RoadVitals

2006 Mazda MX-5 Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
25
Latest Mar 6, 2024
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Dec 16, 2005

What this page shows

Our database holds 25 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2006 Mazda MX-5. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 25

Seat belts
Filed Mar 6, 2024

Started out as intermittent Air Bag/Seat Belt Pretensioner system warning light about 3 months ago. Over the last 2 weeks, the warning stayed on per the manual and required replacement. I had this service performed on 3/6/2024 at a cost of $811.43 by Sumter Tire and Auto using Preordered Mazda parts invoiced on 3/1/2024.

NHTSA ID
11575781
Incident
Feb 21, 2024
Airbags
Filed Aug 23, 2022

air bag warning light for passenger will not go off

NHTSA ID
11480898
Incident
Aug 22, 2022
Body & structure
Filed Aug 11, 2018

WHEN IT RAINS, WATER LEAKS INTO AND POOLS UNDER SEATS AND IN THE TRUNK. JUST HAD THE TOP REPLACED, SO IT IS NOT DUE TO AN OLD TOP. JUST RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS CAR.

NHTSA ID
11119348
Incident
Aug 9, 2018
Mileage
68,125 mi
Airbags
Filed Apr 6, 2018

PASSENGER AIRBAG SEAT SENSOR NOT DETECTING PERSONS IN SEAT. AIRBAGS REMAIN TURNED OFF. PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF INDICATED, CODE 48 FLASHES ON DASH. COMMON PROBLEM. DOESN'T MATTER IF CAR IS MOVING OR NOT.

NHTSA ID
11083584
Incident
Apr 3, 2018
Mileage
177,000 mi
Filed Jun 11, 2015

THE MX-5 HAS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE ROOF DRAIN ON THE CANDACE CONVERTIBLE TOP. IT FLOODS YOUR CAR YOUR FLOORBOARDS AND YOUR TRUCK IS FILLED WITH WATER. IT IS VERY COSTLY TO HAVE THIS REPLACED AND CARPETS DRAINED OF WATER AND THEN CLEANED. I LOVE MY CAR BUT IF I HAD KNOWN OF THIS DEFECT I WOULD NOT HAVE PURCHASED IT.

NHTSA ID
10724678
Incident
Jun 1, 2011
Other / unspecified
Filed Nov 20, 2014

SAME PROBLEM AS MANY OF THE OTHER PEOPLE ON THIS WEBSITE. THE DRAINAGE SYSTEM FOR THE CANVAS CONVERTIBLE IS PROBLEMATIC. HAVING WATER IN YOUR VEHICLE AS WELL AS IN THE TRUNK. COULD THIS CAUSE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM? NOT SURE. IT CAN CERTAINLY CAUSE BLACK MOLD , AND I HAVE RESPIRATORY DIFFICULTIES AS IT IS! IN MY CASE, THE INSIDE OF CAR WAS MUSTY FOR MANY MONTHS (6+). I PARK MY CAR UNDER COVER, SO IT DIDN'T GET ENOUGH WATER IN TO NOTICE THE WATER OTHER THAN BY THE SMELL.BUT EACH TIME I LOOKED FOR THE SOURCE AND COULD NOT FIND ANY MOISTURE...BUT THAT MUSTY SMELL PERSISTED, AND I DIDN'T EVEN THINK OF IT MORE, OTHER THAN TO GET AIRFRESHENERS, AND RIDE WITH TOP DOWN WHEN I COULD. LOOKING BACK, THIS WAS PROBABLY THE CAUSE CONSTANTLY AGGRAVATING MY BREATHING PROBLEMS. ONE DAY I VISITED MY BROTHER IN FLORIDA, I WAS UNABLE TO PARK UNDER COVER, SO I PARKED OUTSIDE ON DRIVEWAY. I CAME OUT THE NEXT DAY, THE ENTIRE INSIDE OF THE CAR HAD ABOUT 4-6 INCHES OF WATER IN IT (I WAS ON A SLIGHT INCLINE SO THE TRUNK FILLED ABOUT 6 AND THE INSIDE ABOUT 4) , MUCH OF MY STUFF IN THE TRUNK WAS RUINED! I DRIED UP AS MUCH AS I COULD, HAD IT SHAMPOOED AND WHEN I GOT BACK TO TEXAS, I BROUGHT THE CAR IN, AND THE PROBLEM WAS THE DRAINAGE SYSTEM.... AND OF COURSE MY CAR WAS INFESTED WITH BLACK MOLD WHICH IS A MAJOR HEALTH HAZARD TO PEOPLE WITH LUNG ISSUES, (AS WELL AS THOSE WHO DON'T HAVE LUNG ISSUES!) I HAD TO REPLACE ALL THE CARPET, ALL THE PADDING, HAVE ALL THE BLACK MOLD REMOVED, REPLACE ALL MY BELONGINGS THAT GOT RUINED, AND PAY TO HAVE THE LINES "FLUSHED" SO IT DIDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN.....NOW I AM FINDING OUT ON HERE THEY KNEW ABOUT THIS AND HAVE DONE NOTHING TO CORRECT IT? I GUESS MY NEXT CAR WILL NOT BE A MAZDA. ALL THAT WORK WAS NOT CHEAP, AND I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO FIX IT OR IT WOULD CONTINUE TO BE A DETRIMENT TO MY HEALTH... I GUESS THE NEXT STEP WILL TO BE SPEAKING WITH AN ATTORNEY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10659886
Incident
Mar 1, 2014
Mileage
100,200 mi
Fuel system
Filed Aug 21, 2014

