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2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
14Owner complaints

Model-year median: 20.5

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
29
200022
200120
200214
20038
20044
2005
Compare all MX-5 Miata years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Exterior Lighting
2Power Train
2Steering
2Structure
2Air Bags
1
All reported categories
Electrical System
1Equipment
1Fuel System, Gasoline
1Seats
1Suspension
1Tires
1Unknown Or Other
1Vehicle Speed Control
1Wheels
1

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: 10 of 14 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.

  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 2 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 reports3 fire reports1 injury reports

Structure complaints

2 reports
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68,000 miles · Apr 19, 2011
Structure

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA MIATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME RAIL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. HE NOTICED THE PROBLEM WHEN HE WAS REPAIRING THE SUSPENSION. THE SWAY BAR WAS ALSO DEFECTIVE BECAUSE OF THE RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA MIATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME RAIL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. HE NOTICED THE PROBLEM WHEN HE WAS REPAIRING THE SUSPENSION. THE SWAY BAR WAS ALSO DEFECTIVE BECAUSE OF THE RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 87,625. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 68,000.

NHTSA ODI #10396826

Mileage unknown · Sep 7, 2005
Structure

DT: THIS IS A CONVERTIBLE CAR AND THE BOLTS KEEP FALLING OUT OF THE TOP WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THERE ARE TWO BOLTS THAT HAVE FALLEN OUT THREE OR FOUR TIMES. THE CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER AND AN APPOINTMENT WAS SET TO HAVE THE CAR LOOKED AT BECAUSE THERE IS A RATTLING SOUND COMING FROM THE CAR. THE CONSUMER TH…

Read full complaint

DT: THIS IS A CONVERTIBLE CAR AND THE BOLTS KEEP FALLING OUT OF THE TOP WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THERE ARE TWO BOLTS THAT HAVE FALLEN OUT THREE OR FOUR TIMES. THE CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER AND AN APPOINTMENT WAS SET TO HAVE THE CAR LOOKED AT BECAUSE THERE IS A RATTLING SOUND COMING FROM THE CAR. THE CONSUMER THINKS THAT THE BOLTS ARE CAUSING THE NOISE. THIS PROBLEM STARTED IN JUNE 2005. *AK *MR

NHTSA ODI #10135690

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.