2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other MX-5 Miata years
- Fewer complaints than other years 7th of 11 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- None on file
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 14 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata. That ranks 7th out of 11 MX-5 Miata model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is exterior lighting (2 complaints, 14%), typically at around 68,000 miles. Complaints mention 1 crash, 3 fires, 1 injury. There are no safety recalls on file for this model year.
- 14owner complaints
- 0safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 1complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior Lighting | 2 | 14% | 68,000 | — | — |
| Power Train | 2 | 14% | 40,516 | — | — |
| Steering | 2 | 14% | 37,825 | — | — |
| Structure | 2 | 14% | 68,000 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 1 | 7% | 75,000 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 1 | 7% | 650 | — | — |
| Equipment | 1 | 7% | — | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 | 7% | 650 | — | — |
| Seats | 1 | 7% | 5,800 | — | — |
| Suspension | 1 | 7% | 53,000 | — | — |
| Tires | 1 | 7% | 35,000 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 1 | 7% | 42,516 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 7% | — | — | — |
| Wheels | 1 | 7% | 650 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata recalls (0)
No safety recalls are on file for the 2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
The plastic battery tray in the mazda mx5 is quite fragile and often breaks under normal operating conditions. I have had to replace several of these trays in my 2003 mx5. Now, with yet another broken tray, i am told that these trays are no longer available. Recently this created a very dangerous…
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mazda miata. While driving approximately 35 mph, it became difficult for the contact to steer the vehicle. While turning left, the contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into an electrical pole. The air bags failed to deploy. There were no injuries and a police…
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 mazda miata. While driving approximately 30 mph, the vehicle suddenly began to shake and became difficult to control. After stopping the vehicle, the contact discovered that the rear passenger side wheel was positioned at a 45 degree angle. While inspecting the vehicle…
Tread separation on all 4 tires. Clear manufacturer defect.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 mazda miata. The contact stated that the frame rail on the passenger side of the engine was completely rusted. He noticed the problem when he was repairing the suspension. The sway bar was also defective because of the rust. The vehicle was not inspected or repaired. The…
Other Mazda MX-5 Miata years
← 2002 MX-5 Miata · 2004 MX-5 Miata →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 MX-5 Miata | 4 | 0 |
| 2004 MX-5 Miata | 8 | 0 |
| 2003 | 14 | 0 |
| 2002 MX-5 Miata | 20 | 0 |
| 2001 MX-5 Miata | 22 | 0 |
| 2000 MX-5 Miata | 29 | 0 |
| 1999 MX-5 Miata | 74 | 0 |
| 1998 MX-5 Miata | 1 | 0 |
| 1997 MX-5 Miata | 11 | 0 |
| 1996 MX-5 Miata | 29 | 0 |
| 1995 MX-5 Miata | 30 | 0 |
See all Mazda MX-5 Miata problems by year, every Mazda model, or the Mazda VIN decoder.
Similar Mazda models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata?
Owners most often report exterior lighting, power train, steering problems. The top one, exterior lighting, accounts for 2 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata?
No safety recalls are on file for this model year.
Was the 2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other MX-5 Miata model years, the 2003 has fewer complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.