The Lemon Index
Mazda's 2.0 L naturally aspirated inline-4, DOHC in the MX-5 Miata (ND), model years 2016–2026. YouTube likes the 2016 best.
Middle of the pack: YouTube owner tone 50/100, #74 of 165 engines with a YouTube study (in the middle third); 2 engine-related recalls on record, 3 known issues listed below.
Reliability by year
Why the car page shows more: the Miata page counts 80 complaints and 0 recall campaigns for 2016–2025, everything NHTSA files as "Mx-5 Miata", other engines included. This page counts only the 81 complaints and 5 recalls we can tie to the Mazda Skyactiv-G 2.0 (MX-5) by model name or the owner's own words.
YouTube videos are most positive about the 2016 (53) and least about the 2023 (47); neighboring years share many of the same videos, so small gaps mean little.
How we count: owner complaints only where the car's name and year leave no doubt; YouTube tone from videos that name this engine or its cars. How we count
Owner complaints (NHTSA) are filed by model and year, not engine. We count one for this engine only when the model name and year had no other engine (e.g. "488 GTB", "GT-R"), or when the owner's own words name a version that had only this engine that year (Z06, ZR1, Hellcat, GT500 ...). They cover the whole car (wheels, air bags, electrics ...), not only the engine, and none of them is a failure rate. We chart them only for engines with 30 or more, over 3 or more years. YouTube tone = how positive the videos are, 0–100, from titles and transcripts (praise vs trouble words, the title counts 3 times), weighted by views; a year needs at least 3 videos' worth. A video counts for this engine when its title names the engine or a car that only had this engine in the years it names; a video whose title names no model year counts toward every year of that car, so neighboring years share most of their videos.
All the numbers, year by year
| Year | Cars | Owner complaints | YouTube says | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | MX-5 Miata (ND) | 34 | 53 (69 videos) | 3 |
| 2017 | MX-5 Miata (ND) | 11 | 50 (64 videos) | 2 |
| 2018 | MX-5 Miata (ND) | 3 | 50 (64 videos) | 3 |
| 2019 | MX-5 Miata (ND) | 8 | 50 (65 videos) | 2 |
| 2020 | MX-5 Miata (ND) | 3 | 50 (65 videos) | 1 |
| 2021 | MX-5 Miata (ND) | 1 | 51 (66 videos) | 1 |
| 2022 | MX-5 Miata (ND) | 5 | 49 (67 videos) | 1 |
| 2023 | MX-5 Miata (ND) | 7 | 47 (68 videos) | 1 |
| 2024 | MX-5 Miata (ND) | 5 | 50 (64 videos) | 1 |
| 2025 | MX-5 Miata (ND) | 3 | 51 (62 videos) | 1 |
| 2026 | MX-5 Miata (ND) | 1 | 50 (61 videos) | 0 |
Recalls on cars with this engine 5
2 of them are about the engine, fuel, cooling or powertrain. They come first.
21V875000 Fuel System, Gasoline · Mazda MX-5 2018–19
The impeller inside the low-pressure fuel pump may crack and deform, potentially causing the fuel pump to fail.
19V072000 Power Train · Mazda MX-5 2016–18
Due to incorrect programming of the Transmission Control Module (TCM), certain conditions may cause the vehicle to unexpectedly downshift and abruptly decelerate.
25V336000 Traction Control System · Mazda MX-5 2024–25
The Traction Control System (TCS) and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) indicator light may fail to illuminate as intended due to a software error.
24V695000 Air Bags · Mazda MX-5 2016–23
A software error in the air bag control module may cause the front air bags to deploy with excessive force during a crash.
19V496000 Structure · Mazda MX-5 2016
The skid plate and metal bracket may detach from underneath the vehicle.
NHTSA recalls by model and year. A recall counts here when every confirmed version of that model-year had this engine, or the recall names it. Check a car's VIN for its own open recalls.
Engine problems Mazda told dealers about
Mazda sent dealers 64 repair notes about the engine on these cars, including:
- Some customer's might state that they notice fluid or oil leaking/dripping on the ground when the vehicle is…
- This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued M-Tip(s) listed below
- There is a concern that some water pumps are being replaced that are not faulty, due to signs of a very small…
NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins), matched by model name and year like the complaints, engine-related ones only. A repair note is not a recall: ask a seller whether it was done.
Known issues on record
- No known engine pattern (Owner-reported). Few NHTSA complaints for 2016–2025 MX-5s involve the engine; most are about the manual gearbox and an air bag recall.
- Fuel pump recall (Recall). On some 2018–2019 MX-5s, the low-pressure fuel pump impeller can crack and deform, so the pump can fail and the engine stall. Fix: Dealer replaces the fuel pump for free (NHTSA 21V-875). 8 owner complaints to NHTSA mention it (ND Miata).
- Manual gearbox failures (transmission) (Owner-reported). Owners report third gear that grinds or won't engage, and some outright failures, mostly 2016 and 2022–2024 cars. No recall; rates unverified. 8 owner complaints to NHTSA mention it (ND Miata).
- Automatic downshift recall (transmission) (Recall). On some 2016–2019 automatics, transmission software could cause an unexpected downshift and sudden slowing. Fix: Dealer reprograms the transmission computer for free (NHTSA 19V-072). 4 owner complaints to NHTSA mention it (ND Miata).
Sources: NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, NHTSA recall 21V-875: low-pressure fuel pump, 2018–2019 MX-5 and other Mazdas (Dec 2021), Torque News: ND MX-5 Miata owner reports third-gear transmission issues (Mar 2025), NHTSA recall 19V-072: transmission control software, 2016–2019 MX-5 automatic (Jan 2019). The same list as on the Miata page.
Every US version with this engine
| Car and versions | Years |
|---|---|
| Mazda MX-5 Miata (ND) MX-5 | 2016–26 |
Engine code: Skyactiv-G 2.0 (Mazda gives no code). Power: 155–181 hp, factory figures. Versions and years: EPA (fueleconomy.gov). Sources: Enhanced engine for the 2019 MX-5 Miata (Mazda USA).
Quick answers
What cars have the Mazda Skyactiv-G 2.0 (MX-5) engine?
In the US: the Mazda MX-5 Miata (ND), model years 2016–2026. See the version table for each one.
Is the Mazda Skyactiv-G 2.0 (MX-5) reliable?
Mostly, with known issues to check. YouTube owner tone 50/100, #74 of 165 engines with a YouTube study (in the middle third); 2 engine-related recalls on record, 3 known issues listed below. Owners filed 81 complaints we can tie to it, about any part of the car. Its cars had 5 recalls (2 about the engine, fuel or powertrain). Have any used car inspected.
How much horsepower does the Mazda Skyactiv-G 2.0 (MX-5) make?
155–181 hp in factory figures, depending on the car.