1999 Mazda MX-5 MIATA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
64 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
41,730 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1999 model year. Data snapshot: . 25 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc is the most frequently named component, appearing in 11 of 64 complaints (17.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 23 | 35.9% |
| Engine operation | 7 | 10.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 7.8% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 4.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 3.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 3.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 11 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 7 |
| Air Bags | 4 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 4 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor | 3 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 2 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc: 11; Electrical System:Ignition: 7; Air Bags: 4; Power Train:Manual Transmission: 4; Vehicle Speed Control: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor: 3; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 10 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 6 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 10; 50,000 to 74,999: 6; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 2
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (10). 39 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 9 |
| 2001 | 15 |
| 2002 | 5 |
| 2003 | 8 |
| 2004 | 6 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 5 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
2000: 9; 2001: 15; 2002: 5; 2003: 8; 2004: 6; 2005: 2; 2006: 3; 2007: 1; 2008: 5; 2009: 1; 2011: 4; 2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 1; 2022: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 23 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 7 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 5 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10000648 · 2002-12-31 (December 31, 2002)
WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE NEW JERSEY TURNPIKE, MY REAR NITTO 450 TIRE HAD A TREAD SEPARATION FAILURE WHICH CAUSED MY 1999 MAZDA MIATA TO LOSE CONTROL, SPINNING OUT FROM THE LEFT LANE ACROSS THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC DURING RUSH HOUR, FINALLY HITTING THE EMBANKMENT ON THE FAR RIGHT SIDE. THE NITTO TIRE WAS EXAMINED AND DETERMINED TO HAVE FAILED BASED ON TREAD SEPARATION. THE TRAUMATIC INDICIDENT CAUSED SIGNIFICANT HARM TO THE MYSELF.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10000648 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10008245 · 2003-02-28 (February 28, 2003)
HERE IS A LIKE TO MANY PEOPLE LIKE ME THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR MAZDA MIATA 99+. AROUND MILES THE CAR STARTS TO HAVE IGNITION PROBLEMS CAUSED BY A FAULTY COIL. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10008245 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10018979 · 2003-05-20 (May 20, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING, THE COIL PACK WOULD CUT OFF, LEAVING THE ENGINE WITH ONLY 2 OPERATING CYLINDERS. THIS WOULD HAPPEN AT ANY TIME, BUT USUALLY WHEN TRYING TO GAIN SPEED, NECESSITATING PULLING OFF THE ROAD SO AS TO NOT GET HIT FROM BEHIND. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 30,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10018979 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10020169 · 2003-05-20 (May 20, 2003)
THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER STATED THE COIL PACK FAILED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10020169 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10025471 · 2003-07-06 (July 6, 2003)
NUSANCE FAILURES SETTING ECU LIGHT, CAUSED BY COMBUSTION RESIDUE COLLECTING IN INTAKE MANIFOLD. RESIDUE IS COMING THRU THE EGT SYSTEM. THIS IS TURNING OUT TO BE A FREQUENT FAILURE OF 99-2000+ MODELS. DISASSEMBLY AND CLEANING OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD IS THE ONLY CURRENTLY KNOWN REMEDY. THE PROCESS IS EXPENSIVE IN TERMS OF LABOR, AND SEEMS TO OCCUR MOST FREQUENTLY AFTER THE MFRS WARRENTY EXPIRES. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 52,456 miles reported. Look up ODI 10025471 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10031050 · 2003-08-08 (August 8, 2003)
CRUISE CONTROL UNIT DOES NOT HOLD SET SPEED. SET SPEED RISES 5-7MPH WITHOUT ANY INTERVENTION BY DRIVER.
Owner-reported narrative. 19,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10031050 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10034358 · 2003-08-22 (August 22, 2003)
RECALL 00-V-032-000: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE NON-RETURN VALVE INSTALLED AT THE LOWER END OF THE FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE CAN STICK DUE TO INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE VALVE CASE AND THE VALVE SHUTTER COMBINED WITH THE MATERIAL PROPERTIES OF THE FUEL HOSE BETWEEN THE FILLER PIPE AND THE FUEL TANK. CONSUMER HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10034358 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10044852 · 2003-10-27 (October 27, 2003)
PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE BATTERY, REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT.*MR BATTERY DIED AT 5800 MILES.
Owner-reported narrative. 5,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10044852 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.