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Owner report · 2018 model year

2018 Mazda MX-5

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The Verdict

Worst problem area

Engine

Engine leads by volume: 1 of 3 complaints (33%) mentions it.

Complaints filed fell from 11 in 2017 to 3 in 2018.

Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology

At a glance

NHTSA complaints
3
Recall campaigns
3
EPA fuel cost per year
$2,650
Combined MPG
29

Complaints by model year

  1. 342016
  2. 112017
  3. 32018
  4. 112019
  5. 32020

Where owners report problems

  1. Body, Seats & Latches1 (33%)
  2. Driver Assistance & Speed Control1 (33%)
  3. Electrical1 (33%)
  4. Engine1 (33%)
  5. Transmission & Drivetrain1 (33%)
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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History

Fuel cost, fuel economy, and complaint history by model-yearScroll sideways to see all 5 years. Fuel figures show the range across trims for years with more than one EPA-rated configuration.
Category20162017201820192020vs. 2018 Two Seaters
Annual fuel cost ($)2,6002,6502,6502,600–2,6502,600–2,650
Combined MPG30292929–3029–30
City / Highway MPG26–27 / 34–3626 / 33–3526 / 33–3526 / 34–3526 / 34–35
CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi)298–303301–305303–305299–305299–305
Complaints filed34113113Not compared
Recalls issued32331Not compared
Crash-involved complaints31020Not compared
Fire-involved complaints00000Not compared
Injuries reported21020Not compared
Deaths reported00000Not compared
Configurations compared22222

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 2018 Mazda MX-5 have?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.

What gas mileage does the 2018 Mazda MX-5 get?

EPA rates it 29 MPG combined across 2 configurations.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2018 Mazda MX-5?

EPA estimates $2,650 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.

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EPA-Rated Configurations (2)

Every EPA-rated configuration on this page, one row each.A number tagged (low) or (high) is this page’s own cost-table figure of that name, above.
ConfigurationTransmissionCylindersDisplacementDrivetrainFuel TypeVehicle ClassCityHighwayCombinedAnnual Fuel CostCO₂
Configuration 1Manual 6-spd42.0LRear-Wheel DrivePremiumTwo Seaters26 mpg33 mpg (low)29 mpg$2,650305 g/mi (high)
Configuration 2Automatic (S6)42.0LRear-Wheel DrivePremiumTwo Seaters26 mpg35 mpg (high)29 mpg$2,650303 g/mi (low)

Complaints by Category

Complaints by category, in the same fixed order on every page
CategoryComplaintsCrash-InvolvedFire-InvolvedInjuriesDeaths
Engine10000
Transmission & Drivetrain10000
Fuel System00000
Electrical10000
Brakes00000
Steering00000
Suspension, Wheels & Tires00000
Airbags & Restraints00000
Driver Assistance & Speed Control10000
Body, Seats & Latches10000
Visibility & Lighting00000
Other00000

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 (3)

  • AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE

    Campaign 24V695000 · Sep 18, 2024

    Defect
    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."
    Consequence
    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.

  • FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

    Campaign 21V875000 · Nov 12, 2021

    Defect
    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.
    Consequence
    Fuel pump failure may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy
    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)

    Campaign 19V072000 · Feb 1, 2019

    Defect
    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.
    Consequence
    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.