According to Au7o's analysis of 13,300+ owner reports, the 2002 Mazda MX-5 Miata has 6 documented known issues, with 2 rated critical. The most serious are Crankshaft Position Sensor Failure (NB) ($50-$250 repair) and Clutch Slave Cylinder Piston Seal Leak - Sudden Loss of Clutch Release ($60-$400 repair). The most commonly reported issue is Soft Top Wear and Rear Window Delamination with 5,000 owner reports. Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $50 to $1,500. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
On the 1999-2005 Mazda MX-5 Miata 1.8L BP-Z3, the NB Miata (1999-2005) crankshaft position sensor (CPS) is a known failure point. The sensor deteriorates from engine heat, causing intermittent stalling, no-start conditions, and random misfires. Failure is often heat-related - the car runs fine when cold but stalls or dies after reaching operating temperature.
Common Symptoms
Engine stalls when hot, restarts after cooling down
Intermittent no-start condition (cranks but does not fire)
Random misfires and rough running at operating temperature
Check engine light with P0335 (CPS circuit) code
How to Fix
Replace crankshaft position sensor with OEM Mazda unit (N3A1-18-221A). Aftermarket sensors (Delphi, Dorman) have higher failure rates on this application. The sensor is located on the rear of the engine block near the flywheel.
What you need to fix it
Only diagnosis- and fitment-reviewed repair parts are linked here.
Genuine Mazda BP4W-18-221B crankshaft position sensor
High ConfidenceVerified4,500 owner reportsLast reported by owners Jul 2024Reviewed Feb 2026
Community reported
3,800 owners
On the 1990-2015 Mazda MX-5 Miata, all generations of Miata (NA through NC) are prone to rear main seal leaks as the engine ages. Oil seeps from the crankshaft rear seal, dripping onto the clutch housing and eventually contaminating the clutch disc. High mileage engines and infrequent oil changes accelerate seal deterioration. This is a labor-intensive repair as the transmission must be removed.
Common Symptoms
Oil dripping from bell housing area (bottom of engine/transmission junction)
Oil smell when parked
Clutch slipping if oil contaminates clutch disc
Low oil level between changes
How to Fix
Replace rear main crankshaft seal. Since the transmission must be removed, replace the clutch, throwout bearing, and pilot bearing at the same time if they are worn. Clean bell housing thoroughly to remove oil contamination.
What you need to fix it
Only diagnosis- and fitment-reviewed repair parts are linked here.
Genuine Mazda BP05-11-312 rear main seal
OEMMazda BP05-11-312
Rear crankshaft seal after leak-source diagnosis for the corrected NA/NB branch Fitment/availability: The inspected direct OEM page lists BP05-11-312 as the rear crankshaft oil seal, replacing B630-11-312, for 1990-1997 and 1999-2005 Mia…
High ConfidenceVerified3,800 owner reportsLast reported by owners Oct 2024Reviewed Feb 2026
On the 1990-2005 Mazda MX-5 Miata, the 1.6L B6 and 1.8L BP engines use hydraulic lash adjusters inside the bucket followers. Varnish and sludge from extended oil changes, or oil that is too thick or too thin, restrict flow into the adjuster so it cannot stay pumped up. The result is a persistent sewing-machine tick from the top of the engine, loudest on cold start and often not fully quiet once warm. It is frequently misdiagnosed by inexperienced buyers as rod knock, which is a deeper, lower-pitched noise from the bottom end.
Common Symptoms
Fast ticking from the top of the engine on cold start
Tick that persists or only partially quiets when warm
Noise worse with old or wrong-viscosity oil
One cylinder noticeably noisier than the rest
How to Fix
Start with an oil and filter change to the correct grade (5W-30 is the community consensus for a healthy engine) - this alone silences a large share of cases. A short interval on a high-detergent oil helps clear varnish from the adjuster feed. If a single adjuster remains noisy, individual HLAs can be replaced with the cam off; Mazda released a revised adjuster with larger oil holes. Confirm the noise is valvetrain rather than bottom end before spending money.
On the 1990-2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata, the externally mounted clutch slave cylinder on NA/NB/NC Miatas fails at the piston seal. Fluid weeps past the seal and collects behind the rubber boot, then the cylinder stops holding pressure and the pedal drops to the floor with no gear engagement - frequently without warning. Cars fitted with high-clamp aftermarket pressure plates fail sooner because of the higher pedal pressure, and owners repeatedly report cheap non-Mazda replacement cylinders lasting under a year. The ND uses a different, largely plastic-bodied slave (N251-41-920) that owners also criticize for durability.
Common Symptoms
Clutch pedal goes to the floor and stays down
Cannot select gears with the engine running
Pedal feels progressively softer over weeks
Fluid loss from the clutch reservoir with no visible brake leak
Wet fluid behind the slave cylinder rubber boot
How to Fix
Diagnose by pulling back the slave cylinder's rubber boot: wet fluid there condemns the unit. Replace with a genuine Mazda slave cylinder rather than a budget parts-store unit, and inspect the flexible clutch line at the same time. Bleed the system thoroughly - the slave traps air, so gravity-bleed or reverse-bleed if the pedal stays soft. If the master cylinder is also weeping at the firewall pushrod, replace both together and flush the fluid, since contaminated old fluid attacks the seals.
On the 1990-2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata, miata soft tops deteriorate over time from UV exposure, flexing during operation, and age. Vinyl tops develop cracks and tears, cloth tops fade and shrink. The rear plastic window (NA/NB) or glass window (NC/ND) can delaminate from the top material, causing water leaks and reduced visibility. Expected soft top life is 7-10 years with proper care.