I HAVE A 2006 MX5 MIATA AND THERE IS A STRONG FUEL SMELL AND CAP WILL NOT STAY TIGHT ALSO GETTING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. I CONTACTED MAZDA AND THEY SAID THERE IS A KNOWN DEFECT IN THE FILLER NECK AND CAP WILL COME OFF. FUEL SLOSHES OUT AND I REPLACED CAP WITH AN UPDATED ONE. STILL COMES LOOSE LEADING THE FILLER NECK ISSUE. THEY WILL NOT REPAIR AS ITS NOT A RECALL. MY CONCERN IS THAT IT IS A FIRE HAZARD AND THEY WILL NOT REPAIR A DEFECT THAT IS KNOWN TO HAPPEN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10627097
Incident
Aug 6, 2014
Mileage
9,550 mi
Interior & seatsSeat belts
Filed Jun 24, 2014

2ND REQUEST, NO RESPONSE RECEIVED FROM 1ST REQUEST I BOUGHT MY 2006 MAZDA MIATA FROM CARMAX (SANFORD, FL) IN 2011. MY CAR BEGAN FLOODING EVERY TIME IT RAINED. I HAVE HAD AT LEAST 50 FLOODS TO DATE. THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR HAS EXTENSIVE MOLD DAMAGE AND MILDEW. THE FLOORS ARE RUSTED. THE BOLTS THAT HOLD THE SEATS IN PLACE ARE SEVERELY RUSTED. ONE SEAT NO LONGER CAN BE MOVED ON ITS' TRACK. THE DRIVER'S SEAT SLIDES OUT OF PLACE WHILE DRIVING. THE SEATBELT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE NO LONGER RETRACTS. ROACHES ARE LIVING IN THE CAR. I CONTACTED CARMAX BUT THEY WERE UNWILLING TO TAKE THE CAR BACK. THE CAR WAS IN THE SHOWROOM AND NOT ON THE LOT. I'M GUESSING THEY KNEW OF THE PROBLEM. THE 2006 AND 2007 MIATAS HAVE FAULTY/DEFECTIVE DRAINS. MAZDA IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT NEVER DID A RECALL. THEY ALSO EXPECT $1000.00 FROM ME TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I CONTINUE TO HAVE FLOODING EVERY TIME IT RAINS, SO IT'S THREE YEARS OF FLOODING AT THIS POINT IN TIME. THE VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE CONSIDERED "SALVAGE" AT THIS POINT DUE TO THE YEARS OF EXTENSIVE WATER DAMAGE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10605600
Incident
Jun 1, 2012
Mileage
32,000 mi
Body & structureDriver assistanceElectrical+1 more
Filed May 1, 2014

