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Mazda MX-5 Lighting problems by year

5 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Mazda MX-5's lights. Headlights, tail lights, brake lights, turn signals and interior lighting failures.

Lighting complaints by model year

YearLighting complaintsCrashesInjuriesRecalls
20251000
20241000
20162000
20111000

Latest MX-5 lighting complaints

2025 Mazda MX-5Lights

After driving on slight up or down hill with headlights on, I'm getting Headlight malfunction warning on my almost brand new (700 miles) Miata.

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 11751572
2024 Mazda MX-5LightsVisibility & wipers

The vehicle has a recurrent malfunction of the Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS), part of the exterior headlight system and advertised as a safety feature within Mazda's i-ACTIVSENSE technology. The failure presents as a dashboard warning stating: "Headlight System Malfunction. Have the vehicle inspected." The affected components remain installed and are available for inspection upon request. This malfunction poses a potential safety risk because it affects a system intended to improve visibility during night...

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driving and around curves, creating uncertainty about headlight performance under low-visibility conditions. The issue has been confirmed by an authorized Mazda dealer, which recorded fault logs related to the headlight system. The vehicle has been inspected multiple times. Repairs performed include replacement of the headlamp wiring harness and replacement of the entire headlamp assembly, but the malfunction continues and has increased in frequency over time. The problem first appeared intermittently over a year ago, progressed to weekly, and now occurs daily. The failure occurs under normal driving conditions, including at very low speeds (approximately 5 mph) while exiting a parking lot. One documented instance occurred with the engine still cold (blue low-engine-temperature indicator illuminated), indicating no aggressive driving. Several additional occurrences happened below 35 mph with no harsh steering or acceleration. Suggestions that this is related to "spirited driving" are contradicted by observed conditions and video evidence.

Filed Incident Exterior lighting · Visibility / wiperNHTSA 11706227
2016 Mazda MX-5SuspensionElectrical systemLights

Since 2019 there have been several instances with my vehicle where someone has been able to knock the power offline thereby disabling it. It happened in five locations - a storage location in Olive BranchN MS, a former address in Memphis, TN (4330 Angarath Dr), a restaurant (Sonic) in Greenville, MS and twice in Greenville, MS both at a local park (Hardee Park). I never received any recall notices during this time regarding my vehicle ref a problem with the internal lighting for the odometer / gas meter, for the...

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alarm system, for the battery, chasis - the frame shakes - I even reported feeling something when I first bought it back in Nov of 2015, and the door locks on the driver side stated losing the notification of being locked so I have to walk back to check and have found out that some additional delay is happening causing it not to lock properly so I open and close it to get it to lock. I have received any notifications for issues with locks, power, or the suspension (chasis). My car has been stole from the dealership in Memphis near the Germantown TN area, from storage and then from the parking lot of my current address in Greenville MS. I reported all of this to local management and I told the prior people that had the dealership that something had happened to my car and they joked around trying to make a joke out of it. I called the prior service manager and a Mazda dealer in Atlanta when it was knocked offline in 2019 and was told it was an issue they could not resolve over the phone but told me to try a couple of things to see it would start. I finally heard back from the one in Memphis who agreed and I got it to start after sitting in that park almost stranded. They did it again yesterday but it would not start even after I know I spent almost $200 on a new battery after it shutdown at a local restaurant and it would not start after an electrical spark hut the car and shocked my leg. The car is only 5 years old; it shouldn't have these problems.

Filed Incident Suspension · Electrical system · Exterior lightingNHTSA 11443205
2016 Mazda MX-5LightsEngine & cooling

Headlights shake. Mirror covers on visors broke, never even used mirrors. Burns oil.

Filed Incident Exterior lighting · Unknown or other · EngineNHTSA 11163300
2011 Mazda MX-5Lights

Took possession of new car 3/31/2001. Drove it that night and succeeding nights on the two lane road around the area where I live. I encountered numerous incidents where the oncoming auto would flash their bright lights at me, but my lights were already in the dim mode. I came to find out that there is no way to adjust the headlight beam lower. I contacted mazda usa three times with no response to the problem. I took the cat to the dealer where I told them that there is nothing they can do. The light beam is set at...

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the factory. On a subsequent trip to carlsbad, nm we decided to take a count of the number of oncoming cars passing us, and the number of times they flashed their bright at us (our lights were on dim). We met a total of 1,232 vehicle. Of those, 471 flashed their high beams at us; that's 38&. I keep being told by the dealer that my lights are supposed to be bright. I agree, but the should not blind the driver in the oncoming vehicle. I have to apply tape over the driver side headlight to "fix" the problem and now I get zero bright beam flashes from oncoming cars. Other auto manufacturers offer the same type of lighting for their produce, but they also install a dial that is used to adjust the light beams up and down. This car does not have such a device. Affixing an ugly piece of tape to my cat is not what I expected when I paid $ 34,000 for this automobile , and I cannot get anyone who is willing to help me find a reasonable solution to the problem and honor the 3-year warranty for this vehicle. The situation can be very dangerous, and it tends toward inviting a head-on-collision; a horrible tragedy that is just waiting to happen. It is either tape, or I am limited to no driving this car at night, both are which not acceptable. All they have to do is ask themselves, "would I want to be driving this car at night like it is? Updated 07/28/11*bf

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 10415919

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

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