2019 Mazda MX-5 Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Sep 19, 2024 · 11 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other MX-5 years
Far more complaints than other years 4th of 21 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 11 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019 Mazda MX-5. That ranks 4th out of 21 MX-5 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is electrical system (3 complaints, 27%), typically at around 25,220 miles. Complaints mention 2 crashes, 2 injuries. There are 3 safety recalls covering this model year.

Mazda MX-5
Mazda MX-5 RF in Stuttgart. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Alexander-93, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2019 Mazda MX-5 problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Electrical System3 · ~25,220 mi
Fuel System, Gasoline2 · ~37,150 mi
Power Train2 · ~126,101 mi
Service Brakes2 · ~25,220 mi
Steering2
Structure2 · ~24,110 mi
Air Bags1 · ~252,200 mi
Engine1 · ~252,200 mi
Seat Belts1
Vehicle Speed Control1
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Electrical System327%25,220——
Fuel System, Gasoline218%37,150——
Power Train218%126,101——
Service Brakes218%25,220——
Steering218%———
Structure218%24,110——
Air Bags19%252,200——
Engine19%252,200——
Seat Belts19%———
Vehicle Speed Control19%———
Wheels19%15,832——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2022, with 4 complaints
2019: 1201912020: 3202032021: 1202112022: 4202242023: 220232

n = 11 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2019 Mazda MX-5 recalls (3)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Air bags: air bag/restraint control module:softwareSep 18, 2024 · NHTSA campaign 24V695000 · 77,670 vehicles

Problem: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2016-2023 MX-5 Miata vehicles. A software error in the air bag control module may cause the front air bags to deploy with excessive force during a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Risk: An air bag that deploys with excessive force can increase the risk of injury during a crash.

Fix: Dealers will update the Sophisticated Air Bag Sensor (SAS) control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 7, 2024. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 6924I.

Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pumpNov 12, 2021 · NHTSA campaign 21V875000 · 121,038 vehicles

Problem: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018 Mazda3, Mazda6, 2019 CX-3, 2018-2019 MX-5, CX-5, CX-9, and 2019-2020 Mazda2 vehicles. The impeller inside the low-pressure fuel pump may crack and deform, potentially causing the fuel pump to fail.

Risk: Fuel pump failure may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pumps, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 18, 2022. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 5321K.

Power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)Feb 1, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V072000 · 14,370 vehicles

Problem: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2016-2019 MX-5 (Miata) vehicles with automatic transmissions. Due to incorrect programming of the Transmission Control Module (TCM), certain conditions may cause the vehicle to unexpectedly downshift and abruptly decelerate.

Risk: If the vehicle abruptly downshifts, the driver may lose control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the TCM with corrected software, free of charge. The recall began March 14, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 3019A.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

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…

Electrical System · received Dec 28, 2023 · NHTSA complaint 11562316

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.

Steering · received Aug 21, 2023 · NHTSA complaint 11539731

I've had the car about 4,500 miles. No problems. Current mileage is 8899. Drove about 30 miles. 88 degrees. Humid. Dry. Slowed and turned right into my driveway. Stopped to run and open the garage. Standard tranny. The moment I slipped it out of gear, the engine began to howl, revving to between…

Vehicle Speed Control · received Aug 26, 2022 · NHTSA complaint 11481421

The contact owns a 2019 Mazda MX-5. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V875000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable…

Fuel System, Gasoline · received Jun 22, 2022 · NHTSA complaint 11470458

Seat belts fail to retract or tighten properly. I have to hand feed the belt slowly back into the housing when I put the seat belt on to get it to properly tighten. It also fails to retract when I remove the belt, once I got caught in the loop almost falling onto pavement when I was exiting the…

Seat Belts · received Apr 11, 2022 · NHTSA complaint 11460418

Other Mazda MX-5 years

← 2018 MX-5 · 2020 MX-5 →

See all Mazda MX-5 problems by year, every Mazda model, or the Mazda VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2019 Mazda MX-5?

Owners most often report electrical system, fuel system, gasoline, power train problems. The top one, electrical system, accounts for 3 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2019 Mazda MX-5?

Yes, 3 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2019 Mazda MX-5 a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other MX-5 model years, the 2019 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.