KnownCarProblems2016 Mazda MX-5 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 34 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Mazda MX-5, most often about the transmission (32% of complaints, typically around 31,500 miles). It is the most complained-about MX-5 model year since 2000 and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2016 Mazda MX-5 problems
Transmission
11 complaints · 32%Half of these problems showed up before 31,500 miles.
When accelerating from a traffic light the transmission stopped working and I lost acceleration in a busy road. This is the second time this has happened in a busy intersection.
Vehicle spontaneously jumps out of 4th gear into neutral at highways speed. This will typically happen on a moderately steep downward grade (e.g. California highyway 17 between sugarloaf road and glenwood cutoff heading towards san jose, or the curve known as the "valley surprise" just past summit road and highway 17…
Other or unspecified
7 complaints · 21%Half of these problems showed up before 5,000 miles.
Blind spot monitoring system would disengage ( come off) when you are driving while another vehicle is within range ( close on your left or right side. No light indicates on dash that the system is off nor any warning or beeps is heard if you activate you change lane signals. This has happen randomly at least three…
Car was in motion, while driving the car the red key light on the engine start button started flashing. When we got home the car would not turn off. Also couldn't shift the car. Finally got the car to turn off and when we started the car again the check engine light came on. Car dealership found several codes stored…
Air bags
5 complaints · 15%I had a car accident on 13 nov 2016 whereby the vehicle rolled several times down a steep incline. None of the airbags were deployed. My spinal cord was fractured and my skull cracked.
The contact owns a 2016 Mazda MX-5. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 24v695000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the recall repair were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of…
Body and structure
4 complaints · 12%Parts named most often: body.
Owners manual (attached) does not mention the foam filters located beneath the plastic filters (photo attached). Complaint is that the foam filters do not dry, and become caked with black mold. In the attached photo, the foam filters have been soaked with bleach to kill the mold, and washed to clean out the mold…
I was driving on the freeway and I heard a loud cracking noise. I stopped at a gas station to check and saw that the upper molding part of the car had broken off.
Electrical
4 complaints · 12%Car was in motion, while driving the car the red key light on the engine start button started flashing. When we got home the car would not turn off. Also couldn't shift the car. Finally got the car to turn off and when we started the car again the check engine light came on. Car dealership found several codes stored…
When driving, most of the time the blind spot sensor does not turn on (sound and light). It can go days without turning on at all then all of a sudden it works 1 or 2 times.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2016 Mazda MX-5 recalls
Air bags: software
Risk: An air bag that deploys with excessive force can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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."
Body and structure: underbody shields
Risk: Parts that separate from the vehicle may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the skid plate, free of charge. The recall began august 2, 2019. Owners may contact mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 3619f.
Full defect summary
Mazda north american operations (mazda) is recalling certain 2016 miata mx-5 vehicles. The skid plate and metal bracket may detach from underneath the vehicle.
Transmission: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Risk: If the vehicle abruptly downshifts, the driver may lose control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2016 Mazda MX-5
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Mazda MX-5?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (11 complaints, typically around 31,500 miles); other or unspecified (7 complaints, typically around 5,000 miles); air bags (5 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2016 Mazda MX-5 have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from September 18, 2024 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2016 a bad year for the Mazda MX-5?
- It is the most complained-about MX-5 model year since 2000, with 34 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.
Other Mazda MX-5 years
- 2006
- 2016