Is the Mazda MX-5 Miata Reliable?

19992026 reliability analysis based on NHTSA safety recalls and owner complaints.

92/100
Excellent

Reliability Score

11
Total Recalls
30
Owner Complaints
2
Reported Injuries
0
Reported Deaths

Own a Mazda MX-5 Miata? Check your specific VIN for a full history report.

Mazda MX-5 Miata Reliability by Year

Model YearRecallsComplaintsInjuriesDeathsReliability ScoreRating
2026Not enough data
202510
84
Excellent
202413
92
Excellent
202313
93
Excellent
202216
92
Excellent
202111
96
Excellent
202011
96
Excellent
201927
90
Excellent
201825
92
Excellent
2017142
95
Excellent

Reliability scores are proprietary to VinCheckEngine and incorporate multiple weighted safety signals.

How the MX-5 Miata Compares to Similar Vehicles

Mazda MX-5 Miata92/100
Sports Category Average67/100

The MX-5 Miata scores 25 points above the average sports — a strong result.

Known Mazda MX-5 Miata Reliability Issues

The following components appear most frequently in owner complaints filed with NHTSA:

POWER TRAIN
8
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
4
STEERING
2
STRUCTURE:BODY
2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
1

Based on 30 owner complaints across recent model years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Mazda MX-5 Miata reliable?+

The Mazda MX-5 Miata scores 92/100 on our reliability index — rated "Excellent." Across 10 recently analyzed model years, it accumulated 11 recall campaigns and 30 owner complaints in the NHTSA database.

What year MX-5 Miata is most reliable?+

Among the years analyzed, the 2021 MX-5 Miata achieved the highest reliability score of 96/100 with 1 recall and 1 complaints.

How many miles does a MX-5 Miata last?+

With consistent maintenance, most Mazda MX-5 Miata owners report 150,000 to 200,000+ miles of service life. Checking the VIN of any specific used MX-5 Miata will reveal its actual mileage history and any title events.

More Mazda MX-5 Miata Research

Check a Specific Mazda MX-5 Miata VIN

Model-level reliability scores show general trends. A VIN-specific report reveals the exact history of any individual vehicle — accidents, odometer records, auction events, and open recalls.

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