Mazda MX5 Common Problems

Mazda MX5 Common Problems (Owner’s Guide To Potential Issues)

The Mazda MX-5, or Mazda Miata, is popular for its open-top convertible design, rear-wheel drive design, and responsive handling. It earns a place in the hearts of car enthusiasts for being a fun-to-drive car while at the same time being affordable. However, this car isn’t immune to some common issues that tend to show up with time.

Mazda MX5 most common problems include:

  • Soft top issues
  • Transmission problems
  • Rust problems
  • Clear coat peeling problem
  • Ticking noise from the engine
  • Defective fuel filler pipe
  • Restricted EGR system

In the following article, we’ll take a closer look at each of these Mazda Miata problems. You’ll discover the root causes of each issue and how to fix or prevent the problem. This info will help you stay ahead of these challenges and thus keep your roadster on top of its performance at all times.

Mazda MX5 common problems

Mazda MX5 Common Problems

Here are the most common problems associated with Mazda MX-5 and tips on how to address them:

Rust problems

Rust is one of the most common issues many Mazda Mx-5 owners have to deal with in their vehicles.

This issue was more common in the first and second generations of Mazda MX 5 (1989 to 2005 model years). The issue is even more common in vehicles used in rust belt states.

Mazda MX5 Rust problems

Rust in Miata simply involves various vehicle body parts developing rust, which can then result in corrosion if not taken care of on time.

The most affected areas include wheel arches, rocker panels, fenders, front frame rail, floorboards, rear decks, trunk, and A-pillars.

Rust will affect your car’s aesthetics and make it unsafe as it weakens its structural integrity.

Moreover, it gets to the bolts in your vehicle and makes them stuck in place. This can make your vehicle quite harder to work on.

When buying a Miata, you should keep off vehicles used in rust belt regions, where there is history of road salt that may have caused rust issues to the vehicle.

You can keep your Mazda MX-5 rust-free by regularly washing it, avoiding clearing it during winter, and storing it in a garage or covered to keep off elements.

Check the video below on how bad rust can get in a Mazda MX5:

Video:

Clear coat peeling problem

The clear coat peeling is probably one of the most discussed Mazda MX-5 problems on various forums as you can see on this, this, and this forum thread.

Many owners have noticed a situation where the clear coat (the outermost layer of the vehicle’s paint) starts peeling or bubbling and formation of white spots. This issue is quite common in the earlier models of Mazda Miata.

This layer is crucial in that it protects the underlying color coat and gives your vehicle a glossy finish. When the peeling occurs, your car may develop an unsightly appearance, and the color may become exposed to environmental elements.

Some of the common reasons behind these Mazda MX5 paint problems include age and exposure to sunlight, UV rays, and environmental factors such as snow, rain, road salt, etc.

Mazda MX5 Clear coat peeling problem

The use of harsh cleaning supplies, contaminants, and improper painting/prep by the manufacturer may also be the reason behind the peeling issues.

If your vehicle is undergoing a clear coat delamination problem, you may consider repainting the affected area to fix this issue.

If the peeling is widespread, we advise you to consult an auto body professional for professional assessment and recommendations.

Ticking noise from the engine

Another problem many Mazda MX5 owners frequently report is hearing a tapping or ticking noise coming from the engine, particularly the valve train area.

The issue mainly occurs in cars from 1990 to 1997, though some owners of other vehicle models have also reported the issue.

This ticking noise issue is usually associated with the hydraulic valve lifters. These are components of the engine valve train and help maintain proper valve clearance.

Mazda MX5 Ticking noise from the engine

If these lifters develop wear out over time, they will be unable to properly open/close your engine valves. This results in the ticking sound, which becomes even more noticeable during cold or initial startup.

According to RepairPal, this issue can become worse due to infrequent oil changes in your MX-5. The noise issue is also more common in higher-mileage vehicles.

When faced with this problem, you should consider replacing the hydraulic valve lash adjusters to see if the ticking noise goes away.

Following the recommended schedule for oil changes in your vehicle can also help prevent this noise from recurring in your vehicle.

Defective fuel filler pipe

Another commonly reported issue by Mazda MX5 issues involves the check engine light coming on due to the fuel filler pipe.

The problem has been documented by RepairPal who notes that 2006-2014 Mazda Miatas have improperly manufactured fuel filler pipe threads. These trigger the check engine light to come on.

In other words, the issue occurs where threads on the fuel filler pipe (where the gas capo screws in) have manufacturing defects or are improperly machined.

Mazda MX5 Defective fuel filler pipe

The result is an improper seal between the filler pipe and gas cap, which leads to small vacuum leaks in your vehicle fuel vapor recovery system. Your vehicle computer then reads this fault as a fault and consequently triggers the check engine light to illuminate.

If you experience this problem in your Miata, we advise you to have a qualified mechanic check your fuel filler pipe. If found defective, the pipe will need to be replaced and the check engine light reset.