MY CAR WAS PARKED AT WORK. IT WAS RAINING. WHEN I GOT INTO THE VEHICLE, IT WAS FLOODED ON THE INSIDE UP TO 6 INCHES. THE GAS PEDAL WAS SLIPPERY. IT SMELLED MUSTY, LIKE MILDEW AND MOLD. I CONTACTED THE DEALER BUT GOT NO RETURN PHONE CALLS. I WROTE THEM A LETTER AND RECEIVED A PHONE CALL THEN. THEY TOLD ME TO TRADE THE CAR IN IF I WAS HAVING PROBLEMS. I TOLD THEM THEY SOLD ME A FLOOD CAR AND WANTED TO RETURN IT. THEY REFUSED. THIS WAS CARMAX IN SANFORD, FL. SINCE THAT TIME, THE CAR HAS FLOODED OVER 25 TIMES. I AM NOW LIVING WITH ROACHES BREEDING IN MY CAR. IT SMELLS LIKE MOLD. THE WINDOWS ARE FOGGED FROM THE INSIDE DAILY. THE SEATS HAVE GOTTEN STUCK AND THEN SLIDE OUT OF PLACE WHILE I'M DRIVING. MY INSURANCE COMPANY, GEICO, REFUSED TO HELP ME, STATING THAT THIS DAMAGE PROBABLY OCCURRED BEFORE I OWNED THE CAR. I BELIEVE THE DEALER KNEW OF THESE PROBLEMS, THE CAR WAS IN THE SHOWROOM AND NOT OUT ON THE LOT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10585977
Incident
Dec 1, 2011
Mileage
30,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed May 1, 2014

THE MX-5 HAS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE ROOF DRAINS ON THE CANVAS CONVERTIBLE TOP. IT FLOODS CONSTANTLY. I AM REALLY GROWING TIRED OF VACUUMING UP WATER IN THIS CAR. IT EVEN FLOODS THE TRUNK. WET FEET IN STANDING WATER MAKES FOR A SAFETY ISSUE DRIVING THE CAR UNTIL YOU CAN GET TO A WET VAC TO EVACUATE STANDING WATER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10585837
Incident
Apr 30, 2014
Mileage
45,500 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Jan 3, 2014

GOODYEAR EAGLE GT 205 45/R17 88V TIRES ON A MAZDA MX-5 GRAND TOUR, 2006. THE TIRES HAD ABOUT 25000 MILES ON THEM WITH LOTS OF TREAD LEFT WHEN THE INCIDENT HAPPENED. ONE TIRE WENT FLAT AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT ALL FOUR, INCLUDING THE FLAT, TIRES HAD DEVELOPED SLICES OR CRACKS ALONG THE ENTIRE INTER WALL OF ALL FOUR TIRES. IT APPEARS LIKE THE WALL AND INNER BELT HAVE SEPARATED AND THE RUBBER JUST BECOMES STRESSED AND WEEK AND CRACKS. THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN MULTIPLE (POSSIBLE ALL FOUR) TIRES FROM GOING FLAT AT THE SAME TIME. I HAVE PICTURES AND AM CONTACTING GOODYEAR THROUGH SAM'S CLUB TIRES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10558396
Incident
Dec 12, 2013
Body & structure
Filed Jun 19, 2013

EXCESSIVE FLOODING IN CABIN ON DRIVERS AND PASSENGER SIDE AS WELL AS TRUNK. MAZDA HAS SINCE MODIFIED THEIR ROOF DRAIN SYSTEM AS THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT. ONCE THE MODEL IS OUT OF FACTORY WARRANTY, THEY REFUSE TO REPLACE PARTS WITH UPDATED PARTS TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE CONVERTIBLE ROOF ITSELF DOES NOT LEAK. IT IS THE DESIGN OF THE ROOF DRAINAGE SYSTEM. MAZDA NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR FIXING ALL OF THESE CARS. THE NEW PARTS INCLUDE DEBRIS FILTERS AND RIBBED VALVES WHICH REDUCE BAFFLES GETTING STUCK SHUT IN THE DRAIN LINES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10520735
Incident
Sep 1, 2011
Mileage
17,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Mar 6, 2012

