RoadVitals

2001 Mazda MX-5 Miata Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
22
Latest Feb 27, 2026
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
10
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
3

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2001 Mazda MX-5 Miata, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Fuel system522.7%
  • Engine418.2%
  • Brakes29.1%
  • Body & structure29.1%
  • Transmission29.1%
  • Interior & seats29.1%
  • Suspension29.1%
  • Visibility14.5%
  • Tires & wheels14.5%
  • Airbags14.5%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

2001 MAZDA MIATA MX5. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO STRONG GAS ODOR IN CABIN OF CAR AFTER FILLING FUEL CAPACITY FULL *TGW THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE BASE OF THE FUEL NECK THAT ATTACHED TO THE FUEL TANK WAS RUSTED WHICH ALLOWED RAW FUEL TO DUMP IN THE TRUNK COMPARTMENT. THE DEALER STATED IN ORDER TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, THE FUEL NECK AND FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $ 1300.00. *JB

NHTSA ID 10433384 · filed Nov 1, 2011

ENGINE SHUT OFF WHILE COASTING TO A STOP IN TRAFFIC AS IF OUT OF GAS, BUT TANK HAD OVER 1/4 IN IT. ENGINE WOULD COUGH AND SPUTTER THEN RESTART AND RUN FOR ABOUT 15 SECONDS. AFTER CAR SIT ABOUT 15 MINUTES, AND WITH THE ADDITION OF ANOTHER 1 1/2 GALLON OF FUEL, CAR RESTARTED WITH NO PROBLEM. IT TOOK 7 1/2 MORE GALLONS TO FILL TANK, THEREFORE I HAD 3 GALLONS WHEN CAR STOPPED. DEALER SUGGESTED POSSIBLE WATER IN GAS. ADVISED TO TRY GAS DRY. PRIVATE MECHANIC SUGGESTED A POSSIBLE WEAK FUEL PUMP. I UNDERSTAND OTHERS HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID 10241347 · filed Sep 8, 2008

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2001 Mazda MX-5 Miata. The contact received notification of TSB: 3505H (Non-Methane Organic Gas (NMOG) levels exceeding standards. The contact recently purchased the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the contact that the remedy was not yet available. The contact was informed that parts were no longer being manufactured to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and informed the contact that a search would be done to find a dealer that had recall repairs. The contact had not received a callback from the manufacturer. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA ID 11721051 · filed Feb 27, 2026

THE PO012 ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON . I UNDERSTAND THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS 2001-2002 MAZDA MIATA MX-5 . I THINK MAZDA REPLACED THE ECU TOO ELIMINATE THE CODE. PLEASE HELP. THANKS DALE

NHTSA ID 11012974 · filed Aug 5, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

2001 MAZADA MIADA RIGHT FRONT BRAKE PAD WORE OUT IN 22,000. WIFE DOES NOT DRIVE WITH FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL AND MAZDA MIATA REPLACEMENT BRAKE PADS PARTS ARE ON A NATION WIDE BACK ORDER ACCORDING TO LOCAL DEALER. *AK

NHTSA ID 10078727 · filed Jun 24, 2004

VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON AN INCLINE WITH EMERGENCY BRAKE ON AND IT ROLLED DOWN A HILL. CONSUMER NOTICED THAT EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS IN UPWARD POSITION . DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID 898977 · filed Nov 8, 2001

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

EMAIL FM CARLOS PIAD (FL) REQUEST NHTSA TO INVESTIGATE THE SOFT TOP LATCH FAILURES ON THE 2001 MAZDA MX-5/MIATA.*MR THE CONSUMER STATED THE LATCH CAN POSSIBLE BECOME LOOSE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND WIND CAN TEAR THE TOP OFF. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE MANUFACTURER UNDER-DESIGNED THE CONVERTIBLE TOP LATCH MECHANISM. *JB

NHTSA ID 10135661 · filed Sep 7, 2005

THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR GET VERY HOT WHEN THE TOP IS UP AND THE WINDOWS ARE DOWN. IT IS HOT TO THE POINT OF CAUSING YOU TO MOVE YOUR RIGHT LEG AWAY FROM THE TUNNEL. THIS CAUSES YOU TO NOT BE DRIVING BUT, TRYING TO NOT GETE BURNED. *AK

