2023 Mazda MX-5: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
7 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2023 model year. Data snapshot: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 7 complaints (57.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 57.1% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 14.3% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 14.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 4 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 1 |
| Steering | 1 |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 |
Power Train: 4; Air Bags: 1; Seat Belts: 1; Steering: 1; Unknown Or Other: 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 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 7 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 |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2024: 3; 2025: 3; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior 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 11599585 · 2024-07-06 (July 6, 2024)
Mazda Miata model years 2022-2024 with manual 6sp transmission are experiencing a large number of failures at low mileage. Some owners are reporting 2 failed transmissions at less than 10,000 miles. 3rd and 4th great become unusable without warning, increasing the potential for a crash. There have been over 50 reports of manual transmission failure from 2022-2024 Miata owners. Concern: When the transmission internals fail without warring the vehicle experiences loss of power and forward movement, substantially increasing the chance of an ac…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11599585 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11613520 · 2024-09-09 (September 9, 2024)
The manual transmission has a synchronizer failure. Safety was put at risk due to inability to safely complete a gear change reliably. The problem has been reported to the dealer and the transmission has been replaced once and is scheduled to go in 9/23/24 for a possible second transmission replacement. There are no warning lights associated with the failure. The only symptom is the inability to complete a shift with no warnings of this failure prior to it first presenting itself.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11613520 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11622604 · 2024-10-29 (October 29, 2024)
Dear, I’m writing to address the delayed response to the recall for my Mazda MX-5, which began on September 18. It has been nearly two months without any remedy or guidance from the manufacturer. As I rely on this vehicle daily for business purposes, this prolonged delay has caused significant disruptions. I urge NHTSA to assist in expediting a resolution with Mazda to minimize further impact on my work. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11622604 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11639795 · 2025-01-31 (January 31, 2025)
My vehicle has only 8700 miles. At around 2500 miles first gear refused to engage, and I had to start the car in second for a week. That week I scheduled for service but the problem was not reproducible, since then it has been intermittent by never prolonged like that full week. This is and was a safety risk because I have been stuck on a hill, stop signs, and green traffic lights etc. Because it was not reproducible, the claim was dismissed. At around 4000 miles and on, third gear became very inconsistent in shift action. Typically it won't …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11639795 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11665240 · 2025-06-06 (June 6, 2025)
On [XXX] my [XXX] son was driving the vehicle and at low speed (30 mph or under) lost control of the vehicle in a turn. The vehicle hit a telephone pole that was rotted from termite infestation which shattered into three pieces (one piece landing on the cars windshield frame and driver roll bar hoop) . He impacted the airbags and had an unstable anterior fracture of the c5 vertebrae and a stable posterior fracture of the C5 vertebrae. He was graded an Asia B spinal cord injury and was paralyzed from the neck down. He spent 42 days in trauma …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11665240 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11688791 · 2025-09-22 (September 22, 2025)
Manual transmission will not reliably shift from 2nd to 3rd gear without a grinding noise. Other owners are reporting similar issues that have required a full replacement of the transmission in MY2023 cars.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11688791 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11728605 · 2026-04-01 (April 1, 2026)
Steering feels sticky at higher speeds, once the vehicle is at full operating temp. The steering requires some pressure to “break free” from whatever position it is in. If I’m continually moving the wheel, it steers normally. However, if I’m driving straight and need to initiate a turn or make minor steering corrections (like on the highway), I have to turn the wheel harder than normal, then it gives way and turns with regular force. This makes it difficult to control, causing the car the jerk around a lot. This is an issue many others have not…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11728605 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
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 ↗