IT HAS BEEN WELL DOCUMENTED THAT THE SEAT BELT RETRACTORS IN 2006 MAZDA MIATAS FAIL TO RETRACT THE SEAT BELT. INITIAL MAZDA DENIED THE EXISTENCE OF THE PROBLEM AND IN MY CASE TOLD ME IT WAS NORMAL FOR A SEAT BELT NOT TO RETRACT. IN RESPONSE MAZDA FINALLY ISSUED A TSB (08-001/11) IN 2008 WHICH RECOMMENDS WASHING THE SEAT-BELT AND REPLACING THE RETRACTOR GUIDE - BUT NOT REPLACING THE RETRACTOR. THE SOLUTION OFFERED BY MAZDA IS INADEQUATE AND FAILS TO ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE DEFECTIVE CONDITION. THE RESULT IS SEAT BELTS THAT DON'T RETRACT LEAVING THE SEAT BELT EXPOSED TO BEING DAMAGED BY BEING PINCHED IN DOOR CLOSINGS. ET CETRA. *TR

NHTSA ID
10450478
Incident
Mar 10, 2010
Mileage
30,000 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Sep 24, 2011
Crash reported1 injury reported

9/19/2011 12:00 P.M. DRY ROAD CONDITIONS. DRIVING SOUTHBOUND AT JUNCTION OF INTERSTATE 15 AND STATE HWY 163 THE LEFT REAR SIDE OF MY 2006 MAZDA MIATA EXPERIENCED A LOUD EXPLOSION RESULTING IN COMPLETE LOSS OF CONTROL OF STEERING. THE VEHICLE SPUN COMPLETELY AROUND 3 TIMES CROSSING 3 LANES OF HIGHWAY 163, HIT THE CURB AND WAS THROWN ONTO THE SHOULDER. THE VEHICLE DID NOT OVERTURN. THE TIRE WAS OFF THE RIM. THE RIM HAS EVIDENCE OF AN IMPACT TO THE INNER WHEEL. THE CONTROL ARM ON THE LEFT HAD SHEARED OFF. I AM FILING THIS AS PREVIOUS SUSPENSION PROBLEMS CONTROL ARM FAILURES (SEE BELOW). THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING FIXED AT JOHN HINE MAZDA SAN DIEGO CA. RECALLS MAZDA RX-8: 05V325000 THE LOWER CONTROL ARM MAY CRACK SUSPENSION & STEERING, AUGUST 30, 2005 SUMMARY: DUE TO IMPROPER FORGING OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM, CRACKS MAY OCCUR IN THE BALL JOINT SOCKET. IN SEVERE DRIVING CONDITIONS THE BALL JOINT MAY SEPARATE FROM THE BALL JOINT SOCKET AND LOSS OF STEERING MAY OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS AS REQUIRED. THIS RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON AUGUST 30, 2005. THE MAZDA RECALL NUMBER IS 3405G. ORIGINAL RECALL FROM THE NHTSA MODEL YEAR(S): 2004 MFR'S REPORT DATE: AUGUST 30, 2005 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V325000. *TR

NHTSA ID
10427017
Incident
Sep 19, 2011
Mileage
51,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed May 28, 2011

MAZDA MIATA 2006, YOKOHAMA TIRE ADVANA11A205/50R16, DRIVING ON I-10 ON RAMP ABOUT 45-50MPH, BIG POP AND THUD, PULLED OVER ON SHOULDER, LOOKED AT BACK RIGHT REAR TIRE HAD SPLIT ON INSIDE OF TIRE BETWEEN RIM AND TIRE EDGE ABOUT 10 INCHES LONG. TIRE WAS MAINTAINED WITH CORRECT AIR PRESSURE AND ROTATION BY AUTO DEALER THAT SOLD ME THE MIATA. THE CAR DEALERSHIP HAD A TIRES FOR LIFE PROGRAM ON MY MIATA AND THIS WAS MY SECOND SET AND I HAD APPROX. 45,500 MILES ON THE CAR. I WAS VERY THANKFUL THE TIRES HAD BEEN ROTATED ON THE LAST OIL CHANGE/INSPECTION POINT ON MY CARS MAINTENANCE PROGRAM.--OR THAT TIRE WOULD HAVE BEEN ON MY FRONT--PROBABLY WOULD HAVE FLIPPED THE CAR. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS PARTICULAR TIRE IS DEFECTIVE OR A FLUKE, BECAUSE THIS IS THE KIND OF TIRES THAT MY DEALER WILL PUT ON MY MIATA FOR THE ENTIRE TIME I OWN THIS CAR? THANKS FOR YOUR HELP. *TR

