Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
01/01/200540000110/01/2004
 Brakes do not engage for 2-3 seconds when driving in wet conditions. this would be a moderately wet road, not deep water, or puddles. stopping distance is substantially increased. *nm
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - ANTILOCK
01/17/200106/01/1999
 This report to to document a safety concern about the performance of the brakes in the 1999 miata. although the miata has excellent braking in dry conditions, it has been noted that when driving in moderate rain in freeway traffic the brakes are ineffective for 2 to 3 seconds until they begin to dry out and function. this occurs with out the presence of standing water, just normal spray from traffic. this condition was also documented in the miata.net web site and it was reported that mazda has been aware of this condition in europe and has issued replacement front disc sheilds as identified here: right side p/n nc8533260a left side p/n nc8533270a nut p/n d06y33042. local mazda dealership claim to have no notice of this issue or replacement parts. this condition is being experienced by more 1999 owners as documented on the miata.net forum under the topic brakes in the wet where this problem was first identified.*ak
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
10/01/1999
 The vehicle braking system performs very poorly when driven under wet conditions. during heavy rain storms the braking system does not respond to input from the driver at all for about one or two seconds until moisture is removed from the disc brakes through heavy application of the break pedal. this increases stopping distances in wet weather to an unsafe amount.*ak
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC
02/07/2002508/01/1998
 Whenever it rains, water seems to splash on the braking surfaces due to normal driving in these conditions. the problem is when you apply the brakes for approximately 1 - 2 seconds you have no braking action. unless you ride the brakes to keep them warm and dry, you basically have no brakes until that water film is evaporated due to friction. this is not just a once in a lifetime happening. i felt this problem everytime it rains. you do not have to go through a puddle, just the spray off the wet road is enought to experience this problem. *ak (dot number: 4mvv tiresize: 195-50r15)
09/09/2001209/01/1998
 The brakes fail for the first few seconds driving in the wet going down the interstate. would delay a panic stopapproximately 2 seconds . *ak
09/01/1999
 Brakes failed to slow vehicle while driving in moderate rain. brakes will work after 3 to 5 secs. of contant hard pressure. during this event, tires did not skip, they kept rolling. seemed as if i had no brakes at all.*ak
10/10/19991010/01/1999
 Brakes fail to activate under wet conditions (2-3 second lapse)
02/01/200002/01/2000
 In the rain / wet, the brakes take 1 - 2 seconds before they begin slowing the car. *ak
01/01/2001407/01/1998
 Brakes failed to work when wet. there was about a 3-4 delay before the brakes would start to work. this only happens during very heavy rain or after driving through a puddle. this is not the same as previous cars i have had where the braking force would be less when wet. the brakes on this car provide less then 20% of braking for 3-4 seconds and presents a very dangerous situation. *ak
06/01/2000205/01/1998
 While driving on freeway in the rain, brakes failed for about 1-2 seconds when applied until disc had dried or heated sufficiently. when contacted, the dealer did not have a technical bulletin regarding such failures. this has happened at least 3 times since the car was new. no other symptoms exist.*ak
02/20/2001302/01/2001
 When driving in the rain, brakes did not slow car for up to 3 seconds after application of brake pedal (no matter how hard i pushed). once the brakes start working, they feel normal, but if you don't use them for a few minutes, the brakes will do the same thing again, and again. it seems that the harder it rains, the more pronounced the temporary lack of stopping power, and the longer the delay until the brakes achieve friction.*ak
01/15/200110/01/1998
 After driving in rain, brakes will have no effect until rotor is dry, which could be the difference in an accident happening or not. this is simply by driving in rain, and not going through any puddles.*ak
04/21/19991007/01/1998
 My point in writing this letter is my concern over the cars performance on wet roads. mind you, im not talking heavy rains or anything close to that. im merely talking about the type of weather where one may utilize the intermittent wiper. after a period of driving in this type of weather the brakes are lacking. i have exited the highway on off ramps and the brakes are no where to be found. luckily, i had time to pump the brakes and there was no traffic backup at the end of the ramp (3 times). we have experienced other similar occurrences over the past years.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DRUM
12/01/1998
 While driving in wet or snowy conditions there is a repeatable tendency for brakes to not supply adequate braking until repeated pumping of the brakes is done. *ak