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2016 Mazda MX5

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2016 MX5.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S6)

The 2016 Mazda MX5, designated a passenger car, pairs an automatic six‑speed transmission with EPA fuel‑economy ratings of 26 mpg city, 36 mpg highway and 30 mpg combined, delivering a balanced driving experience. Over its production run it accumulated 34 owner complaints, most centered on the power‑train, and was subject to three recall campaigns, placing this model year toward the lower end of the MX5’s reliability record. As a result, researchers note that while the car’s efficiency and transmission remain solid, its documented power‑train issues should be weighed when evaluating its long‑term ownership prospects.

Model year20202019201820172016201520142013

Quick specs

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

EPA fuel economy26/36/30 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 1WPE14302. 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
Tire sizeP205/45R17OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.0 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter1WPE14302
Engine air filterPEES133A0
Fuel filterP59D13ZE0 alt PE0113ZE1
Spark plugPE5R18110A
Battery000080051RWB
Front wiper bladesNA8W67330 alt NA1L67330
Serpentine beltPEES15908 alt P30115909C
ThermostatP50215171 alt P50115171

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S6)

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined26 / 36 / 30 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine Mazda Long Life Hypoid gear Oil SG1 in the differential, 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 FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7.7
Brake FluidSAE J1703
Clutch FluidSAE J1703
Differential Gear OilMazda Long Life Hypoid gear Oil SG1
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.2 qt
Engine Coolant Capacity6.3
Engine Coolant Capacity6.2

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts12
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts32
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug22.0-30.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts35.0-43.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)660-760 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)720-870 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)670-770 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)700-800 rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.00-1.10 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type100
Oil Capacity4.00-4.50 oz
Standard BCI Group Number51R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance410 cca

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum54.4 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum65.2 psi
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)Ignition off fuel holding pressure 29
Engine Compressionpsi 174 - 249 / max variation 28.5 psi
Intake Valve Lash0.009-0.010 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.011-0.013 in

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 16-; Rear: 15-; Front: 16-; Rear: 15-
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 58-; Rear: 37-; Front: 58-; Rear: 37-
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: .790; Rear: .310
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after RefinishFront: .820; Rear: .350
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation.0006
Maximum Rotor Runout.002

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
144.0-71.0 inch lbs., Step 2: 10.0-13.044–71 in
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
120.0-23.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 80.0-100.020–23 ft. lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
171.0-106.0 inch lbs., Step 2: 20-2571–106 in

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; spark plugs every 75,000 mi.

Every 5,000 miTire Pressure Monitoring System (reset)
Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 10,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect)
Every 30,000 miBody Fasteners (torque) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension Ball Joint (inspect)
Every 37,500 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 45,000 miExhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Exhaust System Heat Shield (inspect)
Every 60,000 miFuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 75,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

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

Owner complaints about the 2016 Mazda MX5 lead in one area — the power train, 10 of 34 reports (29%), well ahead of the next concern. That matters, because the power train are also the target of recall 19V-072 on this vehicle — so the single most useful check before buying or servicing one is confirming it was actually performed. 3 of the reports describe a crash and 0 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the power train pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
521
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
34
Owner complaints
3 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 34 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train10
Air Bags5
Unknown Or Other4
Structure4
Steering2
Electrical System2
Wheels2
Suspension,Electrical System,Exterior Lighting1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V072000Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)Reported 01/02/2019

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2016-2019 MX-5 (Miata) vehicles with automatic transmissions. Due to incorrect programming of the Transmission Control Module (TCM), certain conditions may… Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the TCM with corrected software, free of charge. The recall began March 14, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at…

19V496000Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody ShieldsReported 27/06/2019

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2016 Miata MX-5 vehicles. The skid plate and metal bracket may detach from underneath the vehicle. Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the skid plate, free of charge. The recall began August 2, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 521 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SA-041-262026-06-18Electrical SystemThis SA supersedes the previously issued SA(s) listed below. The changes are noted in…
09-020-262026-06-17StructureDESCRIPTION Some vehicles may exhibit scratches (1) on the rear of the seat back bar…
01-008-262026-05-01Power TrainThis bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. The changes are…
SA-031-262026-04-30StructureDESCRIPTION Some vehicles may require the replacement of a damaged VIN plate or vehicle…
SA-029-262026-04-21Power TrainThis Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA listed below: The changes are…

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 MX5. 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 batteryEngine oil filter 1WPE14302Engine air filter PEES133A0Fuel filter P59D13ZE0Spark plug PE5R18110A

Reference guides

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

Vehicle recalls & TSBsOBD-II trouble codesTorque specificationsMaintenance schedulesFluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

Does the 2016 MX5 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the MX5 get?

EPA figures are 26 city / 36 highway / 30 combined mpg.