2021 Mazda MX-5 Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other MX-5 years
- Not enough data 18th of 21 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 1 recall: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA about the 2021 Mazda MX-5. That ranks 18th out of 21 MX-5 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is power train (1 complaints, 100%), typically at around 1,000 miles. There is 1 safety recall covering this model year.

- 1owner complaints
- 1safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 0complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2021 Mazda MX-5 problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 1 | 100% | 1,000 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
2021 Mazda MX-5 recalls (1)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Air bags: air bag/restraint control module:software
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.
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.
The contact owns a 2021 Mazda MX-5. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and a burning odor was detected. The failure nearly caused a collision. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the clutch had melted and needed…
Other Mazda MX-5 years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 MX-5 | 1 | 0 |
| 2025 MX-5 | 3 | 1 |
| 2024 MX-5 | 5 | 1 |
| 2023 MX-5 | 7 | 1 |
| 2022 MX-5 | 5 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 | 1 |
| 2020 MX-5 | 3 | 1 |
| 2019 MX-5 | 11 | 3 |
| 2018 MX-5 | 3 | 3 |
| 2017 MX-5 | 11 | 2 |
| 2016 MX-5 | 34 | 3 |
| 2015 MX-5 | 1 | 0 |
| 2014 MX-5 | 6 | 0 |
| 2013 MX-5 | 2 | 0 |
| 2012 MX-5 | 5 | 0 |
| 2011 MX-5 | 1 | 0 |
| 2010 MX-5 | 4 | 0 |
| 2009 MX-5 | 3 | 0 |
| 2008 MX-5 | 7 | 0 |
| 2007 MX-5 | 17 | 0 |
| 2006 MX-5 | 25 | 1 |
See all Mazda MX-5 problems by year, every Mazda model, or the Mazda VIN decoder.
Similar Mazda models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Mazda MX-5?
Owners most often report power train problems. The top one, power train, accounts for 1 complaint.
Was there a recall on the 2021 Mazda MX-5?
Yes, 1 safety recall. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2021 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 2021 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.