Mazda›MX-5›2009›Overview/mazda/mx-5/2009/base/

2009 Mazda MX-5

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2009 MX-5.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S6)

The 2009 Mazda MX-5 is a passenger car equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission and returns EPA-estimated fuel economy of 21 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined. Owner-reported complaints for this model year total three, with air bags identified as the top complaint area, though no recalls were issued. Across the broader model history spanning 2011 through 2026, complaint volumes ranged from a low of one in 2011 to a peak of 34 in 2016, positioning the 2009 edition among the quieter years in the dataset.

Model year2024 2023 2022 2021 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008

Quick specs

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

EPA fuel economy21/28/23 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 LF0514302B. 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	LF0514302B
Engine air filter	LFG113Z40
Fuel filter	LFG113ZE0 alt LFB613ZE1
Battery	LFG118520A
Front wiper blades	NE5267330B alt NE5167330B
Serpentine belt	LF9J15909A alt LF9M15909A
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	21 / 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 80W-90 · 75W-90 · 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. 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 Fluid	ATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	7.8
Brake Fluid	DOT 3 · SAE J1703
Differential Gear Oil	80W-90 · 75W-90 · 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
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	12-18 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	32-47 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)	720 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	50 rpm

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	0.90-1.00 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	100
Oil Capacity	4.40 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	51R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	410 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test	18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	176-183 °F
Injector Primary Resistance	11.4-12.6 @ 68 degreesF ohms
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

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

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. · Step 1 · 2.2-8.0 ft. lbs.

2	9.5-12.5 ft. lbs.	9.5–12.5 ft. lbs
3	32.0-34.0 ft. lbs.	32–34 ft. lbs
4	88 degrees-92 degrees	88 degrees
5	88 degrees-92 degrees	88 degrees

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	Body Lock Cylinders (lubricate) · 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 Rotor (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (inspect)
Every 22,500 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (clean)
Every 30,000 mi	Body Fasteners (torque) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Frame Fasteners (torque) · Fuel Line (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)
Every 60,000 mi	Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Emission Control System (inspect) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)

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 2009 Mazda MX-5 exhibits a very low volume of federal complaints, with only two reported in Air Bags and one in Electrical System, Latches/Locks/Linkages. This minimal activity aligns with the trend seen from 2011 to 2015, where complaints remained low, ranging between one and six per year. This stability stands in stark contrast to 2016, which marked a significant peak in the record with 34 complaints, three recalls, and a high of 521 Technical Service Bulletins. The 2009 model falls well before this spike in issues, and it further records only two crash complaints and zero fire complaints. Given that its complaint profile is consistent with the most reliable years of the provided record, this is a good year to buy.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

214

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

2 involved a crash · 0 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

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 3 complaints on record, top 2 components.

Air Bags2

Electrical System,Latches/Locks/Linkages1

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 214 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
SA-041-26	2026-06-18	Electrical System	This SA supersedes the previously issued SA(s) listed below. The changes are noted in…
SA-029-26	2026-04-21	Power Train	This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA listed below: The changes are…
SA-061-25	2025-12-17	Electrical System	If you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start…
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.)…

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 LF0514302B 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 2009 MX-5 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the MX-5 get?

EPA figures are 21 city / 28 highway / 23 combined mpg.