2018 Mazda MX-5: True Cost, Problems & Verdict
3 NHTSA owner complaints · 3 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.
Reviewed by the MotorJury data desk · 2 sources · Last updated 2026-08-20
3 NHTSA owner complaints · 3 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.
Complaints per year on the road: 0.38
Verbatim reports filed with the United States safety regulator (NHTSA) by owners of this exact model year. Public record.
Started from creak noise as car start to move, accelerate or stop. now it developed to some ticking noise every time car accelerate or decelerate. the car is only at about 9700 mi went to spreen mazda loma linda ca to inspect the car. they said it is normal and come back when it gets worse
What the community is saying right now.
| Campaign | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 19V072000 | Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Contr | Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2016-2019 MX-5 (Miata) vehicles with automatic transmissions. Due to incorrect… |
| 21V875000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump | Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018 Mazda3, Mazda6, 2019 CX-3, 2018-2019 MX-5, CX-5, CX-9, and 2019-2020 Mazda… |
| 24V695000 | Air Bags: Air Bag/Restraint Control Modu | Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2016-2023 MX-5 Miata vehicles. A software error in the air bag control module … |
EPA combined 29 MPG · estimated annual fuel cost $2,600
Re-priced automatically from your country's retail fuel, electricity and parts indices — change country in the bar at the top. Estimates; see methodology.
The most-reported issue in NHTSA complaint data is Power Train (1 complaints in our indexed sample).
Our data verdict is BUY with a reliability score of 86/100, computed from 3 NHTSA complaints and 3 recall campaigns. See the verdict card for the top reasons.
Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for the 2018 Mazda MX-5, 2 of them touching fire, crash or stall risk, the most recent recorded 01/02/2019. Check this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.
Fuel, maintenance band and depreciation — computed from public data in 10 seconds.
Open the true-cost calculatorComplaints & recalls: NHTSA ·
Fuel economy: EPA fueleconomy.gov ·
Scoring: our published methodology.
Maintenance bands are industry-average estimates (AAA Your Driving Costs, CarMD index) — labeled estimates, not measurements.
Last updated: 2026-08-20.