2018 MAZDA MX-5 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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N/A

Safety Rating

5

Owner Complaints

3

Recalls

ACTIVE RECALL

27

Service Bulletins

0

Investigations

Overview of the 2018 MAZDA MX-5

The 2018 MAZDA MX-5 has received a total of 5 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 3 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM). 27 technical service bulletins have been issued by Mazda Motor Corp. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Electrical System (1 complaint), Engine (1 complaint), and Power Train (1 complaint).

Recalls for the 2018 MAZDA MX-5

NHTSA has recorded 3 recalls for the 2018 MAZDA MX-5, potentially affecting up to 213,078 vehicles.

Recall 24V695000 — AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE

| 77,670 vehicles affected

Defect: 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.

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Recall 21V875000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

| 121,038 vehicles affected

Defect: 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.

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Recall 19V072000 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

| 14,370 vehicles affected

Defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2016-2019 MX-5 (Miata) vehicles with automatic transmissions. Due to incorrect programming of the Transmission Control Module (TCM), certain conditions may cause the vehicle to unexpectedly downshift and abruptly decelerate.

Consequence: If the vehicle abruptly downshifts, the driver may lose control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the TCM with corrected software, free of charge. The recall began March 14, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 3019A.

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Owner Complaints for the 2018 MAZDA MX-5

5 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2018 MAZDA MX-5. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Most Recent Complaints

