1990 Mazda Miata recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Lights
What's wrong, in plain English: Headlights, tail lights or turn signals may not work, making the car hard to see. 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.
What could happen: 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 to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1990 MIATA.
- Book a repair at any authorized Mazda dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 06E026000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Summary: 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.
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: 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.
Notes: THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO PRO-A MOTORS AFTERMARKET LAMPS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON THE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE LAMP MODEL NUMBERS, CLICK ON DOCUMENT SEARCH AND VIEW DOCUMENT TITLED "LAMP MODEL NUMBERS." CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
2. Unknown Or Other
What's wrong, in plain English: A vehicle part that may fail. A HARDTOP HOIST ACCESSORY KIT WAS SOLD TO CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE THE MIATA WITH A HARDTOP. THE PLASTIC BUCKLES USED TO ADJUST STRAP TENSION CAN BREAK AFTER THE HARDTOP HAS BEEN SUSPENDED BY THE HOIST.
What could happen: THE BUCKLES ON THE HARDTOP HOIST CAN BREAK AND RESULT INTHE HARDTOP FALLING FROM THE HOIST, CAUSING PERSONAL INJURY TO ANYONE STANDINGBENEATH OR NEAR THE HARDTOP WHEN IT FALLS.
The fix: MAZDA WILL REPLACE ALL HOISTS WITHOUT CHARGE.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1990 MIATA.
- Book a repair at any authorized Mazda dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 92V159000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Summary: A HARDTOP HOIST ACCESSORY KIT WAS SOLD TO CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE THE MIATA WITH A HARDTOP. THE PLASTIC BUCKLES USED TO ADJUST STRAP TENSION CAN BREAK AFTER THE HARDTOP HAS BEEN SUSPENDED BY THE HOIST.
Consequence: THE BUCKLES ON THE HARDTOP HOIST CAN BREAK AND RESULT INTHE HARDTOP FALLING FROM THE HOIST, CAUSING PERSONAL INJURY TO ANYONE STANDINGBENEATH OR NEAR THE HARDTOP WHEN IT FALLS.
Remedy: MAZDA WILL REPLACE ALL HOISTS WITHOUT CHARGE.
Notes: SYSTEM: EQUIPMENT.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HARDTOP CONVERTIBLE PASSENGER CARS.NOTE: 3000 HARDTOP HOIST ACCESSORY KITS, BUILT BETWEEN JUNE 1989 ANDJULY 1992, ARE INVOLVED IN THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN. HOWEVER, IT IS NECESSARY TONOTIFY ALL MIATA OWNERS TO LOCATE THESE DEFECTIVE UNITS.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Visibility (wipers / glass) (1), Unknown Or Other (1), Electrical system (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (3)
06/03/2003 · Visibility (wipers / glass) · crash
NAR 6-03-2003 *MR GLASS FROM THE VEHICLE SHATTERED AND PROPULSED INTO THE CONSUMERS DAUGHTER EYES CAUSING SEVERE INJURIES. *CB
08/19/1997 · Unknown Or Other
WHILE DRIVING BED LINER BROKE FREE FROM PICKUP TRUCK, CAUSING COLLISION WITH FOLLOWING VEHICLE.
03/13/1995 · Electrical system · crash
VEHICLE STALLED, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER/ACCIDENT. (NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE REPORT) *SKD