NHTSA ID 765924 · filed Aug 20, 2002

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

PURCHASED A 2001 MAZDA MIATA NEW, TRANSMISSION WAS HARD SHIFTING FROM DAY 1 TAKEN IN FOR REPAIRS NUMEROUS TIMES, FINALLY RESULTED IN TRANS. LOCKING IN NEUTRAL AND CAR WOULD NOT MOVE RESULTING IN A VERY SERIOUS SITUATION. NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED DURING THIS PERIOD AND MAZDA WOULD NOT REPAIR CAR BECAUSE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AT THIS TIME. CAR WAS FIXING BY INDEPENDENT TRANS. SHOP AND PAID FOR BY ME. *TR

NHTSA ID 10251429 · filed Dec 10, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MAZDA MIATA. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE SHUDDERS AND STALLS. THE VEHICLE HAS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURS WHILE IN FIRST GEAR AND WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD. ONCE THE VEHICLE WARMS UP, THE FAILURE DOES NOT OCCUR AS OFTEN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE BEGAN WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS NEW AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS 60,400. UPDATED 06/03/08. *LJ UPDATED 05/30/08

NHTSA ID 10227604 · filed May 13, 2008

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE TOP LATCH HOLDING THE CONVERTIBLE TOP FAILS PREMATURELY. IN FIVE YEARS, I HAVE EXPERIENCED FOUR FAILURES. WHEN THE LATHES FAIL, THE CONVERTIBLE TOP CAN OPEN SUDDENLY. THE SUDDEN OPENING COULD CAUSE A DISTRACTION. THE SUDDEN OPENING ALSO EXPOSES THE DRIVER TO RAIN OR SNOW THAT MAY ALSO INTERFERE WITH SAFE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. SUDDEN OPENING COULD CAUSE FAILURE TO THE REAR WINDOW. *JB

NHTSA ID 10161939 · filed Jul 9, 2006

THE LATCHES THAT HOLD THE CONVERTIBLE TOP LOCKED IN POSITION CAN BE DEFECTIVE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, CAUSING THE LATCH NOT TO LOCK PROPERLY, AND ALLOWING THE TOP TO BECOME UNLATCHED AND FLY UP WHILE DRIVING. THE PART NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, BUT THE MANUFACTURER WILL ONLY REPLACE IT FREE IF THE VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. *JB

NHTSA ID 10155558 · filed Apr 17, 2006

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE VEHICLES REAR WHEEL JUMPED WHILE DRIVING. DEALER NOTIFIED. *NLM

NHTSA ID 10012517 · filed Mar 26, 2003

ON SPEED 50MPH SUDDEN TURNS AND VEHICLE LOSES CONTROL. VEHICLE SYSTEMATICALLY JERKS FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. CONTACTED MAZDA. *AK

NHTSA ID 8005676 · filed Mar 14, 2002

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

THE SOFT TOP (CONVERTIBLE TOP) LATCH CAN SNAP OPEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND CAN TEAR OFF THE TOP. FOR THE AFFECTED VEHICLE THE DRIVER CAN BE SIGNIFICANTLY DISTRACTED AND CAN BE HIT BY THE FLAPPING TOP. OTHER VEHICLES BEHIND THE IMPACTED CAR CAN BE HIT BY FLYING DEBRIS AS THE TOP TEARS OFF. MAZDA HAS KNOWN ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND ISSUED A TECHINCAL SAFETY BULLETIN, BUT THEY NEVER MADE OWNERS AWARE OF THE POTENTIAL LATCH FAILURE. THEY WILL ONLY REPLACE THE LATCHES WHEN THE VEHICLE IS UNDER WARRANTY. MANY OF IMPACTED VEHICLES HAVE LATCH FAILURES AFTER THE WARRANTY IS EXPIRED AND THE REPAIR CAN RUN UP TO $500.*AK

NHTSA ID 10112546 · filed Mar 5, 2005

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

POOR WEAR AND BLOW OUT CAUSING ACCIDENT WHERE CAR FLIPPED AND CONSEQUENTLY WAS TOTALLED. ONLY GOOD DRIVING SAVED THE PASSENGERS, PLUS THE CAR'S INTEGRITY.

NHTSA ID 764263 · filed Jul 15, 2002

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY SUFFICIENT TO PROTECT DRIVER FROM HITTING HEAD ON STEERING WHEEL RESULTING IN SEVERE FACIAL LACERATION. SOLO VEHICLE ACCIDENT ON NB HWY 680 APPROACHING BENICIA BRIDGE. CHP DISPATCH LOG #357.

NHTSA ID 11067265 · filed Feb 6, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .