MazdaMX-5 Miata1999Overview/mazda/mx-5-miata/1999/base/

1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1999 MX-5 Miata.

Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1999 Mazda MX‑5 Miata arrives as a lightweight two‑seat roadster equipped with an automatic four‑speed transmission and delivers EPA ratings of 20 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined. Its reliability record shows a total of 75 owner complaints—the highest count across the 1990‑2001 model span—focused primarily on service‑brake hydraulic issues, though the year recorded zero official recalls. This concentration of brake‑related feedback makes 1999 a relative outlier in an otherwise steady reliability trend for the early‑generation Miata, suggesting that researchers should treat its brake system performance with particular scrutiny when evaluating the model’s overall durability.

Model year202520242023202220212003200220011999

Quick specs

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

EPA fuel economy20/26/22 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 filterBP4W20490B alt BP4W13480
Spark plug000018BP01 alt 000018BP03
Battery0000800MX5WB
Front wiper bladesNC1067330
Serpentine beltBPE815909A alt B61P15907B
ThermostatBP6F15171A alt B62115173

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 height48.4 in
Wheelbase89.4 in
Curb weight2275 lb
Track (front / rear)55.9 / 56.7 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)53/47

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined20 / 26 / 22 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular 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.

7.4–7.9 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.40 sec — 1999 10th Anniversary Edition
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
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
2001Convertible 1.8L I-47.90 sec15.92 sec140 hpRWD
2001Convertible 1.8L I-48.10 sec16.30 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 Capacity2.1 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 Capacity5.07 oz

Service checks

Engine Compression146-209 psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket36-51 ft-lbs / 25-29 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle65-87 ft-lbs / 34-49 ft-lbs
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
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 7,500 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) · Exterior Lighting (inspect) · Power Steering System (inspect)
Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miEngine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Frame Fasteners (torque) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning System (inspect) · Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Body Fasteners (torque) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect)
At 45,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miFuel Filter (replace) · PCV Hose (inspect) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 90,000 miTiming Belt (inspect)
At 105,000 miTiming Belt (replace)

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 1999 Mazda MX-5 Miata stands out with 75 complaints, a dramatic spike compared to just 1 in 1998 and 29 in 2000, marking it as the highest-complaint year in the 1990–2001 record. This surge coincides with the launch of the second-generation NB model, and while no recalls or investigations were triggered, the data points to a first-year teething trend, with service brakes (hydraulic) leading at 16 complaints, followed by engine and cooling (9) and electrical system (8). The 10 crash-related complaints further underscore potential safety concerns, though the data does not specify root causes. In contrast, the preceding NA generation (1990–1997) showed lower and more stable complaint levels, and the NB stabilized in subsequent years. For a buyer, the 1999 Miata’s elevated complaint rate and crash reports make it a less reliable choice compared to other model years in this range.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
10
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
75
Owner complaints
10 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 75 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic16
Engine & Engine Cooling9
Electrical System8
Power Train7
Fuel System, Gasoline6
Vehicle Speed Control5
Structure4
Tires4

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 10 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
09-016-232023-02-28Electrical SystemSpeedometer replacement procedure
09-025-21-38242021-08-17EquipmentThis service bulletin provides information regarding the proper use of the driver’s…
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…
09-002-21-37702021-01-21Vehicle Speed ControlIn accordance with Federal regulations, follow the procedure listed below when replacing…

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 1999 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 / 26 highway / 22 combined mpg.