1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 48%of 21 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 65,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the air bags of the 1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata, 48% of the 21 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 65,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 miles“For no apparent reason the air bag light blinks. The air bag has never been deployed. The code from the light indicates a faulty actuator. The car has 65000 miles and is in excellent condition. Always garage kept since original purchase.”
NHTSA complaint #11063813, filed 2018-01, 64,500 miles“In 2015 the srs light started flashing and I took the car in to john wine Mazda for repairs. On 10/28/2015 they replaced the clock spring module for $634.45 which did not fix the problem. On 11/2/2015 they replaced the diagnostic module of $485.00 which did not fix the problem. They stated parts were no longer available to fix the problem and on 11/13/2015 the said the battery and backup battery module needed to be replace but the module had been discontinued. …”
NHTSA complaint #10957333, filed 2017-02, 88,225 miles“The airbag warning light came on and shows the module has failed. Modules are not available from the manufacturer. This is a common safety problem with Mazda miatas.”
NHTSA complaint #10955121, filed 2017-02, 165,000 miles“The contact owns a 1991 Mazda miata. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the air bag warning light and the air bag code illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the air bag module failed. The dealer informed the contact that the air bag module was no longer being produced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage and current mileage was 39,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10610650, filed 2014-07, 39,000 milesAir bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 1 | 7% |
| 2002 | 1 | 5% |
| 2001 | 1 | 5% |
| 2000 | 2 | 7% |
| 1999 | 4 | 5% |
| 1997 | 2 | 18% |
| 1996 | 17 | 59% |
| 1995 | 16 | 53% |
| 1994 | 10 | 56% |
| 1993 | 4 | 50% |
| 1992 | 5 | 23% |
| 1991 | 10 | 48% |
| 1990 | 6 | 21% |
Other parts of the 1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata
2 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsTires
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology