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2017 Mazda MX5

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2017 MX5.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S6)

The 2017 Mazda MX5 enters its model year as a passenger car platform with a 4.5-quart 0W-20 API oil specification and a six-speed automatic transmission, returning an EPA-estimated 26 city, 35 highway, and 29 combined mpg that underscores its efficient powertrain character. The service footprint is correspondingly light, with the modest oil volume and single-grade viscosity pointing to a straightforward ownership routine. On the reliability front, this model year draws just 11 owner complaints — topped by Visibility/Wiper issues — alongside 2 recalls, a low-volume profile that positions the 2017 as a trouble-light reference point for researchers tracking the nameplate rather than a flagged year.

Model year20202019201820172016201520142013

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque80-108 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy26/35/29 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 bladesNA1J67330 alt NA8W67330
Serpentine beltPEES15908 alt P30115909C
ThermostatP50215171

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S6)

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined26 / 35 / 29 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 holds 4.5 qt of 0W-20 API engine oil, Use Mazda Hypoid Gear Oil SG1 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 80-108 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7.6
Brake FluidDOT 3
Clutch FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilUse Mazda Hypoid Gear Oil SG1
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.2 qt
Engine CoolantFL22 type engine coolant
Engine Coolant Capacity5.2-5.3

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts12
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts32

Chassis torques

Differential Fill Plug29.0-39.7 ft-lbs
Differential drain Plug29.0-39.7 ft-lbs
Driveshaft Flange to Transmission33.0-43.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts80-108 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Spark Plug ManufacturerNGK
Spark Plug Gap0.043-0.051 in
Spark Plug Torque12.0-14.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Standard BCI Group Number51R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance410 cca

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum61.7 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum73.2 psi

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront or rear: 23-28
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 59-74
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementStamped on rotor
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after RefinishStamped on rotor

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Rear Wheel Hub — tightening sequence 1 stages
1110.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Back off 180 degrees, Step 3: 175.0-202.0110 ft. lbs
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 2 stages
120.0-23.0 ft. lbs.20–23 ft. lbs
280.0-100.0
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 4 stages
167.0 ft. lbs.67 ft. lbs
281 ft. lbs.81 ft. lbs
3+ 55 degrees55 degrees
465
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep Maximum cylinder head bolt length should not exceed 146.0 mm. Replace bolts if they exceed maximum length. Coat bolts with clean engine oil.

19.5-12.5 ft. lbs.9.5–12.5 ft. lbs
232.0-34.0 ft. lbs.32–34 ft. lbs
385 degrees-95 degrees85 degrees
485 degrees-95 degrees85 degrees
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 3 stages
134.0-40.0 ft. lbs.34–40 ft. lbs
256.0-62.0 ft. lbs.56–62 ft. lbs
380.0-86.0
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 & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Tire Pressure Monitoring System (reset)
Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Tire Pressure Monitoring System (reset)
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 2017 Mazda MX5 dominate in one area — the visibility/wiper, 4 of 11 reports (36%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 2 recall campaigns target the visibility/wiper, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 1 of the reports describe a crash and 0 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the visibility/wiper 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.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
414
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
11
Owner complaints
1 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 11 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Visibility/Wiper4
Power Train1
Steering,Electrical System1
Tires1
Air Bags1
Unknown Or Other1
Service Brakes1
Steering,Electronic Stability Control (Esc)1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 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…

24V695000Air Bags: Air Bag/Restraint Control Module:SoftwareReported 18/09/2024

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2016-2023 MX-5 Miata vehicles. A software error in the air bag control module may cause the front air bags to deploy with excessive force during a crash. As… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 414 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 batteryVehicles taking 4.5 qtEngine 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

How much oil does the 2017 MX5 take?

4.5 qt of 0W-20 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2017 MX5 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 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 / 35 highway / 29 combined mpg.