1992 Mazda MX-5 Miata Problems
- Complaints
- 22filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 82,500miles, 6 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 24 mpgcombined, 1.6L 4-cyl RWD · 21 city / 27 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1992 Mazda MX-5 Miata (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 22 consumer complaints for the 1992 Mazda MX-5 Miata. The part named most often is air bags, with 5 complaints (23% of the total), followed by seat belts (5) and electrical system (3). 6 of the complaints include a mileage, and 17% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 82,500 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 2 technical service bulletins for this model year.
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 bags5 23%
- Seat belts5 23%
- Electrical system3 14%
- Tires2 9.1%
- Brakes1 4.5%
- Equipment1 4.5%
- Exterior lighting1 4.5%
- Other or unknown1 4.5%
- Body and structure1 4.5%
Also reported: Transmission and drivetrain (1), Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Air bags: “The accident occurred when a pedestrian darted out into a crosswalk. The first car slammed on the breaks. The car behind it slammed on their breaks, and I was the car behind the second car. I tried to avoid the car in front of me, but my car did not stop in time. I was traveling at approximately 30 MPH on a side street. I had my seatbelt fastened. My nose hit the steering wheel and started to bleed profusely. I went to emergency, and they advised me to see my doctor for a checkup. The doctor ordered an x-ray of my nose. …”
NHTSA complaint #10717588, filed 2015-05, 105,000 milesSeat belts: “The contact stated the front driver's side seat belt unlatched suddenly without warning. The dealership was not notified, but the contact planned to notify them soon. Updated 10/4/2006 - replacement belt solved the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10168221, filed 2006-09, 180,000 milesElectrical system: “When car is started after not used for several hours, the air bag light displays continuously during start period but then changes to blinking. Continues blinking until car is stopped and ignition turned off. When car is immediately started again, light turns off after initial start period, as expected, blinking does not re-occur until car hasn't been run for several hours before being started again. Car is not used during the winter months.”
NHTSA complaint #11257361, filed 2019-09, 68,000 milesVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “The outside rear view mirror assembly came off the drivers side door while driving, consumer noted that a metal washer or mounting was rusted through causing the mirror to come off. Nlm”
NHTSA complaint #558347, filed 2001-01Mileage when problems were reported
17% of the 6 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 65,000 and 105,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1992 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 | 21 | 27 | 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 1992 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. 2 on record; the latest 2 are shown.
- 10208555Feb 24, 2022Electrical system. Radio Unlocking Codes.
- 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 1992 Mazda MX-5 Miata have?
NHTSA recorded 22 consumer complaints for the 1992 Mazda MX-5 Miata as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1992 Mazda MX-5 Miata is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 5 complaints (23% of the total), followed by seat belts with 5.
Has the 1992 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 1992 Mazda MX-5 Miata get?
The EPA rates the 1992 Mazda MX-5 Miata (MX-5 Miata, 1.6L 4-cyl) at 24 mpg combined, 21 city and 27 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 1992 Mazda MX-5 Miata reported?
Among the 6 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 82,500 miles and the middle half falls between 65,000 and 105,000 miles; 17% 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.