| 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
Expensive Mazda MX-5 Miata repairs by problem area
Engine (40%)
Transmission and Drivetrain (15%)
Brakes and Traction Control (9%)
Suspension and Steering (11%)
Electrical and Air Conditioning (13%)
Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (11%)
Other (2%)
Chart based on 47 repairs.
Mazda MX-5 Miata repair cost distribution
$2500+ (32%)
$1000 - $2499 (68%)
$500 - $999 (0%)
$100 - $499 (0%)
< $100 (0%)
Chart based on 31 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
2019 Mazda MX-5 Miata 2dr Convertible
181-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed manual RWD
| 21000 mi US $1000 |
Replace windshield. Cause of crack unknown. Crack started at bottom of windshield and continued up and to the left. |
2010 Mazda MX-5 Miata 2dr Convertible
167-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed manual RWD
| 45000 mi US $4300 |
Original Bilstein shocks were leaking and tires. Replaced with Fox from Flyin Miata. Original pads worn out. Replaced. Alignment. |
2009 Mazda MX-5 Miata 2dr Convertible
167-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed manual RWD
| 44456 mi US $1050 |
Power steering found leaking. Mechanic replaced steering rack assembly. |
2009 Mazda MX-5 Miata 2dr Convertible
158-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD
| 106700 mi US $1500 |
A/C no longer blowing cold air. Leak in compressor. Replaced compressor and condenser (only available as a kit). |
| 107300 mi US $280 |
Radiator fan failed. Replaced the fan. |
| 46651 mi C $1415 |
Noisy rear pinion gear. Part was not available by manufacturer, due to back orders. Replaced with unit from salvage yard. Noise is gone with repair. |
2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata 2dr Convertible
166-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed manual RWD
| 71900 mi US $1400 |
Gear on the PRHT, part was 12,000 labor 200 |
| 73000 mi US $400 |
Thermostat |
| 101800 mi US $400 |
Heater fan motor stopped working and was replaced. |
| 133000 mi US $1000 |
Transmission was leaking oil and had to have seals replaced. |
| 150000 mi US $1200 |
The power retractable hardtop stopped working. It had to be completely disassembled and a motor replaced. |
| 280000 mi US $600 |
There was a clunking noise in the front end. They replaced the sway bar bushings. |
| 290000 mi US $250 |
Replaced steering wheel because the leather wore out. |
| 49949 mi US $2789 |
Engine misfired and stalled. Repair consisted of: PCM update/re-learned throttle body/replaced Cam and Crank Sensor/replaced all spark plugs/replaced #1 & 2 injectors/replaced MAP sensor and EGR valve--(MAP Sensor had missing internal valve and EGR valve had carbon keeping valve open, causing a constant vacuum leak). |
2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata 2dr Convertible
166-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual RWD
| 49400 mi US $1250 |
Factory top began to crack, had to replace. Replaced with Canvas aftermarket to with 7 year warranty. |
| 67000 mi US $320 |
Car would not idle correctly. Two items: Computer has a service bulletin (TSB) requiring a flash and carbon build up behind manifold plate. Service recommended injector cleaning also. Once completed ran perfect. |
2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata 2dr Convertible
158-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD
| 49000 mi US $1000 |
Oxygen sensor died. Air bag sensor located under passenger seat faulty. Shop found a code when running a diagnosis for the check engine light caused by the oxygen sensor. |
| 50000 mi US $200 |
Passenger's seat belt won't retract. This is the second time for this belt and the third time for the car. |
2007 Mazda MX-5 Miata 2dr Convertible
166-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed manual RWD
| 26000 mi US $1640 |
The vinyl top cracked and tore as seen here: http://bit.ly/MDLdEW. It did not yet leak when replaced. The replacement was a canvas top that cost $200 more than a like-for-like vinyl replacement. |
| 99000 mi US $3500 |
Spun crank bearing in cylinder no 1, caused connecting rod to break. Car required new engine. |
2007 Mazda MX-5 Miata 2dr Convertible
166-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual RWD
