2001 Mazda MX-5 Miata Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 23%of 22 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 68,100miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the fuel system of the 2001 Mazda MX-5 Miata, 23% of the 22 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 68,100 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.
“Mazda miata ls 2001 on humid days the car will start and the engine will immediately cut off. After check up from dealer the fuel pump was found to be failing. The mechanic told me that this is a big problem with the miatas which makes me feel that there is a problem with the fuel pump design\engineering.”
NHTSA complaint #10134843, filed 2005-08, 34,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10241347, filed 2008-09, 83,200 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10224195, filed 2008-04, 53,000 miles“Car stalls consistently when coming to a stop in neutral causing loss of power steering and power brakes. Engine speed drops below 500 RPM and almost always causes a stall.”
NHTSA complaint #10121020, filed 2005-05, 92,000 miles“2001 Mazda miata mx5. Consumer writes in regards to strong gas odor in cabin of car after filling fuel capacity full the dealer informed the consumer the base of the fuel neck that attached to the fuel tank was rusted which allowed raw fuel to dump in the trunk compartment. The dealer stated in order to correct the problem, the fuel neck and fuel tank needed to be replaced at a cost of $ 1300.00.”
NHTSA complaint #10433384, filed 2011-11Fuel system: other model years
Other parts of the 2001 Mazda MX-5 Miata
2 complaintsEngine
2 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsTires
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 Mazda MX-5 Miata
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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