2019 Mazda MX-5

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Excellent Reliability

Quick Summary

The 2019 Mazda MX-5 has 15 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.2x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is electrical problems (20% of all complaints), specifically: as i was exiting a bp gas station (62 griffin corporation dr, chelsea, al 35043) and making a right onto county road 11, the rear tires of the car started to spin (1/4 throttle). i noticed that abs or the stability control system did not activate. the rear tires continued spinning and i felt the c.

6 crash reports 6 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.2x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

ELECTRICAL

3 complaints

20%

• AS I WAS EXITING A BP GAS STATION (62 GRIFFIN CORPORATION DR, CHELSEA, AL 35043) AND MAKING A RIGHT ONTO COUNTY ROAD 11, THE REAR TIRES OF THE CAR STARTED TO SPIN (1/4 THROTTLE). I NOTICED THAT ABS OR THE STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM DID NOT ACTIVATE. THE REAR TIRES CONTINUED SPINNING AND I FELT THE C
• While driving 65 mph,I lost power steering control then the electronics system shut down momentarily then it restarted itself and made to destination.Next morning, I tried to drive the car but the steering wasn't working. Later on that day ,I checked it again then it worked.
• On the Dash the amber ABS light came on as well as the red Brake light and they stayed on for a couples and I took it to the shop and they said it was the "Steering Angle Sensor" and they changed it and the lights came back on a day later and they took another look from head to toe and they couldn't

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“AS I WAS EXITING A BP GAS STATION (62 GRIFFIN CORPORATION DR, CHELSEA, AL 35043) AND MAKING A RIGHT ONTO COUNTY ROAD 11, THE REAR TIRES OF THE CAR STARTED TO SPIN (1/4 THROTTLE). I NOTICED THAT ABS OR THE STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM DID NOT ACTIVATE. THE REAR TIRES CONTINUED SPINNING AND I FELT THE C”

— NHTSA complaint filing

BODY/STRUCTURE

2 complaints

13%

• SOUL RED CRYSTAL PAINT EXCESSIVE PAINT CHIPPING. FRONT OF CAR AND HOOD HAS MORE THAT 50 WHITE SPOTS FROM CHIPPING PAINT. 23,000 MILES AND THE CAR LOOKS TERRIBLE FROM THE FRONT.
• AS I WAS EXITING A BP GAS STATION (62 GRIFFIN CORPORATION DR, CHELSEA, AL 35043) AND MAKING A RIGHT ONTO COUNTY ROAD 11, THE REAR TIRES OF THE CAR STARTED TO SPIN (1/4 THROTTLE). I NOTICED THAT ABS OR THE STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM DID NOT ACTIVATE. THE REAR TIRES CONTINUED SPINNING AND I FELT THE C

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“SOUL RED CRYSTAL PAINT EXCESSIVE PAINT CHIPPING. FRONT OF CAR AND HOOD HAS MORE THAT 50 WHITE SPOTS FROM CHIPPING PAINT. 23,000 MILES AND THE CAR LOOKS TERRIBLE FROM THE FRONT.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

BRAKES

2 complaints

13%

• AS I WAS EXITING A BP GAS STATION (62 GRIFFIN CORPORATION DR, CHELSEA, AL 35043) AND MAKING A RIGHT ONTO COUNTY ROAD 11, THE REAR TIRES OF THE CAR STARTED TO SPIN (1/4 THROTTLE). I NOTICED THAT ABS OR THE STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM DID NOT ACTIVATE. THE REAR TIRES CONTINUED SPINNING AND I FELT THE C
• On the Dash the amber ABS light came on as well as the red Brake light and they stayed on for a couples and I took it to the shop and they said it was the "Steering Angle Sensor" and they changed it and the lights came back on a day later and they took another look from head to toe and they couldn't

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

— NHTSA complaint filing

STEERING

2 complaints

13%

• While driving 65 mph,I lost power steering control then the electronics system shut down momentarily then it restarted itself and made to destination.Next morning, I tried to drive the car but the steering wasn't working. Later on that day ,I checked it again then it worked.
• On the Dash the amber ABS light came on as well as the red Brake light and they stayed on for a couples and I took it to the shop and they said it was the "Steering Angle Sensor" and they changed it and the lights came back on a day later and they took another look from head to toe and they couldn't

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

“While driving 65 mph,I lost power steering control then the electronics system shut down momentarily then it restarted itself and made to destination.Next morning, I tried to drive the car but the steering wasn't working. Later on that day ,I checked it again then it worked.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

AIR BAGS

1 complaints

• AS I WAS EXITING A BP GAS STATION (62 GRIFFIN CORPORATION DR, CHELSEA, AL 35043) AND MAKING A RIGHT ONTO COUNTY ROAD 11, THE REAR TIRES OF THE CAR STARTED TO SPIN (1/4 THROTTLE). I NOTICED THAT ABS OR THE STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM DID NOT ACTIVATE. THE CAR WAS NOT IN "SPORT" MODE. IT WAS IN THE "D"

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 15 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ELECTRICAL: AS I WAS EXITING A BP GAS STATION (62 GRIFFIN CORPORATION DR, CHELSEA, AL 35043) AND MAKING A RIGHT ONTO COUNTY ROAD 11, THE REAR TIRES OF THE CAR STARTED TO SPIN (1/4 THROTTLE). I NOTICED THAT ABS OR THE STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM DID NOT ACTIVATE. THE REAR TIRES CONTINUED SPINNING AND I FELT THE C
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BODY/STRUCTURE: SOUL RED CRYSTAL PAINT EXCESSIVE PAINT CHIPPING. FRONT OF CAR AND HOOD HAS MORE THAT 50 WHITE SPOTS FROM CHIPPING PAINT. 23,000 MILES AND THE CAR LOOKS TERRIBLE FROM THE FRONT.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: AS I WAS EXITING A BP GAS STATION (62 GRIFFIN CORPORATION DR, CHELSEA, AL 35043) AND MAKING A RIGHT ONTO COUNTY ROAD 11, THE REAR TIRES OF THE CAR STARTED TO SPIN (1/4 THROTTLE). I NOTICED THAT ABS OR THE STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM DID NOT ACTIVATE. THE REAR TIRES CONTINUED SPINNING AND I FELT THE C
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
STEERING: While driving 65 mph,I lost power steering control then the electronics system shut down momentarily then it restarted itself and made to destination.Next morning, I tried to drive the car but the steering wasn't working. Later on that day ,I checked it again then it worked.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)