Mazda MX-5: which model years draw the most owner complaints?
155 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Mazda MX-5, model years 2006 to 2026. No model year stands out for the engine or transmission against the others. Counts of unverified owner reports, compared only with other years of the same model; not failure rates.
Complaints by model year
| MODEL YEAR | COMPLAINTS | VS OTHER YEARS | STANDS OUT | RECALLS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 MX-5FEW REPORTS | 25 | — | 1 | |
| 2007 MX-5FEW REPORTS | 17 | — | 0 | |
| 2008 MX-5FEW REPORTS | 7 | — | 0 | |
| 2009 MX-5FEW REPORTS | 3 | — | 0 | |
| 2010 MX-5FEW REPORTS | 4 | — | 0 | |
| 2011 MX-5FEW REPORTS | 1 | — | 0 | |
| 2012 MX-5FEW REPORTS | 5 | — | 0 | |
| 2013 MX-5FEW REPORTS | 2 | — | 0 | |
| 2014 MX-5FEW REPORTS | 6 | — | 0 | |
| 2015 MX-5FEW REPORTS | 1 | — | 0 | |
| 2016 MX-5FEW REPORTS | 34 | — | 3 | |
| 2017 MX-5FEW REPORTS | 11 | — | 2 | |
| 2018 MX-5FEW REPORTS | 3 | — | 3 | |
| 2019 MX-5FEW REPORTS | 11 | — | 3 | |
| 2020 MX-5FEW REPORTS | 3 | — | 1 | |
| 2021 MX-5FEW REPORTS | 1 | — | 1 | |
| 2022 MX-5FEW REPORTS | 5 | — | 1 | |
| 2023 MX-5FEW REPORTS | 7 | — | 1 | |
| 2024 MX-5FEW REPORTS | 5 | — | 1 | |
| 2025 MX-5FEW REPORTS | 3 | — | 1 | |
| 2026 MX-5FEW REPORTS | 1 | — | 0 |
"Stands out" = 40 or more complaints naming that system and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share seen across every vehicle of that model year. Newer years have had less time on the road. "Quiet" ranks only years with 7+ years on the road and 20+ complaints. NHTSA data through November 2026.
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Other Mazda models
Mazda 626 · Mazda B-Series Truck · Mazda CX-30 · Mazda CX-5 · Mazda CX-50 · Mazda CX-7 · Mazda CX-9 · Mazda CX-90 · Mazda MPV · Mazda Mazda3 · Mazda Mazda5 · Mazda Mazda6 · Mazda Protege · Mazda RX-8 · Mazda Tribute. All makes and models.
Source: NHTSA public complaints, recalls, service bulletin and investigation databases, data received through November 2026. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not failure rates: sales volumes are unknown, so a model year is only compared with other years of the same model. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Year pages: