2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 14%of 14 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 40,516miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata, 14% of the 14 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 40,516 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.
“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“When starting out cold from an intersection my 2003 Mazda miata lurches forward possibly causing stalling in the intersection and causing an accident. This complaint has been addressed to my dealer who says that Mazda will only fix this problem during the first 12 months./12,000 miles of owner ship. Mazda has had this problem since 2001 as a result of a re-design of the clutch and refuses to fix my car because it is beyond 12,000 miles. …”
NHTSA complaint #10142899, filed 2005-11, 31 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11032103Apr 21, 2026This Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA listed below: The changes are noted in Red. SA-011/24 02/12/24, 06/06/24, 07/29/24 DESCRIPTION Mazda has developed factory…
- 10186693Jan 21, 2021Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as…
- 10076669Jan 4, 2016Summary to be provided on a future date.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsElectrical system
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaintsTires
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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