RoadVitals

2025 Mazda MX-5

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints 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.
3
Latest Jul 20, 2026
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Jun 3, 2025
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2025 Mazda MX-5, most frequently naming the exterior lighting and seat belts categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 79 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Exterior lighting150.0%
  • Seat belts150.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC):CONTROL MODULE; TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

May 22, 2025
12,244 units potentially affected
The defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Mazda MX-5 vehicles. The Traction Control System (TCS) and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) indicator light may fail to illuminate as intended due to a software error. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
The risk: An indicator light that does not illuminate may fail to warn the driver of a TCS or DSC system issue, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will replace the DSC unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 18, 2025. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 6. Mazda's number for this recall is 7425E.
Mazda North American OperationsManufacturer number 7425EView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Exterior lighting
Filed Jul 20, 2026

After driving on slight up or down hill with headlights on, I'm getting Headlight malfunction warning on my almost brand new (700 miles) Miata.

NHTSA ID
11751572
Incident
Jun 1, 2026
Filed Jun 3, 2026

Taking my car in for now the 3rd time for the headlight error "Headlight System Malfunction. Have the vehicle inspected. The first 2 times it occurred around 3000 miles where they first tried a software and reset then it did it again so took it back and they swapped the left headlight which had failed. Then it was good for a few months until the issue came back recently around 7500 or so miles. Now it's doing it pretty consistently again and I suspect the right headlight has failed. Taking it in today to get checked out again. I'm surprised it's not a recall at this point as headlights are important and allow you to see at night. Seems to have the issue whenever the lights come on now so it's pretty consistent. I've checked forums and I am not the only 1. There are many ND3 owners with the same issues of failing headlights or in some cases other modules.

NHTSA ID
11741731
Incident
Jun 2, 2026
Seat belts
Filed Mar 22, 2025

my driver-side seatbelt buckle has been jamming since about one month after purchase. When I brought the issue to the dealership, they were able to temporarily fix it using an air compressor, citing that the buckle was full of "small debris". Upon further inquiry, I was told the debris consisted of "air particles and dust" and was advised not to leave the door open or drive with the top down. Given that this is a convertible, such a recommendation is unreasonable. It is unacceptable for a seatbelt buckle, one of the most critical safety components of a vehicle, to malfunction under normal usage conditions, especially in a brand-new car. This is available for inspection upon request. This malfunction prevents me at times from fully engaging my seat belt.

NHTSA ID
11649884
Incident
Feb 24, 2025

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

SA-038-26a

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE; EXTERIOR LIGHTING

This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued service alert listed below. The changes are noted in Red text. SA-038/26 06/15/26 DESCRIPTION Some customers may complain about any of the following: 1. Infotainment Center Display does not provide the Authorization Code (OTP) during the MyMazda App Connected Vehicle enrollment. 2. Remote functions inoperative. Engine Start / Stop Door Lock / Unlock Lights ON / OFF Climate Control 3. MAZDA CONNECT connected vehicle reception strength icon shows "X" or " ". Index MAZDA CONNECT 2 Center Display Status Icon MAZDA CONNECT 3 Center Display Status Icon Remote Engine Start Will Not Function Remote Engine Start Function Will turn engine OFF Customer Subscription Status TCU Communication Line Status

SA-039-26a

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red text. SA-039/26 06/15/26 Mazda Connect Symptom Troubleshooting DESCRIPTION Customers having MAZDA CONNECT concerns should have their vehicle repaired using the following repair procedure.

SA-053-26

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; WHEELS

This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red text. SA-006/23 01/23/23 DESCRIPTION Some customers may complain about the infotainment system and/or the MyMazda App showing incorrect clock and/or tire pressures and/or tire pressure missing. This may be caused by: Incorrect calendar entry (month/day/year) after a battery disconnect Infotainment system software update. BCM TPMS unlearn during vehicle storage or transport. Wheel/Tire change REPAIR PROCEDURE This can be corrected by the customer driving the vehicle for a day or two so that the following will occur.

09-023-26

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

DESCRIPTION Some customers may complain that the Adaptive LED Headlights (ALH) aim upward for several seconds just before the vehicle comes to a stop during nighttime driving. This is caused by improper control logic of the ALH. To eliminate this concern, the control software of the ALH has been modified. REPAIR PROCEDURE 1. Verify the customer concern. 2. Reprogram the ALH with the Mazda Modular Diagnostic System (M-MDS), using Mazda Diagnostic And Repair Software (MDARS). Refer to MDARS ECU Reprogramming Procedure.

SA-050-26

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DESCRIPTION Some vehicles may continue to display the recall notification "IMPORTANT NOTICE. VIEW VEHICLE STATUS MONITOR FOR DETAILS" on the center display even after the recall has been completed. NOTE: Once the warranty claim for the recall campaign is approved by Mazda Japan, the recall notification will be automatically removed via Connected Services on the following day or later. This condition may occur if the Connected Services subscription was canceled while the recall notification was still active. ACTION TO BE TAKEN If you encounter the situation above, use MDARS to manually remove the center display recall notification. Note: MDARS can only remove the recall notification when MCVV shows no CV contract.

16-010-26

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

COMPLIANCE WITH NEW YORK STATE GENERAL BUSINESS LAW §399‑CCCCC (CONNECTED VEHICLE SERVICE; DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS) DESCRIPTION This Service Information is issued in accordance with New York State General Business Law §399􀀀CCCCC (Connected Vehicle Service; Domestic Violence Victims). This regulation is intended to protect victims of domestic violence by allowing them to request the termination of third-party access (including access by an alleged abuser) to connected vehicle services, such as vehicle location tracking and remote control functions. To support this requirement, this Service Information enables confirmation of whether a vehicle is subject to connected vehicle services by referring to the SUBJECT VIN & PRODUCTION DATE RANGE, and provides guidance on the procedure to terminate such services when a customer requests the removal of third-party access for an applicable vehicle. Effective July 1, 2026, if a customer requests action under this regulation, a CMU/CDC software update must be performed to enable appropriate control of connected vehicle service access. If no request is made by the customer, the CMU/CDC software update is not required. REPAIR PROCEDURE 1. Confirm that the customer has requested deactivation of connected services in accordance with New York State General Business Law related action. 2. Perform the CMU/CDC software update according to the procedures outlined in the appropriate TSB shown in the table below:

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Mazda MX-5 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026100—
2025Viewing310—
2024510—
2023710—
2022510—
2021110—
2020310—
2019113050.6
2018330—
2017112055.8
2016343052.9
2015100—
2014600—
2013200—
2012500—
2011100—
2010400—
2009300—
2008700—
2007170031.6
2006251034.1

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.