Mazda MX-5 Miata Mazda MX-5 Miata

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Mazda MX-5 Miata repairs by problem area

Engine (32%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (10%)

Brakes and Traction Control (5%)

Suspension and Steering (7%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (25%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (14%)

Other (6%)

Chart based on 482 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the Mazda MX-5 Miata.

Mazda MX-5 Miata engine repair cost distribution

$2500+ (6%)

$1000 - $2499 (8%)

$500 - $999 (18%)

$100 - $499 (37%)

< $100 (31%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 141 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2017 Mazda MX-5 Miata 2dr Convertible

155-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed manual RWD

99180 mi

US $612
Replaced front and rear valve cover gaskets. Replaced intake manifold gasket. 

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2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata 2dr Convertible

155-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed manual RWD

16000 mi

US $260
Faulty spark plug, replaced all four at the same time. 
111000 mi

US $275
failed crankshaft sensor; engine died on a trip, car was towed to shop 

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2011 Mazda MX-5 Miata 2dr Convertible

167-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed manual RWD

46500 mi Replaced catalytic converter 

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2010 Mazda MX-5 Miata 2dr Convertible

167-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed manual RWD

60000 mi

US $80
Clean MAF and throttle body, attend to rich fuel CEL, oil/filter change. 

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2010 Mazda MX-5 Miata 2dr Convertible

158-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD

73560 mi

US $873
engine light on, Code p401 Egr flow not reacting to command, Replaced valve, cleared the code, retest system OK 

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2009 Mazda MX-5 Miata 2dr Convertible

167-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed manual RWD

1968 mi

US $89
Oil & Filter Change. Full Synthetic 
950 mi In the prior repair the radiator was replaced. After, I still smelled coolant and the reservoir level was low. Dealer's shop said there was air in the system which fooled the coolant level but air worked out. They cleaned engine area and topped coolant. 
927 mi Radiator replaced by dealer under warranty. Took two days to obtain, and two days to complete repair. Car seems fine now although some antifreeze smell lingers. Dealer returned car washed and cleaned. 

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2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata 2dr Convertible

166-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed manual RWD

39000 mi

US $348
replaced fraying serpentine belt 
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). 
20000 mi Faulty belt tensioner. 
73000 mi

US $400
Thermostat 
15580 mi Coolant temperature gauge went up to 3/4ths mark when idling (117-118c), regardless of ambient air temperature, but did not overheat. Thermostat repaired under warranty. 

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2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata 2dr Convertible

166-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual RWD

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. 

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2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata 2dr Convertible

158-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD

49000 mi

US $1000
Oxygen sensor died. 
121000 mi I replaced the thermostat and replaced radiator-cooling fluid. I replaced the coolant expansion tank with an aluminum one as the plastic tanks are prone to abrupt failure, for an additional $230. 
28800 mi Purge Solenoid Failed 
48000 mi Gas cap needed to be replaced. System pressure leak caused the engine light to activate. 
52000 mi

US $1138
Replaced all belts, including timing belt and water pump. Also one fuse. 

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2007 Mazda MX-5 Miata 2dr Convertible

166-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed manual RWD

62300 mi

US $30
Thermostat malfunction. Check engine light on. 
109000 mi

US $300
Replace electric cooling fan motor 
98000 mi

US $400
replace thermostat and perform oil change 
72400 mi

US $90
exhaust system heat shield needed to be welded in place. the shield was about to fall off the catalytic converter. 
39980 mi Check engine light on. intermittent misfire. plugs replaced and efi cleaned. May need EGR valve serviced.  Okay 2 weeks then CEL recurred. Now a vacuum leak, orig prob okay, may just be gas cap, new one ordered. 
41540 mi

C $250
Needed new gas cap. replaced. problem has not recurred. 
99000 mi

US $3500
Spun crank bearing in cylinder no 1, caused connecting rod to break. Car required new engine. 
900 mi Malfunction Indicator Light. Evap system. Fuel cap replaced under Technical Service Bulletin. Should have been done while in dealer inventory based on details in the TSB. 
28000 mi Replace Fuel Filler Cap due to leak in evap system. 

