Owners have filed 18 complaints
about the 2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata with NHTSA between 2003 and 2016.
The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain.
Across this model's run it ranks 4 of 9 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 28
Against the median year of the Mazda MX-5 Miata. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
33.3% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 85
50% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2003 compares with every other Mazda MX-5 Miata
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Lights
211.1%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 68,000 mi
Body & Structure
211.1%
Median failure at 68,000 miles
Steering
211.1%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 37,825 mi
Transmission & Drivetrain
211.1%
Median failure at 40,515 miles
Other & Unspecified
15.6%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 42,516 mi
Equipment & Accessories
15.6%
0 crashes, 1 fires
Seats
15.6%
Median failure at 5,800 miles
Wheels
15.6%
Median failure at 650 miles
Tires
15.6%
Median failure at 35,000 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
15.6%
Median failure at 650 miles
Acceleration & Cruise Control
15.6%
Suspension
15.6%
Median failure at 53,000 miles
Airbags
15.6%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 75,000 mi
Electrical System
15.6%
Median failure at 650 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
535.7%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
17.1%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
214.3%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
321.4%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
321.4%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jul 2003peak 4Jun 2016
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 42,516 milesMontreal, Canada, NHFire
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
NHTSA complaint #10877104 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesMarianna, FLCrash
AIR BAGS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10715373 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesMarianna, FLCrash
STEERING
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.
NHTSA complaint #10715373 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 68,000 milesCollinsville, OKFire
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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 NHTSA 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.
NHTSA complaint #10258321 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Walnutport, PAFire
EQUIPMENT
ON THANKSGIVING DAY (NOV.25,2004) I LEFT MY HOME TO SPEND THE HOLIDAY WITH MY SON. WHILE I WAS AWAY, MY HOUSE BURNED DOWN.THANKFULLY NO ONE WAS HURT IN THE BLAZE AS NO ONE WAS HOME AT THE TIME, THE FIRE MARSHAL INVESTIGATING THE FIRE THOUGHT IT STARTED IN THE GARAGE BUT COULD NOT PINPOINT A CAUSE. THE ONLY CAR PARKED IN THE GARAGE WAS A FRIENDS 2003 MAZDA MIATA. IS THERE A POSSIBILITY THAT A MALFUNCTIONING CRUISE CONTROL ON THE MAZDA SIMILAR TO THE FORD RECALL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 05V017000) COULD HAVE CAUSED THE FIRE?
NHTSA complaint #10110592 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5,800 milesMoon Township, PA1 injured
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
I HELPING MY HUSBAND REMOVE THE TONEAU COVER FROM OUR 2003 MAZDZA MIATA. I WAS STANDING OUTSIDE THE CAR ON THE RIGHT SIDE WHEN I RELEASED THE SEAT BACK TO RETURN IT TO THE UPRIGHT POSITION. THE SEAT BACK HAS TO BE RECLINED ALL THE WAY FOR THE TONEAU COAVER TO FIT. THE SEAT BACK CAME FORWARD AND HIT ME IN THE LEFT SIDE OF THE FACE , DRIVING MY HEAD INTO THE BRACKET ON THE WINDSHIELD THAT RECEIVES THE CONVERTABLE TOP. THE FORCE WAS SUCH THAT IN ADDITION TO BREAKING MY GLASSES, I SUFFERED HEAD TRAMUA, A TYPE 2 CONTUSION, AND A MILD CONCUSION.
NHTSA complaint #10089053 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 42,516 milesMontreal, Canada, NHFire
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
NHTSA complaint #10877104 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesMarianna, FLCrash
AIR BAGS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10715373 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesMarianna, FLCrash
STEERING
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.
NHTSA complaint #10715373 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 53,000 milesRockport, MA
SUSPENSION
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.
NHTSA complaint #10706125 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35,000 milesDublin, CA
TIRES
TREAD SEPARATION ON ALL 4 TIRES. CLEAR MANUFACTURER DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #10670394 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 68,000 milesSouth Park, PA
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10396826 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 81,000 milesPhoenix, AZ
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
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.
NHTSA complaint #10369707 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 68,000 milesCollinsville, OKFire
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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 NHTSA 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.
NHTSA complaint #10258321 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 31 milesMadison, AL
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
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.
NHTSA complaint #10142899 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bedford, TX
STRUCTURE:BODY
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
NHTSA complaint #10135690 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 650 milesJersey City, NJ
STEERING
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
NHTSA complaint #10116762 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 650 milesJersey City, NJ
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
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
NHTSA complaint #10116762 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 650 milesJersey City, NJ
WHEELS:RIM
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
NHTSA complaint #10116762 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 650 milesJersey City, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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
NHTSA complaint #10116762 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Walnutport, PAFire
EQUIPMENT
ON THANKSGIVING DAY (NOV.25,2004) I LEFT MY HOME TO SPEND THE HOLIDAY WITH MY SON. WHILE I WAS AWAY, MY HOUSE BURNED DOWN.THANKFULLY NO ONE WAS HURT IN THE BLAZE AS NO ONE WAS HOME AT THE TIME, THE FIRE MARSHAL INVESTIGATING THE FIRE THOUGHT IT STARTED IN THE GARAGE BUT COULD NOT PINPOINT A CAUSE. THE ONLY CAR PARKED IN THE GARAGE WAS A FRIENDS 2003 MAZDA MIATA. IS THERE A POSSIBILITY THAT A MALFUNCTIONING CRUISE CONTROL ON THE MAZDA SIMILAR TO THE FORD RECALL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 05V017000) COULD HAVE CAUSED THE FIRE?
NHTSA complaint #10110592 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tallahassee, FL
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SHEARED OFF IN HALF WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO IDLE THE VEHICLE WITH THE GEARS ACCELERATING SPEEDS OF THREE TO FIVE MILES, AND THE EMERGENCY LIGHTS CAME ON. CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE HOME.*AK PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #10101714 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5,800 milesMoon Township, PA1 injured
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
I HELPING MY HUSBAND REMOVE THE TONEAU COVER FROM OUR 2003 MAZDZA MIATA. I WAS STANDING OUTSIDE THE CAR ON THE RIGHT SIDE WHEN I RELEASED THE SEAT BACK TO RETURN IT TO THE UPRIGHT POSITION. THE SEAT BACK HAS TO BE RECLINED ALL THE WAY FOR THE TONEAU COAVER TO FIT. THE SEAT BACK CAME FORWARD AND HIT ME IN THE LEFT SIDE OF THE FACE , DRIVING MY HEAD INTO THE BRACKET ON THE WINDSHIELD THAT RECEIVES THE CONVERTABLE TOP. THE FORCE WAS SUCH THAT IN ADDITION TO BREAKING MY GLASSES, I SUFFERED HEAD TRAMUA, A TYPE 2 CONTUSION, AND A MILD CONCUSION.
NHTSA complaint #10089053 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sabattus, ME
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
2003 MAZDA MIATA HEADLINES GIVE POOR, INADEQUATE, UNSETTLING ILLUMNATION WHEN DRIVING ON HILLY ROADS.
NHTSA complaint #10030364 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.