| 115900 mi US $1200 |
Had to have the rear wheel bearings replaced. As well as have the rear shocks replaced 60,000 from the last time I had them replaced.. I still consider it regular wear and tear |
| 99000 mi US $1500 |
brakes replaced incl pads & rotors, valve cover gasket replaced. |
2007 Mazda MX-5 Miata 2dr Convertible
163-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD
| 79300 mi US $120 |
not cooling. no leak found. dye and freon added. |
| 101300 mi US $800 |
Rear strut leaking and loud. Replaced both. |
| 120000 mi US $1000 |
Fan was out. It was built into the compressor and the part was crazy expensive from dealer & 2nd hand was not to be found, so bought used part and had it replaced. |
2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata 2dr Convertible
170-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed manual RWD
| 29000 mi US $1800 |
Had the vinyl convertible top replaced. Original Miata top has interior straps that tear the top above the driver and passenger doors over time. New cloth top does not require the straps. |
| 44000 mi US $290 |
All lights in front headlight binnacles replaced. One of the main bulbs burned out. Miata headlight bulbs are notoriously hard to replace so had it done at a local service station. Front brakes done. |
| 139000 mi US $2500 |
Valve train replaced -- still serious valve related noise -- repair unsuccessful Vehicle inoperative |
2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata 2dr Convertible
170-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual RWD
| 96000 mi US $1100 |
Rear tire hopped bad during acceleration and uneven roads. Rear struts blown. Excessive movement caused sway bar link to wore out and snapped. Scrapping moise from front passenger side brakes. Caliper failed to release fully. Massive oil leak due to one of the timing cover bolt came off while driving. No sign cam cover has been taken off before (looks like oem sealant when cover removed). Oil sprayed all over engine bay and cooling system (radiator and fan). |
| 92000 mi US $5800 |
The rod blew out when I was passing a car on a 2-lane road. I had to replace the engine. I replaced the clutch while it was easy |
2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata 2dr Convertible
166-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD
| 6 mi US $23500 |
gas cap leak, caused check engine light to come on |
2005 Mazda Miata MX-5 2dr Convertible
turbocharged 178hp 1.8L I4 6-speed manual RWD
| 12000 mi US $2500 |
Installed FM (Flyin' Miata) hard pipe intake and high-flow air filter, as well as, oversize intercooler, CO2 cryo "Halo" and 10lb bottle. Stainless Braided Brake lines, slotted & cross-drilled rotors and kevlar pads. Manual boost controller |
| 45000 mi US $599 |
Replaced clutch & flywheel w/ stage 1 and 10lb flywheel (stock is 23lb) pilot and throwout bearings and rear tail seal. After about 30K miles of hard enjoyment. Bought it 2yrs old with 12K on it. Dealer was $5 less, for stock, less labor. |
2004 Mazda Miata MX-5 2dr Convertible
turbocharged 178hp 1.8L I4 6-speed manual RWD
| 99000 mi US $400 |
Oil pan gasket leaking and new engine mounts required. |
| 99300 mi US $4400 |
Transmission rebuilt with new syncromesh and bearings, clutch replaced. |
2004 Mazda Miata MX-5 2dr Convertible
142-horsepower 1.8L I4 6-speed manual RWD
| 51300 mi US $1054 |
Bad bearing in the clutch assembly. Replaced compressor and clutch assembly. |
2004 Mazda Miata MX-5 2dr Convertible
142-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed manual RWD
| 74900 mi US $225 |
Front right wheel bearing was noisy and needed replacement. |
| 112000 mi US $1000 |
Camshaft sensor was throwing an ODB2 error code and needed to be replaced. Rear passenger caliper was leaking fluid and not disengaging fully from the rotor. Rotors resurfaced and rear caliper replaced. |
| 122000 mi US $300 |
Crankshaft sensor replaced because loss of signal was causing engine misfire. |
| 122000 mi US $1500 |
Full tune up: valve cover gasket, valve clearances, timing adjustments. I was having a small oil leak from the valve gasket cover. I was also experiencing harsh misfiring at full or even partial throttle which was fixed via the tune up. |
| 136000 mi US $374 |