#11595229 | POWER TRAIN | | N/A miles
2018 Mazda Miata MX-5 Club Sport, manual transmission Heading home from a friends house that evening, transmission started whirring/whining in 6th gear, then 5th, and so on through 2nd - 1st gear seems to be unaffected. I was forced to apply hazard flashers and travel well below the speed limit in the right lane of the PA turnpike until I made my way to local roads. As I got closer to home, there was also a slight crunch between gears. All of the symptoms above got worse until arriving home, where the vehicle was parked to await diagnosis/repair. 2016+ Mazda Miata MX-5 manual transmissions are infamous for being fragile, but I never expected my transmission to fail before I reached 20,000 miles on the odometer. Mazda also refused to refund it due to my car being just months out of warranty. I am now out $2000+ from sourcing a new transmission and having it installed on a relatively new car, which is unheard of.
#11384229 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | | N/A miles
I'VE OWNED MY 2018 MAZDA MX-5 FOR ABOUT TWO YEARS. THE PROBLEMS SLOW STARTED ARISING. AT FIRST I HADN'T NOTICED, BUT WHEN GOING IN AND OUT OF 'DRIVE' THE VEHICLE FELT LIKE IT WAS EITHER GOING TO STALL OR ACCELERATE. I HAD INITIALLY THOUGHT WAS BECAUSE IT'S A 'SPORTS CAR.' IN AUGUST OF 2020 THE WINDOW REGULATOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAD MALFUNCTIONED. FAST FORWARD TO DECEMBER 2020, THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR HAS MALFUNCTION AS WELL. I'VE BEEN DOING RESEARCH AS TO WHY THIS WOULD HAPPEN TO A VEHICLE THAT'S ABOUT 2 YEARS OLD. I'VE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE OCTOBER OF 2018. INTERNET FORUMS SUGGESTED FAULTS WITH THE ELECTRICAL WIRING. I'VE INFORMED THE MAZDA OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF THESE ISSUES AND INFORMED THEM OF THE INCONVENIENCE. MAKE NOTE I HAVE ONLY MADE A COMPLAINT TO THE WINDOW REGULATORS FAILING. I'VE PROVIDED THEM WITH MY VIN AND YET TO HEAR FROM THEM SINCE. IT DIDN'T OCCUR TO ME TO DO RESEARCH ON MY VIN, SO I DID AND MUCH TO MY CHAGRIN AFTER APOLOGIZING FOR POSSIBLY BEING RUDE, I FIND THAT MY VEHICLE HAS HAD A SERIOUS RECALL SINCE FEBRUARY 01ST OF 2019. A YEAR AND 10 MONTHS AND NO RECALL NOTICE WHAT SO EVER! SHOULDN'T THE DEALERSHIP KNOW OF THE PROBLEMS! SERIOUSLY I COULD HAVE DIED! I QUOTE, DIRECTLY FROM NHTSA, 'THE SUDDEN UNEXPECTED DOWNSHIFT WHILE DRIVING MAY NEGATIVELY AFFECT THE STABILITY OF THE VEHICLE, AND COULD LEAD TO A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.' THIS IS INCREDIBLY DEPRESSING, SINCE THIS IS MY ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION. THEY HAD CLOSE TO 2 YEARS TO INFORM ME OF THIS RECALL AND I HAD TO FIND OUT MYSELF.
#11384229 | ENGINE | | N/A miles
I'VE OWNED MY 2018 MAZDA MX-5 FOR ABOUT TWO YEARS. THE PROBLEMS SLOW STARTED ARISING. AT FIRST I HADN'T NOTICED, BUT WHEN GOING IN AND OUT OF 'DRIVE' THE VEHICLE FELT LIKE IT WAS EITHER GOING TO STALL OR ACCELERATE. I HAD INITIALLY THOUGHT WAS BECAUSE IT'S A 'SPORTS CAR.' IN AUGUST OF 2020 THE WINDOW REGULATOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAD MALFUNCTIONED. FAST FORWARD TO DECEMBER 2020, THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR HAS MALFUNCTION AS WELL. I'VE BEEN DOING RESEARCH AS TO WHY THIS WOULD HAPPEN TO A VEHICLE THAT'S ABOUT 2 YEARS OLD. I'VE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE OCTOBER OF 2018. INTERNET FORUMS SUGGESTED FAULTS WITH THE ELECTRICAL WIRING. I'VE INFORMED THE MAZDA OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF THESE ISSUES AND INFORMED THEM OF THE INCONVENIENCE. MAKE NOTE I HAVE ONLY MADE A COMPLAINT TO THE WINDOW REGULATORS FAILING. I'VE PROVIDED THEM WITH MY VIN AND YET TO HEAR FROM THEM SINCE. IT DIDN'T OCCUR TO ME TO DO RESEARCH ON MY VIN, SO I DID AND MUCH TO MY CHAGRIN AFTER APOLOGIZING FOR POSSIBLY BEING RUDE, I FIND THAT MY VEHICLE HAS HAD A SERIOUS RECALL SINCE FEBRUARY 01ST OF 2019. A YEAR AND 10 MONTHS AND NO RECALL NOTICE WHAT SO EVER! SHOULDN'T THE DEALERSHIP KNOW OF THE PROBLEMS! SERIOUSLY I COULD HAVE DIED! I QUOTE, DIRECTLY FROM NHTSA, 'THE SUDDEN UNEXPECTED DOWNSHIFT WHILE DRIVING MAY NEGATIVELY AFFECT THE STABILITY OF THE VEHICLE, AND COULD LEAD TO A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.' THIS IS INCREDIBLY DEPRESSING, SINCE THIS IS MY ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION. THEY HAD CLOSE TO 2 YEARS TO INFORM ME OF THIS RECALL AND I HAD TO FIND OUT MYSELF.
#11384229 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | | N/A miles
I'VE OWNED MY 2018 MAZDA MX-5 FOR ABOUT TWO YEARS. THE PROBLEMS SLOW STARTED ARISING. AT FIRST I HADN'T NOTICED, BUT WHEN GOING IN AND OUT OF 'DRIVE' THE VEHICLE FELT LIKE IT WAS EITHER GOING TO STALL OR ACCELERATE. I HAD INITIALLY THOUGHT WAS BECAUSE IT'S A 'SPORTS CAR.' IN AUGUST OF 2020 THE WINDOW REGULATOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAD MALFUNCTIONED. FAST FORWARD TO DECEMBER 2020, THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR HAS MALFUNCTION AS WELL. I'VE BEEN DOING RESEARCH AS TO WHY THIS WOULD HAPPEN TO A VEHICLE THAT'S ABOUT 2 YEARS OLD. I'VE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE OCTOBER OF 2018. INTERNET FORUMS SUGGESTED FAULTS WITH THE ELECTRICAL WIRING. I'VE INFORMED THE MAZDA OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF THESE ISSUES AND INFORMED THEM OF THE INCONVENIENCE. MAKE NOTE I HAVE ONLY MADE A COMPLAINT TO THE WINDOW REGULATORS FAILING. I'VE PROVIDED THEM WITH MY VIN AND YET TO HEAR FROM THEM SINCE. IT DIDN'T OCCUR TO ME TO DO RESEARCH ON MY VIN, SO I DID AND MUCH TO MY CHAGRIN AFTER APOLOGIZING FOR POSSIBLY BEING RUDE, I FIND THAT MY VEHICLE HAS HAD A SERIOUS RECALL SINCE FEBRUARY 01ST OF 2019. A YEAR AND 10 MONTHS AND NO RECALL NOTICE WHAT SO EVER! SHOULDN'T THE DEALERSHIP KNOW OF THE PROBLEMS! SERIOUSLY I COULD HAVE DIED! I QUOTE, DIRECTLY FROM NHTSA, 'THE SUDDEN UNEXPECTED DOWNSHIFT WHILE DRIVING MAY NEGATIVELY AFFECT THE STABILITY OF THE VEHICLE, AND COULD LEAD TO A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.' THIS IS INCREDIBLY DEPRESSING, SINCE THIS IS MY ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION. THEY HAD CLOSE TO 2 YEARS TO INFORM ME OF THIS RECALL AND I HAD TO FIND OUT MYSELF.
#11281684 | STRUCTURE:BODY | | 9,700 miles
STARTED FROM CREAK NOISE AS CAR START TO MOVE, ACCELERATE OR STOP. NOW IT DEVELOPED TO SOME TICKING NOISE EVERY TIME CAR ACCELERATE OR DECELERATE. THE CAR IS ONLY AT ABOUT 9700 MI WENT TO SPREEN MAZDA LOMA LINDA CA TO INSPECT THE CAR. THEY SAID IT IS NORMAL AND COME BACK WHEN IT GETS WORSE

