1996 Mazda Mx-5 Miata Recalls

No recalls on record Updated July 2026

No NHTSA recalls on record for the 1996 Mazda Mx-5 Miata. That means NHTSA has no open safety campaign for this vehicle — it does not guarantee the absence of problems. Owners have filed 32 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Complaints by component

AIR BAGS
14
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
2
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
1
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
1
Total complaints32

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“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…”

AIR BAGS · reported 2023-08-28

“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.”

AIR BAGS · reported 2021-07-08

“When engine is started, air bag light comes on and stays on”

AIR BAGS · reported 2020-09-14

“The vin is for my 1996 mazda miata. My complaint is the m291 going west bound to 350 highway in raytown that veers to the west. The exit, seems to dangerous with concrete blocks seperating lanes. My second inquiry is a possible car wreck that my daughter, [xxx] may have been involved in. She drove…”

STEERING · reported 2020-04-04

“The vin is for my 1996 mazda miata. My complaint is the m291 going west bound to 350 highway in raytown that veers to the west. The exit, seems to dangerous with concrete blocks seperating lanes. My second inquiry is a possible car wreck that my daughter, [xxx] may have been involved in. She drove…”

SUSPENSION · reported 2020-04-04

“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…”

AIR BAGS · reported 2017-03-08

“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…”

AIR BAGS · reported 2016-11-01

“Tl* 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.”

AIR BAGS · reported 2015-10-21
Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1996 Mazda Mx-5 Miata as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.