MazdaMiata1997Overview/mazda/miata/1997/base/

1997 Mazda Miata

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1997 Miata.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1997 Mazda Miata is a passenger car equipped with a 4-speed automatic transmission and rated by the EPA at 19 city, 26 highway, and 22 combined mpg, placing it squarely in the lightweight roadster category Mazda had cultivated since the model's introduction. Owner feedback for this year is sparse, with just two total complaints logged across the 1990–2001 model range and a single recall on record, the most common grievance centering on the fuel system and gasoline delivery. Within that broader timeline, complaint volume peaked in 1992 at four and tapered to a low of one by 2001, which means the 1997 sits in the quieter middle of the curve—low enough to suggest solid reliability for a mid-cycle example, though the presence of a recall indicates at least one documented safety or compliance issue worth a researcher's attention.

Model year1997199519941993199219911990

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

EPA fuel economy19/26/22 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter B6Y114302A. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Tail / brake / turnFUSEOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filterB6Y114302A
Fuel filterB61P20490
Spark plug000018BP03 alt 000018BP01
Front wiper bladesBM9567330B alt BR7267330B
Serpentine beltBPE815909A alt B61P15907B
ThermostatB62115173

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length155.5 in
Overall width66.1 in
Overall height48 in
Wheelbase89.4 in
Curb weight2125 lb
Track (front / rear)55.5 / 56.3 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)52/48

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined19 / 26 / 22 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine GL-5 in the differential. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Differential Gear OilGL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2.1 Pints
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Power Steering FluidDEXRON VI OR MERCON V

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Spark Plug ManufacturerDenso
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque11-17 ft-lbs
Spark Plug Gap0.040-0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque11.0-16.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.33 lbs
Oil TypeND-9 Oil
Oil Capacity4.40-5.07 oz

Service checks

Engine Compression139-185 psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket33-43 ft-lbs / 44 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle44 ft-lbs / 65-87 ft-lbs
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.787 in / 0.354 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.787 in / 0.354 in
Rotor Minimum Machining0.74 in / 0.331 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.709 in / 0.315 in

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; coolant at 45,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 45,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Exterior Lighting (inspect) · Power Steering System (inspect)
Every 7,500 miBody Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Weatherstrip Seal (inspect)
Every 15,000 miBody Fasteners (torque) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning System (inspect) · Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill)
At 45,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miPCV Hose (inspect) · PCV Valve (inspect) · Timing Belt (inspect) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 90,000 miTiming Belt (inspect)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1997 Mazda Miata occupies a transitional point in the first-generation's federal record, recording 2 complaints and 1 recall compared to 3 complaints and 1 recall in 1996. While early production years (1990-1993) saw higher complaint and recall volumes, the mid-generation years stabilized before 1997's notable spike to 65 Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs), up from 33 in 1996. For the 1997 model specifically, the two recorded complaints are split between the fuel system and powertrain, with zero crash or fire incidents reported, though the data does not specify the root causes of these issues. This high TSB count precedes a late-generation drop to zero complaints in 1998 and 1999, suggesting 1997 was a year of extensive dealer-level service refinements rather than major systemic failures. Given the low complaint volume, absence of crash and fire incidents, and minimal recalls, the 1997 model year is a good buy, provided you verify that the numerous TSB-related maintenance items have been properly addressed by previous owners.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
65
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
2
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 2 complaints on record, top 2 components.

Fuel System, Gasoline1
Power Train1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

06E026000Exterior LightingReported 23/03/2006

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL… Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 65 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
01-006-21-3779a2021-08-24Electrical SystemThis service bulletin provides testing and charging procedures in order to promote proper…
09-025-21-38242021-08-17EquipmentThis service bulletin provides information regarding the proper use of the driver’s…
SA-041-212021-06-09EquipmentAccessory instructions can be found on OneMazda under Dealer Resources - Parts &…
01-005-21-37782021-02-08Electrical SystemThe Mazda DCA-8000PM is required for all warranty battery testing. If the Mazda…
01-006-21-37792021-02-08Electrical SystemThis service bulletin provides testing and charging procedures in order to promote proper…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Miata. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 1997 Miata have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Miata get?

EPA figures are 19 city / 26 highway / 22 combined mpg.