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Mazda MX-5 MiataModel year report

2004 Mazda MX-5 Miata Problems

Complaints
8filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
6,100miles, 8 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 / 26 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2004 Mazda MX-5 Miata (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 2004 Mazda MX-5 Miata. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 3 complaints (38% of the total), followed by fuel system (2) and seat belts (1). 8 of the complaints include a mileage, and 88% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 6,100 miles. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 23 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine cooling 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.

Example complaints

Engine cooling: “Car would not accelerate. I came to a stop at a toll booth. When I went to pull away the car would hardly accelerate. Any amount of throttle would cause the car to bog out. Seems very likely a crash could occur if this problem happened at the wrong time. This is specifically a problem with the mazdaspeed model of the mx-5.”

NHTSA complaint #10234844, filed 2008-07, 11,100 miles

Fuel system: “Driving my 2004 mazdaspeed miata on the highway and the engine suddenly stalls. The problem was the fuel pump failure. I bought my car new and it has 4,400 miles on it. I had three fuel pump failures since 2004. I complained to the Mazda dealer as to why this is happening but they don't have a clue.”

NHTSA complaint #10236665, filed 2008-08, 4,200 miles

Body and structure: “The forward frame rails are severely rusted, compromising the function of the bumpers greatly increasing the likelihood of injury in the event of a front collision. Corrosion is not readily apparent, suggesting that most people are unaware that their vehicle's safety has been compromised.”

NHTSA complaint #10994350, filed 2017-06, 142,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

88% of the 8 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 1,466 and 11,100 miles.

63%0–1025%10–250%25–500%50–750%75–10013%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (8 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 6,100 miles.

Complaints by year filed

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

20042007200832017
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 2004 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 automatic202622$3,750
MX-5 Miata RWD1.8L 4-cyl6-speed manual202622$3,750
MX-5 Miata RWD1.8L 4-cyl6-speed manual182420$4,100

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 2004 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. 23 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 23 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 2004 Mazda MX-5 Miata have?

NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 2004 Mazda MX-5 Miata as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2004 Mazda MX-5 Miata is reported most often?

Engine cooling is named most often, in 3 complaints (38% of the total), followed by fuel system with 2.

Has the 2004 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 2004 Mazda MX-5 Miata get?

The EPA rates the 2004 Mazda MX-5 Miata (MX-5 Miata, 1.8L 4-cyl) at 22 mpg combined, 20 city and 26 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 2004 Mazda MX-5 Miata reported?

Among the 8 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 6,100 miles and the middle half falls between 1,466 and 11,100 miles; 88% 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.