Recalls: Mazda NC MX-5
Overview
Manufacturers, or importers, issue recalls for defects or faults which have the potential to cause injury. Generally, manufacturers will inform the original buyers if their vehicle is subject to a recall and of the steps required to remedy the defect or fault. Please note that the recalls below (if any) are for Australian-delivered vehicles only. Furthermore, the number of recalls should not be taken as an indication of a model’s reliability or its safety more generally.
Recalls: Mazda NC MX-5
- In April 2006, a recall was issued for Mazda NC MX-5 vehicles that were manufactured from 22 December 2005 to 15 February 2006 and in the VIN range JM0NC30F100101276 to JM0NC30F100101604. For these vehicles, there was a possibility that if the airbag were inflated in cold conditions, the horn bolt could fracture and disperse the components of the horn switch (PRA 2006/8432).
Problems and faults: Mazda NC MX-5
Overview
This section identifies potential problems, causes and fixes based on the experiences of owners and repairers, online sources and technical service bulletins. This information is provided solely for reference purposes and AustralianCar.Reviews recommends that only properly qualified persons carry out repairs or modifications. Furthermore, the number of items below should not be taken as an indicator of a model’s reliability or the frequency with which they may occur.
To report a problem or fault to the AustralianCar.Reviews team, please use the Contact Us form. Note that AustralianCar.Reviews does not offer advice on automotive problems or disputes; such enquiries will not receive a reply. For vehicles purchased from dealers after 1 January 2011, please see our Australian Consumer Law fact sheet.
Mazda MX-5: VVT ticking noise
In December 2011, Mazda USA issued a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB 01-010/11) for Mazda MX-5 vehicles with 2.0-litre LF-VE engines that were produced prior to 1 December 2007 and had VINs lower than JM1NC******146287. In these vehicles, there may be a loud ticking noise from the variable valve timing (VVT) actuator when the engine was started – this was caused by:
- The lock pin of the variable valve timing actuator not fully engaging; or,
- A worn lock pin hole.
To fix, the cylinder head had to be removed and the VVT actuator replaced. Subsequently, heat treatment was applied to the area around the hole of the variable valve timing rotor lock pin to prevent this from happening.
Mazda NC MX-5: Engine and cooling
- The coolant should be changed every two years with the Mazda-specific coolant to preserve the engine.
- There have been isolated cases of camshaft chain tensioner pulleys wearing out, but these are relatively inexpensive and straightforward to replace.
Mazda NC MX-5: Suspension
The rear dampers and anti-roll bar drop links (front and rear) are estimated to require replacement every three years or 50,000 kms.
Mazda NC MX-5: Manual transmission
For the Mazda MX-5’s manual transmission, the gearshift from first to second may be stiff when the vehicle is cold, but this resistance should decrease once the vehicle warms up. Clutch life is estimated at around 100,000 kms, even with hard driving.
In hot weather, the Mazda MX-5’s clutch may have excessive free play and not disengage fully.
Mazda NC MX-5: heater performance at idle
In March 2006, Mazda USA issued service bulletin 07-001/06 for Mazda NC MX-5 vehicles that were manufactured prior to 22 December 2005 and had VINs preceding JM1 NC**** 60 1112258. Owners that parked their vehicle on a decline or braked hard while the engine was still cold may experience abnormal heater performance at idle because of air moving up from the radiator sub-tank, through the thermostat housing and becoming trapped in the heater core and/or its supply lines.
To prevent this condition, the shape of the hose between the radiator sub-tank and the thermostat was changed. To fix, the water hose was to be replaced with the updated part (part number LFG1-15-183B).
Mazda NC MX-5: squeaking noise when clutch pedal is depressed
In April 2006, Mazda USA issued service bulletin 05-002/06 for Mazda NC MX-5 vehicles that were manufactured before 1 January 2006 and had VINs preceding JM1 NC**** ** 111723. In these vehicles, a squeaking noise may be heard when the clutch pedal is depressed. According to the service bulletin, this noise came from the starter interlock switch. To fix, the starter interlock switch was to be replaced with an updated part (part number NE55-66-4D0). As a result of this problem, the plastic material in the starter interlock switch was subsequently changed.
Mazda NC MX-5: water leak at front of convertible top
In April 2006, Mazda USA issued service bulletin 09-013/06 for Mazda NC MX-5 vehicles that were manufactured before 1 February 2006 and had VINs preceding JM1 NC**** ** 113573. In heavy rain, water leakage may occur at the front of the convertible roof, around the female wedge. According to the service bulletin, this occurred because water was not completely draining from the drain hole and entered between the header weather-strip and windscreen header panel.
To fix, the female wedge on the side where the water leakage occurred was to be removed. If there was a dent in the windscreen header panel (beneath the weather strip), then a plastic windshield setting tool (part number IS742) was to be used to press on the weather strip at the dent area. The lip of the weather strip could then be rolled up so that a foam pad (part number NEY1-R1-433) could be inserted on the back side of the weather strip. After attaching the foam pad, the weather strip was to be pressed down (where the foam pad was installed) and the female wedge re-fitted.
As a production change, a pad was added to the area between the header weather-strip and the windscreen header panel.
Mazda NC MX-5: MIL and DTC P2407
In November 2006, Mazda USA issued service bulletin 01-037/06 for 2006-07 Mazda MX-5 vehicles that were manufactured before 7 August 2006 and had VINs preceding JM1 NC**** ** 126015. In these vehicles, the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) may illuminate and the Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P2407 may be logged in memory – this may be due to abnormal current in the LDP sensor which exceeded the threshold of DTC P2407. Since the design specification did not meet the market need, the powertrain control module (PCM) software was changed to resolve the concern. The service bulletin described the procedure for updating the PCM.
