1996 Mazda MX-5 Miata Problems
- Complaints
- 29filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 71,000miles, 12 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
- 23 mpgcombined, 1.8L 4-cyl RWD · 21 city / 26 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1996 Mazda MX-5 Miata (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 29 consumer complaints for the 1996 Mazda MX-5 Miata. The part named most often is air bags, with 17 complaints (59% of the total), followed by engine cooling (3) and electrical system (1). 12 of the complaints include a mileage, and 25% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 71,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 3 technical service bulletins 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 bags17 59%
- Engine cooling3 10%
- Electrical system1 3.5%
- Exterior lighting1 3.5%
- Fuel system1 3.5%
- Steering1 3.5%
- Body and structure1 3.5%
- Suspension1 3.5%
- Tires1 3.5%
Also reported: Transmission and drivetrain (1), Vehicle speed control (1), Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Air bags: “Airbag warning light stays on constantly all of the time. Very concerned about airbag failure but no recall info exists. Also my pop-up headlights are randomly retracting down whenever they feel like it. No amount of twisting on and off at the steering column switch will make them come back up and I have to resort to the manual popup button located under the emergency flashers. This has almost caused me to crash several times when driving after dark!”
NHTSA complaint #10717672, filed 2015-05, 137,215 milesEngine cooling: “Engine malfunction light came on at approx. 19,000 miles and simultaneously engine began knocking strongly and lost power during 2nd and 3rd gear, during full accelertion.”
NHTSA complaint #536367, filed 1998-05Mileage when problems were reported
25% of the 12 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 53,000 and 123,000 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 1996 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 | 5-speed manual | 21 | 26 | 23 | $2,900 |
| MX-5 Miata RWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 19 | 26 | 22 | $3,050 |
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 1996 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. 3 on record; the latest 3 are shown.
- 10208555Feb 24, 2022Electrical system. Radio Unlocking Codes.
- 10170661Jan 9, 2020Electrical system, Equipment. In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer. NOTE: Tampering with a motor vehicle odometer is strictly prohibited by Federal, and State…
- 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 1996 Mazda MX-5 Miata have?
NHTSA recorded 29 consumer complaints for the 1996 Mazda MX-5 Miata as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1996 Mazda MX-5 Miata is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 17 complaints (59% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 3.
Has the 1996 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 1996 Mazda MX-5 Miata get?
The EPA rates the 1996 Mazda MX-5 Miata (MX-5 Miata, 1.8L 4-cyl) at 23 mpg combined, 21 city and 26 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1996 Mazda MX-5 Miata reported?
Among the 12 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 71,000 miles and the middle half falls between 53,000 and 123,000 miles; 25% 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.