2016 Mazda MX-5: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings
EPA rates the 2016 Mazda MX-5 at 30 mpg combined across 2 versions. NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 34 owner complaints for this model year.
Safety recalls
3
EPA combined mpg
30
NHTSA overall rating
—
Recall file dated Oct 27, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 27, 2026, 7:34 AM EDT
Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Mazda dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.
2016 Mazda MX-5 recalls
NHTSA's recall file lists 3 safety recalls for the 2016 Mazda MX-5, newest first.
Air bags: Air bag/restraint control module: Software
NHTSA 24V695000Reported Sep 18, 2024
Filed by
Mazda Motor Corp. (manufacturer recall no. 6924I)
Units affected
77,670 (estimate)
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.
Remedy
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.
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2016 Miata MX-5 vehicles. The skid plate and metal bracket may detach from underneath the vehicle.
Risk
Parts that separate from the vehicle may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the skid plate, free of charge. The recall began August 2, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 3619F.
Power train: Automatic transmission: Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
NHTSA 19V072000Reported Feb 1, 2019
Filed by
Mazda Motor Corp. (manufacturer recall no. 3019A)
Units affected
14,370 (estimate)
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.
Remedy
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.
Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.
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2016 Mazda MX-5 fuel economy by version
EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination. Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.
Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.
EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.
2016 Mazda MX-5 crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
2016 Mazda MX-5 NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicle
Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Rollover risk
Forward collision warning
2016 Mazda MX-5 C RWD
Not rated
Not rated
Not rated
Not rated
—
No
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.
Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.
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2016 Mazda MX-5 owner complaints
Owners have filed 34 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Mazda MX-5, most recently on Apr 30, 2026. 3 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 2 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.
Most-cited components in 2016 Mazda MX-5 complaints
Component named in complaints
Mentions
Power train
11
Unknown or other
7
Air bags
5
Electrical system
4
Structure: Body
4
Engine
2
Exterior lighting
2
Steering
2
Wheels
2
Suspension
1
Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.
