Most common 2001 Mazda MX-5 Miata problems
Share of the 22 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Mazda MX-5 Miata complaints by model year
Best MX-5 Miata years: 2004, 2003, 1997. Years to avoid: 1999, 1995, 2000. Compare all years →
What 2001 Mazda MX-5 Miata owners say
Fuel & propulsion system
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.
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.
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.
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.
2001 Mazda MX-5 Miata engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 20 / 26 / 23 |
| 1.8L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 20 / 25 / 22 |
| 1.8L 4-cyl | 6-speed manual | RWD | 20 / 26 / 22 |
EPA ratings. Class: Sports car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2001 Mazda MX-5 Miata a good car?
Based on 22 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2001 MX-5 Miata rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the MX-5 Miata at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2001 Mazda MX-5 Miata?
The fuel & propulsion system — 5 complaints, 23% of all complaints for this model year, most often about delivery › fuel pump. Next are the engine & cooling (4) and brakes (2).
How many recalls does the 2001 Mazda MX-5 Miata have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2001 Mazda MX-5 Miata. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Mazda MX-5 Miata?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2004, 2003 and 1997. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1999, 1995 and 2000. See the full Mazda MX-5 Miata years comparison.
At what mileage do 2001 Mazda MX-5 Miata problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 53,000 miles; 50% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.