NHTSA ID
10403638
Incident
May 25, 2011
Mileage
45,500 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Sep 16, 2010

HAZING OF HEADLIGHT LENSES. THERE IS SEVERE DEGRADATION OF LIGHT OUTPUT OVER TIME DUE TO ABRASION. THIS CAUSES DECREASED VISIBILITY AND OVERDRIVING THE LIGHTS, PARTICULARLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, BUT ALSO DURING NORMAL DRIVING. I HAVE TWO 2006 CARS, A MAZDA MIATA AND A TOYOTA RAV4, AND BOTH BEGAN TO SHOW ABRASION BY 20,000 MILES. NOW MY 1963 CHEVY, WITH GLASS HEADLIGHTS, HAS NEVER HAD THAT PROBLEM. TWO RECOMMENDATIONS: 1. CHECK THE PRICE OF REPLACING MODERN LIGHTS. YOU WILL UNDERSTAND WHY WHEN YOU DO RECOMMENDATION #2 WHY OWNERS DON'T REPLACE THEM . 2. LOOK AT CAR LIGHTS WHILE YOU'RE OUT AN ABOUT. OBSERVE HOW BAD MANY LIGHTS THERE ARE. UNLESS THIS ONLY A PROBLEM IN PLACES LIKE ARIZONA. NOW MY 1963 CHEVY, WITH GLASS HEADLIGHTS, HAS NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM. THEY'VE BEEN BROKEN BY DEBRIS BUT THAT'S KIND OF OBVIOUS AND A NEW LIGHT IS (STILL) ONLY ABOUT $9. ALSO WHEN THEY BREAK OR BURN OUT THE RESULT IS IMMEDIATELY NOTICED. WITH THE ABRASION ISSUE LIGHTING IS DEGRADED OVER TIME AND GOES UNNOTICED. LIKE HOW SHOCK ABSORBERS WEAR OUT A LITTLE BIT OVER TIME AND THE DRIVER DOESN'T NOTICE ARE THERE STATISTICS WHERE THE CAUSE OF ACCIDENTS AT NIGHT ARE ATTRIBUTED TO "I DIDN'T SEE HIM" OR "I DIDN'T SEE HER IN TIME"? THIS COULD BE CAUSED BY LIGHT OUTPUT RATHER THAN HUMAN ERROR. I UNDERSTAND THAT PLASTIC IS SAFER THAN GLASS. I KNOW THAT THERE ARE MATERIALS AVAILABLE THAT ARE SAFE AND WON'T ABRADE . THINK AIRCRAFT. LIGHTING SHOULD BE HELD TO A REASONABLE MILEAGE WARRANTY AND MADE TO LAST AT LEAST AS LONG AS THE WINDSHIELD. *TR

NHTSA ID
10355876
Incident
Sep 15, 2010
Mileage
20,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Aug 15, 2006

I HAVE NOTICED A "SQUEAK" IN THE CONSOLE BETWEEN THE 2 SEATS, AND A HUGE LEAK ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE (ENTIRE FLOOR CARPET WAS SOAKED FROM THE FRONT TO UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER'S SEAT) OF OUR NEW MIATA MS-5 (LESS THAN 5,000 MILES). *JB

