1999 BMW Z3 vs 1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 8, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 1999 BMW Z3 | 1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 39 | 74 |
| Recall campaigns | 0 | 0 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 11 | 10 |
| Investigations | 0 | 0 |
| Crash reports | 0 | 10 |
| Fire reports | 0 | 0 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 19 | 22–24 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 88,000 mi | 41,730 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | BMW Z3 | Mazda MX-5 Miata |
|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 9 | 10 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | 16 |
| Structure | 11 | 5 |
| Air Bags | 10 | 4 |
| Electrical System | 2 | 10 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 0 | 11 |
| Seat Belts | 7 | 1 |
| Suspension | 6 | 2 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Stalling | 0 | 9 |
| Brake problems | 0 | 7 |
1999 BMW Z3
1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata
Compare all BMW Z3 vs Mazda MX-5 Miata 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.