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2007 Mazda MX-5 Miata 2dr Convertible

166-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual RWD

99000 mi

US $1500
valve cover gasket replaced.  

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2007 Mazda MX-5 Miata 2dr Convertible

163-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD

81000 mi

US $122
Replaced the Thermostat. Part was $30 and i probably could have replaced it myself with the proper tools. 
52080 mi

C $130
Muffler replaced due rusted out 
48600 mi

US $279
Check engine light came on. When checked code for thermostat in cooling system was malfunctioning. Two other Mazda's (2006)Mazda3 and (2007)Mazda3 were in same shop with same problem at approx. same mileage. 
51500 mi

US $100
check engine light diagnosed as thermostat, replaced. 
48000 mi

US $300
Oxygen sensor had to be replaced. Check engine light was on. 
109900 mi

US $400
Replaced O2 sensor 

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2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata 2dr Convertible

170-horsepower 2.0L I4 6-speed manual RWD

92200 mi

US $140
Plastic radiator cracked. Replaced it with all aluminum radiator. Completed repair myself 
101700 mi

US $950
Timing belt, water pump, cam seals, front main seal (leaking pretty badly), a few related "while we are there" items 
34000 mi

US $100
evap leak code, unable to pass emissions test. replaced gas cap and evap solenoid 
46850 mi

US $500
Replaced hissing pressurized plastic coolant tank. 
118000 mi

US $250
Coolant reservoir cracked and cooling system was not pressurized. Also replaced thermostat while the coolant was drained as a preventative measure. 
139000 mi

US $2500
Valve train replaced -- still serious valve related noise -- repair unsuccessful Vehicle inoperative 
62000 mi Burning smell. Loose fitting allowed oil to fall onto exhaust. Problem diagnosed and sorted by mechanic who deemed he was responsible at servicing 6 months earlier so no charge and oil top up gratis. 
76100 mi

US $300
thermostat 
13900 mi

US $180
Emission system gross leak PO455 code Likely a valve near the fuel tank. Not completed yet. Still diagnosing and researching. 
14000 mi They smoked the emission system and found an air pump in the rear that needed replacing. Expensive little thing. 
45000 mi

US $500
Was getting CEL for cooling system, had to replace the overflow reservoir and had thermostat done at the same time. Heard that others have had thermostat failures too. 
64000 mi

US $91
Check Engine Light for Code P0126 (Engine Coolant Below Temp) Apparently there was a design flaw that is addressed by a Mazda Service Bulletin. Never had a problem with mine until now. Clear the CEL and the P0126 code will come back on within a 30 minute trip. 
30000 mi

US $560
Check engine light - low coolant temperature. Replaced thermostat. Problem fixed. 
50000 mi

US $132
Cooling system sensor had to be replaced. Check engine light had come on to let me know there was a problem. 
51000 mi

US $214
Thermostat stuck open. Had to be replaced. 
28000 mi

US $75
Misfire in a cylinder causing very poor performance. We replaced the spark plug and fed the car a fuel injector cleaner (Techron). We bought a replacement injector but have not installed it because the car is running very well. 
32000 mi

US $60
chirping from engine area. believed to be vibration noise. mechanic harnessed some wires thought to be the problem, but did not work. dealer unable to resolve. belt tensioner coming apart. 
46000 mi

US $57
Got CEL (p0126) read at auto parts. Googling landed me http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=335589 with all info needed for diy. Did work myself. 
43000 mi

US $130
a new thermostat was installed 

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2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata 2dr Convertible

170-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual RWD

66000 mi

US $40
Vacuum leak 
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 
96000 mi

US $1100
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). 
97000 mi

US $90
Misfire cylinder 1. Bad ignition coil. 
150000 mi Coolant temperature sensor 
45000 mi

US $250
Accessory belt tensioner rattling intermittently, had a small amount of play in the pulley. Repair was simple, problem has not returned. Repair was at Approx. 45,000 miles in mid-2014. Quick repair, < 1 Hr. $250 part replaced. 

