2020 Mazda Mx-5 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (2) · Fuel/Propulsion System (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mazda Mx-5 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (1)
Air Bags: Air Bag/Restraint Control Module:software 2024-09-18 · campaign 24V695000 · 77,670 vehicles
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."
Risk: An air bag that deploys with excessive force can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (253)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Electrical System 2026-09-11 · SA-041-26a · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
description if you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, dtc(s) stored...), interview the customer before proceeding with normal mgss diagnosis by asking if any aftermarket devices have been installed. aftermarket devices may be the cause of the electrical con
Engine 2026-06-19 · SA-041-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this sa supersedes the previously issued sa(s) listed below. the changes are noted in red. sa-061/25 12/17/25 description if you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, dtc(s) stored...), interview the customer before proceeding with normal mgss diagnosis by ask
Unknown Or Other 2026-06-18 · 09-020-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
description some vehicles may exhibit scratches (1) on the rear of the seat back bar garnish (2) from contact with the convertible top (3). due to assembly variations, the clearance between the seat back bar garnish and the convertible top is too small on some vehicles. repair procedure 6. install t
Unknown Or Other 2026-06-18 · 09-019-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. the changes are noted in red. 09-012/21 12/13/21, 06/10/21 and 04/27/21 description some customers may experience all of following symptoms: the door lock/unlock operation will not work using the remote transmitter button. 1. t
Electrical System 2026-06-17 · SA-027-26a · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this sa supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. the changes are noted below in red. sa-027/26 04/16/26 description the mazda dca-8000 is required for all warranty battery testing. if the mazda dca-8000 is not used, incorrect battery testing may result in unnecessary battery replac
Power Train 2026-05-01 · 01-008-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. the changes are noted in red. 01-008/23 06/05/23 some vehicles may exhibit rattling noises from the engine compartment and oil leakage from the drive belt auto tensioner. this may be caused by insufficient sealing at the driv
Showing the 6 most recent of 253 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-06-15 · Air Bags“recall has been open for two years and mazda still hasn't provided the tools to dealerships to fix it. mazda keeps emailing to go to a dealership but they they have to turn you away as they are unable to repair the vehicle.…”
2026-05-12 · Air Bags“mazda and nhtsa have sent out multiple notices calling owner to go to dealers to have the recall remediated. if one schedules to go to a dealership they are informed that mazda does not yet have a tool available to remedy the issue. i've been on a waiting list for over 4 months and no tool is available yet. since this appears to be a software issue…”
2024-05-23 · Fuel/Propulsion System“2020 mx5 rf club edition with 65k miles lost engine power while driving in rush hour traffic. car would not re-start, required a tow, and i was left stranded and without transportation. since car was inoperable it was towed to nearby reputable mechanic and per the mechanic fuel pump has failed. same fuel pump has been recalled by other manufacturer…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.