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Mazda MX-5 MiataModel year report

2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata Problems

Complaints
14filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
47,758miles, 10 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
22 mpgcombined, 1.8L 4-cyl RWD · 20 city / 25 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 14 consumer complaints for the 2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata. The part named most often is exterior lighting, with 2 complaints (14% of the total), followed by steering (2) and body and structure (2). 10 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 47,758 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 3 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 20 technical service bulletins for this model year. Steering complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Suspension (1), Tires (1), Vehicle speed control (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Exterior lighting: “The contact owns a 2003 Mazda miata. The contact stated that the passenger side fog light caught fire and burned both the fog light and the bumper. The vehicle was not destroyed. She called the dealer to inquire about any issues with the fog lights and was informed that there was nothing on record. She stated that the vehicle was previously repaired by the original owner for NHTSA campaign id number 03v206000 (exterior lighting:fog lights). The dealer advised her to call the manufacturer. …”

NHTSA complaint #10258321, filed 2009-02, 68,000 miles

Steering: “Every since I purchased my car on 5/7/03, I have been having hard starts--more than 24 times. In addition, when the car was less than a year old, another dealer told me all 4 rims were bent. I also had a racing issue occur 3 times on sat. 3/12. I have taken the car back to the dealer 3 times for the two intermittent problems. Recently, they fixed the hard start by replacing the battery but they charged me for it. They should not have charged me if this is what caused the hard starts since day one. I told them this but they said they didn't find the battery to be a problem then. …”

NHTSA complaint #10116762, filed 2005-04, 650 miles

Body and structure: “Dt: this is a convertible car and the bolts keep falling out of the top when driving on the highway. There are two bolts that have fallen out three or four times. The consumer has contacted the dealer and an appointment was set to have the car looked at because there is a rattling sound coming from the car. The consumer thinks that the bolts are causing the noise. This problem started in june 2005.”

NHTSA complaint #10135690, filed 2005-09

Transmission and drivetrain: “The limited slip differential has failed at approximately 81,000 miles. I've been informed that repair parts are not manufactured and that a new differential must be installed. There are none in stock in the united states and they are on back order indefinitely. There is no time estimate of any kind to get this part in the united states. My only option is to find and install an used differential.”

NHTSA complaint #10369707, filed 2010-12, 81,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

50% of the 10 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 5,800 and 68,000 miles.

30%0–100%10–2520%25–5030%50–7520%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (10 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 47,758 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

200320042005420092010201120152016
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
MX-5 Miata RWD1.8L 4-cyl5-speed manual202623$3,550
MX-5 Miata RWD1.8L 4-cyl4-speed automatic202522$3,750
MX-5 Miata RWD1.8L 4-cyl6-speed manual202622$3,750

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 20 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 20 bulletins →

Other model years of the Mazda MX-5 Miata

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
200486,1000—22—Not enough data
20031447,7580—22—Not enough data
20022032,0000—22—Stable
20012251,0000—22—Stable
20002940,0000—23Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19997441,7300—23Not compared (before 2008)Falling
199711—0—22—Not enough data
19962971,0000—23Not compared (before 2008)Falling
199530115,0000—23Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19941872,5000—22—Falling
19938207,0000—24—Not enough data
19922282,5000—24—Stable
19912164,7500—24—Falling
199028100,0000—24Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All Mazda MX-5 Miata model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata have?

NHTSA recorded 14 consumer complaints for the 2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata is reported most often?

Exterior lighting is named most often, in 2 complaints (14% of the total), followed by steering with 2.

Has the 2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata get?

The EPA rates the 2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata (MX-5 Miata, 1.8L 4-cyl) at 22 mpg combined, 20 city and 25 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,750 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata reported?

Among the 10 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 47,758 miles and the middle half falls between 5,800 and 68,000 miles; 50% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.