2002 Mazda MX-5 Miata Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 15%of 20 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 41,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the electrical system of the 2002 Mazda MX-5 Miata, 15% of the 20 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 41,500 miles.
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.
“This car has a safety immobilizer that prevents car from running if the correct transponder key is not used. This car has only 28,000 miles, of which I have driven the last 10,000 miles. This week the immobilizer control electronics failed, rendering the car to stop running and will not restart. Researching on the web it appears this was a problem with many 2001 and some 2002 models. Firstly this failure is a safety issue. Secondly the repair requires replacing this immobilizer module as well as the main ecu and getting new transponder keys, which is very costly.”
NHTSA complaint #11052011, filed 2017-12, 28,000 miles“The contact owns a 2002 Mazda miata. While driving various speeds, the vehicle suddenly shut off and could not be immediately restarted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the immobilizer module erroneously activated and disabled the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 151,700.”
NHTSA complaint #11127925, filed 2018-09, 151,700 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11035599Jul 29, 2026This bulletin supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. The changes are noted in Red text. 09-042/04 12/10/04 DESCRIPTION Some vehicles may exhibit inoperative…
- 11006987Aug 8, 2024In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer. NOTE: Tampering with a motor vehicle odometer is strictly prohibited by…
- 10232299Feb 28, 2023Speedometer replacement procedure
- 10188016Feb 8, 2021This service bulletin provides testing and charging procedures in order to promote proper battery maintenance, to deliver new vehicles with fully charged batteries, and to reduce…
- 10188015Feb 8, 2021The Mazda DCA-8000PM is required for all warranty battery testing. If the Mazda DCA-8000PM is not used, incorrect battery testing may result in unnecessary battery replacement…
- 10186703Jan 21, 2021In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer
- 10170661Jan 9, 2020In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer. NOTE: Tampering with a motor vehicle odometer is strictly prohibited by…
- 10213425Feb 17, 2016Speedometer replacement procedure
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 1 | 7% |
| 2002 | 3 | 15% |
| 2000 | 4 | 14% |
| 1999 | 10 | 14% |
| 1997 | 2 | 18% |
| 1996 | 1 | 3% |
| 1995 | 3 | 10% |
| 1994 | 2 | 11% |
| 1992 | 3 | 14% |
| 1991 | 2 | 10% |
Other parts of the 2002 Mazda MX-5 Miata
5 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaintsTires
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 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