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 11/2012. . DOOR SEALS AND WINDOW SEALS ARE NOT DAMAGED.
NHTSA complaint #11269756 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,000 milesRoyse City, TX
STRUCTURE:BODY
WHEN IT RAINS WATER WILL POOL IN PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR BOARD. MAZDA DEALS SUGGESTS ADDING DRAINS AND FILTERS THAT ARE NOT PART OF ORIGINAL VEHICLE DESIGN. (THIS ISSUE IS DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW AND NO OTHER REASON), THIS HAPPENS REGARDLESS IF CAR IS MOVING OR STATIONARY. THIS HAS BEEN AN ON-GOING ISSUE SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 11/2012. . DOOR SEALS AND WINDOW SEALS ARE NOT DAMAGED.
NHTSA complaint #11269756 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 131,000 milesApollo, PA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WATER ACCUMULATION IN FOOTWELL/PLUGGED SOFT TOP DRAINS. MAZDA HAS A SERVICE BULLETIN OF HOW THEIR COMPANY CAN FIX IT BUT MUST BE PAID BY OWNER. I SPOKE TO ALISHA AT MAZDA AND IT IS NOT RECALLED OR A SERVICE PROGRAM. ON THE INTERNET MANY ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM TO MAZDA AND SHOULD BE COVERED SINCE THEIR FIX FOR THIS IS ADDING A DRAIN VALVE ASSEMBLY, SEVERAL DRAIN COVERS AND VALVES AND FILTERS.
NHTSA complaint #11219807 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 91,000 milesFort Campbell, KY
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA MX-5. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS DETECTED UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE CLUTCH PEDAL FELL TO THE FLOORBOARD AND THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE GEAR REMAINED IN NEUTRAL AND THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE PUSHED INTO A PARKING SPACE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO WYATT JOHNSON MAZDA (2425 WILMA RUDOLPH BLVD SUITE C, CLARKSVILLE, TN 37040, (931) 648-1098) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WELD ON THE CLUTCH PEDAL FRACTURED AND THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000.
NHTSA complaint #11170390 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,000 milesLong Beach, CA
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA MIATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING MECHANISM DRAINED THE BATTERY OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UPDATED 1/19/16 LN UPDATED 02/05/16*LJ
NHTSA complaint #10794629 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,000 milesLong Beach, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA MIATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING MECHANISM DRAINED THE BATTERY OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UPDATED 1/19/16 LN UPDATED 02/05/16*LJ
NHTSA complaint #10794629 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rueil Malmaison, 00
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
UNFORTUNATELY I HIRED A CAR FROM ATWEST RENT A CAR IL LAX FOR A 3 WEEKS! THE CONVERTIBLE CAR MAZDA MIATA THAT THE COMPANY RENT ME WAS, THAT I SAW FIRST, COVERED IN SCRATCHES, NOT WASHED, INSIDE AND OUTSIDE! BUT THIS IS NOT THE EXTREMELY SERIOUS MATTER!! I CALLED MANY TIMES TO REPORT YOU THAT THIS CAR IS A DANGER!!! AFTER A FEW DAYS OF DRIVING, THE BALANCE OF THE CAR WAS MASSIVELY UPSET BY HAVING USED TYRES!!!! EACH MILES I DRIVE, PUTS MYSELF AND OTHERS IN DANGER: IT IS IN PRECISELY THOSE AREAS THAT I NEED TO ACT. THERE IS ALSO NO LIQUID TANK AND THE WINDSHIELD WASHER DAMAGED!!!!!!!!. I RANG ATWEST TO EXPLAIN THAT I WAS IN DANGER....I LEAST THE EMPLOYEE DID NOT LESSON TO ME......EXCEPT TO PAY FOR THE PROBLEMS OF THE CAR!!!!! THAT IS NOT MY CAR, AND THIS IS THE COMPANY RESPONSIBILITIES TO RENT CARS AS A MATTER OF CAR RENTING POLICIES IN THE UNITED STATES...THIS IS CRIMINAL ACT TO PUT MY LIFE IN DANGER....THAT IS CALLED FAILURE TO ASSIST A PERSON IN DANGER, A CRIME THAT IS PUNISHABLE BY LAW!! I ALSO PAID THE THIRD INSURANCE THOUGH I WAS ALREADY COVERED BY MY GOLD CREDIT CARD! YOU OBVIOUSLY DON'T SERVICE YOUR VEHICLES, AND JUST WAIT THE CUSTOMER PAY OUT FOR IT! I JUST COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS....IF I HAD YOU DO IT...I WANT TO SUE THEM! MANY THANKS TO ANSWER ME AND TELL ME WHAT TO DO KIND REGARDS
