1999 Mazda Mx-5 Miata: Reliability Data
When Do Complaints Happen?
Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.
What Fails?
Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.
Severity Assessment
Sample Complaint Reports
"AFTER PURCHASING VEHICLE OWNER REPORTED BURNING SMELL AND SMOKE FROM UNDERNEATH CAR AND SAW FLUID DRIPPING AS WELL;"
"CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN 5 MPH MINOR COLLISION, VEHICLE WAS HIT FROM THE REAR, CAUSING CONSUMER TO HIT HIS HEAD ON THE STEEL BARS WHICH ARE A PART OF THE CONVERTIBLE TOP, RESULTING IN A CONCUSSION AND CHANGE IN EYE SIGHT. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK"
"VEHICLE WAS IN TOW BEHIND MY RV, WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED, CAUSING BOTH REAR WHEELS TO LOCK UP.VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN TOW FOR 278 MILES AT THE TIME OF FAILURE.WHEN I WAS PURCHASING THE VEHICL, I MADE ALL CONCERNED AWARE THAT I WAS INTENDING TO TOW THE VEHICLE BEHIND MY MOTOR HOME. NOTHING WAS SAIS ..."
Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.
When Were Complaints Filed?
Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.
When Does Each Component Fail?
Median mileage at complaint for top components.
Where Are Complaints Coming From?
Top states by complaint count.
Who Files Complaints?
Mazda Mx-5 Miata — Other Years
See how this model compares across different model years.
Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.
Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.
Data through: 2026-03-28
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