Mazda Recalls 12K Miatas for Traction-Control Light That Might Not Work
The recall involves 2024 and 2025 MX-5 models, which won’t warn drivers when they’re getting too sideways.
Mazda is recalling 12,244 Miata models due to an issue where certain warning lights don’t display.
The recall involves 2024–2025 models, whose traction- and stability-control systems might not properly behave.
Miata owners affected by the recall can bring their car to the dealer to fix the issue free of charge—though some will have to wait for an available part.
Sideways shenanigans might go unsupervised in newer Mazda Miatas due to an issue with their dynamic stability control (a.k.a. DSC), which can fail to illuminate a warning light in the required situation. This has led the Japanese automaker to recall over 12,000 Miatas from the 2024 and 2025 model years.
Mazda filed a recall report with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on June 3, 2025. The report states that the lights for the DSC as well as the traction-control (TC) systems may not light up when an abnormal yaw rate (see: getting sideways) is detected. Without the warning lights, drivers could potentially get themselves in trouble with sudden steering inputs that could lead to oversteering or understeering. Since the DSC/TC software is malfunctioning, the systems might not come to the rescue, which obviously raises the risk of a crash.
According to Mazda’s NHTSA filing, the issue is caused by an error with the DSC unit’s software diagnostic programming. To fix the problem, Miata will ask owners to bring their vehicles to a dealer who will replace the faulty part with improved software. This won’t cost customers a penny. However, Mazda says this will be a phased (long-lead) recall, as the necessary parts for all the affected vehicles aren’t expected to be available until the second quarter of 2026. Still, individual owners will be notified whether the part for their Miata is available or not available by July 21, 2025.
