MazdaMX-5 Miata2021Overview/mazda/mx-5-miata/2021/base/

2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 MX-5 Miata.

Transmission Automatic (S6)

The 2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata, paired with an automatic S6 transmission and carrying an EPA rating of 26/35/30 mpg, has logged just a single owner complaint—focused on the power train—and is subject to one recall. Across the model’s complaint history from 1990 to 2001, the highest tally reached 75 complaints in 1999 while the lowest point was a single complaint in 1998. Consequently, the 2021 edition sits at the low end of that historical range, indicating a continuation of the nameplate’s strong reliability.

Model year202520242023202220212003200220012000

Quick specs

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

EPA fuel economy26/35/30 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 51R · 410 CCA battery, OE oil filter 1WPE14302. 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.

Battery groupBCI 51R · 410 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnFUSEOEM · verified
Tire size205/45R17 84WOEM · verified
Wheel / rim7 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter1WPE14302
Engine air filterPEES133A0
Fuel filterP59D13ZE0 alt PE0113ZE1
Spark plugPE5R18110A
Battery000080051RWB
Front wiper bladesNA8W67330 alt NA1J67330
Serpentine beltPEES15908 alt P30115909C
ThermostatP50215171

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length153.9 in
Overall width68.1 in
Overall height48.8 in
Wheelbase90.9 in
Curb weight2348 lb
Track (front / rear)59.4 / 59.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)53/47

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined26 / 35 / 30 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.

5.8 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.80 sec — 2021 RF Grand Touring
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2021RF Grand Touring 2.0L I-45.80 sec14.50 sec181 hpRWD
2022Club 2.0L I-45.40 sec14.20 sec181 hpRWD
2022RF Club 2.0L I-45.90 sec14.50 sec181 hpRWD
2019Club 2.0L I-45.70 sec14.50 sec181 hpRWD
2019Club 2.0L I-45.70 sec14.40 sec181 hpRWD
2019RF Club 2.0L I-45.80 sec14.50 sec181 hpRWD
2019RF Grand Touring 2.0L I-46.50 sec15.10 sec181 hpRWD
2018RF Grand Touring 2.0L I-46.40 sec14.90 sec155 hpRWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Engine torques

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts32.0-47.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load)Electrical Speed-Up: 50, AC Speed-Up: 75 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerMazda
Spark Plug Gap0.043-0.051 in
Spark Plug Torque12.0-14.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Standard BCI Group Number51R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance410 cca

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum61.7 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum73.2 psi

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
120.0-23.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 80-100°20–23 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
167.0-81.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 55-65°67–81 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
19.5-12.5 ft. lbs., Step 2: 32.0-34.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 85-95°, Step 4: 85-95°9.5–12.5 ft. lbs

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; spark plugs every 75,000 mi; coolant at 120,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 120,000 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 7,500 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miBody Fasteners (torque) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension Ball Joint (inspect)
Every 22,500 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 30,000 miFuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect)
Every 37,500 miExhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Exhaust System Heat Shield (inspect)
Every 60,000 miTransmission Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 75,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 120,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 180,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

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 2021 Mazda MX‑5 Miata recorded only one Power Train complaint in the federal database, placing it at the low end of a historical range that includes a peak of 75 complaints in 1999. No crash‑related or fire‑related complaints were reported for this model year, and the single complaint is limited to the Power Train category. Compared with earlier years, Power Train complaint volumes have generally declined, with most years ranging between 1 and 35 complaints before the 1999 spike. The data does not specify a root cause for the 2021 Power Train complaint, so no underlying defect can be inferred. Consequently, from a regulatory compliance perspective the 2021 model appears to be a low‑risk purchase.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
212
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
1
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 1 complaints on record, top 1 components.

Power Train1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

24V695000Air Bags: Air Bag/Restraint Control Module:SoftwareReported 18/09/2024

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2016-2023 MX-5 Miata vehicles. A software error in the air bag control module may cause the front air bags to deploy with excessive force during a crash. As… Remedy: Dealers will update the Sophisticated Air Bag Sensor (SAS) control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 7, 2024. Owners may contact…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 212 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SA-041-262026-06-18Electrical SystemThis SA supersedes the previously issued SA(s) listed below. The changes are noted in…
09-020-262026-06-17StructureDESCRIPTION Some vehicles may exhibit scratches (1) on the rear of the seat back bar…
SA-027-26a2026-06-16Electrical SystemThis SA supersedes the previously issued bulletin(s) listed below. The changes are noted…
SA-031-262026-04-30StructureDESCRIPTION Some vehicles may require the replacement of a damaged VIN plate or vehicle…
SA-029-262026-04-21Power TrainThis Service Alert supersedes the previously issued SA listed below: The changes are…

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 2021 MX-5 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 MX-5 Miata get?

EPA figures are 26 city / 35 highway / 30 combined mpg.