1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical220.0%
- Airbags220.0%
- Engine110.0%
- Fuel system110.0%
- Exterior lighting110.0%
- Other / unspecified110.0%
- Steering110.0%
- Body & structure110.0%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE A 1997 MAZDA MIATA WITH 113,000 MILES. IT HAS BEEN A GREAT CAR UP UNTIL THIS RECENT PROBLEM. IT STARTED OUT THAT THE "METER" FUSE WAS FAILING INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN THE 15 AMP FUSE WAS REPLACED IT WOULD WORK FINE FOR APROXIMATELY 2-3 MINUTES (MAYBE LESS) AT WHICH POINT I NOTICED THE "SERVICE ENGINE" LIGHT IS NOW ON AND THEN THE FUSE WILL FAIL AGAIN. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES UNTIL NOW. NOW WHEN THE FUSE IS REPLACED AS SOON AS THE IGNITION CYLINDER IS CYCLED THE FUSE FAILS INSTANTLY. I AM AN AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICIAN, AND CHECKED A WIRING SCHEMATIC AS TO WHAT THIS "BLACK-YELLOW" WIRE ON THE "METER" FUSE SUPPLIES. BY THE WAY, AT THIS TIME I HAVE NO TURN SIGNALS, TACHOMETER, GAUGES OR WARNING LIGHTS. THIS PROBLEM IT DRIVING ME INSANE!!! I WENT THROUGH THE MANUAL AND DISCONNECTED EACH COMPONENT INDIVIDUALLY TO TEST THE CIRCUIT AT WHICH EACH TIME THE FUSE STILL FAILED. THE LIST OF COMPONENTS I TRIED ARE THE OXYGEN SENSORS, THE ECM, THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH, AND THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER (CRUISE CONTROL IS ALSO ON THIS CIRCUIT, BUT THE VEHICLE IS NOT SO EQUIPED) ALL TO NO AVAIL!!!! AM I MISSING SOMETHING? IS THERE A SHORT IN THE WIRING HARNESS ITSELF, IF SO, ANY SUGGESTIONS AS TO WHERE I SHOULD EXTEND MY SEARCH? THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS NOW AND I AM UNCOMFORTABLE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH THE ABOVE STATED CONCERNS. ANY INFORMATION YOU CAN GIVE ME REGUARDING THIS CONCERN WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED!!!.*AK
CELL PHONE USAGE IN VEHICLE, CAUSES BATTERY TO FAIL. *YC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AT 35-40MPH, AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, CAUSING INJURIES. *AK
DURING VEHICLE COLLISION NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
AT ALL TIMESTHERE IS A STRONG GASOLING ODOR IN VEHICLE AND IN TRUNK WHICH CAUSES OCCUPANTS TO GET SICK. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE VEHICLE'S GAS TANK IS EXPANDING, CAUSING STRESS TO THE TANK. DEALER PUT STRESS TABS ON TANK. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
PARKING AND DIRECTIONAL LIGHT FAILED. MJS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVER'S FLOORMAT IS CONSTANTLY WORKING WAY ONTO GAS PEDDLE CAUSING ACCELLORATOR TO STAY ON FLOOR, HOOK WOULD SOLVE PROBLEM, SEVERAL NEAR ACCIDENTS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
WE TOOK THE CAR IN TO SUNNYVALE MAZDA TODAY BECAUSE THE STEERING COLUMN WAS LOOSE AND THEY SAID THE SAFETY CLAMPS ARE BROKEN AND THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED (PLUS THE SAFETY CLAMPS) AND THAT WE MUST HAVE RUN OVER A "BUMP" TO CAUSE THE STEERING COLUMN TO HAVE TO BE REPLACED. I WONDER HOW MANY OTHER MAZDA MIATA'S HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN TO THE STEERING COLUMN AT APPROXIMATELY 18,000 MILES.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONVERT ABLE HARD TOP FLEW OFF CAUSING DAMAGE TO VEHICLE (OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT)
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .