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Mazda MX-5 Steering problems by year

7 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Mazda MX-5's steering. Loss of power steering, stiff or loose steering, wandering, column and rack problems.

Steering complaints by model year

YearSteering complaintsCrashesInjuriesRecalls
20231000
20192000
20172110
20162000

Latest MX-5 steering complaints

2016 Mazda MX-5Steering

2016 Mazda MX5 club: In warmer weather(70 degree F or higher) and after driving for 5+ miles, the steering becomes less sensitive and gets "stuck/sticky" and requires more force to turn. When applied more force the car over corrects and you swerve cause the amount of force you needed to apply. Seems like something in the steering rack expands with heat which then creates friction which you have to overcome to continue driving. Seems like it's becoming more of a issues the more people drive

Filed Incident SteeringNHTSA 11734925
2023 Mazda MX-5Steering

Steering feels sticky at higher speeds, once the vehicle is at full operating temp. The steering requires some pressure to "break free" from whatever position it is in. If I'm continually moving the wheel, it steers normally. However, if I'm driving straight and need to initiate a turn or make minor steering corrections (like on the highway), I have to turn the wheel harder than normal, then it gives way and turns with regular force. This makes it difficult to control, causing the car the jerk around a lot. This is...

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an issue many others have noticed on online forums, and there does not seem to be a known fix for this. The Mazda dealership near me could not duplicate the issue (since it takes 20-30 minutes of continuous driving for this steering issue to get worse to the point of concern), and therefore refused to look any further. This makes it unsafe to drive longer than 20-30 minutes. I am currently awaiting an appointment with an independent service center. There are no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms that I'm aware of

Filed Incident SteeringNHTSA 11728605
2017 Mazda MX-5SteeringElectrical systemCrash1 injury

Happened at US 101 Southbound 0.1 MILES SOUTH of RENGSTORFF AVENUE. "Power Steering Malfunction" light came on, then suddenly after 1 second, the car's steering went stiff and suddenly braked while at freeway speed flow of traffic. Car then sharply veered left into center divider due to automatic sudden braking with no control of the steering wheel

Filed Incident Steering · Electrical systemNHTSA 11717758
2019 Mazda MX-5SteeringElectrical systemBrakes

On the Dash the amber ABS light came on as well as the red Brake light and they stayed on for a couples and I took it to the shop and they said it was the "Steering Angle Sensor" and they changed it and the lights came back on a day later and they took another look from head to toe and they couldn't find a reason why the ABS and Brake Lights were staying on and now its only intermit after four weeks, it cost me about $644.00 dollars for the SAS plus $130.00 for diagnostic plus renter car and the lights still come...

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on (Meineke Auto Shop.) On the screen of the car it states something wrong with the Electrical Vacuum Pump but they checked and the scanner is not pulling nothing up and the shop end up stating, it was probably an "electrical issue." I believe with the miles the car has, it shouldnt had needed any new sensor and there is a possible electrical defect or bad wiring. Car has no accidents and drives fine and straight but the lights come on a few times a week but never when Im driving only when its first turned on.

Filed Incident Steering · Electrical system · Service brakesNHTSA 11562316
2019 Mazda MX-5SteeringElectrical system

While driving 65 mph,I lost power steering control then the electronics system shut down momentarily then it restarted itself and made to destination.Next morning, I tried to drive the car but the steering wasn't working. Later on that day ,I checked it again then it worked.

Filed Incident Steering · Electrical systemNHTSA 11539731
2016 Mazda MX-5Steering

Steering: At 55+ MPH I feel a slight bind when I make a steering change. It then releases only after I've put in too much steering correction. This occurs when in a steady direction, or whether I'm in a steady, high speed turn. It feels like a snapping rubber band. You can read about other Miata drivers who have the same issue at: miata.net in the forum. The link: https://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=714849&highlight=steering+stick

Filed Incident SteeringNHTSA 11516406
2017 Mazda MX-5SteeringDriver assistance

While making a right turn, suddenly lost all steering with car going straight across lane. "Power steering malfunction" warning light appeared, then steering returned. "Dsc malfunction" warning light remained on and "tpms malfunction" warning light remained on. If there was a car in opposite lane, would have ran into. Once car was restarted, all warnings disappeared. Bringing into dealer 5/11.

Filed Incident Steering · Electronic stability control (ESC)NHTSA 10984603

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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