1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 15%of 74 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 52,456miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata, 15% of the 74 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 52,456 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I had bought the car the day before on feb 21 2008 and on feb 22 2008 I was driving and doing 60 and all of a sudden the car stalls wouldn't let me shift or gear down, and as trying to do so the brakes lock up when I let go of the clutch. Then coasting into the closest driveway. Now it wont start and I don't know what to do because I just got it from a used car lot the day before. And also makes me wonder, did they know this was going to happen or something similar was going to happen. What can I legally do about this?”
NHTSA complaint #10218949, filed 2008-02, 93,726 miles“Nusance failures setting ecu light, caused by combustion residue collecting in intake manifold. Residue is coming thru the egt system. This is turning out to be a frequent failure of 99-2000+ models. Disassembly and cleaning of the intake manifold is the only currently known remedy. The process is expensive in terms of labor, and seems to occur most frequently after the mfrs warrenty expires.”
NHTSA complaint #10025471, filed 2003-07, 52,456 miles“Check engine light came on indicating catalytic converter failure. My vehicle has 40k miles and has been well taken care of. After investigation, many 99-00 miata's have ignition coil failures which causes unburnt fuel to contaminate the catalytic converter and associated o2 sensors. This situation was resolved and is not a problem on post 2000 miata's, and therefore should be covered by a recall by the manufacturer, since it is a known problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10160044, filed 2006-06, 40,000 miles“1999-2000 miatas have an established intermittent ignition coil failure problem per several owners forums. The ignition coil fails which causes a misfire condition, this results in unburned fuel reaching the catalytic converter where it burns and overheats the converter. This overheating can destroy the converter and potentially destroy the oxygen sensors. This exact scenario happened to me on the indicated date. My vehicle has less than 37k miles on it but is out of warranty and now I must replace the coil and converter. I believe this situation warrants a recall.”
NHTSA complaint #10054906, filed 2004-01“Engine lost all oil while I was driving the car. The mazada dealership determined that premature wear of thrust bearing had caused the initial problem which resulted in oil pressure problems and resulting engine failure.”
NHTSA complaint #741611, filed 2001-02Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 3 | 38% |
| 2002 | 2 | 10% |
| 2001 | 2 | 9% |
| 2000 | 3 | 10% |
| 1999 | 11 | 15% |
| 1997 | 1 | 9% |
| 1996 | 3 | 10% |
| 1995 | 1 | 3% |
| 1991 | 2 | 10% |
| 1990 | 4 | 14% |
Other parts of the 1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata
16 complaintsElectrical system
10 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
10 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsTires
4 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology