BMW Z3 vs Mazda MX-5 Miata
Owner complaints, worst years and recall history side by side, from official NHTSA data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
BMW Z3
- Total complaints
- 199
- Avg per model year
- 29
- Recall campaigns (all years)
- 0
- Most complained year
- 1997 (47)
Top problems: Air Bags, Seats, Seat Belts
Mazda MX-5 Miata
- Total complaints
- 275
- Avg per model year
- 23
- Recall campaigns (all years)
- 0
- Most complained year
- 1999 (74)
Top problems: Air Bags, Engine and Engine Cooling, Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports per model year. A model that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — compare the shape across years, not just the raw totals, and read the year pages for what actually fails.