Alternator replacement |
| 151000 mi US $850 |
AC relay harnesses and relay replaced. |
2002 Mazda Miata MX-5 2dr Convertible
142-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed manual RWD
| 59100 mi US $2200 |
Harmonic balancer destroyed the end of the crankshaft. Had to have a complete used engine installed. Right headlight dim after engine replaced. |
| 215000 mi US $500 |
Crank but not start; replaced battery. Intermittent no fire on 2 cylinders; replaced coil packs. |
| 216753 mi US $141 |
Front cam and crank seals leaking. Replaced seal. Since they had to be removed for main repair, also replaced water pump, timing belt, tensioners, and accessory drive belts. |
| 216957 mi US $166 |
No fuel pressure. Replaced fuel pump and filter. |
| 217000 mi US $210 |
starter replaced |
| 217500 mi US $245 |
replaced all pads and rotors |
| 219072 mi US $292 |
replaced battery |
| 218872 mi US $1328 |
clutch replacement, speed sensor replacement |
2001 Mazda Miata MX-5 2dr Convertible
142-horsepower 1.8L I4 6-speed manual RWD
| 111600 mi C $1070 |
RS window cables / motor / controls replaced |
| 113460 mi C $260 |
dry plate battery expired after 55000 km and 4 yrs |
2001 Mazda Miata MX-5 2dr Convertible
142-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed manual RWD
| 65000 mi US $260 |
Replace hydraulic clutch line. |
| 71100 mi US $600 |
Front calipers not releasing fully - left particularly. Replaced both calipers. |
| 74000 mi US $1000 |
Running hot. Replace radiator, hoses, thermostat. |
| 75000 mi US $2200 |
Noisy clutch release bearing. Replaced entire clutch, various bearings and seals. Entire exhaust too rusted to be reattached following clutch replacement. Replaced mid-pipe, cat, rear muffler and sensors. |
| 87000 mi US $500 |
Replace fuel injector to correct misfire and cel. |
| 87000 mi US $400 |
Replace left front caliper -sticking |
| 14000 mi US $1000 |
Bad clutch (not worn or damaged). A known problem with 2001's is that they came with a clutch disc that does not work well when it is humid and/or cold. This one worked fine only when hot. Replaced clutch ass'y, resurfaced flywheel. |
| 20000 mi US $200 |
Clutch pedal sometimes goes to floor without disengaging clutch. Clutch sometimes engages slowly while pedal is held at/near floor. Replaced slave and master cylinders. |
1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata
Engine not specified
| 65000 mi US $6000 |
Full engine rebuild. Number 2 and 4 rods went. Could have just repairs those, but instead rebuilding low compression motor for supercharging system i will install this winter. |
1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata 2-door
supercharged 4-cylinder manual 2WD
| 131000 mi US $2000 |
Failing reverse gear on transmission. Re-manufactured 5-speed installed. Took the opportunity to install a Torsen LSD as well. |
1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata 2-door
4-cylinder manual 2WD
| 159000 mi US $9000 |
After overheating and breaking down and being towed I was told an oil leak caused a plastic engine shield to bend which broke the alternator belt which caused the water pump to fail. |
| 145000 mi US $1122 |
I was 84,000 miles overdue for a timing belt change when I noticed a leak at the top of the original equipment radiator, so I had the radiator, thermostat, water pump, hoses and timing belt replaced and the oil and transmission oil changed. HTH! |
| 148000 mi US $247 |
Another coolant hose. |
| 150000 mi US $247 |
Headlight bulbs |
| 202500 mi US $145 |
radiator, oil filter, air filter, Mobil 1, coolant, parts (7553) clutch hydraulic cylinders, flex line, bleeder kit, parts |
| 210300 mi US $325 |
brake rotors and pads and alternator |
| 52000 mi US $1138 |
Replaced all belts, including timing belt and water pump. Also one fuse. |
1995 Mazda MX-5 Miata 2-door
4-cylinder manual 2WD
| 5864 mi US $1652 |
Car came in 8 tupperware boxes after suffering saltwater exposure. Previous buyer stripped it to the body, flushed it out, and gave up, selling all of the parts and the car. This "repair" includes all the parts to rebuild the engine, replace most of the wiring, rip apart every subsystem, and put the entire car back together. |
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