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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

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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

Seats complaints

1 reports
Clear category filter
5,800 miles · Sep 3, 2004
SeatsInjury

I HELPING MY HUSBAND REMOVE THE TONEAU COVER FROM OUR 2003 MAZDZA MIATA. I WAS STANDING OUTSIDE THE CAR ON THE RIGHT SIDE WHEN I RELEASED THE SEAT BACK TO RETURN IT TO THE UPRIGHT POSITION. THE SEAT BACK HAS TO BE RECLINED ALL THE WAY FOR THE TONEAU COAVER TO FIT. THE SEAT BACK CAME FORWARD AND HIT ME IN THE LEFT SIDE OF THE FAC…

Read full complaint

I HELPING MY HUSBAND REMOVE THE TONEAU COVER FROM OUR 2003 MAZDZA MIATA. I WAS STANDING OUTSIDE THE CAR ON THE RIGHT SIDE WHEN I RELEASED THE SEAT BACK TO RETURN IT TO THE UPRIGHT POSITION. THE SEAT BACK HAS TO BE RECLINED ALL THE WAY FOR THE TONEAU COAVER TO FIT. THE SEAT BACK CAME FORWARD AND HIT ME IN THE LEFT SIDE OF THE FACE , DRIVING MY HEAD INTO THE BRACKET ON THE WINDSHIELD THAT RECEIVES THE CONVERTABLE TOP. THE FORCE WAS SUCH THAT IN ADDITION TO BREAKING MY GLASSES, I SUFFERED HEAD TRAMUA, A TYPE 2 CONTUSION, AND A MILD CONCUSION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10089053

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.