Common Symptoms
Visible cracks or tears in top material
Rear window yellowing, hazing, or separating from fabric
Water leaks into cabin during rain
Top material shrinking and pulling away from frame
Difficulty latching top due to shrinkage
How to Fix
Replace soft top assembly. OEM replacement is available but aftermarket options (Robbins, TwinTop) offer better materials at lower cost. For NA/NB, replace rear window at same time. Apply 303 Aerospace Protectant or RaggTopp UV treatment every 3-6 months to maximize top life.
Owner tips & cautions
TipNever fold the top with a cold/stiff rear window (NA/NB) - causes permanent creases and cracks
TipDIY soft top replacement is doable in a weekend with Miata.net installation guide
High ConfidenceVerified5,000 owner reportsLast reported by owners Nov 2024Reviewed Feb 2026
On the 1999-2005 Mazda MX-5 Miata, nB Miata radiators are prone to failure at the plastic upper tank where it crimps onto the aluminum core. The plastic becomes brittle with age and heat cycling, developing hairline cracks that leak coolant under pressure. This can lead to sudden coolant loss and overheating, especially in spirited driving or hot weather. The OEM radiator typically fails between 80,000-120,000 miles.
Common Symptoms
Coolant drip from front of radiator
Coolant overflow tank level dropping
Overheating in traffic or spirited driving
White residue on radiator top tank
Sweet coolant smell after driving
How to Fix
Replace the radiator with a full-aluminum aftermarket unit (Koyo, Mishimoto, CSF) for permanent reliability improvement, or use an OEM-style replacement. Replace the radiator cap and inspect all hoses. A thermostat replacement is recommended at the same time. Budget 1-2 hours for the swap. An aluminum radiator costs $150-$250 and eliminates the plastic tank failure point.
What you need to fix it
Only diagnosis- and fitment-reviewed repair parts are linked here.
Mishimoto MMRAD-MIA-99 full-aluminum radiator
OEMMishimoto MMRAD-MIA-99
Radiator replacement after pressure testing confirms a tank/core leak on a manual-transmission NB Fitment/availability: The inspected manufacturer page identifies MMRAD-MIA-99 as a direct-fit full-aluminum radiator for manual-transmissio…
What are the most common Mazda MX-5 Miata problems?
According to Au7o's analysis of 13,300+ owner reports, the 2002 Mazda MX-5 Miata has 6 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Crankshaft Position Sensor Failure (NB), Clutch Slave Cylinder Piston Seal Leak - Sudden Loss of Clutch Release, Soft Top Wear and Rear Window Delamination. Of these, 2 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
Is the Mazda MX-5 Miata reliable?
The 2002 Mazda MX-5 Miata has 6 known issues documented across 13,300+ owner reports. 2 issues are rated critical: Crankshaft Position Sensor Failure (NB) and Clutch Slave Cylinder Piston Seal Leak - Sudden Loss of Clutch Release. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
How much does it cost to fix common Mazda MX-5 Miata problems?
Repair costs for known Mazda MX-5 Miata issues range from $50 to $1,500, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, Crankshaft Position Sensor Failure (NB), typically costs $50-$250 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
What is the 1999-2005 Mazda MX-5 Miata Crankshaft Position Sensor Failure (NB)?
The NB Miata (1999-2005) crankshaft position sensor (CPS) is a known failure point. The sensor deteriorates from engine heat, causing intermittent stalling, no-start conditions, and random misfires. Failure is often heat-related - the car runs fine when cold but stalls or dies af… Repairs typically run $50-$250. Severity: high.
What is the 1990-2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata Clutch Slave Cylinder Piston Seal Leak - Sudden Loss of Clutch Release?
The externally mounted clutch slave cylinder on NA/NB/NC Miatas fails at the piston seal. Fluid weeps past the seal and collects behind the rubber boot, then the cylinder stops holding pressure and the pedal drops to the floor with no gear engagement - frequently without warning. Repairs typically run $60-$400. Severity: high.
What is the 1990-2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata Soft Top Wear and Rear Window Delamination?
Miata soft tops deteriorate over time from UV exposure, flexing during operation, and age. Vinyl tops develop cracks and tears, cloth tops fade and shrink. The rear plastic window (NA/NB) or glass window (NC/ND) can delaminate from the top material, causing water leaks and reduce… Repairs typically run $300-$1,500. Severity: medium.
What is the 1990-2015 Mazda MX-5 Miata Rear Main Seal Oil Leak?
All generations of Miata (NA through NC) are prone to rear main seal leaks as the engine ages. Oil seeps from the crankshaft rear seal, dripping onto the clutch housing and eventually contaminating the clutch disc. High mileage engines and infrequent oil changes accelerate seal d… Repairs typically run $400-$1,200. Severity: medium.
What is the 1999-2005 Mazda MX-5 Miata Radiator Coolant Overflow and Cracked Upper Tank (NB)?
NB Miata radiators are prone to failure at the plastic upper tank where it crimps onto the aluminum core. The plastic becomes brittle with age and heat cycling, developing hairline cracks that leak coolant under pressure. This can lead to sudden coolant loss and overheating, espe… Repairs typically run $200-$500. Severity: medium.
What is the 1990-2005 Mazda MX-5 Miata Hydraulic Lash Adjuster (HLA) Tick from Restricted Oil Feed on B6/BP Engines?
The 1.6L B6 and 1.8L BP engines use hydraulic lash adjusters inside the bucket followers. Varnish and sludge from extended oil changes, or oil that is too thick or too thin, restrict flow into the adjuster so it cannot stay pumped up. The result is a persistent sewing-machine tic… Repairs typically run $60-$900. Severity: low.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.