NHTSA ID
10165584
Incident
Aug 6, 2006
Body & structure
Filed Jul 16, 2006

CAR STARTED RATTLING FROM THE CONSOLE AREA BETWEEN THE SEATS WHERE YOU OPEN YOUR GAS CAP AT. THIS STARTED ABOUT A MONTH INTO HAVING THE VEHICLE. THE CONVERTIBLE TOP IS LEAKING. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR IT'S 3000 MILE MAINTENANCE. I WAS TOLD THAT "CONVERTIBLE TOPS LEAK AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE RATTLE." THE RATTLE HAS SINCE GOTTEN WORSE AND THE CONVERTIBLE TOP IS STILL LEAKING. I WILL BE TAKING THE VEHICLE IN AGAIN FOR THEM TO FIX THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, I DO NOT FEEL THAT I AM MAKING MUCH PROGRESS. *JB

NHTSA ID
10162518
Incident
Jul 7, 2006
Mileage
2,500 mi
Electrical
Filed Jun 25, 2006

COMPLETE POWER LOSS AT 40 MILES PER HOUR WHILE IN OPERATION. ALL WARNING DASH LIGHTS CAME ON CONCURRENT WITH LOSS OF POWER. NO RESTART. *NM

NHTSA ID
10160695
Incident
Jun 23, 2006
Mileage
5,900 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 3, 2006

THE DYNAMIC STABILITY CONTROL (DSC) ACTIVATED, DASH LIGHT STAYED ON, WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO THE PROBABILITY THAT HAD THE PAVEMENT BE SLIPPERY WITH RAIN, SNOW OR ICE THE DSC BRAKING THE WHEELS TO PREVENT A SKID, THAT WASN'T THERE, WOULD MORE THAN LIKELY HAVE CAUSED A SKID, PROBABLY LEADING TO AN ACCIDENT. *JB

NHTSA ID
10151746
Incident
Mar 1, 2006
Mileage
4,575 mi
Transmission
Filed Feb 28, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE, SLIGHT DOWNWARD PRESSURE MUST BE APPLIED TO FIRST GEAR. SINCE THE PRESSURE IS SO SLIGHT, IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO TELL IF THE VEHICLE IS IN FIRST GEAR OR REVERSE UNTIL THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN ALERTED.

NHTSA ID
10151395
Incident
Feb 28, 2006
Mileage
2,900 mi
Transmission
Filed Feb 28, 2006

I HAVE A 2006 MAZDA MX 5 MIATA. IT IS AN EXCELLENT, SOLID AND GREAT HANDLING CAR. THE BRAKES ARE SUPERB. FIT AND FINISH ARE EXCELLENT. THERE IS ONE PROBLEM THAT COULD RESULT IS ACCIDENTS: THE SIX-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION, IT IS EASY TO ACCIDENTALLY ENGAGE FIRST GEAR WHEN REVERSE IS REQUIRED OR TO ENGAGE REVERSE WHEN FIRST IS REQUIRED. DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC; AT STOP SIGNS; TRAFFIC LIGHTS; PARALLEL PARKING; EXITING GARAGE/DRIVEWAYS - IT IS TOO EASY TO ENGAGE REVERSE OR FIRST BY MISTAKE. FIRST AND REVERSE GEARS ARE TOO CLOSE. TO ENGAGE REVERSE, ONE NEEDS TO PUSH-DOWN ON THE GEAR-LEVER, HOWEVER, THE DISTANCE DOWN IS TOO SHALLOW. I HAVE MISTAKENLY ENGAGED THE WRONG GEAR MANY TIMES IN THE THREE MONTHS THAT I HAVE OWNED THE CAR. ALTHOUGH, I AM AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, IF I AM NOT FOCUSED ON CHANGING GEARS (AS MOST PERSONS DRIVE AND CHANGE GEARS LIKE SECOND-NATURE) IT IS TOO EASY TO ENGAGE THE WRONG GEARS. FORTUNATELY, I HAVE NOT HIT OTHER CARS OR DRIVEN INTO MY GARAGE WALL. HOWEVER, IT IS A BIG CONCERN TO ME. I SENT A LETTER TO MAZDA AND TO CONSUMER REPORTS APPRISING THEM OF THE POTENTIAL DANGERS. *NM

