Mazda MX-5: best & worst years

No Mazda MX-5 model year rates as one to avoid in CarVitals data. The strongest years are 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. Below is every year (2005–2024) ranked best to worst, with the owner-reported problems behind each verdict.

Every Mazda MX-5 year, ranked

YearVerdictScoreTop owner-reported problems
2024 Recommended 8 Certain cars are covered by a low-pressure fuel-pump recall (the impeller can crack and swell), which may cause rough running or an engine stall; confirm the remedy was performed.; Soul Red Crystal and other thin factory paint chip easily on the hood and front end; it is cosmetic but widely noted by owners. Full report ↗
2023 Recommended 8 Certain cars are covered by a low-pressure fuel-pump recall (the impeller can crack and swell), which may cause rough running or an engine stall; confirm the remedy was performed.; Soul Red Crystal and other thin factory paint chip easily on the hood and front end; it is cosmetic but widely noted by owners. Full report ↗
2022 Recommended 8 Certain cars are covered by a low-pressure fuel-pump recall (the impeller can crack and swell), which may cause rough running or an engine stall; confirm the remedy was performed.; Soul Red Crystal and other thin factory paint chip easily on the hood and front end; it is cosmetic but widely noted by owners. Full report ↗
2021 Recommended 8 Certain cars are covered by a low-pressure fuel-pump recall (the impeller can crack and swell), which may cause rough running or an engine stall; confirm the remedy was performed.; Soul Red Crystal and other thin factory paint chip easily on the hood and front end; it is cosmetic but widely noted by owners. Full report ↗
2020 Recommended 8 Certain cars are covered by a low-pressure fuel-pump recall (the impeller can crack and swell), which may cause rough running or an engine stall; confirm the remedy was performed.; Soul Red Crystal and other thin factory paint chip easily on the hood and front end; it is cosmetic but widely noted by owners. Full report ↗
2015 Recommended 8 The convertible soft-top can leak at the seals as it ages, letting water into the cabin and occasionally reaching interior electronics; check the carpets and top condition.; A whine from the rear differential (worn internal gears) is a known NC trait; it is usually a noise rather than an outright failure but can be costly to silence.; Throttle-body contamination can cause the engine to surge or hesitate at idle and when decelerating; cleaning typically resolves it. Full report ↗
2014 Recommended 8 The convertible soft-top can leak at the seals as it ages, letting water into the cabin and occasionally reaching interior electronics; check the carpets and top condition.; A whine from the rear differential (worn internal gears) is a known NC trait; it is usually a noise rather than an outright failure but can be costly to silence.; Throttle-body contamination can cause the engine to surge or hesitate at idle and when decelerating; cleaning typically resolves it. Full report ↗
2013 Recommended 8 The convertible soft-top can leak at the seals as it ages, letting water into the cabin and occasionally reaching interior electronics; check the carpets and top condition.; A whine from the rear differential (worn internal gears) is a known NC trait; it is usually a noise rather than an outright failure but can be costly to silence.; Throttle-body contamination can cause the engine to surge or hesitate at idle and when decelerating; cleaning typically resolves it. Full report ↗
2019 Recommended 7 Certain cars are covered by a low-pressure fuel-pump recall (the impeller can crack and swell), which may cause rough running or an engine stall; confirm the remedy was performed.; Soul Red Crystal and other thin factory paint chip easily on the hood and front end; it is cosmetic but widely noted by owners. Full report ↗
2018 Recommended 7 The 6-speed manual transmission can fail under hard or track driving, owners report grinding, popping out of gear and internal gear breakage, several in the 35,000-60,000 mile range. This was the dominant complaint on the 2016 launch cars.; Affected cars fall under a Takata airbag inflator recall, and a few owners also report airbags not deploying in a crash; confirm the recall has been completed.; Some cars throw an intermittent electric power-steering malfunction warning, with a brief loss of assist before the system resets. Full report ↗
2017 Recommended 7 The 6-speed manual transmission can fail under hard or track driving, owners report grinding, popping out of gear and internal gear breakage, several in the 35,000-60,000 mile range. This was the dominant complaint on the 2016 launch cars.; Affected cars fall under a Takata airbag inflator recall, and a few owners also report airbags not deploying in a crash; confirm the recall has been completed.; Some cars throw an intermittent electric power-steering malfunction warning, with a brief loss of assist before the system resets. Full report ↗
2012 Recommended 7 The convertible soft-top can leak at the seals as it ages, letting water into the cabin and occasionally reaching interior electronics; check the carpets and top condition.; A whine from the rear differential (worn internal gears) is a known NC trait; it is usually a noise rather than an outright failure but can be costly to silence.; Throttle-body contamination can cause the engine to surge or hesitate at idle and when decelerating; cleaning typically resolves it. Full report ↗
2011 Recommended 7 The convertible soft-top can leak at the seals as it ages, letting water into the cabin and occasionally reaching interior electronics; check the carpets and top condition.; A whine from the rear differential (worn internal gears) is a known NC trait; it is usually a noise rather than an outright failure but can be costly to silence.; Throttle-body contamination can cause the engine to surge or hesitate at idle and when decelerating; cleaning typically resolves it. Full report ↗
2010 Recommended 7 The convertible soft-top can leak at the seals as it ages, letting water into the cabin and occasionally reaching interior electronics; check the carpets and top condition.; A whine from the rear differential (worn internal gears) is a known NC trait; it is usually a noise rather than an outright failure but can be costly to silence.; Throttle-body contamination can cause the engine to surge or hesitate at idle and when decelerating; cleaning typically resolves it. Full report ↗
2009 Recommended 7 The convertible soft-top can leak at the seals as it ages, letting water into the cabin and occasionally reaching interior electronics; check the carpets and top condition.; A whine from the rear differential (worn internal gears) is a known NC trait; it is usually a noise rather than an outright failure but can be costly to silence.; Throttle-body contamination can cause the engine to surge or hesitate at idle and when decelerating; cleaning typically resolves it. Full report ↗
2008 Recommended 7 The convertible soft-top can leak at the seals as it ages, letting water into the cabin and occasionally reaching interior electronics; check the carpets and top condition.; A whine from the rear differential (worn internal gears) is a known NC trait; it is usually a noise rather than an outright failure but can be costly to silence.; Throttle-body contamination can cause the engine to surge or hesitate at idle and when decelerating; cleaning typically resolves it. Full report ↗
2007 Recommended 7 The convertible soft-top can leak at the seals as it ages, letting water into the cabin and occasionally reaching interior electronics; check the carpets and top condition.; A whine from the rear differential (worn internal gears) is a known NC trait; it is usually a noise rather than an outright failure but can be costly to silence.; Throttle-body contamination can cause the engine to surge or hesitate at idle and when decelerating; cleaning typically resolves it. Full report ↗
2006 Recommended 7 The convertible soft-top can leak at the seals as it ages, letting water into the cabin and occasionally reaching interior electronics; check the carpets and top condition.; A whine from the rear differential (worn internal gears) is a known NC trait; it is usually a noise rather than an outright failure but can be costly to silence.; Throttle-body contamination can cause the engine to surge or hesitate at idle and when decelerating; cleaning typically resolves it. Full report ↗
2005 Recommended 7 Body corrosion is the defining NB concern: rust forms at the rocker panels, front fender arches and especially the rear quarter panels (from a clogged soft-top drain), and can reach the front frame rails. Inspect the underbody carefully.; The cooling system uses several plastic components that grow brittle with age and crack, causing coolant leaks and overheating if not refreshed. Full report ↗
2016 Caution 6 The 6-speed manual transmission can fail under hard or track driving, owners report grinding, popping out of gear and internal gear breakage, several in the 35,000-60,000 mile range. This was the dominant complaint on the 2016 launch cars.; Affected cars fall under a Takata airbag inflator recall, and a few owners also report airbags not deploying in a crash; confirm the recall has been completed.; Some cars throw an intermittent electric power-steering malfunction warning, with a brief loss of assist before the system resets. Full report ↗

Mazda MX-5 problems by year

2024 Mazda MX-5 Recommended

Latest ND-generation MX-5: a mature, dependable roadster with class-leading driver appeal, low repair bills and strong resale value. The tiny interior and firm ride are the price of the fun.

