1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 7%of 74 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 159,915miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the body and structure of the 1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata, 7% of the 74 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 159,915 miles. 1 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.
“I am writing this to bring up an issue regarding of a flawed design out of the factory from Mazda. If you simply search Mazda miata front frame rail rust you will see that it is a serious problem and/or even fatal problem, that probably many other owners of this year (1998-2005) are unaware of. Many have had the situation checked out and it seems the way the sheets of metal were put to together holds moisture and such and rots the chassis from inside out. …”
NHTSA complaint #10669931, filed 2015-01, 159,915 miles“While on the off ramp from the free way in my 1999 Mazda miata ii discovered that the cover on the underside of the steering column had come unbolted and had fallen between my feet and the brake peddle. There was no time to down shift, I attempted to turn but went through the intersection. The car was totaled and I was injured. There was no other property damage or people injured.”
NHTSA complaint #10240813, filed 2008-09“The contact owns a 1999 Mazda miata. The contact stated the frame rails underneath the engine that extended onto the wheels on each side were completely covered with rust. The contact took the vehicle to a body shop who added pieces of metal to help re-enforce the rails. The contact stated that the safety defect caused corrosion rapidly. The failure mileage was 165,000 and the current mileage is 166,000. Updated 05/25/11”
NHTSA complaint #10398207, filed 2011-04, 165,000 miles“The contact owns a 1999 Mazda miata. The contact stated that while changing the front passenger tire, he noticed that the front frame rail across the driver and passenger sides were corroded with rust. The vehicle was taken to a body shop where they stated that the front sway bar was also corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the corrosion issue. The VIN was unavailable. The current mileage was 118,000. The failure mileage was 117,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10467914, filed 2012-07, 117,000 milesBody and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 1 | 13% |
| 2003 | 2 | 14% |
| 2002 | 5 | 25% |
| 2001 | 2 | 9% |
| 2000 | 2 | 7% |
| 1999 | 5 | 7% |
| 1997 | 1 | 9% |
| 1996 | 1 | 3% |
| 1995 | 2 | 7% |
| 1993 | 1 | 13% |
| 1992 | 1 | 5% |
| 1991 | 1 | 5% |
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 complaintsAir bags
4 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 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