MYRModel Year Report

1990 Mazda Protege

▲ Better than typical
1990 Mazda Protege
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:40:11.960Z

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
38
Recalls
1

Campaigns on file for 1990

Investigations
2

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Seat belts

58% of complaints

Complaints per year

1989: 2 complaints 1990: 38 complaints 1990 38 1991: 51 complaints 1992: 63 complaints 1993: 48 complaints 1994: 75 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
1989: 2 complaints 1990: 38 complaints 1990 38 1991: 51 complaints 1992: 63 complaints 1993: 48 complaints 1993 1994: 75 complaints 1995: 165 complaints 1995 1996: 70 complaints 1997: 66 complaints 1997 1998: 46 complaints 1999: 88 complaints 1999 2000: 102 complaints 2001: 50 complaints 2001 2002: 98 complaints 2003: 120 complaints 2003 2004: 0 complaints 2005: 0 complaints 2005 2006: 0 complaints
1989: 2 complaints 1989 1990: 38 complaints 1990 38 1991: 51 complaints 1991 1992: 63 complaints 1992 1993: 48 complaints 1993 1994: 75 complaints 1994 1995: 165 complaints 1995 1996: 70 complaints 1996 1997: 66 complaints 1997 1998: 46 complaints 1998 1999: 88 complaints 1999 2000: 102 complaints 2000 2001: 50 complaints 2001 2002: 98 complaints 2002 2003: 120 complaints 2003 2004: 0 complaints 2004 2005: 0 complaints 2005 2006: 0 complaints 2006

1990: 38 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19892
199038
199151
199263
199348
199475
1995165
199670
199766
199846
199988
2000102
200150
200298
2003120
20040
20050
20060

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Seat belts

58% · 22 reports

Most commonly citing retractor and buckle assembly.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Driver's side seat belt failed to restrain occupant in an accident. Tt consumer was injured in accident.

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-11-20

Seat belt track jammed, dealer will not cover, although there appears to be a recall for this issue already.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-04-27

The front automatic passive restraint seat belts system is inoperative because the rail is bad. The dealership refused to replace the rail as stated in the automatic shoulder belt rail recall 97V211000.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-05-26

Engine and engine cooling

13% · 5 reports

Most commonly citing radiator assembly and catalytic convertor.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Clogged catalytic converter caused fire.

NHTSA ODI report, 1996-05-02

Visibility

11% · 4 reports

Most commonly citing heater core and windshield.

Steering

8% · 3 reports

Most commonly citing tie rod assembly and idler and attachment.

Power train

8% · 3 reports

Most commonly citing constant velocity joint.

Show complaint excerpts

Premature transmission failure.

NHTSA ODI report, 1994-05-22

Safety timeline

1 recall · 2 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. I
    1994-07-28Preliminary evaluationClosed 1994-11-30 Auto restraint system fail
  2. I
    1994-11-30Engineering analysisClosed 1997-11-26 Auto restraint system fail
  3. R
    2015-12-17Electrical system15V674000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1990 Mazda Protege — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Seat belts: 22 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 5 reports on file for this year.
  • Visibility: 4 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 15V674000 · Electrical system
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years1 year

Worst years3 years

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 58% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1990 Mazda Protege have?
1 recall on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.