2.8

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
52,049 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1996 Mazda MX-5 Miata seat belts / air bags problems

seat belts / air bags problem

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1996 Mazda MX-5 Miata Owner Comments

problem #14

Aug 282023

MX-5 Miata

  • 78,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 1996 Mazda MX-5. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the failure was due to the Takata air bag module. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.

- Yakima, WA, USA

problem #13

Jul 082021

MX-5 Miata

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 1996 MAZDA Miata. The contact stated that the air bag warning lights was illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed but not yet repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

- Berkeley, CA, USA

problem #12

Sep 142020

MX-5 Miata

  • 6,969 miles
When engine is started, air bag light comes on and stays

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #11

Mar 151999

MX-5 Miata

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Takata recall. Air bag light comes on continuously after turning engine on, never goes off. I bought the car new, and took it back to the dealer. Dealer said that it was not covered on any recalls. I was informed that there was a recall on the late 1995 models, but not the early 1996 ones. I was also informed that it would cost me $900 to $1000 to fix. At that time, it had to remain unfixed, and the light has been on continuously since. I am still apprehensive when I turn the key and drive it.

- Oakland, MD, USA

problem #10

Mar 082017

MX-5 Miata

  • 64,000 miles
Air bag comes on and stays on after starting vehicle. Diagnostic code indicates SRS module is at fault or could be electrical connection per dealer. Dealer indicated SRS module is not available even if it is determined as the failure after removing dash to access module. Vehicle only has 64, 000 miles. Vehicle will not pass safety inspection in some states which makes a mint car worthless and unsafe to drive.

- Stillwater, MN, USA

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problem #9

Nov 012016

MX-5 Miata

  • 53,000 miles
When I start my car, all the indicator lights come on briefly and then go out - brakes, ABS, seat belt, oil, etc. The air bag light also comes on, as it should. But then it stays on and does not go out. My mechanic told me that the problem was due to a faulty air bag control module, which needed to be replaced. But they then told me that Mazda no longer makes this part and that it is not available. They also said that the air bag would not deploy unless the module is replaced and that it would not pass inspection in Virginia.

- Ashburn, VA, USA

problem #8

Jun 012014

MX-5 Miata

  • 39,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The air bag light comes on at start and stays on. The problem has been diagnosed as the back-up battery in the air bag module is shorted out.

- Cataula, GA, USA

problem #7

Oct 212015

MX-5 Miata

  • 125,000 miles
Sitting in driver side or car while vehicle was idling while in driveway. Airbag deployed.

- Fayetteville, NC, USA

problem #6

Oct 212015

MX-5 Miata

  • 125,000 miles
The contact owns a 1996 Mazda miata. The contact stated that while in park, the driver side air bag inadvertently deployed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 125,000.

- Fayetteville, NC, USA

problem #5

Apr 152015

MX-5 Miata

  • 137,215 miles
Airbag warning light stays on constantly all of the time. Very concerned about airbag failure but no recall info exists. Also my pop-up headlights are randomly retracting down whenever they feel like it. No amount of twisting on and off at the steering column switch will make them come back up and I have to resort to the manual popup button located under the emergency flashers. This has almost caused me to crash several times when driving after dark!

- Huntsville, AL, USA

problem #4

Jun 012005

(reported on)

MX-5 Miata

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

FOIA request all documents to from Mazda and or NHTSA relating to recall campaign no 00V004000 re Mazda airbag systems and info re inadvertent airbag deployment in 1996 Mazda miata.** answer required***.

- San Francisco, CA, USA

problem #3

May 082002

(reported on)

MX-5 Miata

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Permission to switch off the air bag

- Central Square, NY, USA

problem #2

Jul 102000

MX-5 Miata

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Airbag light stayed on at all times. Consumer stated that he needed a new airbag modular.

- Nederland, TX, USA

problem #1

Dec 081998

MX-5 Miata

  • miles
I went through a dip (slower than usually taken) in my neighborhood and my airbags deployed. I don't think this should have occured and was due to faulty air bags. The damage to my car reached over $7000, including interior repairs caused from the air bags and undercarriage/alignment damage due to hitting a curb after my temporary blindness and shock. The cuts and bruises dealt to me and my passenger were minimal and did not require medical attention. I then went for over a month without a car because special parts had to be ordered by the body shop. All of this due to faulty air bags in my 1996 Mazda miata.

- Austin, TX, USA

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