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Mazda MX-5 Miata years to avoid, worst and best years

Owners have filed 339 complaints about the Mazda MX-5 Miata since 1990. The 1999 model year has 74 complaints, more than any other year, led by brakes and engine problems.

No year stands outAll years close to typical
Owner complaints
339
Recalls
0
Worst year
1999
Model years
1990-2005

Mazda MX-5 Miata years to avoid

No model year of the Mazda MX-5 Miata stands out with more than twice its typical number of complaints.

Best Mazda MX-5 Miata years

Not enough model years on the road yet to compare.

Mazda MX-5 Miata complaints by model year

Owner complaints by model year. Newer years have had less time on the road, so expect them to grow.

1990199520002005

How we calculate this

Year to avoidFewest complaintsOther years

Most common Mazda MX-5 Miata problems

All model years combined.

  • Airbags
    80
  • Engine
    36
  • Electrical
    32
  • Transmission
    30
  • Brakes
    30
  • Body
    25
  • Fuel system
    22
  • Seat belts
    18
  • Tires
    17
  • Lights
    13
  • Acceleration
    11
  • Suspension
    10

Mazda MX-5 Miata problems year by year

Tap a year to see its problems, recalls and what owners say.

YearScoreComplaintsTop problemTypical mileageRecallsCrashes
2005914Transmission00
2004848Engine8,00000
20037114Body53,00001
20026120Body32,00002
20015922Fuel system53,00003
2000-29Brakes40,00002
1999-74Brakes41,730010
1998-1Airbags00
1997-11Airbags01
1996-29Airbags78,00001
1995-30Airbags09
1994-18Airbags80,00001
1993-8Airbags02
1992-22Airbags97,00003
1991-21Airbags65,00002
1990-28Airbags04

Recalls 0

No recalls on record for this model year.

Questions about the Mazda MX-5 Miata

What years of the Mazda MX-5 Miata should you avoid?

No single model year of the Mazda MX-5 Miata has more than twice its typical number of owner complaints.

What is the best year for a used Mazda MX-5 Miata?

There are not enough model years on the road yet to compare.

What is the most common problem with the Mazda MX-5 Miata?

Airbags, with 80 complaints across all years, followed by engine (36) and electrical (32).

How many recalls does the Mazda MX-5 Miata have?

No recalls on record.

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