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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 
25000 mi the computer in car has to be updated due to it sitting all winter under a car cover and couldn't get service light to turn off without the update to the on-board computer.  
185000 mi

US $300
Plastic header on the radiator failed after 183,000 miles. Replaced radiator. 
76700 mi

US $295
Check Engine Light on; code indicated failed thermostat. Replaced thermostat and performed 60k mile cooling system maintenance, as well as an oil change. 

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2006 Mazda MX-5 Miata 2-door

4-cylinder automatic 2WD

130000 mi

US $600
Top engine rebuild,  coolant system repair, engine relearn 

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2005 Mazda Miata MX-5 2dr Convertible

turbocharged 178hp 1.8L I4 6-speed manual RWD

12000 mi

US $2500
3rd gear sychro bearing shifted in it's bedding? Made crazy squeal. John Hine dealership said no, you raced it. El Cajon Mazda said sure under warranty, saved $4K! 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 
19000 mi

US $5
Metal clamp that attaches air intake hose came loose. Car ran very badly-gets too much air. Car towed in free. Dealer discovers problem-tightens clamp. Clamp comes off again one week later. I buy new smaller clamp-tighten. Works perfect. Go figure. 

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2004 Mazda Miata MX-5 2dr Convertible

turbocharged 178hp 1.8L I4 6-speed manual RWD

97200 mi

US $25
Thermostat failed open, symptoms include very slow warm up and poor temperature regulation. 
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. 
108000 mi

US $600
fuel pump-replaced. 
111300 mi Crank angle sensor. 
115000 mi

US $120
Replace O2 sensor 
115000 mi VTCS solenoid died. Simple replacement. 
99000 mi

US $400
Oil pan gasket leaking and new engine mounts required. 
63000 mi

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

87000 mi Engine leaks oil, likely from rear main seal. Definitely not from the valve cover gasket. 
92000 mi

US $500
Radiator cracked. Replaced radiator. 

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2004 Mazda Miata MX-5 2dr Convertible

142-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed manual RWD

102000 mi

US $870
front cat failure 
120000 mi

US $736
Two ignition coil packs 
112000 mi

US $1000
Camshaft sensor was throwing an ODB2 error code and needed to be 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. 

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2004 Mazda Miata MX-5 2dr Convertible

142-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic RWD

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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2003 Mazda Miata MX-5 2dr Convertible

142-horsepower 1.8L I4 6-speed manual RWD

40000 mi

US $40
Replaced rear O2 sensor 

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2003 Mazda Miata MX-5 2dr Convertible

142-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed manual RWD

27125 mi

C $300
Change front O2 sensor. 
28675 mi

C $15
Repair front O2 sensor wire - misrouted wire leaning against the exhaust got partially burned. 
49500 mi

US $57
R&R Cam position sensor.  
1400 mi VVTi oil pipe leaks engine oil. Repaired under warranty. 

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2002 Mazda Miata MX-5 2dr Convertible

142-horsepower 1.8L I4 6-speed manual RWD

87000 mi

US $340
Fuel tank sensor had to be replaced. 
141000 mi

US $340
Oil sensor was leaking. Replaced seal. 
122000 mi

US $450
oxygen sensor replaced 
71000 mi

US $500
Coolant leak from gasket near water pump 

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2002 Mazda Miata MX-5 2dr Convertible

142-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed manual RWD

215000 mi

US $500
Crank but not start; replaced battery. Intermittent no fire on 2 cylinders; replaced coil packs. 
216528 mi

US $54
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. Crank but no start at high underhood temperatures. Replaced camshaft position sensor. 
216957 mi

US $166
No fuel pressure. Replaced fuel pump and filter. 
59100 mi

US $2200
Harmonic balancer destroyed the end of the crankshaft. Had to have a complete used engine installed. 
182000 mi

US $525
Clutch Replacement, Flywheel resurfacing. 
171000 mi

US $300
fuel modulator 
83100 mi

US $200
Replaced rear O2 sensor 
84000 mi

US $200
Coil pack failure, replaced 

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2001 Mazda Miata MX-5 2dr Convertible

