2004 Mazda Miata MX-5 Mazda Miata MX-5 2004

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2004 Mazda Miata MX-5 repairs by problem area

Engine (53%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (6%)

Brakes and Traction Control (6%)

Suspension and Steering (9%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (22%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (0%)

Other (3%)

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Chart based on 32 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2004 Mazda Miata MX-5.

2004 Mazda Miata MX-5 repair cost distribution

$2500+ (3%)

$1000 - $2499 (10%)

$500 - $999 (29%)

$100 - $499 (29%)

< $100 (29%)

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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.

2004 Mazda Miata MX-5

Engine not specified

Mazda Miata MX-5 in Florida, United States
Jun 2012 - Dec 2012
Dec 2012

97000 mi

US $133
Shifter sloppy when bought car. Investigating, found both rubber boots (one on top of the transmission that keeps dirt out of the gearbox, one on floor pan separating interior from the outside) were also torn. Replaced shifter bushings and boots. 

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2004 Mazda Miata MX-5 2dr Convertible

turbocharged 178hp 1.8L I4 6-speed manual RWD

Mazda Miata MX-5 in Tennessee, United States
Mar 2013 - Jul 2015
Nov 2013

108000 mi

US $600
fuel pump-replaced. 
Feb 2014

111300 mi
Crank angle sensor. 
Mar 2015

132000 mi

US $45
interior door handle broke. Still haven't gotten it working yet. 
Jul 2015

136000 mi

US $500
Alternator threw belt. 
Mazda Miata MX-5 in Illinois, United States
Sep 2013 - Apr 2018
Jan 2014

97200 mi

US $25
Thermostat failed open, symptoms include very slow warm up and poor temperature regulation. 
May 2015

99600 mi

US $80
Failed starter, replaced with new 
Mazda Miata MX-5 in Great Britain
Nov 2014 - Apr 2015
Apr 2015

70000 mi
New exhaust required 
Mazda Miata MX-5 in North Carolina, United States
Oct 2015 - Aug 2016
Mar 2016

115000 mi

US $120
Replace O2 sensor 
Aug 2016

115000 mi
VTCS solenoid died. Simple replacement. 
Mazda Miata MX-5 in California, United States
Feb 2013 - Feb 2014
Mar 2013

99000 mi

US $400
Oil pan gasket leaking and new engine mounts required. 
May 2013

99300 mi

US $4400
Transmission rebuilt with new syncromesh and bearings, clutch replaced. 
Mazda Miata MX-5 in South Carolina, United States
Sep 2011 - Feb 2022
May 2012

28600 mi

US $70
Actually went to two shops - 1st (Anderson SC) told us the condenser needed replacement - 2nd (Tampa FL - Mazda specific shop) simply refilled the freon, verified there were no leaks and called it good. 
Mazda Miata MX-5 in New South Wales, Australia
Oct 2011 - Nov 2011
Nov 2011

76880 mi

A $500
Car loses power on hot days and has to pull over. Believed to be petrol pump which repaired but problem remains. Car has to be put in again at mechanic. 
Mazda Miata MX-5 in California, United States
Sep 2011 - Dec 2016
Jan 2013

54700 mi

US $600
Oil leak - oil pan gaskets needed to be replaced. The engine mounts were replaced at the same time. 
Dec 2013

60000 mi

US $400
Radiator replaced at the suggestion of mechanic. Tanks discolored, was told it could fail soon after 10 years of service. 

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2004 Mazda Miata MX-5 2dr Convertible

142-horsepower 1.8L I4 6-speed manual RWD

Mazda Miata MX-5 in Tennessee, United States
Aug 2011 - Jun 2018
Jul 2011

37000 mi

US $150
Air bag warning light diagnosed by dealer as bad clockspring. Was quoted nearly $600 to repair. I ordered parts online for <$90 and repaired in <2 hours 
Mazda Miata MX-5 in California, United States
Jan 2021 - Oct 2023
Feb 2021

87000 mi
Engine leaks oil, likely from rear main seal. Definitely not from the valve cover gasket. 
Dec 2021

92000 mi

US $500
Radiator cracked. Replaced radiator. 
Mazda Miata MX-5 in Virginia, United States
Jul 2016 - Sep 2016
Sep 2016

115000 mi
Parking brake slipping, 3rd time in for repair. Shop adjusted for free. 
Mazda Miata MX-5 in Ohio, United States
Aug 2011 - Jul 2014
Aug 2012

51300 mi

US $1054
Bad bearing in the clutch assembly. Replaced compressor and clutch assembly. 

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2004 Mazda Miata MX-5 2dr Convertible

142-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed manual RWD

Mazda Miata MX-5 in California, United States
Feb 2012 - Oct 2015
Apr 2012

112000 mi

US $800
Torn driver's side upper control arm dust boot. Cracked dust boots for passenger side upper control arm and lower ball joint. Both rear shocks leaking fluid. 
Sep 2012

120000 mi

US $736
Two ignition coil packs 
Mazda Miata MX-5 in Utah, United States
Mar 2012 - Jun 2022
Aug 2013

74900 mi

US $225
Front right wheel bearing was noisy and needed replacement. 
Mar 2016

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. 
Dec 2016

122000 mi

US $300
Crankshaft sensor replaced because loss of signal was causing engine misfire. 
Jan 2017

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. 
May 2018

136000 mi

US $374
Alternator replacement 
Jun 2021

151000 mi

US $850
AC relay harnesses and relay replaced. 

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2004 Mazda Miata MX-5 2dr Convertible

142-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic RWD

Mazda Miata MX-5 in Ohio, United States
Dec 2015 - Sep 2017
Mar 2016

45000 mi

US $900
Car just coughs and dies No repair, paid cost looking for problem. Took to local garage found cause to be Gas. Too much alcohol in gas. Only now go to certain stations without alcohol. 

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2004 Mazda Miata MX-5 Repair Histories

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2004 Mazda Miata MX-5 problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.