NHTSA ID
10151384
Incident
Jan 26, 2006
Transmission
Filed Feb 25, 2006

THIS MX-5 HAS THE 5 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION. WITH APPROXIMATELY 1,200 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, THE CLUTCH FRICTION POINT (THE LOCATION IN PEDAL TRAVEL WHERE THE CLUTCH BEGINS TO ENGAGE) MOVED FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE PEDAL (NEAR THE FLOOR) TO APPROXIMATELY ONE INCH FROM THE TOP (PEDAL NORMAL POSITION -- NOT DEPRESSED). SERVICING DEALER HELD THE VEHICLE OVERNIGHT AND STATED "THEY ALL DO THAT". WHEN I REQUESTED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE THEY COMPARED IT TO, I WAS TOLD THEY WERE TOO BUSY. I WALKED OVER TO THE SALES DEPARTMENT AND ASKED A SALESPERSON IF I COULD COMPARE MINE TO A SIMILARLY-EQUIPPED MODEL ON THE LOT. WE LOCATED THE ONLY OTHER 5 SPEED MANUAL IN THEIR INVENTORY AND I CONFIRMED THE CLUTCH ENGAGEMENT WAS TOWARDS THE BOTTOM OF PEDAL TRAVEL, JUST AS MINE WAS WHEN IT WAS "NEW". THE FRICTION POINT ON THIS CLUTCH CONTINUES TO CREEP FORWARD. I'M ASSUMING THE PEDAL WILL HAVE NO EFFECT WHATSOEVER IN ABOUT 500 MILES. I'VE CHECKED THE CLUTCH FLUID (SHARED WITH THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR) AND THE LEVEL IS WITHIN NORMAL RANGE. MY DEALER REFUSES TO ADMIT THERE IS A PROBLEM. I INTEND TO TAKE THIS ISSUE DIRECTLY TO MAZDA AFTER CONSULTING WITH THE DEALERSHIP'S GENERAL MANAGER NEXT WEEK. I'VE BEEN DRIVING MANUAL TRANSMISSION VEHICLES MY WHOLE LIFE. I TYPICALLY GET AT LEAST 100,000 MILES PER CLUTCH. THIS IS NOT A DRIVER ERROR ISSUE. *NM

NHTSA ID
10151222
Incident
Feb 17, 2006
Mileage
1,200 mi
Visibility
Filed Feb 25, 2006

WHEN THE TEMPERATURE DROPS TO ABOUT 25 DEGREES OR LESS, THE VEHICLE'S POWER WINDOWS BECOME INOPERATIVE. WATER/ICE HAS NEVER BEEN PRESENT ON THE VEHICLE'S EXTERIOR, ALTHOUGH IT IS UNKNOWN IF WATER/ICE IS PRESENT INSIDE THE DOORS THEMSELVES. REMEDY: ATTEMPT TO LOWER AND RAISE THE VEHICLE WINDOWS UNTIL WHATEVER IS HOLDING THE WINDOWS CAPTIVE "BREAKS". THIS CAN REQUIRE UPWARDS OF 300 DOWN/UP ATTEMPTS AND USUALLY TAKES MORE THAN 5 MINUTES. MY MAZDA DEALER, EVEN AFTER SEEING A VIDEO OF THE WINDOW FAILURE, HAS BEEN UNWILLING TO EVEN LOOK BEHIND THE DOOR PANELS. *NM

NHTSA ID
10151220
Incident
Feb 13, 2006
Mileage
1,000 mi
Steering
Filed Dec 16, 2005

DT: THE CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT VEHICLE OVER STEERING. HE MUST CONSTANTLY MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL TO KEEP THE VEHICLE DRIVING STRAIGHT AND FROM WONDERING. THE SERVICE DEALER COMPLETED DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, AND CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER STATED NO SOLUTION WAS AVAILABLE. THE ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS ON THE TIRES WAS CHECKED TO RULE OUT ANY TIRE CONCERN WITH THE STEERING. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. THE VEHICLE IS A 2006 MAZDA MX5 CONVERTIBLE.*AK

NHTSA ID
10145469
Incident
Nov 18, 2005
Mileage
16 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .