There are 2 owner-reported powertrain & transmission complaints for the 2003 Mazda MX-5 Miatain NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
THE LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL HAS FAILED AT APPROXIMATELY 81,000 MILES. I'VE BEEN INFORMED THAT REPAIR PARTS ARE NOT MANUFACTURED AND THAT A NEW DIFFERENTIAL MUST BE INSTALLED. THERE ARE NONE IN STOCK IN THE UNITED STATES AND THEY ARE ON BACK ORDER INDEFINITELY. THERE IS NO TIME ESTIMATE OF ANY KIND TO GET THIS PART IN THE UNITED STATES. MY ONLY OPTION IS TO FIND AND INSTALL AN USED DIFFERENTIAL. *TR
WHEN STARTING OUT COLD FROM AN INTERSECTION MY 2003 MAZDA MIATA LURCHES FORWARD POSSIBLY CAUSING STALLING IN THE INTERSECTION AND CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THIS COMPLAINT HAS BEEN ADDRESSED TO MY DEALER WHO SAYS THAT MAZDA WILL ONLY FIX THIS PROBLEM DURING THE FIRST 12 MONTHS./12,000 MILES OF OWNER SHIP. MAZDA HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE 2001 AS A RESULT OF A RE-DESIGN OF THE CLUTCH AND REFUSES TO FIX MY CAR BECAUSE IT IS BEYOND 12,000 MILES. THIS IS A LATENT DEFECT THAT ONLY MANIFESTS ITSELF I COLD WEATHER BUT I AM CONCERNED THAT SOMEONE MAY BE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED AS A RESULT OF THIS DEFICIENT CLUTCH SYSTEM. *JB
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 25, 2026