The plastic battery tray in the mazda mx5 is quite fragile and often breaks under normal operating conditions. I have had to replace several of these trays in my 2003 mx5. Now, with yet another broken tray, I am told that these trays are no longer available. Recently this created a very dangerous situation in which my battery moved enough to make a contact between the positive battery pole and the metal part that holds down the battery. This contact caused a short circuit and fire in the trunk that could have destroyed the car while also causing a dangerous accident (because the engine shuts off when the battery is shorted). The incident was in motion on a city street. Mazda corporation should make these trays available again because many nb (2nd generation) owners could find themselves in this same situation. Eventually, fatalities could be expected. I have made several attempts to convince mazda to make these trays available, but they refuse to do so, without providing justification.
The worst 2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Body2
- Lights2
- Steering2
- Transmission2
- Acceleration1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Body2
- Lights2
- Steering2
- Transmission2
- Acceleration1
- Airbags1
- Electrical1
- Fuel system1
- Seats1
- Suspension1
- Tires1
- Wheels1
Recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Technical service bulletins for the 2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata 21
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below
- Product Quality Information (PQI) DESCRIPTION Service Information MT-041/12 is no longer valid
- This bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below
- This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA listed below: The changes are noted in Red....
- A musty/mildew type odor may come from the vents when the air conditioning (A/C) system is operating
- In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer
- Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems
- Speedometer replacement procedure
- This service bulletin provides information regarding the proper use of the driverâs floor mat to avoid...
- Service Parts changed for immobilizer unit
2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8L 4‑cyl | RWD | 20 | 25-26 | 22-23 |
What 2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mazda miata. While driving approximately 35 MPH, it became difficult for the contact to steer the vehicle. While turning left, the contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into an electrical pole. The air bags failed to deploy. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to a private tow lot. The VIN was invalid. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mazda miata. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle suddenly began to shake and became difficult to control. After stopping the vehicle, the contact discovered that the rear passenger side wheel was positioned at a 45 degree angle. While inspecting the vehicle, the contact discovered that the rear passenger side control arm was severely rusted and fractured. The contact indicated that the rear driver side control arm also was severely rusted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 53,000.
Tread separation on all 4 tires. Clear manufacturer defect.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 mazda miata. The contact stated that the frame rail on the passenger side of the engine was completely rusted. He noticed the problem when he was repairing the suspension. The sway bar was also defective because of the rust. The vehicle was not inspected or repaired. The contact called the manufacturer who offered no assistance. The current mileage was 87,625. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.
The limited slip differential has failed at approximately 81,000 miles. I've been informed that repair parts are not manufactured and that a new differential must be installed. There are none in stock in the united states and they are on back order indefinitely. There is no time estimate of any kind to get this part in the united states. My only option is to find and install an used differential.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 mazda miata. The contact stated that the passenger side fog light caught fire and burned both the fog light and the bumper. The vehicle was not destroyed. She called the dealer to inquire about any issues with the fog lights and was informed that there was nothing on record. She stated that the vehicle was previously repaired by the original owner for the federal safety agency campaign id number 03v206000 (exterior lighting:fog lights). The dealer advised her to call the manufacturer. The manufacturer stated that since the recall repair was previously performed, they would not repair the vehicle again. The contact has photos available. The current mileage was approximately 68,850 and failure mileage was approximately 68,000.
When starting out cold from an intersection my 2003 mazda miata lurches forward possibly causing stalling in the intersection and causing an accident. This complaint has been addressed to my dealer who says that mazda will only fix this problem during the first 12 months./12,000 miles of owner ship. Mazda has had this problem since 2001 as a result of a re-design of the clutch and refuses to fix my car because it is beyond 12,000 miles. This is a latent defect that only manifests itself I cold weather but I am concerned that someone may be seriously injured or killed as a result of this deficient clutch system.
Dt: this is a convertible car and the bolts keep falling out of the top when driving on the highway. There are two bolts that have fallen out three or four times. The consumer has contacted the dealer and an appointment was set to have the car looked at because there is a rattling sound coming from the car. The consumer thinks that the bolts are causing the noise. This problem started in june 2005. *ak
Every since I purchased my car on 5/7/03, I have been having hard starts--more than 24 times. In addition, when the car was less than a year old, another dealer told me all 4 rims were bent. I also had a racing issue occur 3 times on sat. 3/12. I have taken the car back to the dealer 3 times for the two intermittent problems. Recently, they fixed the hard start by replacing the battery but they charged me for it. They should not have charged me if this is what caused the hard starts since day one. I told them this but they said they didn't find the battery to be a problem then. They also told me all 4 rims were bent. When the first dealer mentioned this I thought they were mistaken as my car was brand new at the time. I am the only driver, do mostly highway driving, and have not hit any big potholes or gone off road with the vehicle. I asked immediately after I purchased the car why it was so bouncy and they said that is the way sports cars are. Based on my letter, sam at mazda USA (1‑800‑222‑5500 x1157) called me. E said that mazda can't do anything to fix the car unless the problems recur. He also said that the rims being bent are due to outside influence; saying I must have hit something. I'm tired of fighting since I purchased this vehicle without any results. The only way these rims could have been bent is if they sold the car to me like that or normal driving conditions caused them to bend--meaning the rims are defective. The car has been very bouncy and very rarely sort of loosey goosey when it comes to steering control since the beginning so the car must have had bent rims from the factory. *ak
Compare the 2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata
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Questions about the 2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata
Is the 2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata reliable?
Owners have filed 14 complaints about the 2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata, close to a typical MX-5 Miata model year.
What is the 2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata year score?
The 2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata scores 71 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Mazda MX-5 Miata: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata?
Body and structure, with 2 complaints. Next is lights (2).
How many recalls does the 2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata have?
No recalls on record.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata get?
Official estimates for the 2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata range from 22 to 23 mpg combined. The most efficient version (1.8L 4-cyl, RWD) gets 20 city and 25-26 highway.
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