1994 Mazda MX-5 Miata Problems
- Complaints
- 18filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 72,500miles, 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
- 22 mpgcombined, 1.8L 4-cyl RWD · 20 city / 26 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1994 Mazda MX-5 Miata (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 18 consumer complaints for the 1994 Mazda MX-5 Miata. The part named most often is air bags, with 10 complaints (56% of the total), followed by electrical system (2) and fuel system (2). 8 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 72,500 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 2 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins 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 56%
- Electrical system2 11%
- Fuel system2 11%
- Brakes1 5.6%
- Seat belts1 5.6%
- Tires1 5.6%
- Vehicle speed control1 5.6%
Example complaints
Air bags: “A/b lights 5 times then once indicating failure of air bag module. I contacted a dealer and then contacted corporate. The module is no longer available. The air bags are inoperative without a functioning module. The safety belts may also be affected. All 1994 miatas should be recalled to replace the module and if necessary the air bags and safety belts. The VIN contains an o; it may be a number (zero) or a letter.”
NHTSA complaint #10628123, filed 2014-08, 63,000 milesElectrical system: “Air bag light flashes off and on now with code 52. This car only has 80,000 original miles. I am driving it but need to know if a recall will fix this .”
NHTSA complaint #11402761, filed 2021-03, 80,000 milesFuel system: “Car was in storage for 3.5 years and upon starting the engine fuel sprayed from the fuel rail/fuel injector interface (I would estimate 0.2 liters per minute). 10 mb file size limit, LOL. I zoomed my photo to about 5% of the original area to show a 1/2” picture of the fuel spray. Also, FWIW, this is a race car with original/OEM engine.”
NHTSA complaint #11469266, filed 2022-06Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 8 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 65,000 and 119,000 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 1994 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 | 1.8L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 20 | 26 | 22 | $3,050 |
| MX-5 Miata RWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 19 | 25 | 21 | $3,200 |
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 1994 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 1994 Mazda MX-5 Miata have?
NHTSA recorded 18 consumer complaints for the 1994 Mazda MX-5 Miata as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1994 Mazda MX-5 Miata is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 10 complaints (56% of the total), followed by electrical system with 2.
Has the 1994 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 1994 Mazda MX-5 Miata get?
The EPA rates the 1994 Mazda MX-5 Miata (MX-5 Miata, 1.8L 4-cyl) at 22 mpg combined, 20 city and 26 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,050 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1994 Mazda MX-5 Miata reported?
Among the 8 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 72,500 miles and the middle half falls between 65,000 and 119,000 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.