2002 Mazda MX-5 Miata Recalls, Problems & Safety Rating

No safety recalls on file

The 2002 Mazda MX-5 Miata has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA.

Owners have filed 20 complaints with NHTSA, including 2 crashes, 1 fire, 2 injuries.

The most-reported problem area is Structure (5 reports).

0Recalls
20Owner complaints
2Crashes reported
n/aNHTSA safety rating
Is the repair still open on your MX-5 Miata?

A recall covers specific vehicles. Your VIN shows whether yours still needs the free repair.

2002 Mazda MX-5 Miata recalls

No safety recalls on file for the 2002 Mazda MX-5 Miata.

Most common 2002 Mazda MX-5 Miata problems

Problem areas named in the 20 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.

Problem areaReports
Structure5
Power Train4
Electrical System3
Engine And Engine Cooling2
Exterior Lighting2
Latches/Locks/Linkages2
Tires1
Equipment1
Air Bags1
Suspension1

What owners report

2018-09-06, Electrical System
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 NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,700.
2017-12-02, Electrical System
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 PROBLEM WITH MANY 2001 AND SOME 2002 MODELS. FIRSTLY THIS FAILURE IS A SAFETY ISSUE. SECONDLY THE REPAIR REQUIRES REPLACING THIS IMMOBILIZER MODULE AS WELL AS THE MAIN ECU AND GETTING NEW TRANSPONDER KEYS, WHICH IS VERY COSTLY.
2015-08-26, Structure
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 *ATTEMPTING* (ITS IMPOSSIBLE!) TO RE-LATCH AND RE-LOCK THE TOP. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE IS A VERY POOR DESIGN OF THE LATCH/LOCK AND THE LOCKS LEVER BEING MADE OF POT METAL. BOTH FACTORS COMBINE IN A SYNERGISTIC MANNER WHICH CAUSE VERY RAPID LOCK WEAR AND ABRUPT FAILURE. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL DUE TO RISK AND THE NUMBER OF NHTSA COMPLAINTS ON THIS D
2013-09-18, Structure
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
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 WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT PRIOR TO THE CRASH, THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT WOULD SPORADICALLY FAIL TO RESTRAIN HOWEVER, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE A

2002 Mazda MX-5 Miata questions

Does the 2002 Mazda MX-5 Miata have any recalls?

No. NHTSA has no safety recalls on file for the 2002 Mazda MX-5 Miata at this time.

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Mazda MX-5 Miata?

Based on 20 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Structure (5), Power Train (4), Electrical System (3).

How do I check if a recall on my 2002 Mazda MX-5 Miata has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.

Other Mazda MX-5 Miata years

Other 2002 Mazda models