2002 Mazda Mx-5 Miata problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Electrical System (3) · Structure:body:roof And Pillars (2) · Structure (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Mazda Mx-5 Miata model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (21)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-08-20 · SA-055-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
product quality information (pqi) description service information mt-041/12 is no longer valid. it has been unpublished and superseded by the field quality information report (fqir) reporting system.
Visibility/Wiper 2026-07-29 · 09-022-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this 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 electric rear window defroster grid lines, integral antenna concerns causing radio reception issues or terminal tabs pulled
Unknown Or Other 2026-04-21 · SA-029-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this 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 recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. mazda recommends dealers follow the sch
Unknown Or Other 2025-12-10 · 07-004-25a · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
a musty/mildew type odor may come from the vents when the air conditioning (a/c) system is operating. it is most noticeable when the a/c is first turned on. this odor is the result of mold growth in the a/c evaporator/cooling unit which is caused by condensation, dust, and pollen within the cooling
Unknown Or Other 2025-04-25 · 07-004-25 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
a musty/mildew type odor may come from the vents when the air conditioning (a/c) system is operating. it is most noticeable when the a/c is first turned on. this odor is the result of mold growth in the a/c evaporator/cooling unit which is caused by condensation, dust, and pollen within the cooling
Engine 2024-10-26 · SA-080-24 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some vehicles may crank but not start due to a pcm/immobilizer malfunction. if this happens, check the status of recall 3505h. note: effective july 2020 recall 3505h can no longer be completed due to no parts available. the recall is also not populated in emdcs. advise customers inqiring about repai
Showing the 6 most recent of 21 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2018-09-06 · Electrical System · 151,700 mi“tl* 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 n…”
2017-12-02 · Electrical System · 28,000 mi“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 probl…”
2015-08-26 · Unknown Or Other · 59,000 mi“one of two latches for the convertible soft top came unfastened while driving causing one side of the top to lift upwards with great violence and a very loud noise. no accident this time but it will happen- e.g. swerving out of lane and into another vehicle, pedestrian, tree, etc. due to 1) the violence and noise and/or 2) the driver *attempt…”
2013-09-18 · Structure · 145,000 mi“mazda miata convertible top blew off while driving 65 mph on the freeway causing loss of control and almost causing an accident. i have checked reports and this seems to be a regular problem. mazda has even issued a bulletin on this problem. this should be a recall. *jb…”
2013-08-01 · Seat Belts · 38,000 mi · 💥 crash“tl* the contact owns a 2002 mazda miata. the contact stated that another vehicle crashed into the rear of the vehicle, pushing the contact's vehicle into the next lane. the driver's seat belt failed to restrain and the air bags failed to deploy. the contact suffered internal bleeding and bruising to the head, face, legs, and arms. a police report w…”
2010-12-01 · Structure · 10,000 mi“tl*the contact owns a 2002 mazda miata. the contact stated that the convertible top latch does not latch properly and caused the convertible top to detach while driving. the contact has taken the vehicle to the dealer who stated that the convertible top latch needed to be replaced. the contact stated that was a design defect that the manufacturer …”
2009-07-11 · Latches/Locks/Linkages · 22,500 mi“the soft top lock assembly latch part #nao1-r1-310m is defective. it comes unlatched while driving. this latch was replaced twice while under warranty. the car now has approx 22,500 and is ready for a third rt soft top latch replacement. this is a safety issue. these latches should be recalled. according to mazda's service bulletin no: 09-009/03thi…”
2008-08-26 · Structure:body:roof And Pillars“2002 mazda miata have defective top latches. consumer wants mazda to repair vehicle at their expense. *nj the consumer stated the convertible latch, un-latched on its own while driving. *jb…”
2008-02-04 · Structure:body:roof And Pillars · 28,000 mi“convertible top latches do not stay latched. mazda is aware of the problem and has issued a tsb (09-009/03) telling the tech to replace the latches and strikers with a revised design. mazda refuses to replace the units free of charge even though it is obviously a manufacturing defect. tops flying open on the highway are a major safety issue an…”
2007-08-16 · Exterior Lighting:fog Lights · 32,000 mi · 🔥 fire“tl*the contact owns a 2002 mazda miata. after parking his vehicle, the contact noticed that his fog lights were on fire. he was able to extinguish the fire. a police report was filed. he called mazda and they faxed him a copy of recall number 03v206000 (exterior lighting:fog lights). the contact stated that he never received the recall notice…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.