Mazda Mx-5 Miata Reliability
391 NHTSA complaints (1990–2005). Complaint rate: 329.1 per 1,000 vehicles.
Which Years to Buy & Avoid
Years auto-clustered by complaint volume relative to this model's median.
Bottom line: Avoid the 1999 Mazda Mx-5 Miata. The 2004–2005 models had significantly fewer reported issues. Most common issue across all years: AIR BAGS.
Avoid These Years
Average
Better Years
A model's reputation is just the start.
Even within the “good” years, individual cars can have hidden accidents, title issues, or odometer rollbacks. Check the actual VIN before you buy — full history report for $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
Complaints by Model Year
NHTSA complaint count per model year
Common Mazda Mx-5 Miata Problems
Most reported component complaints to NHTSA
| Component | Complaints | Crash % |
|---|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | 52 | 25.0% |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 24 | 54.2% |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC | 15 | 0.0% |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 14 | 0.0% |
| POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION | 14 | 14.3% |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 12 | 0.0% |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION | 11 | 0.0% |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 11 | 9.1% |
| TIRES | 11 | 36.4% |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 9 | 0.0% |
Year-by-Year Breakdown
NHTSA complaint count per model year — click any year for full problems & recalls breakdown.
| Year | Generation | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | — | 32 | 4 | 3 | View 1990View→ |
| 1991 | — | 21 | 2 | — | View 1991View→ |
| 1992 | — | 25 | 5 | — | View 1992View→ |
| 1993GOOD | — | 8 | 2 | — | View 1993View→ |
| 1994 | — | 20 | 1 | — | View 1994View→ |
| 1995AVOID | — | 36 | 11 | 2 | View 1995View→ |
| 1996 | — | 32 | 2 | — | View 1996View→ |
| 1997GOOD | — | 12 | 1 | 1 | View 1997View→ |
| 1999AVOID | — | 87 | 15 | — | View 1999View→ |
| 2000 | — | 34 | 2 | 2 | View 2000View→ |
| 2001 | — | 24 | 3 | — | View 2001View→ |
| 2002 | — | 24 | 2 | 1 | View 2002View→ |
| 2003 | — | 18 | 2 | 3 | View 2003View→ |
| 2004GOOD | — | 8 | 0 | — | View 2004View→ |
| 2005GOOD | — | 9 | 0 | — | View 2005View→ |
See also: Mazda Mx-5 Miataaccident & safety statistics from our vehicle history database.
Buying a Mazda Mx-5 Miata?
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