2006 Mazda MX-5: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2006 Mazda MX-5: 1 recall, 25 owner complaints and up to 24 mpg combined.
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Recalls
1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Airbags Vehicle recall #06V103000 · 2006 · 2,600 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain passenger vehicles, the bolt attaching the horn assembly to the steering wheel hub May fail during a driver side front air bag deployment in extremely low ambient temperature.
Why it matters: Should this occur, the horn assembly May separate and could injure the driver.
The fix: Dealers will replace the driver-side frontal air bag module free of charge. The recall began on April 28, 2006.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 1 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Body & structure (6): the most common themes are leaks (4).
- Seat belts (4): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Transmission & drivetrain (3): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Other / unknown (3): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2006 Mazda MX-5 has 25 owner complaints, ranking #2 of 21 MX-5 model years for complaints (3.4× the average MX-5 year). Complaints peaked in 2006 (8 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 20,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2007 (17 complaints, 0 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 22 | 27 | 24 | Premium |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 21 | 28 | 24 | Premium |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 | 28 | 23 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2006 Mazda MX-5.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/moHeads up: we may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Prices checked 2026-10 and can change. We never host or link to pirated manuals. Disclosure
FAQ
Does the 2006 Mazda MX-5 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 2006 Mazda MX-5. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2006 Mazda MX-5 problems?
Owners have filed 25 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are body & structure (6), seat belts (4), transmission & drivetrain (3).
What gas mileage does the 2006 Mazda MX-5 get?
EPA ratings run up to 24 mpg combined (2.0 L, Manual 5-spd), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2006 Mazda MX-5 repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.