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Vehicle safety record

1996 Mazda Miata Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 3 complaints about the 1996 Mazda Miata with NHTSA, most often about the engine & cooling (1) and the seats & seat belts (1). It is covered by 1 recall, the latest in March 2006 for the exterior lighting. For comparison, the 1995 has 0 and the 1997 has 2.

NHTSA data checked

CAbout as many problems as a typical Miata year, for its age

#224 most complained-about 1996 vehicle

Complaints
3
Recalls
1
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
0

Most common 1996 Mazda Miata problems

Share of all 3 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

1996 Mazda Miata recalls 1

Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do

Exterior lighting

06E02600061,944 vehicles affected

The problem
Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
The risk
Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
The fix
Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on april 3, 2006. Owners may contact pro-a motors at 323-838-2988.

What owners say

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3 complaints about the 1996 Mazda Miata

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.

Transmission & drivetrain

Transmission just went out with no signs or problems, just stop and could not drive vehicle.

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 714421
Engine & cooling

VACUUM HOSE FAILED CAUSING TRUCK TO HESITATE.

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 604244
Seats & seat belts

Headrests do not extend high enough to protect driver from injury. *Dsh

Filed Incident SeatsNHTSA 503598

Mazda Miata: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
20000100-B
19990300-D
19980100-B
19972100Fuel systemC
19963100Engine & coolingC
19950200-C
19940100-B
19933200Fuel systemD
19922200Fuel systemD
All Miata years

1996 Mazda Miata vs rivals

More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.

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Questions about the 1996 Mazda Miata

Does the 1996 Mazda Miata have any recalls?

Yes - NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 1996 Mazda Miata: exterior lighting (March 2006). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.

What are the most common problems with the 1996 Mazda Miata?

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the engine & cooling (1), seats & seat belts (1), transmission & drivetrain (1).

How many complaints has the 1996 Mazda Miata had?

3 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on April 17, 1996 and the latest on November 6, 1999. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.

Is the 1996 Mazda Miata a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 50 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Mazda Miata year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.

Which Mazda Miata years have the most complaints?
What should I do if my 1996 Mazda Miata has a problem?

If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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