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: 8 of 21 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 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. 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.
2 crash reports0 fire reports2 injury reports
What owners actually said
21 reports
Mileage unknown · Mar 10, 2001
Air Bags
I WANT TO GET RID OF MY AIR BAG AND NO ONE WILL HELP ME. I AM ONLY 4 FEET 8 INCHES TALL AND I KNOW THAT IF I AM IN AN ACCIDENT IT IS GOING TO HURT ME TERRIBLY. I AM BY MYSELF AND I DO NOT HAVE THE $500 IT TAKES TO GET THE ON/OFF SWITCH. I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO. I WANT TO STATE A COMPLAINT WITH THE NHTSA THAT THE WAY THEY AR…
Read full complaint
I WANT TO GET RID OF MY AIR BAG AND NO ONE WILL HELP ME. I AM ONLY 4 FEET 8 INCHES TALL AND I KNOW THAT IF I AM IN AN ACCIDENT IT IS GOING TO HURT ME TERRIBLY. I AM BY MYSELF AND I DO NOT HAVE THE $500 IT TAKES TO GET THE ON/OFF SWITCH. I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO. I WANT TO STATE A COMPLAINT WITH THE NHTSA THAT THE WAY THEY ARE DOING THIS IS NOT RIGHT. I SHOULD BE ABLE TO JUST HAVE A SHOP DISCONNECT IT FOR ME, BUT OF COURSE NO ONE WILL DO IT...NOT EVEN WITH AUTHORIATION. SO NOW, WHAT ELSE CAN I DO? NOTHING, BUT WAIT TO BE DECAPITATED. THEY WARN NOT TO PUT YOUR CHILD IN THE FRONT SEAT, YET HERE I AM THE SIZE OF ONE AND NO ONE WILL HELP ME.*AK
NHTSA ODI #742203
Mileage unknown · Aug 11, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
CRANKSHAFT/PULLEY PINS HAVE SHEARED OFF. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAIL.*AK
NHTSA ODI #867485
Mileage unknown · Jun 6, 2000
Air BagsCrashInjury
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #723641
Mileage unknown · May 20, 2000
Seat Belts
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #722941
Mileage unknown · Jun 28, 1999
Fuel System, Gasoline
WHILE DRIVING IN HOT WEATHER CONDITIONS, GASOLINE BOILED, CAUSING A FIRE HAZARD. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER HAS REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. *AK
NHTSA ODI #841279
Mileage unknown · Dec 24, 1998
Visibility
THE ZIPPER ON THE REAR PLASTIC WINDOW DOES NOT WORK AND WINDOW CRACKED WHEN THE TEMPERATURE GOT COLD
NHTSA ODI #701588
Mileage unknown · Aug 10, 1998
Structure
FACTORY PAINT JOB FAILURE.PAINT CHIPPING ON VARIOUS PLACES.
NHTSA ODI #539646
Mileage unknown · Feb 23, 1998
Engine And Engine Cooling
TIMING BELT PULLEY CAME LOOSE AND RUINED THE ENGINE. IN LATER DESIGNS, THE MANUFACTURER BEEFEF UP THE CRANKSHAFT AND ADDED A LARGER BOLT TO HOLD THE PULLEY.
NHTSA ODI #531339
Mileage unknown · Nov 18, 1997
Electrical System
BATTERY FAILED THREE TIMES.
NHTSA ODI #525006
Mileage unknown · Aug 4, 1997
Air Bags
AIR BAG LIGHT: AIR BAG LIGHT FLASHES CONSTANTLY, WILL NOT GO OFF UNTIL TURNING THE IGNITION SWITCH OFF. DEALE R SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #814958
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.
1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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