1996 Mazda MX-5 Miata Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 10%of 29 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1996 Mazda MX-5 Miata, 10% of the 29 complaints for this model year.
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.
“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 1998-05Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 3 | 38% |
| 2002 | 2 | 10% |
| 2001 | 2 | 9% |
| 2000 | 3 | 10% |
| 1999 | 11 | 15% |
| 1997 | 1 | 9% |
| 1996 | 3 | 10% |
| 1995 | 1 | 3% |
| 1991 | 2 | 10% |
| 1990 | 4 | 14% |
Other parts of the 1996 Mazda MX-5 Miata
17 complaintsElectrical system
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaintsTires
1 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaintsWheels
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Mazda MX-5 Miata
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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