2022 MAZDA MX-5 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

On two occasions the vehicle (which is silver--more about that below) has suddenly and without warning activated its emergency braking. The most recent occasion was summer of 2023. On a clear, dry afternoon the system activated while I was at speed on the Suncoast parkway approaching an automatic toll arch. Fortunately there were no other vehicles nearby. I pulled to the side of the road and turned the car off and on again to attempt to clear whatever glitch had happened. The incident was so dramatic I've actually forgotten what the prior incident was. I remember one reason that was mentioned in the manual was a dirty windshield, and that was not the case at that time. I have *never* experienced a justified engagement of the system despite driving in heavy traffic for more than half an hour twice each weekday. I was put in mind of the incident by a recent recall of Genesis G90 sedans painted silver, like my car. Apparently the paint reflected radar and set off the emergency braking system. I surmise there may have been some radar-emitting device in use temporarily on or around the toll arch.

The contact owns a 2022 Mazda MX-5. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in operation, the rooftop failed to remain sealed opened or closed as intended, causing the alarm system to be disarmed. The contact stated that the vehicle would not move forward or backward while shifted into gear. There was no warning light illuminated. In addition, the rearview would independently turn on and off. The contact stated that unless the mirror was turned off, the steering wheel would become loosened or become difficult to steer. The contact stated that the odometer was inoperable. The contact stated that while holding the RF switch down for a long while, an error code would appear on the instrument penal. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 14,000.

The contact owns a 2022 Mazda MX-5. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in operation, the rooftop failed to remain sealed opened or closed as intended, causing the alarm system to be disarmed. The contact stated that the vehicle would not move forward or backward while shifted into gear. There was no warning light illuminated. In addition, the rearview would independently turn on and off. The contact stated that unless the mirror was turned off, the steering wheel would become loosened or become difficult to steer. The contact stated that the odometer was inoperable. The contact stated that while holding the RF switch down for a long while, an error code would appear on the instrument penal. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 14,000.

Manual transmission synchronizers fail, causing erratic gear shift operation and the inability to change gears, which could result in an accident. The ND Mazda Miata Owners Group on Facebook has polled its owners and found a 10% failure rate of manual transmissions among owners in the group who required replacement of the transmission. On [XXX], at approximately 20,000 miles on the odometer, my 2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata experienced a grind from the transmission while downshifting to third gear at city speeds. I alerted Mazda North American Operations on May 30, 2024. On [XXX], the gearbox began grinding during downshifts into second gear. My car entered service at Mazda of Knoxville around June 3, 2024. Mazda of Knoxville confirmed that the vehicle required transmission replacement. Parts were not immediately available, and due to a work assignment in Des Moines, I had to drive the vehicle to Iowa. On [XXX], I noticed fourth gear began grinding during upshifts. On June 10, 2024, the vehicle entered Ramsey Mazda of Des Moines for service. Mazda North American Operations did not immediately approve repair, stating that their engineering department requested information from Mazda of Knoxville and is reviewing the claim. I am still awaiting an update. The vehicle is available for NHTSA inspection at Ramsey Mazda in Des Moines. Manual transmission failures are a serial problem for the ND-chassis Mazda MX-5 Miata since the 2016 model year, with significant failure rates reported among owners for 2016, 2017, 2022 and 2023 model years. Symptoms begin with difficulty upshifting to third gear that feels like a blocked shift gate. Grinding in the transmission soon leads to complete failure, which causes loss of throttle control and could result in an accident. My inability to select the correct gear impeded my ability to maintain safe speeds. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Transmission failure due to bad synchros