The Verdict
Worst problem area
Airbags & Restraints
Airbags & Restraints leads by volume: 2 of 3 complaints (67%) mention it.
Complaints filed fell from 11 in 2019 to 3 in 2020.
At a glance
- NHTSA complaints
- 3
- Recall campaigns
- 1
- EPA fuel cost per year
- $2,600–$2,650
- Combined MPG
- 29–30
Complaints by model year
Where owners report problems
Advertisement
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | vs. 2020 Two Seaters |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,650 | 2,600–2,650 | 2,600–2,650 | 2,600–2,650 | 2,600–2,650 | |
| Combined MPG | 29 | 29–30 | 29–30 | 29–30 | 29–30 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 26 / 33–35 | 26 / 34–35 | 26 / 34–35 | 26 / 34–35 | 26 / 34–35 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 303–305 | 299–305 | 299–305 | 299–305 | 299–305 | |
| Complaints filed | 3 | 11 | 3 | 1 | 5 | |
| Recalls issued | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
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 2020 Mazda MX-5 have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What gas mileage does the 2020 Mazda MX-5 get?
EPA rates it 29–30 MPG combined across 2 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2020 Mazda MX-5?
EPA estimates $2,600–$2,650 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (2)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Two Seaters | 26 mpg | 34 mpg (low) | 29 mpg (low) | $2,650 (high) | 305 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Two Seaters | 26 mpg | 35 mpg (high) | 30 mpg (high) | $2,600 (low) | 299 g/mi (low) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 0 | 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: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE
- 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.