Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 35 complaints with NHTSA about the 1995 Mazda MX-5 Miata, and it carries no recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 19 | 54% |
| Tires | 5 | 14% |
| Structure | 3 | 9% |
| Steering | 2 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 3% |
| Unknown or other | 1 | 3% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 1 | 3% |
| Visibility | 1 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
DOUGLAS TIRE I GOT TO REPLACE THE ONE THAT HAD A BOLT MOLDED IN THE SIDEWALL. THIS ONE HAD A LARGE FLAT SPOT ON HALF OF THE CONTACT PATCH. IT WAS EASY TO SEE WITH BY EYE AND WOULD NOT EVEN SIT CORRECTLY. I NEVER MOUNTED
NHTSA complaint: Tires
I BOUGHT FOUR DOUGLAS PERFORMANCE GT-H 185/60-14 DOT PJF8 1YLR FROM WAL-MART. THESE TIRES ARE MADE BY GOODYEAR IN USA. WHEN THEY PUT THEM ON THE RIM A BOLT WAS FOUND MOLDED IN THE SIDEWALL AFTER IT WAS NOTICE NOT TO HOLD
NHTSA complaint: Tires
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MAZDA MIATA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 25 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED 2ND DEGREE BURNS AS A RESULT AND REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE MAN
NHTSA complaint: Steering
AT APPROX 4:30 PM 10/02/2011 WHILE TRAVELING SOUTH ON HUNZIKER ST. NEAR WALL ST. TIGARD, OR 30-35 MPH. I HAD TO CENTER A PIECE OF DEBRIS IN THE ROAD AND IT STRUCK AND PUNCTURED THE ENGINE OILPAN. THIS CONTACT DEPLOYED
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 MAZDA MIATA. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED SUDDENLY AFTER DRIVING OVER A ROCK. CONSEQUENTLY THE DEPLOYMENT CAUSED THE WINDSHIELD AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW TO FRACTURE. SOME FRAGMENTS OF GLASS CAUSED
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING APROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND SUDDENLY THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. DRIVER SUSTAINED A THUMB INJURY.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
OUR 1995 MAZDA MIATA HAS A RAPID RHYTHMIC PULSING IN THE POWER STEERING HYDRAULICS WHEN PARALLEL PARKING, OR OTHER SIMILAR TIGHT LOW SPEED TURN. THE DEALERSHIP CONTACTED MAZDA TECH SERVICE AND DETERMINED THAT THE RACK A
NHTSA complaint: Steering
CONSUMER STATES THE HIGH MOUNT BRAKE LIGHT IS INOPERATIVE BECAUSE THE OPENING AND THE CLOSING OF THE TRUNK IS FATIGUE (WEARING OUT AND BREAKING NEAR THE TRUNK HINGE)THROUGH THE WIRING HARNESS. DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
| Reliability raw | 87 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 84 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 84 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 96 | excellent |
| Performance | 48 | below average |
| Efficiency | 41 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other sports & two-seaters in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 35 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 19 of them (54%). No recalls are on record for it.
AVOIR scores its reliability 87/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 84/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1995 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 79/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.