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Vehicle safety record

2022 Mazda MX-5 Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 5 complaints about the 2022 Mazda MX-5 with NHTSA, most often about the transmission & drivetrain (3) and the driver assistance (1). It is covered by 1 recall, the latest in September 2024 for the software. For comparison, the 2021 has 1 and the 2023 has 7.

NHTSA data checked

CAbout as many problems as a typical MX-5 year, for its age

#242 most complained-about 2022 vehicle

Complaints
5
Recalls
1
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
0

Most common 2022 Mazda MX-5 problems

Share of all 5 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

2022 Mazda MX-5 recalls 1

Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do

Air bags: software

24V69500077,670 vehicles affected

The problem
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."
The risk
An air bag that deploys with excessive force can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
The 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.

What owners say

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5 complaints about the 2022 Mazda MX-5

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.

Driver assistance

On two occasions the vehicle (which is silver--more about that below) has suddenly and without warning activated its emergency braking. The most recent occasion was summer of 2023. On a clear, dry afternoon the system activated while I was at speed on the Suncoast parkway approaching an automatic toll arch. Fortunately there were no other vehicles nearby. I pulled to the side of the road and turned the car off and on again to attempt to clear whatever glitch had happened. The incident was so dramatic I've actually...

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forgotten what the prior incident was. I remember one reason that was mentioned in the manual was a dirty windshield, and that was not the case at that time. I have *never* experienced a justified engagement of the system despite driving in heavy traffic for more than half an hour twice each weekday. I was put in mind of the incident by a recent recall of Genesis G90 sedans painted silver, like my car. Apparently the paint reflected radar and set off the emergency braking system. I surmise there may have been some radar-emitting device in use temporarily on or around the toll arch.

Filed Incident Forward collision avoidanceNHTSA 11704155
Transmission & drivetrainElectrical system

The contact owns a 2022 Mazda MX-5. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in operation, the rooftop failed to remain sealed opened or closed as intended, causing the alarm system to be disarmed. The contact stated that the vehicle would not move forward or backward while shifted into gear. There was no warning light illuminated. In addition, the rearview would independently turn on and off. The contact stated that unless the mirror was turned off, the steering wheel would become loosened or become difficult...

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to steer. The contact stated that the odometer was inoperable. The contact stated that while holding the RF switch down for a long while, an error code would appear on the instrument penal. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 14,000.

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical systemNHTSA 11629330
Transmission & drivetrain

Transmission failure due to bad synchros

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 11595167
Transmission & drivetrain

Manual transmission synchronizers fail, causing erratic gear shift operation and the inability to change gears, which could result in an accident. The ND Mazda Miata Owners Group on Facebook has polled its owners and found a 10% failure rate of manual transmissions among owners in the group who required replacement of the transmission. On [[redacted]], at approximately 20,000 miles on the odometer, my 2022 Mazda MX-5 Miata experienced a grind from the transmission while downshifting to third gear at city speeds....

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I alerted Mazda North American Operations on May 30, 2024. On [[redacted]], the gearbox began grinding during downshifts into second gear. My car entered service at Mazda of Knoxville around June 3, 2024. Mazda of Knoxville confirmed that the vehicle required transmission replacement. Parts were not immediately available, and due to a work assignment in Des Moines, I had to drive the vehicle to Iowa. On [[redacted]], I noticed fourth gear began grinding during upshifts. On June 10, 2024, the vehicle entered Ramsey Mazda of Des Moines for service. Mazda North American Operations did not immediately approve repair, stating that their engineering department requested information from Mazda of Knoxville and is reviewing the claim. I am still awaiting an update. The vehicle is available for NHTSA inspection at Ramsey Mazda in Des Moines. Manual transmission failures are a serial problem for the ND-chassis Mazda MX-5 Miata since the 2016 model year, with significant failure rates reported among owners for 2016, 2017, 2022 and 2023 model years. Symptoms begin with difficulty upshifting to third gear that feels like a blocked shift gate. Grinding in the transmission soon leads to complete failure, which causes loss of throttle control and could result in an accident. My inability to select the correct gear impeded my ability to maintain safe speeds. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 11595125
Seats & seat belts

Hi Team, I bought a Mazda Miata MX5 RF 2022 and its user manual states the vehicle is to come with LATCH system to attach the child car system. However the LATCH hooks are not present in that car seat. 1) My understanding is that is a legal requirement to provide the LATCH system. Could you please clarify if that is the case? 2) If there is a discrepancy between what is specified in the user manual and what is actually in the car (for the Child Seat LATCH), will the manufacturer be required to install it for me?...

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3) It will be helpful if you can share the options I have to get the Child Car Restraint installed? Best [[redacted]] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Filed Incident SeatsNHTSA 11489427

Mazda MX-5: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
20262000AirbagsD
20253100LightsD
20245100Electrical systemD
20237110Transmission & drivetrainF
20225100Transmission & drivetrainC
20211100Transmission & drivetrainA
20203100AirbagsB
201911220Electrical systemF
20183300Body, doors & structureC
All MX-5 years

2022 Mazda MX-5 vs rivals

More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.

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Questions about the 2022 Mazda MX-5

Does the 2022 Mazda MX-5 have any recalls?

Yes - NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2022 Mazda MX-5: software (September 2024). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.

What are the most common problems with the 2022 Mazda MX-5?

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the transmission & drivetrain (3), driver assistance (1), electrical system (1).

How many complaints has the 2022 Mazda MX-5 had?

5 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on October 16, 2022 and the latest on December 10, 2025. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.

Is the 2022 Mazda MX-5 a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 47 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Mazda MX-5 year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.

Which Mazda MX-5 years have the most complaints?
What should I do if my 2022 Mazda MX-5 has a problem?

If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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