I was driving down the road yesterday when for no apparent reason the check engine light came on. Car now has 3233 miles. Won't go off. Naturally I checked the gas cap, even though there was still 1/4 tank registering on the gauge. I hoped maybe it lossened up, not. The manual doesn't say much about what an owner can look for. Now I have to take it in Monday to find out what's wrong. Hope nothing serious. Engine runs fine with no other symptoms. Planning on leaving on a trip out west on Wednesday, hope this doesn't cause me to change my plans.
Anyone have any ideas?

 

i have the same problem on my miata on and off for the last 4 years (mine is an older model '99). it should not cause you any problem. it runs fine, but you should get it check out after your trip just in case. this seems to be a common problem on all miatas. go to autozone and have them read/give you a code as to what might be malfunctioning.

 

Had dealer check it out yesterday. Was evap code. I told them I knew about the TSB for the gas cap. They didnt replace cap, said it was loose. Hogwash! The cap was put on after fill up, then ran 330 miles before CEL came on. My first check was the gas cap, it was tight. Found out later that it would take about 25 key cycles to turn off light. No problem I guess, just upset they didn't perform the TSB. I saw a buch of new caps laying on the Service advisors desk, that was the kicker!

 

If your car is in the affected range, they need to comply with the TSB.

 

Don't let this little thing upset you. You just bought the finest sports car ever built for ANY anount of money! Take it in your trip, and you will have loads of fun driving it and when you return you will realize after driving it on a trip what a great little sports car it is! Enjoy the car, you will soon overcome this little problem that was easily fixed. I have a 2006 with Automatic (Tiptronic style six speed, paddle shifters on the steering wheel) and I love it!! You'll love iot as you own it longer, believe me, there is no finer sports car on the planet!
Gerry

 

Took the car on my trip out west, logged 5200 miles. Not one problem. Now has 8700+ miles, no more CEL's. Trip composite mpg, 31.789! Had a high of 42.27 while driving from Jackson Hole, WY to Yellowstone(and around the park) then back to Jackson Hole-2 days worth! Outstanding! Really like this "Go Kart"!

 

I had the same issue with my '07. Dealer replaced cap and still kept getting engine light. They finally came to find out that another model (Mazda6 I think) had same problem and it was due to a misshaped filler neck and caused the leak which threw out the status. Had the neck replaced and haven't had an engine light since.