Mazda NC MX-5: DTC P0455 and EVAP leak
In January 2007, Mazda USA issued service bulletin 01-001/07 for 2006-07 Mazda NC MX-5 vehicles that were manufactured from 6 January 2006 to 2 August 2006 and had VINs in the range JM1NC**F*60111723 to JM1NC**F*70125568. In these vehicles, the malfunction indicator light (MIL) may illuminate and the diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P0455 may be issued (‘EVAP System Leak Detected – Large Leak’) – this may occur due to poor sealing between the fuel filler pipe and the fuel filler cap. To fix, the fuel filler cap was to be replaced with a modified cap (part number FEY2-42-250).
Mazda NC MX-5 hard-top: windscreen header rattling
In October 2008, Mazda USA issued service bulletin 09-035/08 for 2007-08 Mazda NC MX-5 hard-top vehicles that were manufactured prior to 11 January 2008 and had VINs preceding JM1 NC**** ** 148630. In these vehicles, the windscreen header and roof panel may rattle while driving because of insufficient latching force between the top lock and striker – this was subsequently fixed as a production change. To fix, the service bulletin described a procedure to tighten the top lock adjustment nut by one turn.
Mazda NC MX-5: variable idle speed and stalling
In February 2009, Mazda USA issued service bulletin 01-007/09 for 2006-09 Mazda NC MX-5 vehicles because of variable idle speed and, in some rare cases, stalling after the vehicle had stopped. The service bulletin attributed this behaviour to the accumulation of carbon deposits inside the throttle body which caused air flow to decrease. To fix, the throttle body needed to be removed, cleaned and re-installed using a new gasket.
Mazda NC MX-5: squeaking seat
In October 2009, Mazda USA issued service bulletin 09-064/09 for 2006-10 Mazda NC MX-5 vehicles. In some of these vehicles, there may be a squeaking noise from the front seatback due to contact between the seat frame and seat frame spring. To fix,
- The headrest was to be removed;
- The seat trim and seatback pad were to be removed;
- Clamp B was to be widened to remove Spring A (see bulletin);
- Vinyl tape was to be wrapped around the clamped portion of the spring;
- The spring was to be fitted back into the clamp and the clamp squeezed to secure the spring; and,
- The seatback pad, seat trim and headrest were to be re-installed.
Mazda NC MX-5 soft-top: water in footwell
In October 2010, Mazda USA issued service bulletin 09-046/10 for the following Mazda NX MX-5 Soft-top vehicles:
- 2006-07 Mazda MX-5 soft-top vehicles manufactured prior to 20 November 2006 and with VINs preceding JM1NC****7*131735; and,
- 2007-09 Mazda MX-5 soft-top vehicles manufactured between 21 November 2006 and 1 March 2009, with VINs in the range JM1NC****7*131736 to JM1NC****9*203430.
In these vehicles, water may accumulate in the foot wells due to the soft-top drains becoming clogged with leaves and other debris. For vehicles with clogged drains, the drain assemblies were to be updated (see service bulletin 09-046/10).
As a result of these problems, the following production changes were implemented:
- A filter was added to the drain valve assembly to prevent leaves or other foreign substances from clogging the drain;
- Ribs were added to the upper and lower valves of the drain valve assembly to prevent eh valves (rubber flaps) from being forced out of position if compressed air was used to clear the drains from under the vehicle; and,
- A foam urethane filter was introduced for the drain cover.
Mazda NC MX-5: MIL and DTC P0601:00
In July 2013, Mazda USA issued service bulletin 01-018/13 for Mazda NC MX-5 vehicles that were manufactured from 23 July 2012 to 15 November 2012 and had VINs in the range JM1NC******226802 to JM1NC******228352. In these vehicles, the malfunction indicator light (MIL) may illuminate and diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P0601:00 (PCM memory check sum error) may be recorded when the accelerator is depressed just after deceleration and the transmission is in first gear. According to the service bulletin, this condition was caused by improper control logic of the powertrain control module (PCM) and, to fix the problem, the PCM was to be re-programmed.
Mazda NC MX-5: front-end clunk after take-off
In January 2014, Mazda USA issued service bulletin 04-022/14 for Mazda NC MX-5 vehicles because some owners experienced a slight clunk/bang/buzz noise or jolt from the front of the vehicle during the vehicle’s initial forward movement after starting the engine. As per the service bulletin, this noise was due to a normal “Malfunction Detection Function’ being performed by the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) and did not require repairs.
Mazda NC MX-5: differential noise
In September 2014, Mazda USA issued service bulletin 03-004/14 for 2006-13 Mazda MX-5 vehicles that were manufactured prior to 29 May 2013 and had VINs preceding JM1NC******233232. In these vehicles, the rear differential may emit a whining noise while the vehicle is being driven – this may be caused by improper tooth contact pattern of the rear differential gear as a result of abnormal wear. The abnormal wear was attributed to more gear tooth lapping compound (used during production) being left on the differential gear than allowed. To fix, the rear differential was to be replaced.
Production control methods were subsequently improved to reduce the amount of remaining lapping compound.
Mazda NC MX-5: Other problems and faults
- Squealing noises from the front brakes under light braking pressure may be fixed by installing a revised brake pad guide.
- Poor AM radio reception may be due to static electricity discharge damaging the AM signal amplifier at the antenna.
