2013 Mazda MX-5 problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 2 owner complaints. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
The 2013 Mazda MX-5 has 2 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 MX-5 | 0 | 0 |
| 2011 MX-5 | 1 | 0 |
| 2012 MX-5 | 5 | 0 |
| 2013 MX-5 (this page) | 2 | 0 |
| 2014 MX-5 | 6 | 0 |
| 2015 MX-5 | 1 | 0 |
| 2016 MX-5 | 34 | 1 |
Limited NHTSA data — only 2 complaints on file. The score reflects what's reported, but a small sample skews easily.
Only 2 NHTSA complaints on file — too few for a confident reliability call. Could be a clean record or just thin data.
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2013 Mazda miata. Consumer writes in regards to passenger side air bag deactivation switch. *smd the consumer stated he was under the impression, the vehicle came equipped with an air bag deactivation switch, as stated in the manual and on Mazda's website. However, the…
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Mazda miata. While coming to a stop, the vehicle accelerated when the brake pedal was depressed. The contact had to shift the gear into neutral in order to decelerate and shut off the vehicle. The failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was not…
Common questions
Is the 2013 Mazda MX-5 reliable?
Limited NHTSA data. Only 2 owner complaints have been filed for the 2013 Mazda MX-5, which is not enough for a meaningful reliability score. Active recalls (if any) are listed on this page and remain authoritative — those are verified defects regardless of complaint volume. For a confident reliability read we look for at least 10 owner complaints in the federal database.
Should you avoid the 2013 Mazda MX-5?
Only 2 NHTSA complaints on file — too few for a confident reliability call. Could be a clean record or just thin data. We don't issue a buy/avoid verdict on the 2013 Mazda MX-5 without a meaningful complaint sample — doing so off a handful of filings would be guesswork.
What should I check before buying a used 2013 Mazda MX-5?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on the 2013 Mazda MX-5 to flag a standout failure pattern. Run the VIN for open recalls — those are free to fix regardless of warranty — get a standard pre-purchase inspection, and ask the seller for service records.
Is the 2013 Mazda MX-5 a good used car to buy?
Hard to say from federal data alone — only 2 owner complaints have been filed. Lean on the recall list above, a pre-purchase inspection, and a vehicle-history report on the specific VIN. Our data tells you what the model is known for; a history report tells you what that exact car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2013 Mazda MX-5?
No problem area has crossed our reporting threshold yet, which is a good sign for this vehicle.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
Major repair items haven't been flagged often enough on this vehicle to single one out.
How do I check if my Mazda MX-5 has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2013 Mazda MX-5?
Hard to say from NHTSA data alone with only 2 complaints on file. A quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. The decision comes down to your specific situation: vehicle cost, miles on it, how long you plan to keep it, and whether you can absorb a $3K–$8K repair without straining cashflow. With limited public data on this vehicle, lean on the recall list above and check owner forums before committing.