1995 Mazda MX-5 Miata vs 1995 Mercedes-Benz SL500
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 1995 Mazda MX-5 Miata | 1995 Mercedes-Benz SL500 |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 30 | 22 |
| Recall campaigns | 0 | 0 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 9 | 13 |
| Investigations | 0 | 0 |
| Crash reports | 9 | 0 |
| Fire reports | 2 | 3 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 22–23 | 16 |
| Median reported mileage | — | — |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Mazda MX-5 Miata | Mercedes-Benz SL500 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 3 | 18 |
| Air Bags | 16 | 2 |
| Tires | 4 | 1 |
| Steering | 2 | 2 |
| Engine | 0 | 4 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 0 | 3 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 0 | 2 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Electrical failures | 0 | 13 |
| Stalling | 0 | 8 |
1995 Mazda MX-5 Miata
1995 Mercedes-Benz SL500
Compare all Mazda MX-5 Miata vs Mercedes-Benz SL500 years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.