MYRModel Year Report

1990 Mazda Protege

▲ Better than typical
1990 Mazda Protege
RENDERED 2026-08-02T10:11:54.302Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Mazda Protege Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1990 highlighted. 1989: 2 complaints 1989 1990: 37 complaints 1990 1991: 51 complaints 1992: 63 complaints 1992 1993: 44 complaints 1994: 74 complaints 1995: 165 complaints 1995 1996: 70 complaints 1997: 66 complaints 1998: 46 complaints 1998 1999: 88 complaints 2000: 102 complaints 2001: 50 complaints 2001 2002: 98 complaints 2003: 120 complaints 2004: 0 complaints 2004 2005: 0 complaints 2006: 0 complaints 2006
1990: 37 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19892
199037
199151
199263
199344
199474
1995165
199670
199766
199846
199988
2000102
200150
200298
2003120
20040
20050
20060

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

SEAT BELTS 30%

30% of complaints: seat belts — 11 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

SEAT BELT TRACK JAMMED, DEALER WILL NOT COVER, ALTHOUGH THERE APPEARS TO BE A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE ALREADY. *TR

NHTSA ODI report, 20120427

SEAT BELTS 14%

14% of complaints: seat belts — 5 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN OCCUPANT IN AN ACCIDENT. TT CONSUMER WAS INJURED IN ACCIDENT. *SLC

NHTSA ODI report, 19951120

SEAT BELTS 11%

11% of complaints: seat belts — 4 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN OCCUPANT IN AN ACCIDENT. TT CONSUMER WAS INJURED IN ACCIDENT. *SLC

NHTSA ODI report, 19951120

VISIBILITY 5%

5% of complaints: visibility — 2 distinct reports on file.

STEERING 5%

5% of complaints: steering — 2 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 19940728 — PE (closed 19941130)

AUTO RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAIL

I 19941130 — EA (closed 19971126)

AUTO RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAIL

R 20151217 — electrical system

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 1989-1998 MPV, 1990-1995 323, 1990-1998 Protege, 1992-1993 MX-3, 1993-1995 929, 1993-1997 MX-6, and 1993-1998 626 vehicles.

Remedy: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. The recall began on December 17, 2015. Owners may contact Mazda Customer Experience Center at 1-800-222-5500, option#6.

Campaign 15V674000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1990 Mazda Protege — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for seat belts issues (11 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for seat belts issues (5 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for seat belts issues (4 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 15V674000 (electrical system) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1993 ▲ 1998 ● 2001

WORST YEARS

■ 1995 ◆ 2003 ◆ 2000

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1990 Mazda Protege reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1990 Mazda Protege is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1990 Mazda Protege?

The most-reported component is seat belts, accounting for 30% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1990 Mazda Protege have?

1 recall on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.