2024 Mazda MX-5

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Excellent Reliability

Quick Summary

The 2024 Mazda MX-5 has 7 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.1x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is electrical problems (29% of all complaints), specifically: i was driving on interstate 30 with the cruise control on and i needed to slow down as there was roadwork so i pressed down the brakes to disengage the cruiser control and slow the vehicle down, the vehicle not only not slow down but lunged forward. the brake pedal did not disengage the cruise cont.

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.1x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

ELECTRICAL

2 complaints

29%

• I was driving on interstate 30 with the cruise control on and I needed to slow down as there was roadwork so I pressed down the brakes to disengage the cruiser control and slow the vehicle down, the vehicle not only not slow down but lunged forward. The brake pedal did not disengage the cruise cont
• My current vehicle has a headlight malfunction issue that has plagued the car since 2k. Under turning the swivel in the headlight will break or become off track.The headlight if it becomes off track the adaptive headlight will stick in place causing a lost of field of view at night. Mazda has warran

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

“I was driving on interstate 30 with the cruise control on and I needed to slow down as there was roadwork so I pressed down the brakes to disengage the cruiser control and slow the vehicle down, the vehicle not only not slow down but lunged forward. The brake pedal did not disengage the cruise cont”

— NHTSA complaint filing

TRANSMISSION

2 complaints

29%

• Driving vehicle on highway could not get the manual transmission into 3rd gear. Had to double clutch in order to do so. The vehicle only had 5,700 miles. The transmission produced a loud whining sound that could be heard outside the car. Took vehicle to dealership in which entire transmission was re
• The contact owns a 2024 Mazda MX-5. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, an unknown warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the failure had occurred several times. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed,

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

“Driving vehicle on highway could not get the manual transmission into 3rd gear. Had to double clutch in order to do so. The vehicle only had 5,700 miles. The transmission produced a loud whining sound that could be heard outside the car. Took vehicle to dealership in which entire transmission was re”

— NHTSA complaint filing

SPEED CONTROL

1 complaints

14%

• I was driving on interstate 30 with the cruise control on and I needed to slow down as there was roadwork so I pressed down the brakes to disengage the cruiser control and slow the vehicle down, the vehicle not only not slow down but lunged forward. The brake pedal did not disengage the cruise cont

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

— NHTSA complaint filing

LIGHTING

1 complaints

14%

• The vehicle has a recurrent malfunction of the Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS), part of the exterior headlight system and advertised as a safety feature within Mazda’s i-ACTIVSENSE® technology. The failure presents as a dashboard warning stating: “Headlight System Malfunction. Have the vehicle

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

“The vehicle has a recurrent malfunction of the Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS), part of the exterior headlight system and advertised as a safety feature within Mazda’s i-ACTIVSENSE® technology. The failure presents as a dashboard warning stating: “Headlight System Malfunction. Have the vehicle ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

VISIBILITY

1 complaints

14%

• The vehicle has a recurrent malfunction of the Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS), part of the exterior headlight system and advertised as a safety feature within Mazda’s i-ACTIVSENSE® technology. The failure presents as a dashboard warning stating: “Headlight System Malfunction. Have the vehicle

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

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)

$500

LIGHTING(~50K mi)

$500

VISIBILITY(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 7 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ELECTRICAL: I was driving on interstate 30 with the cruise control on and I needed to slow down as there was roadwork so I pressed down the brakes to disengage the cruiser control and slow the vehicle down, the vehicle not only not slow down but lunged forward. The brake pedal did not disengage the cruise cont
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: Driving vehicle on highway could not get the manual transmission into 3rd gear. Had to double clutch in order to do so. The vehicle only had 5,700 miles. The transmission produced a loud whining sound that could be heard outside the car. Took vehicle to dealership in which entire transmission was re
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SPEED CONTROL: I was driving on interstate 30 with the cruise control on and I needed to slow down as there was roadwork so I pressed down the brakes to disengage the cruiser control and slow the vehicle down, the vehicle not only not slow down but lunged forward. The brake pedal did not disengage the cruise cont
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
LIGHTING: The vehicle has a recurrent malfunction of the Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS), part of the exterior headlight system and advertised as a safety feature within Mazda’s i-ACTIVSENSE® technology. The failure presents as a dashboard warning stating: “Headlight System Malfunction. Have the vehicle
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)