NHTSA // SAFETY RECORD
2020 Mazda MX-5 Safety Record
The 2020 Mazda MX-5 has not been crash-tested by NHTSA, so it carries no Safety Index. Its federal safety record shows 1 recall and 3 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
CRASH
DATANot crash-tested
The 2020 Mazda MX-5 lacks any federal crash-test ratings from NHTSA, precluding assessment of its structural integrity or occupant protection. No star ratings are available, nor can MotorCaliber compute a Safety Index score for this model year. Its record with the agency is otherwise light: a single recall campaign has been issued, and owners have filed only three complaints.
The 2020 Mazda MX-5 was not crash-tested by NHTSA, carries one recall campaign, and falls in the Light recall and complaint burden band, according to NHTSA data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
- shoppers who want the full federal safety picture in one place
| NHTSA crash test | Not crash-tested |
|---|---|
| Recall and complaint burden | Light |
| Recalls on file | 1 |
| Owner complaints | 3 (unverified allegations) |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2020 Mazda MX-5?
The 2020 Mazda MX-5 presents a distinct safety profile defined by a single, critical recall. This recall addresses a software issue within the airbag control module, a component essential for the correct deployment and timing of the vehicle's airbags. This direct safety relevance places the MX-5 in the Light burden band, indicating a low combined recall and complaint activity compared to the wider vehicle population in NHTSA data. The recall's focus on airbag functionality aligns with the primary concern reflected in the three unverified owner complaints, all of which also point to air bag issues. No crashes, fires, injuries, or fatalities are reported in connection with these complaints. With no adjacent model years tested, a broader crash-test context for the MX-5 is unavailable.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2020 Mazda MX-5 have any recalls?
The 2020 Mazda MX-5 is covered by one recall campaign affecting the air bag restraint control module software. The recall spans 2016 through 2023 MX-5 Miata vehicles and addresses a software error in the air bag control module. NHTSA has not issued a park-outside or do-not-drive advisory for this campaign in the data MotorCaliber holds, but owners should verify the status of this recall against their specific VIN at nhtsa.gov.
AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE24V695000
Risk: An air bag that deploys with excessive force can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Reported 2024-09-18
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2020 Mazda MX-5?
Three owner complaints have been reported to NHTSA for the 2020 Mazda MX-5. The top components alleged are Air Bags, which account for two of the three reports, and the Fuel/Propulsion System, which accounts for one. All three are unverified consumer allegations and have not been confirmed as defects by NHTSA or Mazda.
3 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2020 Mazda MX-5?
A critical safety advisory accompanies the 2020 Mazda MX-5: prior to any purchase, the vehicle's VIN must be checked against the NHTSA recall database to confirm completion of the airbag control module software recall. This step is essential for ensuring occupant protection.
- The 2020 Mazda MX-5 has not been crash-tested by NHTSA, meaning no federal star ratings or Safety Index score exists for this model year.
- One recall affects this model year, targeting a software error in the air bag restraint control module across 2016 through 2023 MX-5 Miata vehicles.
- Two of the three unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this model year allege issues with the Air Bags component, which aligns with the subject of the active recall.
- Shoppers and current owners should verify recall completion status for their specific vehicle using the VIN lookup tool at nhtsa.gov, as recall remedy completion varies by individual unit.
FAQ2020 Mazda MX-5 safety questions
Was the 2020 Mazda MX-5 crash-tested by NHTSA?
No. NHTSA has not run a New Car Assessment Program crash test on this configuration, so it carries no Safety Index. Its safety record here is built from 1 recall and 3 owner complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2020 Mazda MX-5 have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 1 vehicle recall is on file for the 2020 Mazda MX-5. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2020 Mazda MX-5?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 3 owner complaints are on file for the 2020 Mazda MX-5. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other MX-5 years
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Mazda MX-5 2020.
- SCORE This configuration was not crash-tested by NHTSA, so it carries no Safety Index. We report its recall and complaint record only.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.