FaultScore report
Owners have filed 24 complaints about the 2001 Mazda MX-5 Miata with NHTSA between 2001 and 2026. The largest single group is the fuel & propulsion. Across this model's run it ranks 6 of 9 worst.
FaultScore 58/100
Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Mazda MX-5 Miata.
How this is worked out24
Complaints
3
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
53,000 mi
Median mileage at failure
Half of reported failures happened before this
38%
Failed under 36,000 miles
Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Median failure at 68,100 miles
Median failure at 85,841 miles
Median failure at 37,250 miles
Median failure at 56,000 miles
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 22,500 mi
Median failure at 21,000 miles
1 crashes, 0 fires
Median failure at 18,000 miles
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 180,000 mi
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
AIR BAGS
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 complaint #11067265 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES
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 complaint #764263 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL
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.
NHTSA complaint #898977 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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 complaint #11721051 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
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 complaint #11067265 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
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 complaint #11012974 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS FOR APPROX. 20 MINUTES WHEN CAR ENGINE STARTED TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE AND STALL OUT. NARROWLY MADE IT TO ROAD SHOULDER, WITH 2 VEHICLES MAKING EMERGENCY MOVES TO AVOID COLLISION WITH ME. AFTERWARDS MY VEHICLE WOULD ONLY START AFTER WAITING PERIODS OF 10-15 MINUTES, AND THEN ONLY RUN FOR 5-10 MINUTES BEFORE SAME ENGINE ISSUE WOULD OCCUR. AFTER NUMEROUS STARTS AND STALLS, AND 4 HOURS LATER ARRIVED AT CAR REPAIR SHOP. AFTER CHECKING VEHICLE OVER, AND LOOKING UP "CHECK ENGINE CODE" THEY REPLACED A "ENGINE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR" I HAVE SINCE READ NUMEROUS BLOG POSTS ON THE INTERNET THAT THIS PART IS A MAJOR ISSUE WITH MY MAKE AND MODEL. AND FELT COMPELLED TO WRITE THIS TO VOICE MY SAFETY CONCERNS. I FEEL STRONGLY THAT SOMEONE COULD SUFFER A FATAL CRASH ALL TOO EASILY WITH THIS PART FAILING AND THE VIOLENT AND SUDDEN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.
NHTSA complaint #10459780 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
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.
NHTSA complaint #10433384 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #10433384 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
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.
NHTSA complaint #10251429 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
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.
NHTSA complaint #10241347 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
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 complaint #10227604 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
ENGINE STALLS WHEN CAR COMING TO A STOP. ENGINE WILL RESTART BRIEFLY, THEN STALL AGAIN. RUNS ONLY AFTER ALLOWED TO REST FOR 10-15 MINUTES. CAR HAS STALLED 5 TIMES IN LAST MONTH IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND MUST BE PUSHED OFF THE ROAD - VERY DANGEROUS. DEALER SUSPECTS FUEL PUMP. APPARENTLY THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE MIATA. CAR HAS ONLY 53,000 MILES AND HAS BEEN SERVICED RELIGIOUSLY.
NHTSA complaint #10224195 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
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.
NHTSA complaint #10161939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
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.
NHTSA complaint #10155558 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
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.
NHTSA complaint #10135661 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
MAZDA MIATA LS 2001 ON HUMID DAYS THE CAR WILL START AND THE ENGINE WILL IMMEDIATELY CUT OFF. AFTER CHECK UP FROM DEALER THE FUEL PUMP WAS FOUND TO BE FAILING. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM WITH THE MIATAS WHICH MAKES ME FEEL THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL PUMP DESIGN\ENGINEERING.
NHTSA complaint #10134843 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
CAR STALLS CONSISTENTLY WHEN COMING TO A STOP IN NEUTRAL CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. ENGINE SPEED DROPS BELOW 500 RPM AND ALMOST ALWAYS CAUSES A STALL.
NHTSA complaint #10121020 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CAR STALLS CONSISTENTLY WHEN COMING TO A STOP IN NEUTRAL CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. ENGINE SPEED DROPS BELOW 500 RPM AND ALMOST ALWAYS CAUSES A STALL.
NHTSA complaint #10121020 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
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.
NHTSA complaint #10112546 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10078727 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:REAR
THE VEHICLES REAR WHEEL JUMPED WHILE DRIVING. DEALER NOTIFIED. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10012517 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
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.
NHTSA complaint #765924 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES
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 complaint #764263 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
ON SPEED 50MPH SUDDEN TURNS AND VEHICLE LOSES CONTROL. VEHICLE SYSTEMATICALLY JERKS FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. CONTACTED MAZDA.
NHTSA complaint #8005676 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL
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.
NHTSA complaint #898977 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
AFTER DRIVING THE CAR FOR A FEW MONTHS, I BEGAN TO NOTICE A DEVELOPING PROBLEM WITH HOT AIR INFILTRATING THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT THROUGH THE SLOT IN THE CARPET AT THE HANDBRAKE. THIS HAPPENS WHENEVER THERE IS NEGATIVE PRESSURE WITHIN THE COMPARTMENT (WINDOWS OPEN OR TOP DOWN), BUT NOT WHEN THERE IS POSITIVE INTERIOR PRESSURE (WINDOWS CLOSED, TOP UP, FAN ON). THIS INDICATES TO ME THAT AIR PASSING THROUGH THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND OVER THE EXHAUST SYSTEM IS BEING DRAWN INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THIS NOT ONLY MAKES DRIVING THE CAR UNCOMFORTABLE, BUT ALSO REPRESENTS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN.
NHTSA complaint #746948 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.