1990 Mazda MX-5 Miata Problems
- Complaints
- 28filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 100,000miles, 2 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 24 mpgcombined, 1.6L 4-cyl RWD · 22 city / 28 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1990 Mazda MX-5 Miata (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 28 consumer complaints for the 1990 Mazda MX-5 Miata. The part named most often is air bags, with 6 complaints (21% of the total), followed by seat belts (6) and transmission and drivetrain (6). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 100,000 miles. Of all complaints, 4 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 5 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 1 technical service bulletin for this model year.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Air bags6 21%
- Seat belts6 21%
- Engine cooling4 14%
- Brakes3 11%
- Seats2 7.1%
- Vehicle speed control2 7.1%
- Exterior lighting1 3.6%
- Other or unknown1 3.6%
Example complaints
Air bags: “car has had multiple airbag lights come on I have fixed them all I cannot buy parts to fix my airbag new so I have to go and find used parts that just keep breaking I know many people with this problem almost every owner of one of these cars has this exact problem”
NHTSA complaint #11474624, filed 2022-07Transmission and drivetrain: “The contact stated while shifting from 5th gear or reverse to neutral, the transmission would go into reverse. An independent repair shop determined the swing arm was bad on the vehicle and should be repaired.”
NHTSA complaint #10168563, filed 2006-09, 105,000 milesEngine cooling: “Mfg recommended 60,000 mi timing belt was changed at 59,000 mi... All routine maintenance performed per mfg specs. Failure of crankshaft is known mfg defect in 1990 and early 1991 models. Later models have modified crankshaft with no known failures. Repair estimate from local Mazda dealership is $3,700.00 for a new engine.”
NHTSA complaint #724598, filed 2000-06Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 95,000 and 105,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1990 Mazda MX-5 Miata version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MX-5 Miata RWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 22 | 28 | 24 | $2,800 |
| MX-5 Miata RWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 21 | 26 | 23 | $2,900 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1990 Mazda MX-5 Miata in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 1 on record; the latest 1 are shown.
- 10213425Feb 17, 2016Electrical system. Speedometer replacement procedure
Other model years of the Mazda MX-5 Miata
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 8 | 6,100 | 0 | — | 22 | — | Not enough data |
| 2003 | 14 | 47,758 | 0 | — | 22 | — | Not enough data |
| 2002 | 20 | 32,000 | 0 | — | 22 | — | Stable |
| 2001 | 22 | 51,000 | 0 | — | 22 | — | Stable |
| 2000 | 29 | 40,000 | 0 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 74 | 41,730 | 0 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1997 | 11 | — | 0 | — | 22 | — | Not enough data |
| 1996 | 29 | 71,000 | 0 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1995 | 30 | 115,000 | 0 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 18 | 72,500 | 0 | — | 22 | — | Falling |
| 1993 | 8 | 207,000 | 0 | — | 24 | — | Not enough data |
| 1992 | 22 | 82,500 | 0 | — | 24 | — | Stable |
| 1991 | 21 | 64,750 | 0 | — | 24 | — | Falling |
| 1990 | 28 | 100,000 | 0 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
All Mazda MX-5 Miata model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1990 Mazda MX-5 Miata have?
NHTSA recorded 28 consumer complaints for the 1990 Mazda MX-5 Miata as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1990 Mazda MX-5 Miata is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 6 complaints (21% of the total), followed by seat belts with 6.
Has the 1990 Mazda MX-5 Miata been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1990 Mazda MX-5 Miata get?
The EPA rates the 1990 Mazda MX-5 Miata (MX-5 Miata, 1.6L 4-cyl) at 24 mpg combined, 22 city and 28 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,800 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1990 Mazda MX-5 Miata reported?
Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 100,000 miles and the middle half falls between 95,000 and 105,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.