1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 4%of 74 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 steering of the 1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata, 4% of the 74 complaints for this model year. 3 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.
“My miata was hit in the front left side by a gmc pickup which was traveling at least 35 MPH. I was pulling out of a parking lot, so my speed was minimal. Both airbags deployed, and the steering wheel came completely off the column. The car was determined to be a total loss. I have not heard of a steering wheel breaking away from the column with the deployment of an airbag. Is this a defect in the vehicle?”
NHTSA complaint #710836, filed 1999-09“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“Consumer was involved in 5 MPH minor collision, vehicle was hit from the rear, causing consumer to hit his head on the steel bars which are a part of the convertible top, resulting in a concussion and change in eye sight. Please give any further details.”
NHTSA complaint #838417, filed 1999-05Steering: other model years
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 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsTires
4 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 29, 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