AI Damage1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata: common problems
Owners of the 1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata filed 21 complaints with NHTSA, most often about air bags and electrical system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 21
- involving a crash
- 2
What fails most often
- 1 Air bags 48% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 10% of all complaints
- 3 Engine and cooling 10% of all complaints
- 4 Equipment 5% of all complaints
- 5 Fuel system 5% of all complaints
- 6 Seat belts 5% of all complaints
- 7 Structure 5% of all complaints
- 8 Tires 5% of all complaints
- Air bags: 10 complaints (48% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (10% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 2 complaints (10% of all).
- Equipment: 1 complaints (5% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Fuel system: 1 complaints (5% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.6 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 21 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 10 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
During an accident driver sustained severe head trauma due to speaker installed in head rest. Tt
Sidewall of my one day old VeeRubber Vitron R41 split about 15 inches along the side wall of the tire about 2 to 3 inches down from the road riding part of he tire. It was a clear day and there were no warnings when the one day old tire just split along the sidewall.
For no apparent reason the air bag light blinks. The air bag has never been deployed. The code from the light indicates a faulty actuator. The car has 65000 miles and is in excellent condition. Always garage kept since original purchase.
The vehicle's airbag warning is on. The warning light flashes a number of times, then pauses for a few seconds, and then begins again. The problem is probably due to the failure of the control module and this part is no longer available from the manufacturer or from remanufacturers.
In 2015 the srs light started flashing and I took the car in to john wine mazda for repairs. On 10/28/2015 they replaced the clock spring module for $634.45 which did not fix the problem. On 11/2/2015 they replaced the diagnostic module of $485.00 which did not fix the problem.
Tl contact owns a 1991 mazda miata. The contact stated that the battery was housed in the trunk of the vehicle. Mazda recently developed a newer battery model called a flooded cell battery. He noticed that the battery was leaking around the caps and he was concerned with liquid acid being produced by the battery.
Crankshaft/pulley pins have sheared off. Provide further detail.
While driving in hot weather conditions, gasoline boiled, causing a fire hazard. Consumer has contacted the dealer, dealer has replaced the fuel pump.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 8,077 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 22% most complained about).
On average one model year of the MX-5 Miata has 21 complaints (16 years in the data). This year has 21, about average.
What to check before buying
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
Other years of this model
- MX-5 Miata 199028 sources
- MX-5 Miata 199222 sources
- MX-5 Miata 19938 sources
- MX-5 Miata 199418 sources
- MX-5 Miata 199530 sources
- MX-5 Miata 199629 sources
- MX-5 Miata 199711 sources
- MX-5 Miata 199974 sources
- MX-5 Miata 200029 sources
- MX-5 Miata 200122 sources
- MX-5 Miata 200220 sources
- MX-5 Miata 200314 sources
- MX-5 Miata 20048 sources
- MX-5 Miata 20054 sources
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: air bags, electrical system, engine and cooling. Total complaints: 21. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: airbag warning light (33%), warning lights, check engine (19%), fuel system, fuel smell (5%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1991 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.