MazdaMiata1993Overview/mazda/miata/1993/base/

1993 Mazda Miata

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1993 Miata.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1993 Mazda Miata enters the reference catalog as a passenger car configured with a four-speed automatic transmission, returning 21 mpg in the city, 26 mpg on the highway, and 23 mpg combined under EPA testing. Its reliability record is light—just four owner complaints on file and two recalls issued, with the fuel system standing out as the most frequently cited area of concern. Set against the model's 1990–2001 complaint history, the 1993 ties 1992 for the highest annual count at four, while the line's quietest year, 2001, logged only a single complaint, framing the early production years as the more complaint-prone end of the spectrum rather than a leading indicator of long-term mechanical decline.

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)52/48

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 miBody Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Weatherstrip Seal (inspect)
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)
At 60,000 miPCV Valve (inspect)
Every 60,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Fuel Filter (replace) · PCV Hose (inspect) · Timing Belt (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 105,000 miFuel Line (replace) · PCV Hose (inspect)

Reliability & federal safety record

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

The 1993 Miata registers four consumer complaints, matching the 1992 level and remaining higher than the zero‑complaint years of 1991, 1994, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2001. Its two recalls are identical to 1992 and 1990, but lower than the three recalls seen in 1991 and 1999, indicating a modest but stable recall frequency across the early‑generation span. Investigations drop to zero in 1993 after a single investigation in each of the preceding two years, while the number of Technical Service Bulletins stays flat at 21 from 1990 through 1993 before falling sharply in 1994. This places 1993 near the middle of a generally low‑risk arc, with no crash or fire complaints and only isolated issues in fuel, seat‑belt, power‑train, and exterior‑lighting areas. **Takeaway:** 1993 is a relatively safe year within the first‑generation Miata, making it a reasonable choice for a used purchase.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
21
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
4
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 4 complaints on record, top 4 components.

Fuel System, Gasoline1
Seat Belts1
Power Train1
Exterior Lighting1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

06E026000Exterior LightingReported 23/03/2006

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… 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.

92V159000Unknown Or OtherReported 03/11/1992

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. Remedy: MAZDA WILL REPLACE ALL HOISTS WITHOUT CHARGE.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 21 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
00-003-19-35832019-03-20Engine And Engine CoolingIn support of the new MRT distribution, Mazda will ship to dealers a new Dual Purpose…
09-009-19-35662019-01-14Electrical SystemIn accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing…
09-034-18-3430a2018-10-10Vehicle Speed ControlIn accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing…
09-034-18-34302018-08-31Vehicle Speed ControlIn accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing…
09-035-17-30802017-08-07Electrical SystemIn accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing…

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 1993 Miata have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 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.