Most common 2002 Mazda MX-5 Miata problems
Share of the 20 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 2002 Mazda MX-5 Miata owners say
Body & structure
One of two latches for the convertible soft top came unfastened while driving causing one side of the top to lift upwards with great violence and a very loud noise. No accident this time but it will happen- e.g. Swerving out of lane and into another vehicle, pedestrian, tree, etc. Due to 1) the violence and noise and/or 2) the driver *attempting* (its impossible!) to re-latch and re-lock the top. The cause of the failure is a very poor design of the latch/lock and the locks lever being made of pot metal. Both factors combine in a synergistic manner which cause very rapid lock wear and abrupt failure. There should be a recall due to risk and the number of NHTSA complaints on this design defect- including one where both latches failed and the top blew off! Defective part numbers are na01r1310_ and na01r1320_.
Convertible top latches do not stay latched. Mazda is aware of the problem and has issued a TSB (09-009/03) telling the tech to replace the latches and strikers with a revised design. Mazda refuses to replace the units free of charge even though it is obviously a manufacturing defect. Tops flying open on the highway are a major safety issue and should not be fixed at the customers expense, especially on a car with only 28000 miles. The car has always been dealer maintained and is actually in better condition than when I bought it off the showroom. Mazda refuses to replace it under the original warranty, or even the extended factory warranty.
Transmission & drivetrain
Transmission/clutch - clutch springs or plates stick after shifting into gear. Clutch has been replaced by dealer after only aprox. 30K. Miles and problem has appeared again. Dealer claims the springs on clutch stick. Problem shifting into gear ESP. When car is first started, also clutch wears at rapid rate.
Clutch shudder, especially when driving vehicle for the first time each day. The whole drivetrain/exhaust will shake as you engage the clutch. As the vehicle warms up, the problem is less noticeable. Starting around 20K miles. Also, "ringing" noise in 5th gear (6 speed transmission) under load since new. Retailer will not fix, and was told this is just a harmonic in the transmission that is due to machining tolerances. Interior of vehicle gets very hot. There does not seem to be enough insulation around transmission/exhaust as floor is very warm to the touch.
Electrical system
This car has a safety immobilizer that prevents car from running if the correct transponder key is not used. This car has only 28,000 miles, of which I have driven the last 10,000 miles. This week the immobilizer control electronics failed, rendering the car to stop running and will not restart. Researching on the web it appears this was a problem with many 2001 and some 2002 models. Firstly this failure is a safety issue. Secondly the repair requires replacing this immobilizer module as well as the main ECU and getting new transponder keys, which is very costly.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Mazda Miata. While driving various speeds, the vehicle suddenly shut off and could not be immediately restarted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the immobilizer module erroneously activated and disabled the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 151,700.
2002 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 2002 Mazda MX-5 Miata a good car?
Based on 20 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2002 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 2002 Mazda MX-5 Miata?
The body & structure — 5 complaints, 25% of all complaints for this model year, most often about body › roof and pillars. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (3) and electrical system (3).
How many recalls does the 2002 Mazda MX-5 Miata have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2002 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 2002 Mazda MX-5 Miata problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 32,000 miles; 69% 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.