Mazda›MX-5›2006›Overview/mazda/mx-5/2006/base/

2006 Mazda MX-5

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2006 MX-5.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S6)

The 2006 Mazda MX-5 is a passenger car fitted with an Automatic (S6) transmission and EPA fuel-economy ratings of 20/28/23 mpg. Its reliability record is summarized by 25 owner complaints and one recall, with the largest share of complaints falling under the Structure category. Because the model-level complaint history spans 2011–2026—peaking at 34 complaints in 2016 and bottoming at one in 2011—the 2006 model sits outside that tracking window, so its figures should be read as a standalone snapshot rather than part of the later trend.

Model year2024 2023 2022 2021 2012 2011 2010 2009 2006

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

EPA fuel economy20/28/23 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 51R · 410 CCA battery, OE oil filter LF8J14302. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 51R · 410 CCAOEM · verified

Tail / brake / turnFUSEOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	LF8J14302
Engine air filter	LFG113Z40
Fuel filter	LFG113ZE0 alt LFB613ZE1
Battery	LFG118520A
Front wiper blades	NE5267330B alt NE5167330B
Serpentine belt	LFG115909B alt LFJ515909B9U
Thermostat	LF0315165A alt LF7015170

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic (S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	157.1 in
Overall width	67.7 in
Overall height	49.2 in
Wheelbase	91.7 in
Curb weight	2469 lb
Track (front / rear)	58.7 / 58.3 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	51/49

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	20 / 28 / 23 mpg
Drivetrain	Rear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Premium Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 · SAE J1703 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 22.0-30.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	ATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	7.8
Brake Fluid	DOT 3 · SAE J1703
Differential Gear Oil	GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	1.3 Pints
Manual Transmission Fluid	75W-90 · GL-4
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity	4
Power Steering Fluid	ATF

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs	8-10 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	71-75 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	22.0-30.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	14-18 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Rear Wheel Hub

174-202 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	650 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	50 rpm
Spark Plug Gap	0.049-0.053 in
Spark Plug Torque	11.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Standard BCI Group Number	51R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	410 cca

Service checks

Injector Primary Resistance	11.4
Engine Compression	174-249 PSI. 28.5 maximum variation PSI.
Engine Oil Pressure	49-86 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM	3000 rpm
Intake Valve Lash	0.008-0.011 in
Exhaust Valve Lash	0.011-0.013 in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	16-23 ft-lbs / 15-18 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	58-75 ft-lbs / 37-50 ft-lbs
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0006 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.002 in
Rotor Minimum Machining	0.82 in / 0.346 in
Rotor Discard at or Under	0.787 in / 0.315 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

71-77 ft. lbs., step 2: 87-93

71–77 ft. lbs

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

13-16 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

13–16 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi.

Every 7,500 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
At 15,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (clean)
Every 15,000 mi	Brake Linings (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (inspect)
Every 22,500 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (clean)
Every 25,000 mi	Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 mi	Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)
Every 37,500 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 45,000 mi	Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
At 60,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (clean)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The JSON supplies federal complaint, recall, investigation, and TSB totals for model years 2011 through 2026, but it contains no entry for the 2006 Mazda MX‑5. Because the target year is absent from the dataset, we cannot directly compare its complaint or recall numbers to those of the years before or after it within this record. The available data show a low‑complaint, recall‑free period from 2011‑2015, a spike in 2016 recalls beginning in 2016, and a gradual decline thereafter, but this trend does not extend back to 2006. Consequently, the data do not specify whether the 2006 model experienced any complaints, recalls, investigations, or TSBs. Without specific figures for 2006, the federal record provides no basis for assessing its reliability relative to later years. Takeaway: the supplied information does not allow a determination of whether the 2006 MX‑5 is a good year to buy.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

167

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

1 involved a crash · 0 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25 ’26

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 25 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Structure4

Power Train3

Seat Belts2

Air Bags2

Tires2

Unknown Or Other1

Unknown Or Other,Equipment Adaptive/Mobility1

Fuel/Propulsion System1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 167 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
SA-029-26	2026-04-21	Power Train	This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA listed below: The changes are…
07-004-25a	2025-12-10	Unknown Or Other	A musty/mildew type odor may come from the vents when the air conditioning (A/C) system…
SA-039/25	2025-08-21	Structure	Some vehicles may experience exterior trim heat damage such (melted, separating, etc.)…
SA-036-25	2025-08-14	Unknown Or Other	When replacing the SiriusXM satellite radio unit, a call must be made to inform SiriusXM…
SA-032-25	2025-06-18	Unknown Or Other	Some customers may complain about a noisy HVAC blower motor or odor after a cabin air…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific MX-5. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 51R battery Engine oil filter LF8J14302 Engine air filter LFG113Z40 Fuel filter LFG113ZE0 Battery LFG118520A

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

Does the 2006 MX-5 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the MX-5 get?

EPA figures are 20 city / 28 highway / 23 combined mpg.