Model year record
1996 Mazda Mx-5 Miata recalls & problems
The 1996 Mazda Mx-5 Miata has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 29 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is air bags (17 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 1996 Mazda Mx-5 Miata.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Fuel economy
MX-5 Miata
| City / highway | 21 / 26 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
1.8 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel
MX-5 Miata
| City / highway | 19 / 26 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
1.8 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Air bagsFrontal; Frontal › Sensor/control module | 17 | 78,000 mi |
| Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline; Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe | 3 | — |
| Fuel system, gasolineDelivery; Storage › Tank assembly | 2 | — |
| Latches/locks/linkagesDoors › Latch | 1 | — |
| StructureBody | 1 | — |
| Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal | 1 | — |
| Electrical systemWiring › Fuses and circuit breakers | 1 | — |
| WheelsLugs/nuts/bolts/studs | 1 | — |
| TiresSidewall | 1 | — |
| Power trainAutomatic transmission | 1 | — |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | — |
| Steering | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Air bags
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.
- Air bags
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.
- Air bags
WHEN ENGINE IS STARTED, AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON
- SteeringCrash
THE VIN IS FOR MY 1996 MAZDA MIATA. MY COMPLAINT IS THE M291 GOING WEST BOUND TO 350 HIGHWAY IN RAYTOWN THAT VEERS TO THE WEST. THE EXIT, SEEMS TO DANGEROUS WITH CONCRETE BLOCKS SEPERATING LANES. MY SECOND INQUIRY IS A POSSIBLE CAR WRECK THAT MY DAUGHTER, [XXX] MAY HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN. SHE DROVE A GREEN AND BLACK MUSTANG FORD CONVERTIBLE. WE LIVE APART AND AS SHE IS A YOUNG ADULT LIKE MOST, AS A MOTHER, I DON'T GET ENOUGH INFO, SOMETIMES. 2006 FOUND ME WITNESSING HER CAR OR ONE THAT LOOKED LIKE IT OVERTURNED ON 350 HIGHWAY GOING WESTBOUND ON THE CLOVERLEAF TO M291/470 HIGHWAY. AN AMBULANCE WAS THERE AND THE PASSENGER, HER FRIEND OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. I HAVE SEEN HER SINCE THEN, SO OBVIOUSLY…
- Air bags
TAKATA RECALL. AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON CONTINUOUSLY AFTER TURNING ENGINE ON, NEVER GOES OFF. I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW, AND TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER. DEALER SAID THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED ON ANY RECALLS. I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE LATE 1995 MODELS, BUT NOT THE EARLY 1996 ONES. I WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT IT WOULD COST ME $900 TO $1000 TO FIX. AT THAT TIME, IT HAD TO REMAIN UNFIXED, AND THE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON CONTINUOUSLY SINCE. I AM STILL APPREHENSIVE WHEN I TURN THE KEY AND DRIVE IT.
- Air bags
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.
- Air bags
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.
- Air bags
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 complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.