repaired · 2026 Q3
Air bag/restraint control module: software
Risk. An air bag that deploys with excessive force can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
2023 Mazda MX-5Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 7 owner complaints about the 2023 Mazda MX-5, most often about the power train. It is covered by 1 safety recall, and for recall 24V-695 the manufacturer reports only 69% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through April 1, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Ethan Llamas, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2023 Mazda MX-5 has problems
7 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
4Power train
1Air bags1 crash/fire/injury
1Seat belts
1Steering
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 4 | 0 |
| Air bags | 1 | 1 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
1 recall
2023 Mazda MX-5 recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Mazda.
Best & worst years
2023 vs. every other MX-5 year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the MX-5 median. How we score
'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2023 Mazda MX-5 safety ratings
2023 Mazda MX-5 C RWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: Standard
- Lane departure warning: Standard
In owners' words
What MX-5 owners report
Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
Manual transmission will not reliably shift from 2nd to 3rd gear without a grinding noise. Other owners are reporting similar issues that have required a full replacement of the transmission in MY2023 cars.
My vehicle has only 8700 miles. At around 2500 miles first gear refused to engage, and I had to start the car in second for a week. That week I scheduled for service but the problem was not reproducible, since then it has been intermittent by never prolonged like that full week. This is and was a…
The manual transmission has a synchronizer failure. Safety was put at risk due to inability to safely complete a gear change reliably. The problem has been reported to the dealer and the transmission has been replaced once and is scheduled to go in 9/23/24 for a possible second transmission…
Own a 2023 MX-5?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.