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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.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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

What owners reported most

All reported categories

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

Suspension complaints

1 reports
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53,000 miles · Apr 16, 2015
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA MIATA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO SHAKE AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WAS POSITIONED AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE. WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MAZDA MIATA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO SHAKE AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WAS POSITIONED AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE. WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND FRACTURED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE CONTROL ARM ALSO WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000.

NHTSA ODI #10706125

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.