  • Certain cars are covered by a low-pressure fuel-pump recall (the impeller can crack and swell), which may cause rough running or an engine stall; confirm the remedy was performed.
  • Soul Red Crystal and other thin factory paint chip easily on the hood and front end; it is cosmetic but widely noted by owners.

2023 Mazda MX-5 Recommended

ND2 MX-5 with the 181-hp 2.0L: top-rated sports-car reliability and very low ownership costs. A small cabin and modest cargo room are the only real trade-offs.

  • Certain cars are covered by a low-pressure fuel-pump recall (the impeller can crack and swell), which may cause rough running or an engine stall; confirm the remedy was performed.
  • Soul Red Crystal and other thin factory paint chip easily on the hood and front end; it is cosmetic but widely noted by owners.

2022 Mazda MX-5 Recommended

Refined ND2 MX-5: dependable, cheap to maintain and hugely engaging to drive. Few recurring faults; practicality is the only meaningful compromise.

  • Certain cars are covered by a low-pressure fuel-pump recall (the impeller can crack and swell), which may cause rough running or an engine stall; confirm the remedy was performed.
  • Soul Red Crystal and other thin factory paint chip easily on the hood and front end; it is cosmetic but widely noted by owners.

2021 Mazda MX-5 Recommended

ND2 MX-5 (181-hp 2.0L) with excellent reliability and rock-bottom repair costs for a sports car. Small two-seat cabin aside, a standout used roadster.

  • Certain cars are covered by a low-pressure fuel-pump recall (the impeller can crack and swell), which may cause rough running or an engine stall; confirm the remedy was performed.
  • Soul Red Crystal and other thin factory paint chip easily on the hood and front end; it is cosmetic but widely noted by owners.

2020 Mazda MX-5 Recommended

Refined ND2 MX-5: 181-hp 2.0L, top-rated sports-car reliability and very low running costs. Tiny cabin and modest cargo are the only real trade-offs.

  • Certain cars are covered by a low-pressure fuel-pump recall (the impeller can crack and swell), which may cause rough running or an engine stall; confirm the remedy was performed.
  • Soul Red Crystal and other thin factory paint chip easily on the hood and front end; it is cosmetic but widely noted by owners.

2019 Mazda MX-5 Recommended

Major ND update: a revised 2.0L now making 181 hp plus a telescoping wheel. Much-improved reliability, with only a low-pressure fuel-pump recall and minor paint-chip gripes against it.

  • Certain cars are covered by a low-pressure fuel-pump recall (the impeller can crack and swell), which may cause rough running or an engine stall; confirm the remedy was performed.
  • Soul Red Crystal and other thin factory paint chip easily on the hood and front end; it is cosmetic but widely noted by owners.

2018 Mazda MX-5 Recommended

Late ND1 MX-5, the most sorted of the 155-hp cars. An excellent driver’s car with low repair costs; residual manual-gearbox and soft-top-liner niggles aside, a strong used roadster.

  • The 6-speed manual transmission can fail under hard or track driving, owners report grinding, popping out of gear and internal gear breakage, several in the 35,000-60,000 mile range. This was the dominant complaint on the 2016 launch cars.
  • Affected cars fall under a Takata airbag inflator recall, and a few owners also report airbags not deploying in a crash; confirm the recall has been completed.
  • Some cars throw an intermittent electric power-steering malfunction warning, with a brief loss of assist before the system resets.

