2001 Mazda MX-5 Miata Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 9%of 22 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 21,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2001 Mazda MX-5 Miata, 9% of the 22 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 21,000 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.
“Purchased a 2001 Mazda miata new, transmission was hard shifting from day 1 taken in for repairs numerous times, finally resulted in trans. Locking in neutral and car would not move resulting in a very serious situation. No accident occurred during this period and Mazda would not repair car because it was out of warranty at this time. Car was fixing by independent trans. Shop and paid for by me.”
NHTSA complaint #10251429, filed 2008-12, 21,000 miles“The contact owns a 2001 Mazda miata. While accelerating from a stop, the vehicle shudders and stalls. The vehicle has a manual transmission and the failure only occurs while in first gear and when the engine is cold. Once the vehicle warms up, the failure does not occur as often. The failure mileage began when the vehicle was new and current mileage is 60,400. Updated 06/03/08. Updated 05/30/08”
NHTSA complaint #10227604, filed 2008-05Related service bulletins
- 10186693Jan 21, 2021Mazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all major vehicle systems. Mazda recommends dealers follow the scheduled maintenance tables as…
- 10076669Jan 4, 2016Summary to be provided on a future date.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2001 Mazda MX-5 Miata
5 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsEngine
2 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsSuspension
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