Model year record
1999 Mazda Mx-5 Miata recalls & problems
The 1999 Mazda Mx-5 Miata has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 74 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (16 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 1999 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 | 22 / 27 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
1.8 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel
MX-5 Miata
| City / highway | 21 / 26 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
1.8 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel
MX-5 Miata
| City / highway | 20 / 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* |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Disc; Foundation components | 16 | — |
| Power trainManual transmission; Clutch assembly | 11 | 52,000 mi |
| Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline; Exhaust system › Emission control › Catalytic convertor | 11 | 52,456 mi |
| Electrical systemIgnition; 12v/24v/48v battery | 10 | 30,250 mi |
| Vehicle speed controlCruise control; Accelerator pedal | 7 | 52,819 mi |
| StructureFrame and members; Body › Trunk lid | 7 | 159,915 mi |
| Fuel system, gasolineDelivery; Storage › Tank assembly | 6 | — |
| TiresSidewall; Tread/belt | 5 | — |
| Air bags | 4 | — |
| SteeringSteering wheel/handle bar | 3 | — |
| SuspensionFront | 2 | — |
| VisibilityWindshield | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Fuel/propulsion system
When I filled the gas tank the next day there was the smell of gas inside the vehicle which persisted as I drove. I took it to my Fiat dealership which maintains the vehicle and they have been unable to identify the source of the gas smell. They have been working with Madza for six weeks and no solution can be established. There was a recall on the 1999 models for a similar problem, however my VIN number was not part of the recall.
- Structure › Frame and members › Underbody shields
I AM WRITING THIS TO BRING UP AN ISSUE REGARDING OF A FLAWED DESIGN OUT OF THE FACTORY FROM MAZDA. IF YOU SIMPLY SEARCH "MAZDA MIATA FRONT FRAME RAIL RUST" YOU WILL SEE THAT IT IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND/OR EVEN FATAL PROBLEM, THAT PROBABLY MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THIS YEAR (1998-2005) ARE UNAWARE OF. MANY HAVE HAD THE SITUATION CHECKED OUT AND IT SEEMS THE WAY THE SHEETS OF METAL WERE PUT TO TOGETHER HOLDS MOISTURE AND SUCH AND ROTS THE CHASSIS FROM INSIDE OUT. THIS IS COMING FROM PEOPLE NOT ONLY WHO LIVES IN AN AREA THAT SNOWS, BUT EVEN DRY CLIMATES, AND EVEN FROM OWNERS THAT GARAGE KEEP AND USE THEIR CAR PURELY AS A SUMMER CAR, WHICH NEVER SEES A WINTER IN ITS LIFE. I'VE HAD MY CAR AT THE…
- Power train › Clutch assembly
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MAZDA MIATA. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD RATTLING NOISE NEAR THE ENGINE WHEN THE CLUTCH PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOR MORE THAN A YEAR WHEN THE VEHICLE BECAME HOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.
- Vehicle speed controlCrash2 injuries
11/7/2010; ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK IN CARPET AT LOW RPM IN 2ND GEAR. I PUSHED IN THE CLUTCH, AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. I FOUND THE LOWER EDGE OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK IN THE CARPET. I GLUED A METAL PLATE TO THE CARPET TO PREVENT THE PEDAL FROM STICKING AGAIN. 3/6/2011; ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK IN CARPET AT HIGH RPM IN FIRST GEAR. THE METAL PLATE I GLUED TO THE CARPET HAD COME LOOSE. I HAD THE WHEELS TURNED AND THE BRAKES FULLY ENGAGED. THE FRONT WHEELS WERE LOCKED AS THEY SKIDDED ACROSS A PARKING LOT. I HIT A CURB AND A SET OF CONCRETE STAIRS. THE CAR STOPPED ACCELERATING ON IMPACT. THE SHOCK OF THE IMPACT, FLEX OF THE CHASSIS, OR POSSIBLY MY FOOT THROWN FORWARD BY THE IMPACT POPPED…
- Structure › Body
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MAZDA MIATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE CHANGING THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE, HE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT FRAME RAIL ACROSS THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES WERE CORRODED WITH RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A BODY SHOP WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE FRONT SWAY BAR WAS ALSO CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE CORROSION ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 118,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.
- Structure › Frame and members
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 MAZDA MIATA. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRAME RAILS UNDERNEATH THE ENGINE THAT EXTENDED ONTO THE WHEELS ON EACH SIDE WERE COMPLETELY COVERED WITH RUST. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A BODY SHOP WHO ADDED PIECES OF METAL TO HELP RE-ENFORCE THE RAILS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SAFETY DEFECT CAUSED CORROSION RAPIDLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 166,000. UPDATED 05/25/11 *BF
- TiresCrash
1999 MADZA MX-5 MIATA, UNIT 1 WAS TRAVELING EASTBOUND ON THE OHIO TURNPIKE IN THE MIDDLE LANE. UNIT 1 LOST CONTROL ON THE WET ROADWAYS DUE TO WORN TIRES. UNIT 1 WENT OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROADWAY AND STRUCK THE MEDIAN BARRIER. *BF (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0244-90) *JB UPDATED 05/11/11* BF
- Power train › Manual transmissionCrash2 injuries
BLINDNESS CAUSED BY AIRBAG. CRASH CAUSED BY THROTTLE STUCKING OPENG. FULL BRAKING WITH SKID MARKS SLOWED VEHICLE BUT DID NOT STOP THE CAR BEFORE IMPACT. *TR
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.