Mazda MX-5
The 2026 Mazda MX-5 presents a good reliability profile, with no recalls or complaints logged.
Calculated from 10,000+ NHTSA, EPA & owner-complaint data pointsHow we score
2021 modelSpecifications by model year
Compare the stats that matter
Every section below is populated from the available EPA, NHTSA, and vehicle-specification data for this model.
Fuel economy
EPA-rated city, highway, and combined economy by year.
| Year | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined MPG | City L/100 km | Highway L/100 km | Combined L/100 km |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 26 | 35 | 29 | 9.05 | 6.72 | 8.11 |
| 2025 | 26 | 35 | 29 | 9.05 | 6.72 | 8.11 |
| 2024 | 26 | 35 | 29 | 9.05 | 6.72 | 8.11 |
| 2023 | 26 | 34 | 29 | 9.05 | 6.92 | 8.11 |
| 2022 | 26 | 34 | 29 | 9.05 | 6.92 | 8.11 |
| 2021 | 26 | 34 | 29 | 9.05 | 6.92 | 8.11 |
| 2020 | 26 | 34 | 29 | 9.05 | 6.92 | 8.11 |
| 2019 | 26 | 34 | 29 | 9.05 | 6.92 | 8.11 |
| 2018 | 26 | 35 | 29 | 9.05 | 6.72 | 8.11 |
| 2017 | 26 | 35 | 29 | 9.05 | 6.72 | 8.11 |
| 2016 | 26 | 36 | 30 | 9.05 | 6.53 | 7.84 |
| 2015 | 21 | 27 | 23 | 11.2 | 8.71 | 10.23 |
| 2014 | 21 | 27 | 23 | 11.2 | 8.71 | 10.23 |
| 2013 | 21 | 27 | 23 | 11.2 | 8.71 | 10.23 |
| 2012 | 21 | 27 | 23 | 11.2 | 8.71 | 10.23 |
| 2011 | 21 | 27 | 23 | 11.2 | 8.71 | 10.23 |
Engine, transmission & drivetrain
Powertrain specifications can vary between model years.
| Year | Body style | Cylinders | Displacement | Fuel type | Transmission | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | chassis_cab | 4 | 2.0 | Premium | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| 2025 | chassis_cab | 4 | 2.0 | Premium | Manual/Standard | RWD/Rear-Wheel Drive |
| 2024 | chassis_cab | 4 | 2.0 | Premium | Manual/Standard | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| 2023 | chassis_cab | 4 | 2.0 | Premium | Manual/Standard | RWD/Rear-Wheel Drive |
| 2022 | chassis_cab | 4 | 2.0 | Premium | Manual 6-spd | RWD/Rear-Wheel Drive |
| 2021 | chassis_cab | 4 | 2.0 | Premium | Manual 6-spd | RWD/Rear-Wheel Drive |
| 2020 | chassis_cab | 4 | 2.0 | Premium | Manual 6-spd | RWD/Rear-Wheel Drive |
| 2019 | chassis_cab | 4 | 2.0 | Premium | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| 2018 | chassis_cab | 4 | 2.0 | Premium | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| 2017 | chassis_cab | 4 | 2.0 | Premium | Automatic (S6) | RWD/Rear-Wheel Drive |
| 2016 | chassis_cab | 4 | 2.0 | Premium | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| 2015 | chassis_cab | 4 | 2.0 | Premium | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| 2014 | chassis_cab | 4 | 2.0 | Premium | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| 2013 | chassis_cab | 4 | 2.0 | Premium | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| 2012 | chassis_cab | 4 | 2.0 | Premium | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| 2011 | chassis_cab | 4 | 2.0 | Premium | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive |
Pricing & configuration
Original pricing and model configuration where available.
| Year | pricing | Trim | Base price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | — | — | — |
| 2025 | Trim: Club | Club | — |
| 2024 | Trim: Grand Touring | Grand Touring | — |
| 2023 | Trim: Club | Club | — |
| 2022 | Trim: Grand Touring | Grand Touring | — |
| 2021 | Trim: Club | Club | — |
| 2020 | Base price: $28,875, Trim: Sport | Sport | $28,875 |
| 2019 | Base price: $27,080, Trim: Sport (Soft Top) | Sport (Soft Top) | $27,080 |
| 2018 | Base price: $25,295, Trim: Club (Soft Top) | Club (Soft Top) | $25,295 |
| 2017 | Trim: Club | Club | — |
| 2016 | — | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — | — |
Space, dimensions & utility
Seating, cargo, and physical configuration by model year.
| Year | Seats | Doors | Cargo (L) | Cargo (cu ft) | bodyAndInterior | mechanical | Keyless ignition | Seat rows | GVWR | Steering location | Axles | Wheels | Wheelbase | Front wheel | Rear wheel | Valvetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2025 | 2 | — | — | — | Keyless ignition: Standard, Seat rows: 1 | GVWR: Class 1A: 3,000 lb or less (1,360 kg or less) | Class 1A: 3,000 lb or less (1,360 kg or less) | Standard | 1 | Class 1A: 3,000 lb or less (1,360 kg or less) | Class 1A: 3,000 lb or less (1,360 kg or less) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2024 | 2 | — | — | — | Keyless ignition: Standard, Seat rows: 1 | GVWR: Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Standard | 1 | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2023 | 2 | — | — | — | Keyless ignition: Standard, Seat rows: 1 | GVWR: Class 1A: 3,000 lb or less (1,360 kg or less) | Class 1A: 3,000 lb or less (1,360 kg or less) | Standard | 1 | Class 1A: 3,000 lb or less (1,360 kg or less) | Class 1A: 3,000 lb or less (1,360 kg or less) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2022 | 2 | — | — | — | Keyless ignition: Standard, Seat rows: 1 | GVWR: Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Standard | 1 | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2021 | 2 | — | — | — | Keyless ignition: Standard, Steering location: Left-Hand Drive (LHD), Seat rows: 1 | GVWR: Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less), Axles: 2, Wheels: 4, Wheelbase: 90.9, Front wheel: 17, Rear wheel: 17 | Standard | 1 | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) | 2 | 4 | 90.9 | 17 | 17 | — |
| 2020 | 2 | — | — | — | Keyless ignition: Standard, Steering location: Left-Hand Drive (LHD), Seat rows: 1 | Valvetrain: Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC), GVWR: Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less), Axles: 2, Wheels: 4, Wheelbase: 90.9, Front wheel: 16, Rear wheel: 16 | Standard | 1 | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) | 2 | 4 | 90.9 | 16 | 16 | Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC) |
| 2019 | 2 | — | — | — | Keyless ignition: Standard, Steering location: Left-Hand Drive (LHD), Seat rows: 1 | GVWR: Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less), Axles: 2, Wheels: 4, Wheelbase: 90.9, Front wheel: 16, Rear wheel: 16 | Standard | 1 | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) | 2 | 4 | 90.9 | 16 | 16 | — |
| 2018 | 2 | 2 | 130 | 4.6 | Keyless ignition: Standard, Steering location: Left-Hand Drive (LHD) | GVWR: Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less), Axles: 2, Wheels: 4, Wheelbase: 90.9, Front wheel: 17, Rear wheel: 17 | Standard | — | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) | 2 | 4 | 90.9 | 17 | 17 | — |
| 2017 | 5 | — | — | — | Keyless ignition: Standard, Steering location: Left-Hand Drive (LHD), Seat rows: 2 | GVWR: Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less), Axles: 2, Wheels: 4, Wheelbase: 90.9, Front wheel: 17, Rear wheel: 17 | Standard | 2 | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) | 2 | 4 | 90.9 | 17 | 17 | — |
| 2016 | — | 2 | — | — | — | GVWR: Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | — | — | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — | — | — | — | GVWR: Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | — | — | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — | — | — | — | GVWR: Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | — | — | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — | — | — | — | GVWR: Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | — | — | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — | — | — | — | GVWR: Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | — | — | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — | — | — | — | GVWR: Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | — | — | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Safety ratings & driver assistance
NHTSA safety ratings and listed driver-assistance availability.
| Year | Rated vehicle | abs | esc | tractionControl | autoReverseSystem | autoBrake | forwardCollisionWarning | blindSpotMonitoring | laneDepartureWarning | rearCamera | rearCrossTrafficAlert | adaptiveDrivingBeam | tpms | pedestrianAeb |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2026 MAZDA MX-5 C N/A RWD | standard | standard | standard | standard | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2025 | 2025 Mazda MX-5 C RWD | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | — | — |
| 2024 | 2024 Mazda MX-5 C RWD | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | — | standard | — |
| 2023 | 2023 Mazda MX-5 C RWD | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | — |
| 2022 | 2022 Mazda MX-5 C RWD | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | — |
| 2021 | 2021 Mazda MX-5 C RWD | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | — | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard |
| 2020 | 2020 Mazda MX-5 C RWD | — | — | — | — | — | — | standard | standard | standard | standard | — | standard | — |
| 2019 | 2019 Mazda MX-5 C RWD | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | standard | — | — | standard | — |
| 2018 | 2018 Mazda MX-5 C RWD | standard | standard | standard | — | — | — | standard | standard | — | — | standard | standard | — |
| 2017 | 2017 Mazda MX-5 C RWD | standard | standard | standard | standard | standard | — | standard | standard | standard | — | standard | standard | — |
| 2016 | 2016 Mazda MX-5 C RWD | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | standard | — |
| 2015 | 2015 Mazda MX-5 C RWD | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | standard | — |
| 2014 | 2014 Mazda MX-5 C RWD | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | standard | — |
| 2013 | 2013 Mazda MX-5 C RWD | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | standard | — |
| 2012 | 2012 Mazda MX-5 C RWD | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | standard | — |
| 2011 | 2011 Mazda MX-5 C RWD | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | standard | — |
Model year reports
2026
NewestThe 2026 Mazda MX-5 presents a good reliability profile, with no recalls or complaints logged.
2025
The 2025 Mazda MX-5 offers engaging driving dynamics but presents average reliability.
2024
The 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata offers an average reliability rating.
2023
The 2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata offers engaging driving dynamics, but a critical air bag recall demands thorough inspection.
2022
The 2022 Mazda MX-5 offers an engaging driving experience, but buyers must prioritize confirming the air bag control module software update recall has been completed.
2021
The 2021 Mazda MX-5 offers a compelling driving experience, but buyers must confirm the air bag system recall has been addressed.
2020
The 2020 Mazda MX-5 Miata offers a compelling driving experience, but a critical safety recall regarding airbag deployment warrants careful inspection.
2019
The 2019 Mazda MX-5 offers engaging driving dynamics but requires careful consideration due to critical recalls and a high TSB count.
2018
The 2018 Mazda MX-5 offers engaging driving dynamics but requires careful consideration due to its reliability record.
2017
The 2017 Mazda MX-5 is a fun, RWD convertible, but its reliability verdict is 'Average' due to a critical airbag recall and a high TSB count.
2016
The 2016 Mazda MX-5 offers engaging driving dynamics but warrants caution due to critical safety recalls, particularly concerning airbag deployment.
2015
The 2015 Mazda MX-5 offers an engaging driving experience with a generally good reliability record, though a high TSB count warrants careful inspection.
2014
The 2014 Mazda MX-5 offers a good balance of driving enjoyment and reliability, with no recalls or consumer complaints logged.
2013
The 2013 Mazda MX-5 offers engaging driving dynamics but warrants careful consideration due to a high volume of Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs).
2012
The 2012 Mazda MX-5 offers engaging driving dynamics but warrants careful consideration due to a high TSB count.
2011
The 2011 Mazda MX-5 offers engaging driving dynamics, but its reliability is rated below average.
Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.
What are the best years for the Mazda MX-5?
Carfocal currently has 16 published MX-5 reports, covering 2011 through 2026. Compare the year-specific reports directly to see how reliability, recalls, ownership costs, and value change over time. The newest published verdict says: The 2026 Mazda MX-5 presents a good reliability profile, with no recalls or complaints logged.
Published year coverage: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026.
Is the Mazda MX-5 reliable?
There is no single reliability answer for every Mazda MX-5. Carfocal's published year reports show why the model year matters, with verdicts that include the 2026 mazda mx-5 presents a good reliability profile, with no recalls or complaints logged. and the 2026 mazda mx-5 offers good value for enthusiasts seeking an affordable, fun-to-drive roadster. Compare the report for the year you are considering before you make a decision.
16 published year-specific reports are available for comparison.
What are common problems with the Mazda MX-5?
Across Carfocal's published MX-5 guides, recurring problem areas include Brake Pads and Rotors, Battery, and Radiator Fan Motor. The exact risk depends on the model year, so open the report for the vehicle you are evaluating to see which issues, recalls, and repair concerns apply.
Common problem areas found in published repair predictions: Brake Pads and Rotors, Battery, and Radiator Fan Motor.
Supporting data
- Published guides
- 16
- Years tracked
- 16
- Data sources
- NHTSA, EPA, owner complaints