NHTSA complaint #10627691 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNFORTUNATELY I HIRED A CAR FROM ATWEST RENT A CAR IL LAX FOR A 3 WEEKS! THE CONVERTIBLE CAR MAZDA MIATA THAT THE COMPANY RENT ME WAS, THAT I SAW FIRST, COVERED IN SCRATCHES, NOT WASHED, INSIDE AND OUTSIDE! BUT THIS IS NOT THE EXTREMELY SERIOUS MATTER!! I CALLED MANY TIMES TO REPORT YOU THAT THIS CAR IS A DANGER!!! AFTER A FEW DAYS OF DRIVING, THE BALANCE OF THE CAR WAS MASSIVELY UPSET BY HAVING USED TYRES!!!! EACH MILES I DRIVE, PUTS MYSELF AND OTHERS IN DANGER: IT IS IN PRECISELY THOSE AREAS THAT I NEED TO ACT. THERE IS ALSO NO LIQUID TANK AND THE WINDSHIELD WASHER DAMAGED!!!!!!!!. I RANG ATWEST TO EXPLAIN THAT I WAS IN DANGER....I LEAST THE EMPLOYEE DID NOT LESSON TO ME......EXCEPT TO PAY FOR THE PROBLEMS OF THE CAR!!!!! THAT IS NOT MY CAR, AND THIS IS THE COMPANY RESPONSIBILITIES TO RENT CARS AS A MATTER OF CAR RENTING POLICIES IN THE UNITED STATES...THIS IS CRIMINAL ACT TO PUT MY LIFE IN DANGER....THAT IS CALLED FAILURE TO ASSIST A PERSON IN DANGER, A CRIME THAT IS PUNISHABLE BY LAW!! I ALSO PAID THE THIRD INSURANCE THOUGH I WAS ALREADY COVERED BY MY GOLD CREDIT CARD! YOU OBVIOUSLY DON'T SERVICE YOUR VEHICLES, AND JUST WAIT THE CUSTOMER PAY OUT FOR IT! I JUST COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS....IF I HAD YOU DO IT...I WANT TO SUE THEM! MANY THANKS TO ANSWER ME AND TELL ME WHAT TO DO KIND REGARDS
NHTSA complaint #10627691 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rueil Malmaison, 00
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS
UNFORTUNATELY I HIRED A CAR FROM ATWEST RENT A CAR IL LAX FOR A 3 WEEKS! THE CONVERTIBLE CAR MAZDA MIATA THAT THE COMPANY RENT ME WAS, THAT I SAW FIRST, COVERED IN SCRATCHES, NOT WASHED, INSIDE AND OUTSIDE! BUT THIS IS NOT THE EXTREMELY SERIOUS MATTER!! I CALLED MANY TIMES TO REPORT YOU THAT THIS CAR IS A DANGER!!! AFTER A FEW DAYS OF DRIVING, THE BALANCE OF THE CAR WAS MASSIVELY UPSET BY HAVING USED TYRES!!!! EACH MILES I DRIVE, PUTS MYSELF AND OTHERS IN DANGER: IT IS IN PRECISELY THOSE AREAS THAT I NEED TO ACT. THERE IS ALSO NO LIQUID TANK AND THE WINDSHIELD WASHER DAMAGED!!!!!!!!. I RANG ATWEST TO EXPLAIN THAT I WAS IN DANGER....I LEAST THE EMPLOYEE DID NOT LESSON TO ME......EXCEPT TO PAY FOR THE PROBLEMS OF THE CAR!!!!! THAT IS NOT MY CAR, AND THIS IS THE COMPANY RESPONSIBILITIES TO RENT CARS AS A MATTER OF CAR RENTING POLICIES IN THE UNITED STATES...THIS IS CRIMINAL ACT TO PUT MY LIFE IN DANGER....THAT IS CALLED FAILURE TO ASSIST A PERSON IN DANGER, A CRIME THAT IS PUNISHABLE BY LAW!! I ALSO PAID THE THIRD INSURANCE THOUGH I WAS ALREADY COVERED BY MY GOLD CREDIT CARD! YOU OBVIOUSLY DON'T SERVICE YOUR VEHICLES, AND JUST WAIT THE CUSTOMER PAY OUT FOR IT! I JUST COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS....IF I HAD YOU DO IT...I WANT TO SUE THEM! MANY THANKS TO ANSWER ME AND TELL ME WHAT TO DO KIND REGARDS
NHTSA complaint #10627691 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,000 milesSaraland, AL
TIRES
SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE TIRES OR WHEELS. RETURNED TO DEALERSHIP, SAID IT THROUGH A WEIGHT. STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM OF FEELING WOBBLY ESPECIALLY BETWEEN START AND 35 MPH. HAVE TOLD SERVICE MANAGER SEVERAL TIMES, I THINK TIRES OR WHEELS NEED REPLACING...UPDATED 07/01/14 *BF STATUS UPDATE 09/09/14
NHTSA complaint #10599077 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1,300 milesAmbler, PACrash
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA MIATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE ACCIDENTALLY PLACED THE GEAR INTO REVERSE AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS AND CRASHED INTO A TRAFFIC SIGN. SINCE THE VEHICLE HAS A KEYLESS REMOTE ENTRY, SHE WAS NOT WARNED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN ITS PROPER PARKED POSITION PRIOR TO EXITING. SHE CALLED THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER, BUT WAS NOT PROVIDED WITH ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 1,300.
NHTSA complaint #10264796 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.