2005 Mazda MX-5 Miata problems

Filed Mar 20, 2015 · Electrical, Lights · 13,737 miles · CO

I have had the headlight combination switch, part number nc11-66-122 fail in this mazda miata 6 times. After the first replacement I noticed all the subsequent failures were due to a mechanical failure in the switch and not an electrical problem causing the failure. When the switch fails, I turn it to either parking lights or headlight position and the lights will not come on unless I physically continue turning the switch past it's "on" position. Soon as I release the switch and it falls back into the "on" position, the lights go off. The first 4 replacements were performed by mazda dealers under warranty. Of course, they do not try to figure out the cause of the failure, they merely replace it. The fifth replacement I was able to keep the defective part and I disassemble it and found the contacts were not touching unless the switch was turned past the "on". I am now in the process of having the 6th combination switch replaced. On this present failure I can also physically push the switch inward and the lights momentarily come on then turn off when I release the inward pressure. My assessment of the problem is a poorly manufactured switch. It is definitely a safety hazard should the switch fail at night. Failure date mileage serviced by 02-25-2008 13737 mazda of longmont 05-26-2009 23744 spradley barr mazda 01-18-2010 29206 spradley barr mazda 06-01 2010 35084 spradley barr mazda 10-25-2012 58656 coyote motors 03-??-2015 72300 part on order by courtesy mazda, longmont

Filed Jan 16, 2014 · Body, Suspension · 59,000 miles · LA

Purchased this used 2005 mazda miata about a month ago. Servicing many components since purchase and learning about this vehicle. Found blog about premature frame rail rust on many miata's (shocked to find out many miata's have this, and disappointed that I have to worry about premature frame rail failure under engine of vehicle. Here is the link to one of the blogs (according to this site, national mazda has been willing to do nothing for mazda owners to this point). Http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=397790&page=6 anyway, after reading 6 long pages of people suffering from this, I went out this morning and took my plastic panel off, below the engine compartment, and I have the early stages of it. There are lots of miata's on the road, and some of them are death traps waiting to happen, if the rusty frame rail fails during driving.

Filed Mar 15, 2009 · Wheels · 29,983 miles · FL

We have a 2005 mazda mx 5, with 29000+miles. The rt front tire kept going down and nothing was in the tire. Examination revealed a crack in the outer rim edge. Cracked from the inside to the outside. This car has never been in any incidents but in the past one of the rear tires came off the rim with no explination as to the cause. This wheel was not the same wheel involved. But the crack is very real. We have owned it since new. The tire has never been off the rim since new.

Filed Oct 24, 2006 · Engine, Transmission · 11,725 miles · TX

I purchased a used 2005 mazda miata 5-speed in april 2006 with 7860 miles on the odometer from the local chrysler dealer. I had not driven the vehicle out of town until october 2006. On the interstate highway I noticed the vehicle had inadequate power to safely drive at the speed limit (80 MPH). Top speed is only 82 MPH @ 4200 RPM in fifth gear (should be 120 MPH plus) and acceleration up a hill is bad. I must downshift and floor the accelerator to maintain speed up hill and the cruise control will not hold the speed. Trying to pass a slow vehicle uphill is almost impossible. The vehicle is in the local mazda dealer's service department where they have not found the cause of the problem. I have had the vehicle serviced as required at the mazda dealer and have even replaced the air filter when not required. This vehicle is unsafe to drive other than on flat, low speed, city roads.