1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 5%of 74 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 52,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the air bags of the 1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata, 5% of the 74 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 52,000 miles. 4 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.
“Blindness caused by airbag. Crash caused by throttle sticking open. Full braking immediate as shown by skid marks and while brakes slowed vehicle unable to stop the car or turn before impact. Video and witnesses confirm cause must be open throttle. Both braking and turning failed to stop or turn the car. Throttle open or accelerator jammed full on.”
NHTSA complaint #10389908, filed 2011-03, 52,000 miles“Blindness caused by airbag. Crash caused by throttle stucking openg. Full braking with skid marks slowed vehicle but did not stop the car before impact.”
NHTSA complaint #10389907, filed 2011-03, 52,000 miles“The vehicle was involved in an accident in which at the time of impact the steering wheel came off the main column, ahead of the air bag and hit the driver, it seems this may have occured when the air bag went off, the driver stated that the air bag did not seem to inflate fully. Nlm”
NHTSA complaint #560068, filed 2001-03“Avoided a deer hit a tree approx. 20-25 MPH . Severe frontal damage and air bag didn't activate.. Why as this would have save my back head and lips...”
NHTSA complaint #10161679, filed 2006-07Air 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 1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata
16 complaintsEngine cooling
11 complaintsElectrical system
10 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
10 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsTires
4 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1999 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