Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
30–25K
1025–50K
650–75K
375–100K
1100–150K
2150K+
25 reports with mileage · 49 unknown
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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
10 crash reports0 fire reports9 injury reports
What owners actually said
74 reports
Mileage unknown · Mar 28, 2000
Vehicle Speed Control
WHILE PASSING ANOTHER CAR ON A TWO LANE ROAD, THE ACCELERATOR CABLE AND THE CABLE ADJUSTER ASSEMBLY DISENGAGED FROM THE HORSESHOE BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE CABLE. MY GAS PEDAL FELL TO THE FLOOR AND THE ENGINE WENT TO IDLE SPEED . I COULDN'T ACCELERATE AS THE PEDAL WAS LYING FLAT ON THE FLOOR. THERE ARE TWO RUBBER GROMMETS THAT …
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WHILE PASSING ANOTHER CAR ON A TWO LANE ROAD, THE ACCELERATOR CABLE AND THE CABLE ADJUSTER ASSEMBLY DISENGAGED FROM THE HORSESHOE BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE CABLE. MY GAS PEDAL FELL TO THE FLOOR AND THE ENGINE WENT TO IDLE SPEED . I COULDN'T ACCELERATE AS THE PEDAL WAS LYING FLAT ON THE FLOOR. THERE ARE TWO RUBBER GROMMETS THAT HOLD THE CABLE TO THE HORSESHOE BRACKET ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE MANIFOLD. THEY SLIPPED OUT OF THE SLOT AND THE RESULTING SLACK IN THE CABLE DROPPED THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AND THE ACCELERATOR WENT TO IDLE. FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS NO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND I WAS ABLE TO GET BACK INTO THE RIGHT LANE WITHOUT BEING HIT BY THE CARS I HAD JUST PASSED. I COASTED TOT HE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND STOPPED. I WAS ABLE TO REINSERT THE ACCELERATOR CABLE BACK INTO THE BRACKET AND DRIVE UNTIL I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. THEY ADJUSTED THE CABLE AND RETIGHTENED THE NUTS. I'M NOT COMFORTABLE THAT THE CABLE WON'T SLIP OUT OF THE HORSESHOE BRACKET AGAIN!!! *AK
NHTSA ODI #720698
Mileage unknown · Feb 17, 2000
Suspension
WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF 60 MPH OR MORE VEHICLE WOULD RATTLE/SHAKE, AND HESITATE. ALSO, VEHICLE WOULD WANDER ACROSS THE ROAD. DEALER NOTIFIED AND AND UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #857163
Mileage unknown · Feb 17, 2000
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
LOUD NOISE FROM TRANSMISSION IN 4TH GEAR FROM 3500 - 4000 RPM AT FULL THROTTLE. MAZDA CLAIMS THIS IS NORMAL AND AFTER DRIVING 10 SEPERATE 99 MIATA'S THIS NOISE IS NOT NORMAL. THE NOISE IS PRESENT ON ALL 99 MIATA'S BUT THE LOUDNESS VARIES. ON MY MIATA THE NOISE IS 2 -3 TIMES AS LOUD AS ALL OTHER 99 MIATA'S I HAVE DRIVEN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #718873
Mileage unknown · Feb 7, 2000
Power Train
WHEN DISENGAGING THE CLUTCH, THE RPMS FALL DOWN RAPIDLY, CAUSING THE CAR TO STALL, AND POWER STEERING AND BRAKES TO FAIL. *AK *ML
NHTSA ODI #856414
Mileage unknown · Dec 7, 1999
Power Train
AFTER DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS FOR MORE THAN AN HOUR, IF I STOP THE CAR, PUT IT IN NEUTRAL, AND TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE CLUTCH, I HEAR A LOUD RATTLING NOISE WHAT SOUNDS LIKE A BAD RELEASE BEARING. WHEN I PRESS THE CLUTCH PEDAL TO THE FLOOR, THE NOISE STOPS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #715738
Mileage unknown · Dec 3, 1999
Visibility
DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW WINDSHIELD CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. DEALER REPLACED WINDSHIELD. BUT PROBLEM IS REOCCURRING. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #853671
Mileage unknown · Oct 25, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE "SERVICE ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ON THE FREEWAY. FROM THEN ON, THE CAR 'S POWER UPON ACCELERATION WAS MUCH LESS AND THE ENGINE HESITATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALERSHIP'S SERVICE DEPT. COULD NOT FIX PROBLEM. THE MAZA MIATA "EXPERT" FROM CA COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. WE MET WITH MAZDA GREAT LAKES C…
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THE "SERVICE ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ON THE FREEWAY. FROM THEN ON, THE CAR 'S POWER UPON ACCELERATION WAS MUCH LESS AND THE ENGINE HESITATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALERSHIP'S SERVICE DEPT. COULD NOT FIX PROBLEM. THE MAZA MIATA "EXPERT" FROM CA COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. WE MET WITH MAZDA GREAT LAKES CUST SERV REP AND DEALERSHIP GENL MGR AND NOTHING WAS DONE TO FIX THE CAR. THE "SERVICE ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN 8/20/99. HARMON ARENA DODGE, 1000 SHILOH SPRINGS RD, DAYTON DIAGNOSED AND FIXED THE PROBLEM IN 1 DAY BY REPLACING THE OXYGEN SENSOR.
NHTSA ODI #713827
Mileage unknown · Sep 27, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
THERES IS A STRONG OIL SMELL AFTER THE CAR HAS WARMED UP. *AK
NHTSA ODI #848798
Mileage unknown · Sep 2, 1999
SteeringCrashInjury
MY MIATA WAS HIT IN THE FRONT LEFT SIDE BY A GMC PICKUP WHICH WAS TRAVELING AT LEAST 35 MPH. I WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT, SO MY SPEED WAS MINIMAL. BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, AND THE STEERING WHEEL CAME COMPLETELY OFF THE COLUMN. THE CAR WAS DETERMINED TO BE A TOTAL LOSS. I HAVE NOT HEARD OF A STEERING WHEEL BREAKING AWAY …
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MY MIATA WAS HIT IN THE FRONT LEFT SIDE BY A GMC PICKUP WHICH WAS TRAVELING AT LEAST 35 MPH. I WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT, SO MY SPEED WAS MINIMAL. BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, AND THE STEERING WHEEL CAME COMPLETELY OFF THE COLUMN. THE CAR WAS DETERMINED TO BE A TOTAL LOSS. I HAVE NOT HEARD OF A STEERING WHEEL BREAKING AWAY FROM THE COLUMN WITH THE DEPLOYMENT OF AN AIRBAG. IS THIS A DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE?
NHTSA ODI #710836
Mileage unknown · Aug 17, 1999
Fuel System, Gasoline
THE GAS LINE VALVE FAILED CAUSING IT TO TAKE 20 MIN. FOR CONSUMER TO FILL GAS TANK AND CAUSE GAS TO SPLASH BACK FROM THE PUMP. ET
NHTSA ODI #782849
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.
1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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