Note that you should act on this issue as soon as possible as proper sealing of your fuel system not only ensures emissions compliance but also helps maintain your vehicle’s fuel efficiency and prevent potential fuel vapor leaks.

Restricted EGR system

A restricted EGR (exhaust gas reticulation) system is also a common issue in Mazda MX-5 and usually triggers the check engine light to come on.

This issue is more prevalent in several model years, including the 1999 to 2003 models. The 2009 and 2010 models are also affected by this problem.

The work of the EGR system is to reticulate the exhaust gasses into your vehicle engine to help reduce emissions and improve fuel economy.

Mazda MX5 Restricted EGR system

When this system becomes restricted, it can prevent the right amount of exhaust gasses from getting into the engine. As a result, your engine will experience poor performance in terms of decreased fuel efficiency and reduced power.

To resolve issues related to a restricted EGR system, you should have your vehicle inspected by a qualified Mazda technician.

They’ll diagnose the specific underlying issue, whether it’s a faulty EGR valve, carbon buildup, or clogged EGR passage, and advise on the necessary repairs or replacements to resolve the issue.

You can also minimize the chances of this problem catching up with your vehicle by properly maintaining and cleaning your EGR system.

Clutch slave cylinder leaks

It’s also not uncommon for Mazda MX5 vehicles’ clutch slave cylinders to develop a hydraulic leak which directly results in lack of clutch pedal pressure and inability to change gears.

This issue affects many MX5 model years including the 1990, 1993 1996, 2000 to 2005, and 2008 models. The issue is more common in vehicles that have clicked a high mileage.

For starters, the clutch slave cylinder is simply a hydraulic component that transmits hydraulic pressure to help engage/disengage the clutch whenever you press/release the clutch pedal.

Mazda MX5 Clutch slave cylinder leaks

If a leak occurs in this cylinder, the pedal will feel soft or spongy and won’t engage smoothly. You will experience difficulty changing gears in addition to loss of clutch fluid.

You may notice visible signs of leaking clutch fluid under your vehicle, usually near the clutch slave cylinder or along the hydraulic lines.

To fix this issue, you’ll need to have a qualified Mazda technician inspect the clutch slave cylinder and perform the necessary repairs.

According to most MX 5 owners, clutch slave cylinder replacement and bleeding of the hydraulic system usually help restore the clutch performance.

Soft top issues

The soft top fitted on the older MX-5 models is also a common fault in these cars. The older Mazda NA and NB models came equipped with hard vinyl tops. In the latter years, Mazda equipped the cars with fabric and canvas tops.

The top tends to undergo extreme tear and wear with time and degradation to exposure to elements.

Mazda MX5 Soft top issues

According to most owners’ complaints, this top tends to develop cracks or get torn after several years of repeatedly going up and down.

Once it gets torn, the top allows for leaks when you’re driving in the rain. This can give you a bad driving experience, no doubt!

The soft top may start fading after being exposed to harmful UV rays for around 10 to 15 years

The rain rails may then accommodate the water from the tops. The water tends to pool around the rear deck or trunk areas, where it leads to major rust issues.

If your soft top starts showing signs of wear and tear, we advise you to replace it with a new one. This should cost you around $600 to $1000 for an aftermarket soft top.

You can install the soft top on your own or you can let your mechanic do it for you if you’re not comfortable doing it.

Mazda Miata years to avoid

The Mazda Miata worst years to avoid include the 2016, 2012, 2007, and 2006 model years. You’d also want to avoid the 1999 and 1990 models.

According to carcomplaints, the 2012 is the worst model year while the 2016 MX5 received the highest number of complaints from customers.

Mazda Miata years to avoid

Carproblemzoo also rates the 2016 model as having the highest number of reported issues followed by the 2007 and 2006 models.

The 1990 model is the first Mazda Miata and it has the famous transmission issues. It’s also the last powerful of the MX-5s. It’s typical for the first year of any vehicle model to be problematic and this Mazda Miata didn’t disappoint.

The 1999 model falls in the second generation of MX-5s and was plagued by excessive oil consumption, making it another problematic year to avoid.

If you’re interested in exploring common problems across different Mazda models, you might find our articles on Mazda Tribute common problems and Mazda Demio common problems insightful. These resources can provide you with valuable information about issues faced by various Mazda vehicle owners.

Conclusion

While the Mazda MX5 or Miata is a fun car loved by sports car enthusiasts all over, it has its own set of faults. Most of the owners of this vehicle frequently complain about issues like soft top maintenance issues, restricted EGR system, transmission problems, check engine light due to fuel filler pipe, and ticking noise from the engine.

Fortunately, these problems have solutions. We have discussed the best solution to consider when faced with any of these issues. Fixing these issues on time will keep your vehicle on top of its performance and ensure you enjoy a great driving experience. Following the recommended maintenance of your vehicle can also help keep it safe from most of these issues.

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *