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2016 Mazda MX-5 problems

The most common problem on the 2016 Mazda MX-5 is transmission and drivetrain, typically around 39,000 miles. It has 6.8 times the complaints of a typical MX-5 model year.

Typical year6.8x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
34
Recalls
3
Service bulletins
5239 warranty
Worst area
Transmission
Fuel economy
30mpg

The worst 2016 Mazda MX-5 problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Transmission
    11
  • Airbags
    5
  • Body
    4
  • Electrical
    4
  • Engine
    2
  • Lights
    2
  • Steering
    2
  • Wheels
    2
  • Acceleration
    1
  • Suspension
    1
  • Visibility
    1

Recalls 3

Air bags: air bag/restraint control module: softwareReported September 18, 2024 · 77,670 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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."
Risk
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.

Recall number 24V695000 · Recall details

Structure: frame and members: underbody shieldsReported June 27, 2019 · 2,476 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
Parts that separate from the vehicle may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
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.

Recall number 19V496000 · Recall details

Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)Reported February 1, 2019 · 14,370 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 19V072000 · Recall details

See all 3 recalls for the 2016 Mazda MX-5

Technical service bulletins for the 2016 Mazda MX-5 523

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 523 bulletins for the 2016 Mazda MX-5

2016 Mazda MX-5 fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.0L 4‑cylRWD26-2734-3630

What 2016 Mazda MX-5 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Apr 30, 2026 · Steering · UT

2016 Mazda MX5 club: In warmer weather(70 degree F or higher) and after driving for 5+ miles, the steering becomes less sensitive and gets “stuck/sticky” and requires more force to turn. When applied more force the car over corrects and you swerve cause the amount of force you needed to apply. Seems like something in the steering rack expands with heat which then creates friction which you have to overcome to continue driving. Seems like it’s becoming more of a issues the more people drive

Filed Apr 9, 2025 · Airbags · 60,000 miles · CA · crash

The contact owns a 2016 Mazda MX-5. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency 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 the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that while driving at 5 MPH, the bumper of a parked 2001 Lexus LS400 was crashed into and the vehicle came to a stop. There was damage to the contact's license plate holder and the other vehicle bumper. There were no warning lights illuminated. The driver’s and passenger’s side air bags deployed in the minor collision. No police report was filed. The contact did not sustain any injuries. No one else was injured. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer did not want to repair the recall per the contact. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Nov 12, 2024 · Airbags · PA

Contacted Rohrich Mazda 2690 W Liberty Ave, Pittsburgh Pa 412.344.3600 regarding the airbag recall today. They have no knowledge of this recall and therefore I am unable to have it corrected. Is my car safe to drive? When will I be able to get it fixed? Thanks, Bill

Filed Sep 24, 2024 · Airbags · FL

The contact owns a 2016 Mazda MX-5. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Jun 19, 2024 · Transmission · AZ

6 speed manual transmission failure at 59,000 miles Started not shifting into 3rd, then shortly after, the transmission locked up in a intersection. Which stalled the vehicle out. Was able to move the vehicle by hand, out of heavy traffic. Since this effects all ND1, ND2 and ND3 manual transmissions. I dropped and changed it for a used one. While I rebuild the original. As I am also outside of warranty.

Filed Jan 5, 2024 · Transmission · NM

On December 7, 2023 at approximately 10:30pm, I was traveling west bound on [XXX] . Suddenly, there was a loud thumping noise from under the passenger seat. After about 10 seconds, it escalated to an extremely loud banging and the smell of oil. Not a single warning light appeared on my dashboard. I immediately attempted to pull off the road. This area is in the middle of a mesa with no streetlights and a speed of a 65mph road. I immediately put on my hazard lights and was stranded. The dangerousness of this situation was insurmountable. I was in a 2 seated convertible, partially on the road with no streetlights as cars and trucks flew by me at speeds above 65mph. Had I been hit from behind; I would have been killed instantaneously. I contacted AAA for emergency towing. The tow truck was deployed. In the meantime, I sat there helplessly. A passerby stopped to try to help but was unable to get the car to roll to a safe area off the road. Time passed. About an hour later, I called AAA again stating the dire need for assistance and the call was elevated to emergency. At this time a police officer drove by. I explained the situation and he parked behind me with lights on, potentially stopping a fatal situation. The tow truck finally arrived, and my car was towed to the address on my warranty above. I contacted Southern Automotive in Rio Rancho and was placed on a wait list for the car to be seen. I contacted CareGuard and they stated I could take the car to any automotive place for repair that was qualified to work on a Mazda. I confirmed this with Southern Automotive. They are AAA qualified, and service qualified for Mazda. They were not able to get the car in until 12/18/23. The car sat in my garage. On 12/18/23, Southern Automotive sent a tow truck to pick up the car. On Tuesday, 12/19/23, I received a call from Cody at Southern Automotive. The car had had a “catastrophic event in the rear differential” INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552

Filed Jul 18, 2023 · NC

I recently bought a used 2016 Mazda Miata convertible, and when the convertible top is up, the inner liner droops down and obscures about 1/4 to 1/3 of the rear window. I looked online for this problem and found that there are lots of 2016 Mazda Convertible Owners with the same problem. There are some fixes posted online about the problem, but many of the folks doing the fixes report that the problem reoccurs after the fix. Is there a NTSB bulleting about this problem? The rear window in a 2016 Mazda convertible is small enough to start with, let alone having a goodly portion of it obscured by the drooping headliner.

Filed Apr 10, 2023 · Steering · RI

Steering: At 55+ MPH I feel a slight bind when I make a steering change. It then releases only after I've put in too much steering correction. This occurs when in a steady direction, or whether I'm in a steady, high speed turn. It feels like a snapping rubber band. You can read about other Miata drivers who have the same issue at: miata.net in the forum. The link: https://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=714849&highlight=steering+stick

Filed Aug 11, 2022 · Body · FL

The top windshield trim piece popped off while on the highway. The windshield has never been replaced and this trim piece has never been removed. All but one of the clips failed.

Filed May 16, 2022 · Airbags · UT · crash

I was in an accident on May 1st 2022. I was traveling south when another car hit me. The airbags didn't deploy at all none of them did you can see from the pics and video I have attached and hear the audio from my dash cam saying the airbag deployment was detected but no airbags came out. (Dash cam video won't upload but I can email or text it if needed) the car is currently at the Ken garff Honda body shop in Riverdale Utah.

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Questions about the 2016 Mazda MX-5

Is the 2016 Mazda MX-5 reliable?

Owners have filed 34 complaints about the 2016 Mazda MX-5, 6.8 times a typical MX-5 model year.

What is the most common problem with the 2016 Mazda MX-5?

Transmission and drivetrain, with 11 complaints, typically around 39,000 miles. Next is airbags (5).

How many recalls does the 2016 Mazda MX-5 have?

3 recalls, covering air bags, structure and power train.

What gas mileage does the 2016 Mazda MX-5 get?

Official estimates for the 2016 Mazda MX-5 range from 30 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, RWD) gets 26-27 city and 34-36 highway.

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