2006 Mazda MX-5
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Body, Seats & Latches
Body, Seats & Latches leads by volume: 7 of 25 complaints (28%) mention it.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | vs. 2006 Two Seaters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,250–3,350 | 3,250–3,350 | 3,250–3,350 | |
| Combined MPG | 23–24 | 23–24 | 23–24 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 20–22 / 27–28 | 20–22 / 27–28 | 20–22 / 27–28 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 370–386 | 370–386 | 370–386 | |
| Complaints filed | 25 | 17 | 7 | |
| Recalls issued | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2006 Mazda MX-5 have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2006 Mazda MX-5?
Body, Seats & Latches: 7 of 25 NHTSA complaints (28%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2006 Mazda MX-5 get?
EPA rates it 23–24 MPG combined across 3 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2006 Mazda MX-5?
EPA estimates $3,250–$3,350 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (3)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Two Seaters | 22 mpg (high) | 27 mpg (low) | 24 mpg (high) | $3,250 (low) | 370 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Two Seaters | 21 mpg | 28 mpg (high) | 24 mpg (high) | $3,250 (low) | 370 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Two Seaters | 20 mpg (low) | 28 mpg (high) | 23 mpg (low) | $3,350 (high) | 386 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (1)
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL · Campaign 06V103000 · Apr 5, 2006
Defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BOLT ATTACHING THE HORN ASSEMBLY TO THE STEERING WHEEL HUB MAY FAIL DURING A DRIVER SIDE FRONT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT IN EXTREMELY LOW AMBIENT TEMPERATURE.
Consequence: SHOULD THIS OCCUR, THE HORN ASSEMBLY MAY SEPARATE AND COULD INJURE THE DRIVER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER-SIDE FRONTAL AIR BAG MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 28, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MAZDA AT 800-222-5500.