MazdaMX-5 Miata2001Overview/mazda/mx-5-miata/2001/base/

2001 Mazda MX-5 Miata

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2001 MX-5 Miata.

Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2001 Mazda MX-5 Miata, equipped with the 4-speed automatic transmission, delivers EPA-rated fuel economy of 20 mpg city, 25 highway, and 22 combined. This model year recorded 22 owner complaints, primarily concerning the fuel system, with no recalls issued. Within the first-generation run from 1990 to 2001, where complaints peaked at 75 for the 1999 model and dropped to a low of 1 in 1998, the 2001 Miata’s complaint count places it in a moderate reliability position.

Model year202520242023202220212003200220012000

Quick specs

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

EPA fuel economy20/25/22 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 filterBP4W13480
Spark plug000018BP01 alt BP0218110
Battery0000800MX5WB
Front wiper bladesNC1067330
Serpentine beltB6BF18381 alt BPE815908
ThermostatBP6F15171A alt B62115173

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length155.9 in
Overall width66.1 in
Overall height48.4 in
Wheelbase89.4 in
Curb weight2350 lb
Track (front / rear)55.9 / 56.7 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)53/47

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined20 / 25 / 22 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the MX-5 Miata of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.9–8.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.90 sec — 2001 Convertible
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2001Convertible 1.8L I-47.90 sec15.92 sec140 hpRWD
2001Convertible 1.8L I-48.10 sec16.30 sec140 hpRWD
199910th Anniversary Edition 1.8L I-47.40 sec15.60 sec140 hpRWD
199910th Anniversary Edition 1.8L I-47.50 sec15.80 sec140 hpRWD
199910th Anniversary Edition 1.8L I-47.60 sec15.90 sec140 hpRWD
199910th Anniversary Edition 1.8L I-47.80 sec16.00 sec140 hpRWD
1999Convertible 1.8L I-47.90 sec16.10 sec140 hpRWD
1999Convertible 1.8L I-47.90 sec15.90 sec140 hpRWD

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 Capacity2.2 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 Capacity5.07 oz

Service checks

Engine Compression146-198 psi

Brakes

Wheel Application15 inch WHEELS / 16 inch WHEELS
Torque Caliper to Bracket37-50 ft-lbs / 58-65 ft-lbs / 26-28 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle65-87 ft-lbs / 37-50 ft-lbs
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.354 in / 0.787 in / 0.866 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.354 in / 0.787 in / 0.866 in
Rotor Minimum Machining0.331 in / 0.74 in / 0.819 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.315 in / 0.709 in / 0.787 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 7,500 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 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) · Exterior Lighting (inspect) · Power Steering System (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (inspect) · Weatherstrip Seal (inspect)
Every 7,500 miBody Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miAir Conditioning System (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (inspect) · Frame Fasteners (torque)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Body Fasteners (torque) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 45,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miFuel Filter (replace) · PCV Hose (inspect) · Timing Belt (replace)
At 105,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash)

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 2001 Mazda MX-5 Miata sits within a generation that recorded zero recalls across all years tracked, a notable absence in the federal record. Complaint levels for 2001 (22) represent a return to baseline following the 1999 spike of 75 complaints, which remains the highest point in this model's history; the data does not specify the root cause of that spike. Compared to 2000's 29 complaints, 2001 shows a modest improvement, and it falls well below the elevated complaint counts seen during 1995–1996 (35 and 29 respectively). The top complaint categories—fuel system gasoline (4), engine (2), power train (2), and latches/locks/linkages (2)—reflect isolated, non-structural issues rather than systemic defects, and the absence of any fire complaints is reassuring. With zero recalls, zero investigations, and a complaint count back to typical levels, the 2001 model year presents a historically stable profile within this generation. This data suggests the 2001 Miata is a comparatively low-risk purchase, particularly given the lack of any documented safety-related recalls or investigations across the entire generation.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
17
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
22
Owner complaints
3 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 22 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Fuel System, Gasoline4
Engine2
Power Train2
Latches/Locks/Linkages2
Structure2
Suspension2
Engine & Engine Cooling1
Air Bags1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 17 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
07-004-252025-04-25Unknown Or OtherA musty/mildew type odor may come from the vents when the air conditioning (A/C) system…
SA-080-242024-10-25EngineSome vehicles may crank but not start due to a PCM/Immobilizer malfunction. If this…
09-038-242024-08-08Electrical SystemIn accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing…
SA-011-24b2024-07-29Unknown Or OtherMazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all…
SA-011-24a2024-06-07Unknown Or OtherMazda has developed factory recommended scheduled maintenance services that support all…

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 MX-5 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 2001 MX-5 Miata have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the MX-5 Miata get?

EPA figures are 20 city / 25 highway / 22 combined mpg.