1996 Mazda MX-5 Miata: problems, recalls and reliability
0 recalls and 29 owner complaints on record; most reports concern air bags.
Data updated weekly
0
recalls
29
owner complaints
0
fire reports
-
typical failure mileage, mi
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
No fire reportsNo recall campaigns
Common problems
Computed from 29 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
Limited data: only 29 complaints on record for this model year - too few for percentage statistics. Bars show raw report counts; read them as individual owner reports, not reliability rates. For a fuller picture, check nearby model years.
Air Bags (airbags and crash sensors)17 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling (engine, radiator, overheating)3 complaints
Tires1 complaint
Fuel System, Gasoline (fuel pump, tank, lines)1 complaint
Latches/Locks/Linkages (door locks, latches, hood release)1 complaint
Wheels (wheels, lug nuts, bearings)1 complaint
“The contact owns a 1996 Mazda MX-5. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the failure was due to the Takata air bag module. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2023
“The contact owns a 1996 MAZDA Miata. The contact stated that the air bag warning lights was illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed but not yet repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2021
“Air bag comes on and stays on after starting vehicle. Diagnostic code indicates srs module is at fault or could be electrical connection per dealer. Dealer indicated srs module is not available even if it is determined as the failure after removing dash to access module. Vehicle only has 64, 000 miles. Vehicle will not pass safety inspection in some states which makes a mint car worthless and unsafe to drive.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2017
Show 7 more owner reports
“When I start my car, all the indicator lights come on briefly and then go out - brakes, ABS, seat belt, oil, etc. The air bag light also comes on, as it should. But then it stays on and does not go out. My mechanic told me that the problem was due to a faulty air bag control module, which needed to be replaced. But they then told me that mazda no longer makes this part and that it is not available. They also said that the air bag would not deploy unless the module is replaced and that it would not pass inspection in virginia.”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 1996 mazda miata. The contact stated that while in park, the driver side air bag inadvertently deployed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 125,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2015
“Airbag warning light stays on constantly all of the time. Very concerned about airbag failure but no recall info exists. Also my pop-up headlights are randomly retracting down whenever they feel like it. No amount of twisting on and off at the steering column switch will make them come back up and I have to resort to the manual popup button located under the emergency flashers. This has almost caused me to crash several times when driving after dark!”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2015
“The air bag light comes on at start and stays on. The problem has been diagnosed as the back-up battery in the air bag module is shorted out.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2014
“Tl*the contact owns a 1996 mazda miata. He stated that the air bag warning light continued to illuminate on the instrument panel. NHTSA campaign id number: 00v004000, air bags is directly related to the failure. The manufacturer stated that his VIN was not related to the recall. The contact was concerned that the air bag would not operate correctly in the event of a crash. The current and failure mileages were 56,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2009
“The airbag computer failed, as indicated by the "airbag" light remaining on constantly. Repair cost over $1200. Thought you might track the failure history of airbags. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2007
“This incident concerns a safety violation caused by a nationally franchised transmission shop in camp hill pa. I cannot adequately describe this scenario in 2000 characters, but the bottom line is that the transmission facility damaged my car so that it was unsafe, and returned it to me in that condition without telling me. They damaged the structural integrity of the vehicle to the point that it could have both caused an accident and the results of that accident could have been much worse as a result of that condition. *nm”Owner report · Power Train · Dec 2006
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 0 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
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Is the 1996 Mazda MX-5 Miata reliable?
NHTSA has 29 owner complaints and 0 recall campaigns on record for the 1996 Mazda MX-5 Miata. The most complained-about area is air bags.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.