2017 Mazda MX-5 Recommended

ND MX-5 with the early 2.0L (155 hp). Sharp-handling and reliable for a sports car; some manual-transmission and power-steering reports linger from launch cars, and the soft-top headliner can sag.

  • The 6-speed manual transmission can fail under hard or track driving, owners report grinding, popping out of gear and internal gear breakage, several in the 35,000-60,000 mile range. This was the dominant complaint on the 2016 launch cars.
  • Affected cars fall under a Takata airbag inflator recall, and a few owners also report airbags not deploying in a crash; confirm the recall has been completed.
  • Some cars throw an intermittent electric power-steering malfunction warning, with a brief loss of assist before the system resets.

2016 Mazda MX-5 Caution

First year of the lightweight ND MX-5. Delightful to drive and cheap to maintain, but the launch year drew the most complaints, notably 6-speed manual transmission failures under hard use, a Takata airbag recall and soft-top headliner sag.

  • The 6-speed manual transmission can fail under hard or track driving, owners report grinding, popping out of gear and internal gear breakage, several in the 35,000-60,000 mile range. This was the dominant complaint on the 2016 launch cars.
  • Affected cars fall under a Takata airbag inflator recall, and a few owners also report airbags not deploying in a crash; confirm the recall has been completed.
  • Some cars throw an intermittent electric power-steering malfunction warning, with a brief loss of assist before the system resets.

2015 Mazda MX-5 Recommended

Final, well-sorted NC MX-5 with a proven 2.0L drivetrain and very low repair costs. Among the most trouble-free affordable roadsters; minor soft-top and diff-whine niggles aside.

  • The convertible soft-top can leak at the seals as it ages, letting water into the cabin and occasionally reaching interior electronics; check the carpets and top condition.
  • A whine from the rear differential (worn internal gears) is a known NC trait; it is usually a noise rather than an outright failure but can be costly to silence.
  • Throttle-body contamination can cause the engine to surge or hesitate at idle and when decelerating; cleaning typically resolves it.

2014 Mazda MX-5 Recommended

Late NC MX-5: a durable 2.0L roadster with cheap upkeep and strong driver appeal. Soft-top leaks and rear-diff whine are the main things to check.

  • The convertible soft-top can leak at the seals as it ages, letting water into the cabin and occasionally reaching interior electronics; check the carpets and top condition.
  • A whine from the rear differential (worn internal gears) is a known NC trait; it is usually a noise rather than an outright failure but can be costly to silence.
  • Throttle-body contamination can cause the engine to surge or hesitate at idle and when decelerating; cleaning typically resolves it.

2013 Mazda MX-5 Recommended

Well-sorted late NC MX-5 with a proven 2.0L drivetrain and very low repair costs. Among the most trouble-free affordable roadsters of its era.

  • The convertible soft-top can leak at the seals as it ages, letting water into the cabin and occasionally reaching interior electronics; check the carpets and top condition.
  • A whine from the rear differential (worn internal gears) is a known NC trait; it is usually a noise rather than an outright failure but can be costly to silence.
  • Throttle-body contamination can cause the engine to surge or hesitate at idle and when decelerating; cleaning typically resolves it.

2012 Mazda MX-5 Recommended

NC-generation MX-5 with a durable 2.0L engine and low running costs. Watch for soft-top leaks, rear-diff whine and rust on neglected cars.

  • The convertible soft-top can leak at the seals as it ages, letting water into the cabin and occasionally reaching interior electronics; check the carpets and top condition.
  • A whine from the rear differential (worn internal gears) is a known NC trait; it is usually a noise rather than an outright failure but can be costly to silence.
  • Throttle-body contamination can cause the engine to surge or hesitate at idle and when decelerating; cleaning typically resolves it.

2011 Mazda MX-5 Recommended

NC MX-5 roadster with a robust 2.0L drivetrain and cheap upkeep. Soft-top seal leaks and differential whine are the common niggles.

