Reliability and common problems · Mazda
Mazda MX-5 reliability and common problems
6 sourced problems for cars built from 2012, generation by generation — what Mazda has acknowledged kept apart from what the motoring press reports. Choose the year, fuel and engine size to see the ones for a particular car.
Free · no signup · researched from manufacturer statements and motoring publications
How reliable is the Mazda MX-5? What the evidence shows
We don't give the MX-5 a reliability score — no public source measures breakdowns, warranty claims or repair costs across every model, so a single number would be invented. This is what we can source for cars built from 2012.
- Acknowledged by Mazda
- 0
- Warranty extensions, goodwill schemes and service actions in our research
- Reported by the press
- 6
- Each by two or more independent publishers
By generation
- MX-5 (ND, incl. RF) (2015 on)0 acknowledged · 3 reported
- MX-5 (NC, third generation) (2005–2015)0 acknowledged · 3 reported
Newer generations have had less time on the road for problems to show, so a short list is not a clean bill of health.
Where these come from: our research is built from manufacturer statements and motoring publications, most of them British. A warranty extension or goodwill scheme described here may have been offered in another country only — ask a dealer here whether it applies to your car.
MX-5 (ND, incl. RF) (2015 on)
Acknowledged by the manufacturer
Problems the maker has admitted — through an extended warranty, a compensation scheme, a service action or a statement.
None that we hold for this model.
Reported by owners and the motoring press
Problems at least two independent publishers report on this model, that the maker has not acknowledged. They describe the model, not this car — many cars never have them.
- Reported by 2 publishersGearbox
Six-speed manual gearbox: selection problems and failures
Some owners of this MX-5 have had trouble selecting gears — first to second, and second to third or third to second — and some gearboxes have failed outright. Track-driven cars are affected most, but gently driven low-mileage cars have been too. Mazda revised the gearbox several times and replaced a number of early ones under warranty. Check every gear change on a test drive and ask whether the car has been on track.
Applies to: MX-5 fourth generation (ND, 2015 on) with the manual gearbox, especially early cars
The make, model and year can't tell us the gearbox; this concerns the manual (the automatic is rare and has its own recall).
- Reported by 2 publishersBody & corrosion
Soft top: fabric chafing where it rubs on the roll hoops
When the hood is folded it can rub against the roll hoops, wearing the fabric and in time making holes in it. PistonHeads says it happens when the roof is not lowered exactly as the handbook describes, and that some dealers have replaced worn roofs. Inspect the hood fabric carefully, especially the front section.
Applies to: MX-5 fourth generation (ND, 2015 on) roadster — not the RF hard-top
Soft-top roadster only; this does not apply to the RF hard-top version.
- Reported by 3 publishersScreen, sat-nav & audio
Infotainment screen freezing or not responding
The touchscreen infotainment system can freeze, stop responding or lose its phone connection. Early systems were the worst for it, and the software has been improved over time. Check the screen, sat-nav and phone connection all work on a test drive.
Applies to: MX-5 (ND, 2015 on); also reported on the Mazda2 (2015 on), Mazda3 (2019 on) and CX-30
6 sources
- What Car? — Used Mazda MX-5 2015-present review – reliability & common problems (owners' view)
- PistonHeads — Mazda MX-5 (ND) | PH Used Buying Guide
- Parkers — Used Mazda 2 Hatchback (2015 - 2025) mpg, costs & reliability
- Auto Express — Mazda 2 1.5 Sport Nav long-term test review
- What Car? — Used Mazda CX-30 2020-present review – reliability (owners' view)
- What Car? — Used Mazda 3 2019-present review – reliability (owners' view)
MX-5 (NC, third generation) (2005–2015)
Acknowledged by the manufacturer
Problems the maker has admitted — through an extended warranty, a compensation scheme, a service action or a statement.
None that we hold for this model.
Reported by owners and the motoring press
Problems at least two independent publishers report on this model, that the maker has not acknowledged. They describe the model, not this car — many cars never have them.
- Reported by 3 publishersBody & corrosion
Rust in the sills, rear arches and rear subframe
Corrosion is the main thing to check on this MX-5. It starts out of sight — at the rear of the double-skinned sills, behind the rear wheelarches, under the rear bumper where the crash bar mounts and on the rear subframe — so a few bubbles on the arch lip often mean more underneath. Sill repairs run to hundreds of pounds a side; clear drain holes and wax protection help keep it at bay.
Applies to: MX-5 third generation (NC, 2005–2015), roadster and folding hard-top
- Reported by 2 publishersBrakes
Front brake calipers seizing
The front brake calipers can seize, which makes the car pull to one side under braking.
Applies to: MX-5 third generation (NC, 2005–2015)
- Reported by 2 publishersSuspension
Anti-roll bar drop links wearing and knocking
The front and rear anti-roll bar drop links wear out and are a common source of knocks and rattles, typically lasting 48,000–64,000 km. A set of replacements is relatively inexpensive.
Applies to: MX-5 third generation (NC, 2005–2015)
These describe the model, not one car. Plenty of cars never have the problems their model is known for. Every problem links to its sources; a reported problem needs two independent publishers before we list it.
Recalls aren't listed here. A franchised dealer can tell you from the VIN whether a recall is open on a particular car.
Common questions
Is the Mazda MX-5 reliable?
We don't score reliability: no public source records breakdowns, warranty claims or repair costs across every model, so a single rating would be guesswork. What we hold for Mazda MX-5 cars built from 2012: 0 problems Mazda has acknowledged, through a warranty extension, goodwill scheme or service action, and 6 reported by at least two independent publishers — listed above by generation, each with its sources. Which matter depends on the generation and engine, and on whether the work has been done, which a service history check shows.
What are the most common Mazda MX-5 problems?
For cars built from 2012, the problems at least two independent publishers report include: Six-speed manual gearbox: selection problems and failures; Soft top: fabric chafing where it rubs on the roll hoops; Infotainment screen freezing or not responding; Rust in the sills, rear arches and rear subframe; Front brake calipers seizing. Which apply depends on the generation and engine — they are listed generation by generation above, each with its sources.
Has Mazda acknowledged problems with the MX-5?
We haven't found a warranty extension, goodwill scheme or service action in which Mazda acknowledged a problem on this model. The reported problems above come from the motoring press.
Does every MX-5 have these problems?
No. These describe the model; many cars never have them, and a well-maintained car is less likely to. Whether a known problem was fixed is what a service history shows: our check returns the manufacturer's dealer records by VIN, and there's no charge if we find nothing.
Has this car had the work done?
A known problem matters far less on a car whose dealer records show it was fixed. A service history check returns the manufacturer's own dealership records for a specific car, found by its VIN — what was done, when and at what mileage — and there's no charge if we find nothing.
Check a car's service history