NHTSA Complaint #746948 — 2001 MAZDA MX-5 MIATA

AFTER DRIVING THE CAR FOR A FEW MONTHS, I BEGAN TO NOTICE A DEVELOPING PROBLEM WITH HOT AIR INFILTRATING THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT THROUGH THE SLOT IN THE CARPET AT THE HANDBRAKE. THIS HAPPENS WHENEVER THERE IS NEGATIVE PRESSURE WITHIN THE COMPARTMENT (WINDOWS OPEN OR TOP DOWN), BUT NOT WHEN THERE IS POSITIVE INTERIOR PRESSURE (WINDOWS CLOSED, TOP UP, FAN ON). THIS INDICATES TO ME THAT AIR PASSING THROUGH THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND OVER THE EXHAUST SYSTEM IS BEING DRAWN INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THIS NOT ONLY MAKES DRIVING THE CAR UNCOMFORTABLE, BUT ALSO REPRESENTS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. *AK