2008 Mazda MX-5 recalls & problems

Safety recalls

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Fuel economy

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

• Structure › Body

  WHEN IT RAINS WATER WILL POOL IN PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR BOARD. MAZDA DEALS SUGGESTS ADDING DRAINS AND FILTERS THAT ARE NOT PART OF ORIGINAL VEHICLE DESIGN. (THIS ISSUE IS DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW AND NO OTHER REASON), THIS HAPPENS REGARDLESS IF CAR IS MOVING OR STATIONARY. THIS HAS BEEN AN ON-GOING ISSUE SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 11/2012. . DOOR SEALS AND WINDOW SEALS ARE NOT DAMAGED.

  Oct 12, 2019 · 40,000 miles
• Unknown or other

  WATER ACCUMULATION IN FOOTWELL/PLUGGED SOFT TOP DRAINS. MAZDA HAS A SERVICE BULLETIN OF HOW THEIR COMPANY CAN FIX IT BUT MUST BE PAID BY OWNER. I SPOKE TO ALISHA AT MAZDA AND IT IS NOT RECALLED OR A SERVICE PROGRAM. ON THE INTERNET MANY ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM TO MAZDA AND SHOULD BE COVERED SINCE THEIR FIX FOR THIS IS ADDING A DRAIN VALVE ASSEMBLY, SEVERAL DRAIN COVERS AND VALVES AND FILTERS.

  Jun 10, 2019 · 131,000 miles
• Power train › Clutch assembly

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA MX-5. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS DETECTED UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE CLUTCH PEDAL FELL TO THE FLOORBOARD AND THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE GEAR REMAINED IN NEUTRAL AND THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE PUSHED INTO A PARKING SPACE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO WYATT JOHNSON MAZDA (2425 WILMA RUDOLPH BLVD SUITE C, CLARKSVILLE, TN 37040, (931) 648-1098) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WELD ON THE CLUTCH PEDAL FRACTURED AND THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000.

  Jan 8, 2019 · 91,000 miles
• Electrical system

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA MIATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING MECHANISM DRAINED THE BATTERY OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UPDATED 1/19/16 LN UPDATED 02/05/16*LJ *CN

  Oct 26, 2015 · 40,000 miles
• Tires › Pressure monitoring and regulating systems

  UNFORTUNATELY I HIRED A CAR FROM ATWEST RENT A CAR IL LAX FOR A 3 WEEKS! THE CONVERTIBLE CAR MAZDA MIATA THAT THE COMPANY RENT ME WAS, THAT I SAW FIRST, COVERED IN SCRATCHES, NOT WASHED, INSIDE AND OUTSIDE! BUT THIS IS NOT THE EXTREMELY SERIOUS MATTER!! I CALLED MANY TIMES TO REPORT YOU THAT THIS CAR IS A DANGER!!! AFTER A FEW DAYS OF DRIVING, THE BALANCE OF THE CAR WAS MASSIVELY UPSET BY HAVING USED TYRES!!!! EACH MILES I DRIVE, PUTS MYSELF AND OTHERS IN DANGER: IT IS IN PRECISELY THOSE AREAS THAT I NEED TO ACT. THERE IS ALSO NO LIQUID TANK AND THE WINDSHIELD WASHER DAMAGED!!!!!!!!. I RANG ATWEST TO EXPLAIN THAT I WAS IN DANGER....I LEAST THE EMPLOYEE DID NOT LESSON TO ME......EXCEPT TO…

  Aug 5, 2014
• Tires

  SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE TIRES OR WHEELS. RETURNED TO DEALERSHIP, SAID IT THROUGH A WEIGHT. STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM OF FEELING WOBBLY ESPECIALLY BETWEEN START AND 35 MPH. HAVE TOLD SERVICE MANAGER SEVERAL TIMES, I THINK TIRES OR WHEELS NEED REPLACING...UPDATED 07/01/14 *BF STATUS UPDATE 09/09/14

  Oct 1, 2013 · 40,000 miles
• Electrical systemCrash

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MAZDA MIATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE ACCIDENTALLY PLACED THE GEAR INTO REVERSE AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS AND CRASHED INTO A TRAFFIC SIGN. SINCE THE VEHICLE HAS A KEYLESS REMOTE ENTRY, SHE WAS NOT WARNED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN ITS PROPER PARKED POSITION PRIOR TO EXITING. SHE CALLED THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER, BUT WAS NOT PROVIDED WITH ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 1,300.

  Mar 31, 2008 · 1,300 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.