Safety Rating for the 2018 MAZDA MX-5

NHTSA has not yet tested the 2018 MAZDA MX-5 in its New Car Assessment Program.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 2018 MAZDA MX-5

Mazda Motor Corp. has issued 27 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2018 MAZDA MX-5. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

08-002-25 — SEAT BELTS

Some customers may complain that the front passenger seat belt warning light flashes and the seat belt warning beep is activated, even though there is no occupant in the front passenger seat. When a passenger seat occupant sits with a load on the front side for a long time with...

CSP12 — ENGINE

CUSTOMER SERVICE PROGRAM CSP12 - DENSO LOW-PRESSURE FUEL PUMP CUSTOMER SERVICE PROGRAM WARRANTY EXTENSION: Attention ALL Mazda Dealers: This is a Warranty Extension and not a recall campaign. Repairs are not to be made unless there is a confirmed low-pressure fuel pump failure within the coverage period. As of November...

09-019-24 — STRUCTURE

Some vehicles may exhibit crack(s) on the left and/or right side retractable hardtop quarter garnish (1). The molding material on the retractable hardtop quarter garnish may accelerate the deterioration of the quarter garnish, resulting in the cracks. To eliminate this concern, the molding material on the retractable hardtop quarter garnish...

09-005-23 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Some customers may complain that the front passenger seat belt warning light flashes and the seat belt warning beep is activated, even though there is no occupant in the front passenger seat. When a passenger seat occupant sits with a load on the front side for a long time with...

09-005-23 — SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WARNING LIGHT/DEVICES

Some customers may complain that the front passenger seat belt warning light flashes and the seat belt warning beep is activated, even though there is no occupant in the front passenger seat. When a passenger seat occupant sits with a load on the front side for a long time with...

07-002-21-3774a — EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

Some vehicles may experience that the A/C does not blow cold air (blows warm air) due to a refrigerant leak. This is caused by a crack in the cooler pipe (HI) A (1) due to engine vibration. To correct this issue, the material and thickness of the cooler pipe (HI)...

09-030-20-3740 — EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

All Mazda Connect vehicles in new car inventory must be updated to the software version listed below in this TSB as part of the New Car Ready Step 3 process. Make sure the new vehicle specialist receives a copy of this bulletin. Some vehicles may experience the symptoms mentioned below,...

09-030-20-3740 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

All Mazda Connect vehicles in new car inventory must be updated to the software version listed below in this TSB as part of the New Car Ready Step 3 process. Make sure the new vehicle specialist receives a copy of this bulletin. Some vehicles may experience the symptoms mentioned below,...

SA-040-19 — STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD

Some customers may complain of a lack of power under heavy load without any warning lights or DTCs. This concern may be due to a loose or detached hood weatherstrip, which can cause a blockage or restriction in the air intake system.

09-019-19-3592 — SEATS

Some vehicles may exhibit scratches (1) on the rear of the seat back bar garnish (2) from contact with the convertible top (3). Due to assembly variations, the clearance between the seat back bar garnish and the convertible top is too small on some vehicles.On later 2016 models (starting with...

Showing 10 of 27 technical service bulletins.

NHTSA Investigations for the 2018 MAZDA MX-5

There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.

Other Model Years of the MAZDA MX-5

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Other MAZDA Models

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