MazdaMX-52011Overview/mazda/mx-5/2011/base/

2011 Mazda MX-5

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2011 MX-5.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S6)

The 2011 Mazda MX-5 is a passenger car featuring an S6 automatic transmission and an EPA-rated fuel economy of 21/27/23 mpg. Within the model's 2011-2026 history, this year recorded the lowest number of owner complaints with only one report concerning exterior lighting. With zero recalls, the 2011 model represents the lowest point for complaints in this period, contrasting with the 34 complaints recorded for the 2016 model.

Model year202420232022202120122011201020092008

Quick specs

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

EPA fuel economy21/27/23 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 filterLF0514302B
Engine air filterLFG113Z40
Fuel filterLFG113ZE0 alt LFB613ZE1
Battery000080051RWB
Front wiper bladesNE5167330B alt NE5267330B
Serpentine beltLF9J15909A alt LF9M15909A
ThermostatLF0315165A alt LF7015170

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length157.1 in
Overall width67.7 in
Overall height49.2 in
Wheelbase91.7 in
Curb weight2469 lb
Track (front / rear)58.7 / 58.3 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)51/49

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined21 / 27 / 23 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 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 FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7.8
Brake FluidDOT 3 · SAE J1703
Manual Transmission Fluid75W-90 · GL-4
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity4
Power Steering FluidATF

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs8-10 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts71-75 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts12-18 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts32-47 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug22.0-30.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs14-18 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Rear Wheel Hub174-202 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)720 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity0.90-1.00 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type100
Oil Capacity4.40 oz
Standard BCI Group Number51R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance410 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature176-183 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)29.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)29.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance11.4-12.6 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression174-249 PSI. 28.5 maximum variation PSI.
Engine Oil Pressure49-86 psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket15-18 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle37-50 ft-lbs
Brake ApplicationWITH FN3 (16 inch) CALIPER PR NOS. 1LH/1ZG
Torque Caliper to Bracket16-23 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle58-75 ft-lbs
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0006 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Minimum Machining0.346 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
171-77 ft. lbs., step 2: 87-9371–77 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.

29.5-12.5 ft. lbs.9.5–12.5 ft. lbs
332.0-34.0 ft. lbs.32–34 ft. lbs
488 degrees-92 degrees88 degrees
588 degrees-92 degrees88 degrees
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
113-16 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9013–16 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; coolant at 60,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 60,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miBody Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
At 15,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (clean)
Every 15,000 miBrake System (inspect)
Every 22,500 miEngine Air Filter Element (clean)
Every 30,000 miBody Fasteners (torque) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Steering System (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)
Every 37,500 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 45,000 miExhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
At 60,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (clean) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (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 2011 Mazda MX-5 stands out as the quietest year in this generation, with just one complaint filed and zero recalls—compare this to the sharp spike in 2016, which saw 34 complaints and three recalls, or even the elevated levels in 2017 (11 complaints, 2 recalls) and 2019 (11 complaints, 3 recalls). The trend across the generation shows a stable, low-complaint period from 2011 through 2015, followed by a pronounced surge in problems beginning in 2016 that persists through the later model years. The 2011 model falls squarely in that initial stable window, before the manufacturing or design issues that triggered the later recall campaigns emerged. With no crash or fire complaints and only a single exterior lighting issue reported, the 2011 MX-5 appears to be the least problematic year in this generation. This makes it a comparatively sound choice for a used buyer, provided the specific vehicle has been properly maintained.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
205
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
1
Owner complaints
0 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

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 1 complaints on record, top 1 components.

Exterior Lighting1

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 205 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…
SA-029-262026-04-21Power TrainThis Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA listed below: The changes are…
SA-061-252025-12-17Electrical SystemIf you encounter any type of electrical concern (e.g, dead battery, engine no start…
07-004-25a2025-12-10Unknown Or OtherA musty/mildew type odor may come from the vents when the air conditioning (A/C) system…
SA-039/252025-08-21StructureSome 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

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VIN
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Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
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Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

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

Frequently asked

Does the 2011 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 / 27 highway / 23 combined mpg.