2018 Mazda MX-5
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2018 Mazda MX-5 is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 30 on record.
2018 Mazda MX-5 at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
2018 Mazda MX-5 recalls 3
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."
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.
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 Mazda2 vehicles. The impeller inside the low-pressure fuel pump may crack and deform, potentially causing the fuel pump to fail.
Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pumps, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 18, 2022. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 5321K.
Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2016-2019 MX-5 (Miata) vehicles with automatic transmissions. Due to incorrect programming of the Transmission Control Module (TCM), certain conditions may cause the vehicle to unexpectedly downshift and abruptly decelerate.
Fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the TCM with corrected software, free of charge. The recall began March 14, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 3019A.
Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.
2018 Mazda MX-5 common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 3 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
2018 Mazda MX-5 MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 2018 Mazda MX-5 costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Dimensions & weight
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 2018 Mazda MX-5 — ranges cover the 2 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Investigations & service bulletins
Manufacturer service bulletins 367
Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 367.
DESCRIPTION If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, DTC(s) stored...), interview the customer before proceeding with normal MGSS diagnosis by asking if any aftermarket devices have been installed. Aftermarket device…
Bulletin SA-041-26a · Electrical System · Sep 2026This SA supersedes the previously issued SA(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red. SA-061/25 12/17/25 DESCRIPTION If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start, DTC(s) stored...), interview the customer before proc…
Bulletin SA-041-26 · Electrical System, Engine · Jun 2026DESCRIPTION Some vehicles may exhibit scratches (1) on the rear of the seat back bar garnish (2) from contact with the convertible top (3). Due to assembly variations, the clearance between the seat back bar garnish and the convertible top is too small on some…
Bulletin 09-020-26 · Structure, Seats · Jun 2026This bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red. 01-008/23 06/05/23 Some vehicles may exhibit rattling noises from the engine compartment and oil leakage from the drive belt auto tensioner. This may be caus…
Bulletin 01-008-26 · Power Train · May 2026DESCRIPTION Some vehicles may require the replacement of a damaged VIN plate or vehicle certification label. To obtain a replacement VIN plate (bulkhead-mounted and visible through the lower-left area of the windshield), contact DAG (Dealer Assistance Group) u…
Bulletin SA-031-26 · Structure · Apr 2026This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA listed below: The changes are noted in Red. SA-011/24 02/12/24, 06/06/24, 07/29/24 DESCRIPTION Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems.…
Bulletin SA-029-26 · Power Train, Service Brakes, Engine · Apr 2026This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued M-Tip(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red text. MT-002/19 09/30/19 and 12/19/19 DESCRIPTION If an engine assembly is replaced after a catastrophic internal mechanical failure, clean the intake manif…
Bulletin SA-026-26 · Engine · Apr 2026This bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red. 08-002/25 08/06/25 Some customers may complain that the front passenger seat belt warning light flashes and the seat belt warning beep is activated, even tho…
Bulletin 08-001-26 · Air Bags · Apr 2026This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA(s) and TSB(s) listed below: The changes are noted in Red. SA-035/24 05/31/24 DESCRIPTION There is a concern that some water pumps are being replaced that are not faulty, due to signs of a very small coolan…
Bulletin SA-014-26 · Engine · Mar 2026Some vehicles may exhibit the power window(s) not working properly (window does not move or has fallen into the door) and/or making an abnormal noise while operating the power window switch. This may be caused by the cable of the power window motor being damag…
Bulletin 09-007-26 · Electrical System, Structure · Jan 2026Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the MX-5 RWD. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
About the Mazda MX-5
The Mazda MX-5 is a lightweight two-seat sports car manufactured and marketed by Mazda. While in most markets it is called the MX5, in Japan it is marketed as the Mazda Roadster or, previously, as the Eunos Roadster, and In the United States it is sold as the Mazda MX-5 Miata. The name miata derives from Old High German for "reward", and the MX-5 nameplate was derived from it being the fifth vehicle produced by the Mazda experimental division.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.
2018 Mazda MX-5 trims & engines on record
2018 Mazda MX-5 vehicles on record
2018 Mazda MX-5 Grand Touring (Hard Top)JM1NDAM78J0202612
2018 Mazda MX-5 Grand Touring (Hard Top)JM1NDAM76J0201054
2018 Mazda MX-5 Touring3MZBN1V39JM211468
2018 Mazda MX-5JM1NDAC76J0203789
2018 Mazda MX-5JM1NDAC78J0204667
2018 Mazda MX-5JM1NDAC78K0301109
2018 Mazda MX-5JM1NDAD73K0302585
2018 Mazda MX-5JM1NDAM77J0202925
2018 Mazda MX-5JM1NDAM71K0300446
2018 Mazda MX-5JM1NDAM71K0302987
2018 Mazda MX-5JM1NDAD70K0303872
2018 Mazda MX-5JM1NDAC74J0202415
2018 Mazda MX-5JM1NDAL73J0203698
2018 Mazda MX-5JM1NDAC77J0204420
2018 Mazda MX-5JM1NDAM78J0203100
2018 Mazda MX-5JM1NDAC79J0205990
2018 Mazda MX-5JM1NDAM76J0204651
2018 Mazda MX-5JM1NDAM71K0301645
2018 Mazda MX-5JM1NDAC71J0205501
2018 Mazda MX-5JM1NDAM78J0204697
2018 Mazda MX-5JM1NDAL74K0302161
2018 Mazda MX-5JM1NDAM73J0203361
2018 Mazda MX-5JM1NDAL79J0203401
2018 Mazda MX-5JM1NDAC78J0205379