Plugged soft-top drains put water in the footwells (2006-2009 TSB)

Added 2026-10-26 · Updated 2026-10-26

Symptoms

Water collecting in the footwells after rain or washing.

Cause

Leaves and debris clog the soft-top drain valves behind the seats. Mazda TSB 09-046/10 covers 2006-2009 soft tops up to VIN ...203430 (built to March 1, 2009) in two VIN groups; production added a filter and ribs to the drain valve. The owner's manual also warns that leaves can block the drain outlets.

Fix (summary)

Clear the drains regularly. The TSB has dealers fit revised drain parts for the affected VIN ranges; check your VIN against the bulletin.

Related build entries

• NC first steps: recall, coolant tank and drains
• Keep NC soft-top and PRHT drains clear

Other NC problems

• Recall 06V-103: driver airbag horn-assembly bolt (early 2006 cars)
• Plastic coolant expansion tank cracks and dumps coolant
• PRHT crunches or is hard to open (2007 TSB 09-038/07)
• PRHT windshield header and roof rattle (2007-2008 TSB 09-035/08)
• PRHT front roof panel contacts the deck when open (2007 TSB 09-035/07)
• PRHT slow, stuck or rattling after an aftermarket roof module

More for this car

• All Mazda Miata NC (2006-2015 US model years) fitment answers · NC common problems
• Newsletter archive: past issues with every new and corrected entry

Sources

• Mazda TSB 09-046/10: 2006-2009 MX-5 soft top, water in footwell from plugged drains (10/15/2010) — Mazda North American Operations (service bulletin) (mfr spec; read 2026-10-26; full page read)
• 2006 Mazda MX-5 Owner's Manual (Form 8U35-EA-05F, Edition 4 / Print 4, Nov. 2005) — Mazda Motor Corporation (owner's manual) via mazdausa.com (mfr spec; read 2026-10-26; full page read)
  Soft-top caution, p. 3-40.

Summaries are in our own words. Not repair instructions; consult the factory service manual.

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