Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 12 of 29 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Air Bags. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
29 reports
Mileage unknown · Apr 13, 1999
Air Bags
I WENT THROUGH A DIP (SLOWER THAN USUALLY TAKEN) IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD AND MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I DON'T THINK THIS SHOULD HAVE OCCURED AND WAS DUE TO FAULTY AIR BAGS. THE DAMAGE TO MY CAR REACHED OVER $7000, INCLUDING INTERIOR REPAIRS CAUSED FROM THE AIR BAGS AND UNDERCARRIAGE/ALIGNMENT DAMAGE DUE TO HITTING A CURB AFTER MY TEMPORA…
Read full complaint
I WENT THROUGH A DIP (SLOWER THAN USUALLY TAKEN) IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD AND MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I DON'T THINK THIS SHOULD HAVE OCCURED AND WAS DUE TO FAULTY AIR BAGS. THE DAMAGE TO MY CAR REACHED OVER $7000, INCLUDING INTERIOR REPAIRS CAUSED FROM THE AIR BAGS AND UNDERCARRIAGE/ALIGNMENT DAMAGE DUE TO HITTING A CURB AFTER MY TEMPORARY BLINDNESS AND SHOCK. THE CUTS AND BRUISES DEALT TO ME AND MY PASSENGER WERE MINIMAL AND DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. I THEN WENT FOR OVER A MONTH WITHOUT A CAR BECAUSE SPECIAL PARTS HAD TO BE ORDERED BY THE BODY SHOP. ALL OF THIS DUE TO FAULTY AIR BAGS IN MY 1996 MAZDA MIATA.
NHTSA ODI #705597
Mileage unknown · May 31, 1998
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE MALFUNCTION LIGHT CAME ON AT APPROX. 19,000 MILES AND SIMULTANEOUSLY ENGINE BEGAN KNOCKING STRONGLY AND LOST POWER DURING 2ND AND 3RD GEAR, DURING FULL ACCELERTION.
NHTSA ODI #536367
Mileage unknown · May 26, 1998
Vehicle Speed Control
CONSUMER NOTICED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CUT A SLIT INTO THE CARPET,CAUSING THE PEDAL TO STICK, LEAVING THE THROTTLE IN A WIDE OPEN POSITION, WHICH CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO TAKE OFF. *AK
NHTSA ODI #823638
Mileage unknown · Jan 20, 1998
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE FAILURE.
NHTSA ODI #528451
Mileage unknown · Oct 27, 1997
Electrical System
HORN FAILED, ELECTRICAL.
NHTSA ODI #603566
Mileage unknown · Sep 10, 1997
Structure
ROOF LEAKS.
NHTSA ODI #606098
Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 1997
Latches/locks/linkages
PASSENGER DOOR LATCH (AUTOMATIC ALARM) FAILED.
NHTSA ODI #603843
Mileage unknown · Sep 2, 1997
Engine And Engine Cooling
TAIL PIPE FAILURE.
NHTSA ODI #603784
Mileage unknown · Mar 13, 1996
Air Bags
DUAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND ALSO LEFT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT DURING THIS TIME. *AK
NHTSA ODI #980675
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
1996 Mazda MX-5 Miata Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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