142-horsepower 1.8L I4 6-speed manual RWD

67000 mi

US $150
Replaced two O2 sensors 
63000 mi

US $40
Engine light came on, shop read code (loose gas cap), examined entire evap. control system, reset engine light. 
139000 mi

US $53
The car began stalling out while driving at speed on trips longer than 20 miles. The symptoms were most frequent on hot days with the A/C running. The computer threw a code for the Cam Angle Sensor which, once replaced, fixed the problem. 
154000 mi

US $75
Radiator developed a leak, requiring replacement. 
107000 mi

US $175
Check engine light due to O2 sensor 
108000 mi

US $180
Replaced bad o2 sensor, causing the cat to burn out. If this had been fixed sooner the cat wouldn't have been damaged 

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2001 Mazda Miata MX-5 2dr Convertible

142-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed manual RWD

58900 mi

C $60
post cat oxygen sensor replacement 
225000 mi

US $700
Replaced clutch 
72000 mi

US $650
engine temp module replaced 
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. 
202500 mi

US $227
radiator, oil filter, air filter, Mobil 1, coolant, parts (7553) 
74000 mi

US $1000
Running hot. Replace radiator, hoses, thermostat. 
75000 mi

US $2200
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. 
114000 mi

US $500
Catalytic converter ignition coil 
119300 mi

US $500
Exhaust leak 
131000 mi

US $500
Ignition coil.  Cat. 
132000 mi

US $200
Radiator 

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2001 Mazda Miata MX-5 2dr Convertible

142-horsepower 1.8L I4 4-speed automatic RWD

74589 mi

US $450
Replaced cam position sensor 

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2000 Mazda Miata MX-5 2dr Convertible

140-horsepower 1.8L I4 6-speed manual RWD

96000 mi

US $230
plugs and ignition wires replaced 
115000 mi car lost power due to failing fuel pump, limped home and then died 

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2000 Mazda Miata MX-5 2dr Convertible

140-horsepower 1.8L I4 5-speed manual RWD

97700 mi

US $95
replace leaking fuel pressure damper Diagnosed leaking fuel pressure damper. Replaced with new unit. 

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1999 Mazda Miata MX-5

Engine not specified

70000 mi New exhaust required 
112320 mi replaced water pump soldered muffler bracket 
122000 mi Replaced oxygen sensor, oil sending unit,and valvecover gasket. 
99000 mi

US $700
New catalytic converter and OBD reset. 

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1999 Mazda Miata MX-5 2-door

4-cylinder manual 2WD

162000 mi

US $900
When dealer changed the timing belt 20000 miles ago, they didn't tighten the key, later causing engine failure and necessitating redo and replacement of the bolt. 
93000 mi

US $10
Leaking thermostat housing at block, part removed, cleaned and resealed, problem fixed. 
57000 mi

US $472
Radiator replaced due to leaking. 
73000 mi

US $500
"check engine" light due to stuck EGR valve, apparently due to deposits in intake manifold. Cleaned intake and EGR valve. 
82000 mi

US $200
Improperly install valve cover seal from earlier service at Mazda dealer caused oil leak. Valve cover was replaced. 

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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. 
212200 mi

US $400
Replace timing belt, spark plugs, Thermostat, etc. Oil leaking from oil pan. 
213000 mi

US $80
Header/exhaust manifold bolts needed to be tightened. 
99000 mi

US $140
ignition wires had to be replaced, this is the 2nd time that these wires had to be replaced in a span of two years. Car experienced stutter and uneven acceleration. 

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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. 
88000 mi

US $200
Didn't pass emission inspection. EGR valve replaced 
90000 mi

US $121
Running hot after going through high water. Shop unable to duplicate. Check engine light also on. Cleaned EGR valve. 
124000 mi

US $150
[engine ignition or emissions repair] 
146000 mi Replaced thermostat, radiator cap, and flushed the radiator. 

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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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Mazda MX-5 Miata Engine Problems

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 Mazda MX-5 Miata problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.