2006 Mazda MX-5 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
25 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
20,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2006 model year. Data snapshot: . 19 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Seat Belts is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 25 complaints (16.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 12.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 8.0% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 8.0% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 4.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 4.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Seat Belts | 4 |
| Structure | 3 |
| Structure:Body | 3 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Air Bags | 2 |
| Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification | 2 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission:Floor Shift Assembly | 2 |
Seat Belts: 4; Structure: 3; Structure:Body: 3; Unknown Or Other: 3; Air Bags: 2; Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification: 2; Electrical System: 2; Power Train:Manual Transmission:Floor Shift Assembly: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 10 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 10; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (10). 6 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 8 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2005: 1; 2006: 8; 2010: 1; 2011: 2; 2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 6; 2015: 1; 2018: 2; 2022: 1; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Seat Belts leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10151222 · 2006-02-25 (February 25, 2006)
THIS MX-5 HAS THE 5 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION. WITH APPROXIMATELY 1,200 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, THE CLUTCH FRICTION POINT (THE LOCATION IN PEDAL TRAVEL WHERE THE CLUTCH BEGINS TO ENGAGE) MOVED FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE PEDAL (NEAR THE FLOOR) TO APPROXIMATELY ONE INCH FROM THE TOP (PEDAL NORMAL POSITION -- NOT DEPRESSED). SERVICING DEALER HELD THE VEHICLE OVERNIGHT AND STATED "THEY ALL DO THAT". WHEN I REQUESTED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE THEY COMPARED IT TO, I WAS TOLD THEY WERE TOO BUSY. I WALKED OVER TO THE SALES DEPARTMENT AND ASKED A SALESPE…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10151222 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10151384 · 2006-02-28 (February 28, 2006)
I HAVE A 2006 MAZDA MX 5 MIATA. IT IS AN EXCELLENT, SOLID AND GREAT HANDLING CAR. THE BRAKES ARE SUPERB. FIT AND FINISH ARE EXCELLENT. THERE IS ONE PROBLEM THAT COULD RESULT IS ACCIDENTS: THE SIX-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION, IT IS EASY TO ACCIDENTALLY ENGAGE FIRST GEAR WHEN REVERSE IS REQUIRED OR TO ENGAGE REVERSE WHEN FIRST IS REQUIRED. DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC; AT STOP SIGNS; TRAFFIC LIGHTS; PARALLEL PARKING; EXITING GARAGE/DRIVEWAYS - IT IS TOO EASY TO ENGAGE REVERSE OR FIRST BY MISTAKE. FIRST AND REVERSE GEARS ARE TOO…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10151384 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10145469 · 2005-12-16 (December 16, 2005)
DT: THE CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT VEHICLE OVER STEERING. HE MUST CONSTANTLY MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL TO KEEP THE VEHICLE DRIVING STRAIGHT AND FROM WONDERING. THE SERVICE DEALER COMPLETED DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, AND CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER STATED NO SOLUTION WAS AVAILABLE. THE ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS ON THE TIRES WAS CHECKED TO RULE OUT ANY TIRE CONCERN WITH THE STEERING. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. THE VEHICLE IS A 2006 MAZDA MX5 CONVERTIBLE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 16 miles reported. Look up ODI 10145469 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10427017 · 2011-09-24 (September 24, 2011)
9/19/2011 12:00 P.M. DRY ROAD CONDITIONS. DRIVING SOUTHBOUND AT JUNCTION OF INTERSTATE 15 AND STATE HWY 163 THE LEFT REAR SIDE OF MY 2006 MAZDA MIATA EXPERIENCED A LOUD EXPLOSION RESULTING IN COMPLETE LOSS OF CONTROL OF STEERING. THE VEHICLE SPUN COMPLETELY AROUND 3 TIMES CROSSING 3 LANES OF HIGHWAY 163, HIT THE CURB AND WAS THROWN ONTO THE SHOULDER. THE VEHICLE DID NOT OVERTURN. THE TIRE WAS OFF THE RIM. THE RIM HAS EVIDENCE OF AN IMPACT TO THE INNER WHEEL. THE CONTROL ARM ON THE LEFT HAD SHEARED OFF. I AM FILING THIS AS PREVIOUS SUSPENSION…
Owner-reported narrative. 51,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10427017 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10160695 · 2006-06-25 (June 25, 2006)
COMPLETE POWER LOSS AT 40 MILES PER HOUR WHILE IN OPERATION. ALL WARNING DASH LIGHTS CAME ON CONCURRENT WITH LOSS OF POWER. NO RESTART. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 5,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10160695 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10659886 · 2014-11-20 (November 20, 2014)
SAME PROBLEM AS MANY OF THE OTHER PEOPLE ON THIS WEBSITE. THE DRAINAGE SYSTEM FOR THE CANVAS CONVERTIBLE IS PROBLEMATIC. HAVING WATER IN YOUR VEHICLE AS WELL AS IN THE TRUNK. COULD THIS CAUSE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM? NOT SURE. IT CAN CERTAINLY CAUSE BLACK MOLD , AND I HAVE RESPIRATORY DIFFICULTIES AS IT IS! IN MY CASE, THE INSIDE OF CAR WAS MUSTY FOR MANY MONTHS (6+). I PARK MY CAR UNDER COVER, SO IT DIDN'T GET ENOUGH WATER IN TO NOTICE THE WATER OTHER THAN BY THE SMELL.BUT EACH TIME I LOOKED FOR THE SOURCE AND COULD NOT FIND ANY MOISTURE...BUT THAT…
Owner-reported narrative. 100,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10659886 at NHTSA ↗