2019 Mazda MX-5: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
8 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
24,110 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2019 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 8 complaints (37.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 37.5% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 25.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 12.5% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Steering | 2 |
| Structure:Body | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 1 |
Electrical System: 3; Service Brakes: 2; Steering: 2; Structure:Body: 2; Air Bags: 1; Engine: 1; Power Train: 1; Seat Belts: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 4 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 |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 2 |
2020: 3; 2021: 1; 2022: 2; 2023: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11340423 · 2020-07-20 (July 20, 2020)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 23,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11340423 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11378241 · 2020-12-07 (December 7, 2020)
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 …
Owner-reported narrative. 25,220 miles reported. Look up ODI 11378241 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11378247 · 2020-12-07 (December 7, 2020)
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 S…
Owner-reported narrative. 252,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 11378247 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11415450 · 2021-05-06 (May 6, 2021)
IN OCT. OF 2018, I PURCHASED A MAZDA WITH YOKOHAMA ADVAN SPORT V105, 195/50R16, 84V TIRES. THESE WERE THE STANDARD TIRES THAT CAME ON THE CAR. NOW SOME 15,832 MILES LATER AND LESS THAN 3 YRS., I AM TOLD THAT THEY HAVE "MICRO CRACKS" AND SHOULD BE REPLACED. CLOSER RESEARCH REVEALED THAT THESE ARE "SUMMER TIRES" THAT "FLEXING OF THE SPECIALIZED RUBBER COMPOUNDS USED IN MAX PERFORMANCE SUMMER TIRES DURING COLD-WEATHER USE CAN RESULT IN IRREVERSIBLE COMPOUND CRACKING. COMPOUND CRACKING IS NOT A WARRANTABLE CONDITION BECAUSE IT OCCURS AS THE RESU…
Owner-reported narrative. 15,832 miles reported. Look up ODI 11415450 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11460418 · 2022-04-11 (April 11, 2022)
Seat belts fail to retract or tighten properly. I have to hand feed the belt slowly back into the housing when I put the seat belt on to get it to properly tighten. It also fails to retract when I remove the belt, once I got caught in the loop almost falling onto pavement when I was exiting the vehicle. My dogs have on occasion gotten snarled in the belt while entering or exiting the car. A dealership confirmed the belts were failing to retract, but blamed it on repairs done by a non dealership garage. No warning lamps etc etc
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11460418 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11481421 · 2022-08-26 (August 26, 2022)
I've had the car about 4,500 miles. No problems. Current mileage is 8899. Drove about 30 miles. 88 degrees. Humid. Dry. Slowed and turned right into my driveway. Stopped to run and open the garage. Standard tranny. The moment I slipped it out of gear, the engine began to howl, revving to between 5,500 and 6,000 r.p.m.s. Turned it off. Turned it back on after 15 seconds. Immediately went to 6,000 r.p.m.s. Turned it off. Started it again after 30 seconds. Was okay and is now in my garage.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11481421 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11539731 · 2023-08-21 (August 21, 2023)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11539731 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11562316 · 2023-12-28 (December 28, 2023)
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 …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11562316 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
21V875000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump
Reported: 2021-11-12 (November 12, 2021)
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018 Mazda3, Mazda6, 2019 CX-3, 2018-2019 MX-5, CX-5, CX-9, and 2019-2020 Mazda2 vehicles. The impeller inside the low-pressure fuel pump may crack and deform, potentially causing the fuel pump to fail.
Consequence: Fuel pump failure may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pumps, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 18, 2022. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 5321K.
NHTSA campaign record ↗24V695000 · Air Bags: Air Bag/Restraint Control Module:Software
Reported: 2024-09-18 (September 18, 2024)
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2016-2023 MX-5 Miata vehicles. A software error in the air bag control module may cause the front air bags to deploy with excessive force during a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Consequence: An air bag that deploys with excessive force can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the Sophisticated Air Bag Sensor (SAS) control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 7, 2024. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 6924I.
NHTSA campaign record ↗