MazdaMiata1991Overview/mazda/miata/1991/base/

1991 Mazda Miata

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1991 Miata.

Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1991 Mazda Miata is listed in the EPA fuel‑economy ratings with a 23 mpg combined figure and was only paired with an Automatic 4‑spd transmission. Over the span from 1990 to 2001 the model recorded 21 owner complaints, the most frequent relating to air‑bag systems, and it carried no official recalls. Its complaint volume sits below the peak of four complaints in 1992 yet above the single complaint recorded in 2001, reflecting a modest but noticeable reliability trend for this early‑1990s example.

Model year1997199519941993199219911990

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

EPA fuel economy21/26/23 mpgEPA · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length155.5 in
Overall width66.1 in
Overall height48 in
Wheelbase89.4 in
Curb weight2125 lb
Weight distribution (front / rear)53/47

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined21 / 26 / 23 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

Lubricants & capacities

Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Power Steering FluidDEXRON VI OR MERCON V

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Body Fasteners (torque) · Brake System (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Exhaust System Heat Shield (inspect)
Every 60,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Timing Belt (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

In 1991 the Miata saw no consumer complaints but three recalls, a slight uptick from the 1990 record of two recalls and one complaint, and a decline from the 1992 year where complaints rose to four. The recall count dipped back to two in 1992 and 1993, then fell to one by 1994, showing a general downward trend in recalls after 1991. Investigations remained steady at one each year through 1991, decreasing to zero in 1992 and 1993, and rebounding to two in 1995. The 1991 model’s top complaint areas—air bags, electrical, engine cooling, and others—highlight a focus on safety and mechanical reliability, yet the overall complaint total of zero suggests a clean record for that model year. Given the modest recall activity and lack of complaints, 1991 remains a solid candidate for purchase, provided the specific air‑bag recall items have been addressed.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
8
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
21
Owner complaints
2 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 21 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags10
Electrical System2
Engine & Engine Cooling2
Unknown Or Other1
Tires1
Seat Belts1
Fuel System, Gasoline1
Visibility1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 8 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
09007162016-02-17Electrical SystemSpeedometer replacement procedure
001981998-04-15SteeringCONDITIONS WITH STEERING WHEEL SLIGHTLY OFF CENTER. *YC
971023020971997-10-23StructurePRE-PAINTING PREPARATIONS FOR FRONT AND REAR BUMPERS. *YC
008/971997-05-19EquipmentUSE OF A/C TRACER DYE. *TW
007/97T1997-04-25Air BagsPARTS REPLACEMENT AFTER AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. *TW

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Miata. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 1991 Miata have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Miata get?

EPA figures are 21 city / 26 highway / 23 combined mpg.