Problems · NHTSA complaints
2001 Mazda MX-5 Miata problems
Owners filed 22 complaints about the 2001 Mazda MX-5 Miata with NHTSA between Jun 2001 and Feb 2026. The most-cited component is fuel system, gasoline (5).
Complaints
22
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
3
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Fuel system, gasoline5
- Engine and engine cooling2
- Engine2
- Power train2
- Latches/locks/linkages2
- Structure2
- Suspension2
- Air bags1
- Visibility1
- Service brakes, hydraulic1
- Tires1
- Parking brake1
- Other / unknown1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 12, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
2
3
1
1
4
2
0
4
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 3 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 4 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 0 |
| 2008 | 4 |
| 2009 | 0 |
| 2010 | 0 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 0 |
| 2020 | 0 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2022 | 0 |
| 2023 | 0 |
| 2024 | 0 |
| 2025 | 0 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Fuel system, gasoline
5 reports
“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”
Engine and engine cooling
2 reports
“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.”
Engine
2 reports
“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”
Power train
2 reports
“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”
Latches/locks/linkages
2 reports
“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”
Structure
2 reports
“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”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 12, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.