Ten problems related to brake disc have been reported for the 1999 Mazda Miata. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
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. (dot number: 4mvv tiresize: 195-50r15).
The brakes fail for the first few seconds driving in the wet going down the interstate. Would delay a panic stopapproximately 2 seconds .
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.
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.
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.
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.
In the rain / wet, the brakes take 1 - 2 seconds before they begin slowing the car.
Brakes fail to activate under wet conditions (2-3 second lapse).
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.
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.