1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata Problems
- Complaints
- 21filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 64,750miles, 8 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 1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 21 consumer complaints for the 1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata. The part named most often is air bags, with 10 complaints (48% of the total), followed by electrical system (2) and engine cooling (2). 8 of the complaints include a mileage, and 38% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 64,750 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 1 technical service bulletin for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
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 bags10 48%
- Electrical system2 9.5%
- Engine cooling2 9.5%
- Equipment1 4.8%
- Fuel system1 4.8%
- Other or unknown1 4.8%
- Seat belts1 4.8%
- Body and structure1 4.8%
- Tires1 4.8%
Example complaints
Air bags: “The vehicle's airbag warning is on. The warning light flashes a number of times, then pauses for a few seconds, and then begins again. The problem is probably due to the failure of the control module and this part is no longer available from the manufacturer or from remanufacturers. The airbag is a safety item and thus must be operable. The manufacturer, Mazda, must make this repair or make the part available.”
NHTSA complaint #10984406, filed 2017-05, 123,000 milesElectrical system: “The contact owns a 1991 Mazda miata. The contact stated that the battery was housed in the trunk of the vehicle. Mazda recently developed a newer battery model called a flooded cell battery. He noticed that the battery was leaking around the caps and he was concerned with liquid acid being produced by the battery. The manufacturer offered to replace the battery if it was covered under warranty. The dealer stated that the battery would have to fail an electrical test in order for them to make the replacement. The electrical test was not performed and no repairs have been made to date. …”
NHTSA complaint #10263609, filed 2009-03, 24,000 milesEngine cooling: “Timing belt pulley came loose and ruined the engine. In later designs, the manufacturer beefef up the crankshaft and added a larger bolt to hold the pulley.”
NHTSA complaint #531339, filed 1998-02Mileage when problems were reported
38% of the 8 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 39,000 and 88,225 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 1991 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 1991 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 1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata have?
NHTSA recorded 21 consumer complaints for the 1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 10 complaints (48% of the total), followed by electrical system with 2.
Has the 1991 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 1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata get?
The EPA rates the 1991 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 1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata reported?
Among the 8 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 64,750 miles and the middle half falls between 39,000 and 88,225 miles; 38% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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.