2014 Mazda MX-5

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Excellent Reliability

Quick Summary

The 2014 Mazda MX-5 has 8 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.1x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is brakes problems (38% of all complaints), specifically: when traveling about 20 mph, approaching an intersection, the car brake stopped working. as the car slowed down and got off the road, it was stopped by shifting to park. the brake worked again after stopping. this is the second time the brake stopped working. the first time was within a week after w.

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.1x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

BRAKES

3 complaints

38%

• WHEN TRAVELING ABOUT 20 MPH, APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION, THE CAR BRAKE STOPPED WORKING. AS THE CAR SLOWED DOWN AND GOT OFF THE ROAD, IT WAS STOPPED BY SHIFTING TO PARK. THE BRAKE WORKED AGAIN AFTER STOPPING. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE BRAKE STOPPED WORKING. THE FIRST TIME WAS WITHIN A WEEK AFTER W
• WHEN TRAVELING ABOUT 20 MPH, APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION, THE CAR BRAKE STOPPED WORKING. AS THE CAR SLOWED DOWN AND GOT OFF THE ROAD, IT WAS STOPPED BY SHIFTING TO PARK. THE BRAKE WORKED AGAIN AFTER STOPPING. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE BRAKE STOPPED WORKING. THE FIRST TIME WAS WITHIN A WEEK AFTER W
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 MAZDA MIATA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE AND THEN SHIFTING TO DRIVE WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED, AN ABNORMAL CLUNKING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO CONFIRMED THE NOISE FROM THE ABS BUT ADVISE

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“WHEN TRAVELING ABOUT 20 MPH, APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION, THE CAR BRAKE STOPPED WORKING. AS THE CAR SLOWED DOWN AND GOT OFF THE ROAD, IT WAS STOPPED BY SHIFTING TO PARK. THE BRAKE WORKED AGAIN AFTER STOPPING. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE BRAKE STOPPED WORKING. THE FIRST TIME WAS WITHIN A WEEK AFTER W”

— NHTSA complaint filing

BODY/STRUCTURE

2 complaints

25%

• I AM NOT SURE WHEN THIS OCCURRED I NOTICED ABOUT (5) DAYS AFTER BRINGING MY CAR HOME TINY CHIPS IN THE PAINT. I DRIVE SAFELY HAVE TAKEN THE SAFE DRIVER COURSE AND IT HAS BEEN BEAUTIFUL WEATHER HERE I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO TOUCH UP THE PAINT WITH THE SAME MAZDA PAINT TOUCH UP PEN THAT THE DEALERSHI
• My car has less than 65,000 and is just 10 years old but the transmission cross member is shot .I have had cars with nearly 300,000 and this never happened the part is on backorder.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“I AM NOT SURE WHEN THIS OCCURRED I NOTICED ABOUT (5) DAYS AFTER BRINGING MY CAR HOME TINY CHIPS IN THE PAINT. I DRIVE SAFELY HAVE TAKEN THE SAFE DRIVER COURSE AND IT HAS BEEN BEAUTIFUL WEATHER HERE I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO TOUCH UP THE PAINT WITH THE SAME MAZDA PAINT TOUCH UP PEN THAT THE DEALERSHI”

— NHTSA complaint filing

TRANSMISSION

1 complaints

13%

• WBAUGHT CAR WHEN IT WAS (2) AND HAD ABOUT 22K MILES IMMEDIATELY WINDSHILED FILLED WITH TINY CHIPS PAINT STARTED CHIPPING AT (6) HUGE SECTIONS OF PAINT GONE. AND CLUTCH FADES AT LIGHT ONLY 41K MILES.MAZDA IMPOSSABLE TO DEAL WITH.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“WBAUGHT CAR WHEN IT WAS (2) AND HAD ABOUT 22K MILES IMMEDIATELY WINDSHILED FILLED WITH TINY CHIPS PAINT STARTED CHIPPING AT (6) HUGE SECTIONS OF PAINT GONE. AND CLUTCH FADES AT LIGHT ONLY 41K MILES.MAZDA IMPOSSABLE TO DEAL WITH.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

1 complaints

13%

• WBAUGHT CAR WHEN IT WAS (2) AND HAD ABOUT 22K MILES IMMEDIATELY WINDSHILED FILLED WITH TINY CHIPS PAINT STARTED CHIPPING AT (6) HUGE SECTIONS OF PAINT GONE. AND CLUTCH FADES AT LIGHT ONLY 41K MILES.MAZDA IMPOSSABLE TO DEAL WITH.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

— NHTSA complaint filing

SUSPENSION

1 complaints

13%

• All four sway bar links went bad at once.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“All four sway bar links went bad at once.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

SUSPENSION(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 8 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
BRAKES: WHEN TRAVELING ABOUT 20 MPH, APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION, THE CAR BRAKE STOPPED WORKING. AS THE CAR SLOWED DOWN AND GOT OFF THE ROAD, IT WAS STOPPED BY SHIFTING TO PARK. THE BRAKE WORKED AGAIN AFTER STOPPING. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE BRAKE STOPPED WORKING. THE FIRST TIME WAS WITHIN A WEEK AFTER W
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BODY/STRUCTURE: I AM NOT SURE WHEN THIS OCCURRED I NOTICED ABOUT (5) DAYS AFTER BRINGING MY CAR HOME TINY CHIPS IN THE PAINT. I DRIVE SAFELY HAVE TAKEN THE SAFE DRIVER COURSE AND IT HAS BEEN BEAUTIFUL WEATHER HERE I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO TOUCH UP THE PAINT WITH THE SAME MAZDA PAINT TOUCH UP PEN THAT THE DEALERSHI
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: WBAUGHT CAR WHEN IT WAS (2) AND HAD ABOUT 22K MILES IMMEDIATELY WINDSHILED FILLED WITH TINY CHIPS PAINT STARTED CHIPPING AT (6) HUGE SECTIONS OF PAINT GONE. AND CLUTCH FADES AT LIGHT ONLY 41K MILES.MAZDA IMPOSSABLE TO DEAL WITH.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: WBAUGHT CAR WHEN IT WAS (2) AND HAD ABOUT 22K MILES IMMEDIATELY WINDSHILED FILLED WITH TINY CHIPS PAINT STARTED CHIPPING AT (6) HUGE SECTIONS OF PAINT GONE. AND CLUTCH FADES AT LIGHT ONLY 41K MILES.MAZDA IMPOSSABLE TO DEAL WITH.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)