  • The convertible soft-top can leak at the seals as it ages, letting water into the cabin and occasionally reaching interior electronics; check the carpets and top condition.
  • A whine from the rear differential (worn internal gears) is a known NC trait; it is usually a noise rather than an outright failure but can be costly to silence.
  • Throttle-body contamination can cause the engine to surge or hesitate at idle and when decelerating; cleaning typically resolves it.

2010 Mazda MX-5 Recommended

NC MX-5 (post-2009 facelift) with a proven 2.0L engine and low maintenance costs. Check the soft-top, rear diff and underbody for rust.

  • The convertible soft-top can leak at the seals as it ages, letting water into the cabin and occasionally reaching interior electronics; check the carpets and top condition.
  • A whine from the rear differential (worn internal gears) is a known NC trait; it is usually a noise rather than an outright failure but can be costly to silence.
  • Throttle-body contamination can cause the engine to surge or hesitate at idle and when decelerating; cleaning typically resolves it.

2009 Mazda MX-5 Recommended

Facelifted NC MX-5 with a durable 2.0L drivetrain and low running costs. A fun, reliable used roadster; watch for soft-top leaks and diff whine.

  • The convertible soft-top can leak at the seals as it ages, letting water into the cabin and occasionally reaching interior electronics; check the carpets and top condition.
  • A whine from the rear differential (worn internal gears) is a known NC trait; it is usually a noise rather than an outright failure but can be costly to silence.
  • Throttle-body contamination can cause the engine to surge or hesitate at idle and when decelerating; cleaning typically resolves it.

2008 Mazda MX-5 Recommended

NC-generation MX-5 with a strong 2.0L engine and cheap upkeep. Soft-top leaks, rear-diff whine and rust on neglected cars are the things to check.

  • The convertible soft-top can leak at the seals as it ages, letting water into the cabin and occasionally reaching interior electronics; check the carpets and top condition.
  • A whine from the rear differential (worn internal gears) is a known NC trait; it is usually a noise rather than an outright failure but can be costly to silence.
  • Throttle-body contamination can cause the engine to surge or hesitate at idle and when decelerating; cleaning typically resolves it.

2007 Mazda MX-5 Recommended

NC MX-5, now offered with the PRHT power hardtop, with a durable 2.0L drivetrain and low costs. Watch for soft-top leaks, diff whine and rust.

  • The convertible soft-top can leak at the seals as it ages, letting water into the cabin and occasionally reaching interior electronics; check the carpets and top condition.
  • A whine from the rear differential (worn internal gears) is a known NC trait; it is usually a noise rather than an outright failure but can be costly to silence.
  • Throttle-body contamination can cause the engine to surge or hesitate at idle and when decelerating; cleaning typically resolves it.

2006 Mazda MX-5 Recommended

First year of the NC generation. A strong 2.0L engine and gearbox with low running costs, though early NCs had more teething issues than later years and the soft-top can leak.

  • The convertible soft-top can leak at the seals as it ages, letting water into the cabin and occasionally reaching interior electronics; check the carpets and top condition.
  • A whine from the rear differential (worn internal gears) is a known NC trait; it is usually a noise rather than an outright failure but can be costly to silence.
  • Throttle-body contamination can cause the engine to surge or hesitate at idle and when decelerating; cleaning typically resolves it.

2005 Mazda MX-5 Recommended

Final NB-generation MX-5: a robust, simple 1.8L roadster that is mechanically near-bulletproof and cheap to run. As a 20-year-old car the real risk is rust and aging plastic cooling parts, so condition matters more than the year.

  • Body corrosion is the defining NB concern: rust forms at the rocker panels, front fender arches and especially the rear quarter panels (from a clogged soft-top drain), and can reach the front frame rails. Inspect the underbody carefully.
  • The cooling system uses several plastic components that grow brittle with age and crack, causing coolant leaks and overheating if not refreshed.

Rankings come from CarVitals reliability verdicts, built on public NHTSA complaint and recall data. See how we build these reports, the most reliable used cars overall, browse all Mazda models, or check any listing free with the CarVitals extension.