Mazda MX-5 transmission problems
25 complaint narratives mention transmission terms.
Key facts
152 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
16,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2006 to 2026 model years. Data snapshot: . 87 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Transmission and shifting evidence
25 of 152 complaints match this topic (16.4%). The keyword filter can include complaints that mention a transmission without reporting its failure. View matching rules.
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 10238069 · 2008-08-13 (August 13, 2008)
TRANSMISSION IS VERY DIFFICULT AND SOMETIMES WILL NOT GO INTO 2ND GEAR ON THE FIRST FEW ATTEMPTS. IT HAS DONE THIS SINCE THE CAR WAS NEW AND NOW IT SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE. PROBLEM IS MORE EVIDENT WHEN IT IS COLD OUT. WHILE PULLING INTO TRAFFIC ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS IT HAS LEFT ME TRYING TO PUT IT INTO GEAR WITH CARS COMING UP BEHIND ME. IT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. MANY OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME PROBLEM AND MAZDA HAS NOT YET COME UP WITH A SOLUTION FOR THE PROBLEM. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10238069 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10454731 · 2012-04-10 (April 10, 2012)
2012 MAZDA MIATA SUN VISORS DO NOT ROTATE LEFT TO RIGHT, MAKING MORNING SOUTHBOUND DRIVE AND EVENING NORTHBOUND DRIVE DANGEROUS, AS LEFT HAND IS OCCUPIED BLOCKING SUN, AND RIGHT HAND REQUIRED TO OPERATE BOTH MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND STEERING. RESULT IS, THERE IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10454731 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10576993 · 2014-04-02 (April 2, 2014)
WHEN TRAVELING ABOUT 20 MPH, APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION, THE CAR BRAKE STOPPED WORKING. AS THE CAR SLOWED DOWN AND GOT OFF THE ROAD, IT WAS STOPPED BY SHIFTING TO PARK. THE BRAKE WORKED AGAIN AFTER STOPPING. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE BRAKE STOPPED WORKING. THE FIRST TIME WAS WITHIN A WEEK AFTER WE RECEIVED THE NEW CAR. WHEN BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE CAR COULD NOT BE STOPPED - UNTIL IT WAS SHIFTED TO DRIVE. AT THAT TIME, WE DID NOT KNOW FOR SURE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER REFUSED TO CHECK FOR AN INTERNAL BRAK…
Owner-reported narrative. 430 miles reported. Look up ODI 10576993 at NHTSA ↗