1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Mazda › MX-5 Miata › 1997
These records cover every 1997 Mazda MX-5 Miata. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Owner complaints
11 complaints1 involved a crash1 involved a fire1 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Electrical system › Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers
I have a 1997 mazda miata with 113,000 miles. It has been a great car up until this recent problem. It started out that the "meter" fuse was failing intermittently. When the 15 amp fuse was replaced it would work fine for aproximately 2-3 minutes (maybe less) at which point I noticed the "service…
I have a 1997 mazda miata with 113,000 miles. It has been a great car up until this recent problem. It started out that the "meter" fuse was failing intermittently. When the 15 amp fuse was replaced it would work fine for aproximately 2-3 minutes (maybe less) at which point I noticed the "service engine" light IS now on and then the fuse will fail again. This happened several times until now. Now when the fuse IS replaced as soon as the ignition cylinder IS cycled the fuse fails instantly. I am an automotive technician, and checked a wiring schematic as to what this "black-yellow" wire on the "meter" fuse supplies. By the way, at this time I have no turn signals, tachometer, gauges or warning lights. This problem it driving me insane!!! I went through the manual and disconnected each component individually to test the circuit at which each time the fuse still failed. The list of components I tried are the oxygen sensors, the ecm, the turn signal switch, and the instrument cluster (cruise control IS also on this circuit, but the vehicle IS not so equiped) all to no avail!!!! Am I missing something? IS there a short in the wiring harness itself, if so, any suggestions as to where I should extend my search? This has been a problem for about 2 weeks now and I am uncomfortable driving the vehicle with the above stated concerns. Any information you can give me reguarding this concern would be greatly appreciated!!!.*ak
- Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
We took the car in to sunnyvale mazda today because the steering column was loose and they said the safety clamps are broken and that the steering column needed to be replaced (plus the safety clamps) and that we must have run over a "bump" to cause the steering column to have to be replaced. I wonder how many other mazda miata's have had this happen to the steering column at approximately 18,000 miles.*ak
- Unknown or other
The thread about to separate from the tire (tiresize: p185-60r14)( dot number: tire size: p185-60r14 )
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system
At all timesthere IS a strong gasoling odor in vehicle and in trunk which causes occupants to get sick. dealer cannot determine the cause. *ak
- Air bags › Frontal
Vehicle was involved in a frontal collision at 35-40mph, and the airbags did not deploy, causing injuries. *ak
- Exterior lighting · Exterior lighting › Turn signal
Parking and directional light failed. Mjs
- Equipment
Driver's floormat IS constantly working way onto gas peddle causing accellorator to stay on floor, hook would solve problem, several near accidents
- Electrical system › 12v/24v/48v battery
Cell phone usage in vehicle, causes battery to fail. *yc
- Air bags
During vehicle collision no deployment of air bag.
- Structure › Body › Roof and pillars
Convert able hard top flew off causing damage to vehicle (ohio state police report)
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
The vehicle's gas tank IS expanding, causing stress to the tank. Dealer put stress tabs on tank. *ak
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10213429Paint damage Mazda pocket paint guide
- 10213425Speedometer replacement procedure
- 10208555Radio Unlocking Codes.
- 10200527This service bulletin provides information regarding the proper use of the drivers floor mat to avoid any potential interference with the foot pedals. The following are possible causes of floor mat interference, which can be avoided with proper usage.
- 10188016This service bulletin provides testing and charging procedures in order to promote proper battery maintenance, to deliver new vehicles with fully charged batteries, and to reduce unnecessary battery replacement cost. For new vehicles in stock at the dealer, inspect and maintain the battery periodically according to the repair procedure.
- 10188015The Mazda DCA-8000PM is required for all warranty battery testing. If the Mazda DCA-8000PM is not used, incorrect battery testing may result in unnecessary battery replacement. Use the following test procedures in this Service Bulletin to test Mazda vehicle batteries and to generate a Warranty Code.
- 10186703In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer
- 10170661In accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing a speedometer. NOTE: Tampering with a motor vehicle odometer is strictly prohibited by Federal, and State laws. It is the dealers responsibility to comply with Federal, State, and local laws concerning odometer and related documentation requirements when providing a repair or replacement. Mazda vehicles are manufactured with tamper-proof speedometers. When a speedometer is replaced, the new speedometer will read zero (0) miles. This procedure is extremely important to accurately represent actual vehicle mileage. Prior to speedometer removal, complete the information required on the Speedometer Replacement Label. Labels can only be ordered through Mazda eStore. In an effort to achieve a higher level of Customer Experience and retain the value of Mazdas vehicles, MNAO Warranty Operations is allowing all Mazda dealers to utilize a third party, SPECMO Enterprises, Inc., for Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) odometer setting service. With the use of SPECMOs services, it is possible that the odometer will be set between 10 to 31 miles over the odometer mileage at the time of replacement for both warranty and customer pay repairs. Please make sure that the customer is aware that there may be a slight variance to the odometer, in which case the customer may have to accept the slightly higher mileage. Since odometer setting service is not part of the warranty repair, it is not warrantable nor required, but optional. However, Mazda Warranty policy provides after- warranty assistance (AWA) or DSA that can be utilized to cover this service expense.
- 603891Conditions with steering wheel slightly off center.
- 603852Condition with the malfunction indicator light (mil) illuminated with dtc p0300.
- 54319Pre-painting preparations for front and rear bumpers.
- 54211Concerns with vehicle shakes at high speed.
- 52520Parts replacement after airbag deployment.
- 52515Tail pipe breakage.
- 52513Headrest speakers cut out at high volume.
- 52503Maintenance free battery - diagnostic and charging procedure.
- 52497Use of a/c tracer dye.
- 52492Wiper motor inoperative - circuit breaker activation.
Every Mazda MX-5 Miata model year
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