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Mazda MX-5 Transmission May Downshift Unexpectedly

NHTSA campaign 19V072000 · Reported Feb 1, 2019 · Mazda North American Operations

high How serious is it? About this label

A sudden, unexpected downshift and abrupt slowdown could cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. The notice does not tell owners to stop driving.

Key facts

NHTSA campaign number	19V072000
Reported to NHTSA	Feb 1, 2019
Manufacturer	Mazda North American Operations
Part affected	Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Vehicles covered	1 model/year combination, model years 2018
Do-not-drive advisory	No
Park-outside advisory	No
Repair	Free at any franchised dealer

What's wrong, in plain English

In some Mazda MX-5 Miata vehicles with automatic transmissions, the computer that controls the transmission was programmed incorrectly. Under certain conditions, this can cause the vehicle to suddenly downshift on its own and abruptly slow down, without the driver choosing to do so.

What you should do

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm your vehicle is included.
2. Contact a Mazda dealer to have the transmission control module reprogrammed with corrected software; call Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4.
3. The repair is free.

Where do I find my VIN, and what do I tell the dealer?

Your VIN is the 17-character code on the lower left of the windshield, on your registration and usually on your insurance card. Enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether this recall is still open on your car. When you call the dealer, say you have an open safety recall and give them NHTSA campaign number 19V072000. More in how recalls work.

Affected vehicles (1)

2018 Mazda MX-5

Who to contact

Mazda — official Mazda recall lookup

Customer service: 1-800-222-5500

Any franchised dealer for the brand can do the repair. Phone numbers are taken from manufacturer sites and recent NHTSA notices; if one has changed, the number in your own recall letter is the one to use.

Other Mazda MX-5 recalls

May 22, 2025Mazda MX-5 stability control warning light may not illuminatemedium
Sep 18, 2024Mazda MX-5 Miata Air Bags May Deploy Too Forcefullyhigh
Nov 12, 2021Mazda Fuel Pump May Fail and Stall Enginehigh

Official notice

Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
Summary: 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 cause the vehicle to unexpectedly downshift and abruptly decelerate.
Safety risk: If the vehicle abruptly downshifts, the driver may lose control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
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 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 3019A.

Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov. Recall repairs are free of charge by law.